Take a cruise in the off-season. Demand is lower when the weather is not at its peak, so cruise companies lower their prices to entice customers. Cruises to Alaska boom in the summer, but demand falls off after August because of the frigid temperatures. Temperatures generally don't affect cruises to the Caribbean because they are consistently warm. Caribbean off-season, with lower rates, comes after summer when kids return to school. This time of year is also peak hurricane season, and some cruise companies lower prices dramatically to ensure a full ship.
Organize a group. Cruises offer various discounts to groups that sail together for weddings, reunions, school and church groups, business meetings, and conventions. A general rule for defining group travel is that at least 16 people book eight cabins. Sometimes the discount is in the form of free passage for the leader or organizer.
Find a last-minute deal if your time is flexible. Not all cruises get booked up completely. The cruise lines are willing to offer these last few rooms at a discount rather than have them stay empty. Look for these deals anywhere from a few days from sailing to three or four months out.
Book a repositioning cruise. This type of cruise is offered when a ship is reassigned to another destination and relocated from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean or from Canada to Florida. Repositioning generally happens in the spring or fall. These are not your standard cruises because they are one-way cruises. Prices are much lower because of this.
