Let’s face it – cruise vacations are the most popular vacations available today. and the reason for their popularity goes above and beyond fun and excitement. Cruise lines are famous for offering cruise specials that are so cheap, it would be a sin to pass one up, even if you have never even considered taking a cruise vacation!
What’s even better is you barely have to look for cruise specials because on any given day you will find cruise specials to popular places such as the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and more. The first place to check out cruise specials and discount offerings is the Internet, of course. Not only is this the fastest way to shop and compare prices, but many cruise lines offer cruise specials that are only available if you book online. This is also true for travel by air, train, or bus, as well as for hotels and car rentals (just so you know).
Besides simply browsing through current cruise special offerings, there are several other ways to enjoy cruise specials. Cruise lines prefer advance booking, this means may enjoy cruise specials just for booking well in advance. Cruise lines will also offer cruise specials if you book last minute as well. They will do anything to fill up those last few cabins, so if rooms are still available several weeks or so before the departure date, cruise lines will cut prices by up to 75%.
Other ways to score cruise specials include: booking off-season, taking advantage of package deals, booking with a group or family, and booking with popular cruise lines. The world’s most popular cruise lines include: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.
If you don’t mind booking off-season, not only will you enjoy major cruise specials and big discounts, you will also enjoy smaller crowds, and cheap prices on everything from excursions to shopping and hotels. You will find the most cruise specials during the slow or shoulder seasons in year around destinations. The following is a list of destinations and their slow seasons: Alaska, May and September; Bermuda, April-May and September-October; Canada/New England, July-August; the Caribbean, late April-May, September-early January; Hawaii, late August, late November, and February; Mexican Riviera, early January and May, October-November; Eastern and Western Mediterranean, March-April and September-November.
Besides cruise specials for groups and families, just about every cruise line also features cruise specials for seniors. A senior is typically defined as a person aged 55 or older. If you are a senior, in order take advantage of senior rates, you cannot book online. There are two ways to book if you are a senior: you can call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line. Keep in mind that proof of age is required. To enjoy cruise specials for groups and families it might be a good idea to book your cruise through a cruise travel specialist for the best deals or if you have a cruise line in mind, contact the cruise line to speak with a live cruise travel agent.
For more discount cruises and cruise specials, visit any of the following popular websites listed below.
Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com