How to Get the Cruise Deal that Suits you Best

To avoid any disappointment, you should book your cruise well in advance so that you get the package that you want. Although this approach works while booking airline tickets, it may not necessarily be the wisest thing to do when booking a cruise package. It certainly will not get you a discounted cruise.

This is because some cabins go unsold as the cruise date approaches, so the cruise line will create last minute discount packages to sell the remaining cabins rather than leave them unoccupied. You may actually be able to get these unsold cabins for a fraction of their regular price! However, the cruise lines may not promote these discounts in magazines and on television in order to protect the interests of their travel agents as well as their full-fare business. The easiest way to make sure that you're informed of the cruise line's promotions is to subscribe to their website's newsletters.

You should also check with your travel agent which discount cruises are available. Don't be surprised if you can actually choose from a number of discount cruises from a cruise line of your choice! These cheap cruises do not compromise on quality and you can rest assured that you will still get the best of everything. Your discount can range from 10% to 75% -- it all depends on the time you book and the availability of the cabins.

Discount cruises are available from leading cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, Costa, and Disney. Sometimes it's better to buy from your cruise agent instead of buying directly from the cruise line as your agent buys in bulk and can help you get your package at the best rate.

Booking at the right time can get you a five-night Caribbean cruise for as low as $260. You may even save as much as 81% by booking at the last minute, provided you find the right cruise agent.

You can also save on your luxury cruise if you approach a traditional travel agent as they can get you a good group deal. If enough people come to them, they can book the cruise packages at the same time and so you can get a discount for bulk booking. However, you have to decide whether you are willing to travel as a group as you may also have to do many activities together. Although you save money, you may have to compromise somewhat in the freedom department.

With some patience and research, you should be able to find a great cruise deal with all the trimmings of a full-fare cruise, but one that will leave you with some extra cash in your wallet. It will make your cruise holiday that much more enjoyable!