How to Get Last Minute Deals on Cruises

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By Darrell Nichols
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Let's get Cruisin'

Finding deals on cruises is not difficult as you might think. You can save big bucks if you can hold out on making reservations until two to six weeks before you embark on your cruise.

I've had great success with the following strategy:
If you've cruised before, go to your preferred cruise lines website and see what they are offering. Most cruise lines offer discounts to past guests. (Be sure to indicate if you are a senior citizen or miliraty for additional discounts.). You don't need a travel agent to do this - you just need a bit of patience and an idea of when you'd like to cruise and how many days you want to cruise.

Spirit Airlines offers incredible savings, and the most amazing savings on airfare for procrastinating savvy savers like you and I. Join their $9 fare club and you can get airfare to places like Ft Lauderdale for example for as little as $9 each way plus taxes and fees in you watch for specials and the timing works for you. I could actually be on a flight from Detroit next week and fly directly to Ft Lauderdale or Cancun and back for this price right now. You have to act fast because once these hot specials are posted or e-mailed to you, you may only 48 hours to book the deal. Nonethesless, is a great site to hit a great cruise and air combo while saving hundreds of dollars in the process. Use the savings for snorting, deep sea fishing or horseback riding excursions.

You can also go to the cruiselines websites directly and look at there last minute deals.

For Royal Caribbean cruises, go to http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.do click on "Deals and Gifts, and then choose "Hot Deals" from the drop down menu.

For Carnival Cruise Lines, go to - http://www.carnival.com
Click on "Find a Cruise, and then select "specials" from the drop down menu.

You can use the same process for other cruise lines I have not mentioned to find last minute offers as well. I chose Carnival and Royal Caribbean simply because I've cruised with them both and I'm familiar with them.

Lastly, plan ahead. Have your passport in hand before you start looking for a cruise if you're in the market for last minute deals. You won't likely have time to wait on getting a passport in the mail.

Not sure if you need a passport or teh new (and cheaper) passport card, go visit this site: U.S. department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

I wish you luck on your cruise and wish I were joining you. Cruising is may favorite way to vacation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Carnival Cruise Ship - Grand Bahamas

Search your favorite Cruise line Website to their last minute travel deals and specials.
Carnival Cruise Lines: www.carnival.com
Royal Caribbean Cruise Liens: www.royalcaribbean.com
Norwegian Cruise Lines: www.norwegian.com
http://www.vacationstogo.com an excellent site for all cruise line specials and discounts
Step 2

Lovin

If you don't live near the port that the ship will be leaving from, I recommend searching https://www.spiritair.com/for their last minute cruise deals and Top Picks from the menu bar. Remember, what I said about the $9 fare club. If you find an awesome deal, you may not be able to book the trip without spending $30 for an annual membership. At a minimum, sign up to recieve e-mail specials, member or not.
Step 3

Have Fun

Pick your travel destination and dates yourself. Book it, and don't forget to see if you can get free upgrades to your stateroom or any on-line promotions that offers on-board credit. Then start packing your bags... Have a nice trip.