When it comes to cruise deals, there are usually two types: a slashed fare and an add-on value. Either of these offers will help you obtain cheap cruise tickets. The first type of offer means that standard fare itself is discounted, and the second type offer is a way to get a lot more value out of the regular fare. On a mainstream cruise, for instance, an “add-on” value might mean free gratuities, onboard credit, beverage packages, free-Wi-Fi, an so forth. While the inital price of the cruise isn’t reduced, you’ll still save money in the long run by spending less of it while on the cruise.
Unlike flights, when the best time to book is far in advance because last-minute deals are rare, there really isn’t an optimal time to book a cruise. There are plenty of last-minute cheap cruise tickets, and booking in advance is also beneficial. The best thing for you to do is to book the trip through a travel discount site that charges no booking fees.
However, season does often play a role in the cost of a cruise. Peak season for an Alaskan cruise is obviously summer months. Everybody wants to flock to some place cool to get away from the heat, yet not so cold that they can’t enjoy themselves. Thus, Alaskan cruise rates tend to be cheaper during shoulder season when people are reluctant to venture out into the cooling Alaskan temperatures, which is usually around early fall (September) or late Spring (May).
When to Get Cheap Cruise Tickets for the Caribbean
The opposite is true for Caribbean cruises. People are less likely going to venture out into the extreme heat of the Caribbean during the summer, when a hurricane just might be on the horizon. If you’re confident that you’ll be able to stay cool, you can probably find very cheap cruise tickets to the Caribbean during the summer.
If you’re traveling with kids, find out what kinds of perks are offered by each of the cruise ships, such as free admission for kids under certain ages, nanny services, clubs for kids of each age group, meal and beverage discounts, and so forth.
No matter where or when you want to go, the best thing to do is compare rates and offers at a cruise discount site. Look over itineraries and schedules to determine which cruise offers the sights and experiences you are interested in. Will you get any onboard credit? Is there a “buy one ticket, get a second and third one at a discount” type of offer?
Your best bet is to use a site that allows you to look over thousands of cheap cruise tickets and itineraries, and offers the tools you need to simplify the process and narrow down the options.
CruiseDirect is considered by many to be the best cruise deal site. Whether you’re looking for an affordable Caribbean cruise, Riverboat cruise, Mediterranean cruise, etc. you’ll find cheap cruise tickets through CruiseDirect deals.