While the economy is unstable and we may think about eliminating our vacation, cruise line CEO's report that their industry is still going great.

The reason? A cruise is one of the best travel deals you can find: some 80% of your travel costs are included in the price of the cruise ticket, including a stateroom, mountains of food and entertainment.

Add to that, the popularity of "homeland cruising",departing from a nearby port instead of flying to board a ship. For example, in 2007, roughly one million people opted to take a New York cruise from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ.

The internet has turned travelers into intrepid bargain hunters seeking the very best deal possible, I'm passing along my tips for cutting cruise costs even further.

1. A terrific travel agent is critical to getting the best deals. He or she can steer you to another, in many cases, better ship and show you a discount you didn't even know about. Travel agents know when bargains become available before the public. The best way to find a terrific agent is to ask for referrals, as you would a doctor, lawyer or anyone in a service business.

2. Whenever a great deal on a cruise pops up, pounce! Sometimes a few staterooms are available a month before departure and these will go in a nanosecond

3. Run "cruise travel agent" in Google and you'll pull up hundreds of travel agencies. Sign up for weekly bargain newsletters from a bunch of them.

4.Know what a bargain is and is not. For example, cabin upgrades rarely are: today, cabins are standard in size and amenities and cruise lines will only upgrade you in the category you're already booked in. Free gratuities and/or onboard credit will save money.

5.Cruise during the shoulder season. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, ships are normally full of families. Peak season for Canada/New England cruises is September and October. You'll find the best prices outside these periods

6.Cut down, or eliminate, the cruise line's shore excursions, which are over-priced. You can arrange the same excursions on your by visiting the port's web site. For example, one cruise line offered a one-day Budget car rental for $70. By going directly to Budget, I got the same deal for $30.

7.Repositioning cruises are the very best deal of all. While a few ships sail year round from New York, most change cruising seasons in March and October/November.

8.I know it's fun to buy new clothes for a cruise, but do you really need anything? If the answer is "yes", then buy it on EBAY or head for your local discount store.

9.If you live outside the New York metropolitan area and plan to drive to New York or Brooklyn, check out alternative transportation such as Amtrak or bus service. Not only is driving in New York a nightmare, but gasoline keeps climbing and parking is very expensive.

10.Before departing, decide which on-board expenses are unnecessary. Today cruise lines get the bulk of their revenue from onboard purchases so they push the spa, art auctions and other revenue generating areas. Do you really need more T-shirts? I've eliminated massages since they're never as good as what I'll get in New York and cruise ship spas charge 40% more.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2008. All rights reserved.