According to Cruise Lines International Association, cruise vacations are growing in popularity with all types of vacationers. Many find them attractive due to the package deal nature of the trip: lodgings, gourmet food and travel to several different locations are all included in the price. Even if a blowout one month luxury cruise isn't within your budget, you can still enjoy a cruise vacation for a reasonable price with some work and research.
Decide when and where you would like to cruise. Cruise lines offer trips year-round to a variety of destinations, including tropical islands, glaciers, European countries and transatlantic voyages. If you're flexible about your departure time, you're more likely to find a good deal, so plan ahead as far as possible.
Contact the cruise lines directly to get a baseline price. Cruise lines often offer better deals for repeat customers, so be sure to mention it if you've cruised recently. Keep records of the quotes you're given in a notebook or spreadsheet to keep you organized.
Use the Internet to search for special prices. Sites like Cruise Compete allow you to enter variables like your desired time, port and destination, and travel agents will send you quotes for their best deals. Coupon and "daily deal" style sites often have a travel section, so check back often for cruise vacations.
Talk to a travel agent. He may have special access to deals directly from the cruise lines. Don't be afraid to show him your previous research; travel agents are often highly competitive, and he may be able to beat another company's deal.
