Plan your trip during the off-season. Cruise lines are known for offering great deals during slow travel times. A cruise from the middle of April to the middle of December, which is the off-season in the Caribbean, offers a substantial savings over the rest of the year.
Book your passage at the last minute. If you have an open-ended schedule and the ability to travel at will, call the cruise lines or check the websites to see what is available in the next few days to a week. Cruises want to book every possible stateroom. When they're desperate to fill up, the line will offer a considerably reduced rate. If you live near Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, Galveston or Mobile, you can make the quick trip to the ship and set sail immediately.
Check the cruise line websites of companies that specialize in Caribbean cruises. Click on "Specials" or "Deals" to see packages that can save you money. These offers are made at reduced rates to entice passengers to take advantage and book a cruise.
Book it yourself rather than using a travel agency. Websites such as royalcaribbean.com, carnival.com, cruises.com and princess.com all offer Caribbean cruises. Booking via these sites is cheaper than using a travel agent for something you can do yourself. If you're not comfortable booking online, call the toll-free numbers each company offers and book by phone so any questions can be immediately answered.
Search for deals on discount travel websites such as hotwire.com, priceline.com, orbitz.com and travelzoo.com. All offer options to specify the Caribbean as your destination and emphasize the ability to offer you the cheapest cruises.
Check with any clubs you belong to such as automobile associations, wholesale clubs and professional organizations, to see if there are current discounts on cruises. The Caribbean is a popular destination and a likely locale for inclusion on the list of places you can travel cheaply.
