Where to look for last minute cheap cruise fares?

When looking for a last minute cheap cruises from New York or any port, first search the internet and look at the cruise websites for the cruise deals they offer. If you don’t find prices in the range you are looking for go to discount cruise travel websites such as Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Travelzoo or Lastminutecruises. Most of the travel companies offer extensive information about bookings and reservations on their websites. The internet is a great place to look for last minute cheap cruise fares and find fantastic savings.

Finally don’t forget your own travel agent. Make sure that he/she will think of you when last minute cheap cruise deals come across the fax or the mail.

The best time to look for last minute cheap cruises

The most preferred time to find last minute prices on a specific cruise is 1 to 3 months before the departure. Why? It’s because this is the final call for travelers to cancel existing reservations without getting a penalty. At this stage, the cruise line knows exactly how many cabins are left and will decrease the fare so they can sell out the ship.

Avoid Peak Travel Seasons

Most of the time last minute cheap cruises deals are not found over the holidays. Don’t plan on taking a cruise during peak holiday seasons such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Also the Spring Break and Easter Holiday are not good time either.

For example you are more likely to find last minute cheap cruises in the Caribbean during hurricane season (September – early November), but be prepared to have your cruise canceled or postponed, or during the pre-holiday break (first weeks of December) and the post-holiday break (first weeks of January).

Look For Repositioning Cruises

Fall and spring are actually the prime times of the year for repositioning cruises. Some ships sail 365 days a year the same itinerary, or at least in the same region. Lots of these ships relocate a few times a year based on the season. For example some will sail from Canada/New England to the Caribbean, or Alaska to Hawaii. Cruise lines sell these one-way itineraries rather than sail the ships without passengers. These trips are known as repositioning cruises. Per-diem prices for repositioning cruises are much lower than for regular cruises. These trips make great last minute cheap cruises.

These trips are usually longer, sometimes two weeks instead of seven days and up to a month in some cases, include many sea days, and come by lots of ports, all at a reasonable price. They feature themes on subjects ranging from theater to wine, or offer options like guest lecturers. Note that on the bad side you are responsible to buy expensive one-way airfares because generally these trips start in one port and end up in another, sometimes what may be a last minute cruise deal can turn out to be an expensive cruise.

To find these repositioning cruise think of regions that are season related year after year. Alaskan cruisers have no choice but to get away in September or October, most of the time offering unique routes along the California coast, through the Panama Canal or to Hawaii. The same way in springtime the ships will have to relocate to the Alaskan area. For example in fall and spring transatlantic ships will reposition from the East Coast (like New York or Ft. Lauderdale) to Europe for Mediterranean cruises. These are examples but you have many repositioning cruises all over the world like Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Are you a repeat customer?

Many cruise lines offer incentives to their actual customers to cruise with them again. These rewards can be discounts, stateroom upgrades, or onboard spending credits. Some cruise lines have travelers clubs and offer to their members special events or receptions, increasing the perceived value of the last minute cruise.

Read the Fine Print

This is very important and obviously applies to every transaction that you make. Please read the offer very carefully because it will tell you exactly what your package entitles you. Is it the right cabin type? Is the price per person? Is it single or double occupancy? Are service fees, government taxes and port charges included in the price? Is it really all inclusive?

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