How to Book a Discounted Cruise

If you are on a tight budget but still want to have a great vacation, booking a discounted cruise could be the best idea for you. Cruises can sometimes be very expensive, but if you know what to look for, you can get a really cheap rate on a cruise that otherwise books for much more. It takes some planning and research; however, the monetary savings is well worth your time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Trip reservations
• Passport, if necessary
• Cruise brochures
• Computer for research

1. Pick a destination. Discounted cruises can be found to nearly any destination. Research on the Internet or at your local library to select a destination that most interests you. Request brochures from various cruise companies to learn more about different cruise destinations.
2. Investigate to find the off season of the cruise to your destination of choice. Prices are always cheaper during the off season and oftentimes drastically so. The times when there is least demand for the cruise are the times when the cruise will be the cheapest.
3. Select the date you wish to embark on your cruise. Be sure that it falls in the destination's off season and is not around any holidays or extended weekends.
4. Compare rates. Contact a travel agent or search cruise company websites to find the lowest possible rate to your destination on the date you selected.
5. Book your reservation. Once you have found a discounted price that fits your budget, proceed to book the reservation for your cruise. Rates sometimes increase the closer it comes do the date of departure.

Tips & Warnings

• Be flexible with your departure date. To find the cheapest rate, you sometimes have to be willing to depart in the middle of a week instead of on the weekend.
• Read your contract and the cancellation policy before booking your cruise.
• Be sure that you know exactly when the cruise is departing and the duration of it before you book the cruise.
• Do not simply pick the cheapest destination. Instead pick a destination that interests you.