Let’s Have a Look at Types of Cruise Deals.

Finding and getting the best cruise deals is really not that difficult. When planning any vacation, we all want to find the very best value possible, including cruise holidays. What’s important to you in a cruise vacation is not necessarily what is important to me or anyone else. Sure, the price may be attractive, but if you’re going just for the price, where is the value? Beware, not all cruise specials however will give you the best value. Here are a few different ways of how cruise deals are offered. One is sure to be just right for you and your family.

Repositioning cruise deals:

Be sure to check out repositioning cruise specials. This is definitely one of my most favourite options when searching for great cruise deals. Basically, a repositioning cruise leaves one port and arrives in another. That is, this type of cruise does not return to the port from which it departed. Cruise ships relocate depending on the season or ‘reposition’ themselves and as a result, the cruise lines offer exceptional repositioning cruise deals.

Early Booking Discounts:

These discount deals are available from most cruise lines and for most itineraries as well. If you book before a certain date, the cruise line will offer special discount prices for your vacation. Now these discounts may not be the ‘best prices’ you can get, but by booking early, you will most often get the cruise you want, on the cruise ship you desire, the itinerary of interest and in the stateroom or suite of your choice. Some of the best cruise deals are to be had by booking as early as you can! Some great incentives are normally thrown in for those booking early. For example; free cabin upgrades, onboard credits, free shipboard photos or a free bottle of wine and so on. You get the idea!

You may be thinking that if you wait, with the cruise ships being so large these days, you can get exactly what you want, when you want. Be forewarned! Most cruises do sell out and people are booking a year in advance for popular cruises today.

Last Minute Discounts:

This is by far the riskiest of all cruise deals to plan on. If your preferred cruise sells out, you’re stuck without that cruise vacation. If you would prefer a balcony stateroom, all that may be available at the time could be inside rooms. However, having said all of that, these discounts can at times provide the very best pricing! So if you are flexible in itinerary, cruise ship, vacation date, and stateroom preference, this could be a great option for you. These discounts work excellent for those retired and can leave at a moment’s notice!

Group Booking Discounts:

If you can generate some interest in cruise planning with others, you could qualify for a ‘group rate’. If you deal with a reputable and popular travel or cruise agency, they can even add you to existing group bookings. This then allows you to receive those added bonuses and discounts. The rates again may not be as low those last - minute cruise discounts, but you can get in early enough to ensure that you get the preferences listed above. Group bookings generally offer some great additional onboard perks as well, similar to those I’ve already mentioned above.

Low Season Discounts:

Should your holiday schedule fall into one of the ‘low seasons’ for cruise vacations, you may be in luck. In the Caribbean for example, the so-called ‘Hurricane season’ provides many great cruise deals for potential passengers. You do take a chance with weather, but keep in mind that on a cruise, should a major storm happen, cruise ships will divert to calmer waters. Sometimes this can be better than a land-based vacation at this time of year. So again, if you’re not too fussy, there are some very good low season cruise deals to be had.

Value Added Cruise Pricing:

This type of cruise deal doesn’t change the price of the cruise itself. It does however give guests specials additions and ‘perks’. One such added value could be stateroom upgrades – you pay for a certain category of stateroom and the cruise line automatically bumps you up into the next category. Another common value-added feature is an on-board credit. In this case, the cruise line adds a credit to your stateroom account that can be used while on your vacation. Other perks can include free logo-wear or a nice bottle of wine in your stateroom. So, you don’t have to book a group or low season cruise to get value added cruise deals. It’s just another way cruise lines attract customers to book with them.

Previous Cruisers Discounts:

For first-time cruisers, this type of discount will be un-attainable. But your next cruise on the same cruise line, you may be offered many different specials that you may find attractive. These could include free upgrades, on-board credits as detailed above and much more!

Whether you take advantage of any of the possible cruise deals available, one thing is certain. A cruise aboard one of the magnificent cruise ships will be an experience you and your family will cherish for a lifetime!

Happy Travels

Robert Tellier