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NEW South America voyages: Get up to $2,300 in onboard & excursion credit^§!

Our best cruise deals and offers.

The vacation of your dreams begins here with a cruise you will love at an unbeatable price with these deals. Discover our current featured deals, last-minute savings, and learn how you can benefit from our comprehensive packages. Set sail with Princess to stunning locations such as Alaska, the Caribbean, or Europe for an unforgettable experience aboard the world's most loved cruise ships. Taking advantage of these deals makes Princess Cruises the best affordable cruises available. 

Limited Time Offer: Save $1,400 or More

Take luxury to a whole new level aboard our new Sun Princess®. Be the first to sail in a Sanctuary Collection℠ stateroom with exclusive amenities and benefits. AND save $1,400 or more on a Sanctuary Collection Suite, Mini-Suite or Balcony. 

Featured Cruise Deals

Here Comes the Sun Sale for a limited time, sail into vacation mode with up to 40% off + $99 deposits. Follow your heart to the glaciers of Alaska, the castles of Europe and the beaches of the Caribbean, and save like it’s going out of style. But hurry – unlike cruise memories, these deals won’t last! 

Canada & New England

Panama canal, california coast, australia & new zealand, south america & antarctica, tahiti & south pacific, trans-atlantics, world cruise.

Prices include taxes and fees. Prices are per person; double occupancy, in USD

Last Minute Cruise Deals

Get the best deals on cruises that are sailing soon. Hurry to book our best-priced cruises.

Limited Time Offer

Mexico Cruises

Europe cruises, canada & new england cruises, more great deals, west coast cruises, introducing princess picks, resident rates, sail away with deals on nearby cruises, sail from galveston, sail from ft. lauderdale, sail from los angeles, sail from new york city, sail from boston, sail from seattle, sail from port canaveral, sail from san francisco, onboard cruise deals & packages, princess plus® & premier® packages.

Our Princess Premier® package is the ultimate vacation upgrade with unlimited drinks, unlimited specialty dining, our new highest performing Wi-Fi service—MedallionNet® Max, crew appreciation, and more. All at a savings of more than 70% compared with purchasing a la carte. Sail carefree and cared for, upgrade to Princess Premier®.  

Plus Package Cruise Deals

These Princess Plus fares include great perks like Wi-Fi, drinks, crew appreciation, and more. Overall savings of over 50% when you add on this package for only $60 per day. Fares listed include the Plus package.

Now Booking: Sun & Star Princess

What were we thinking of when we designed Sun & Star Princess? You. We pondered everything, so you can feel the love on the cruise vacation of your dreams.

2026 World Cruise Offer

Travel to 52 destinations in 28 countries across 6 continents and only unpack once. With a limited time unbeatable offer.

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Looking to save big on your next vacation with Princess, but not finding the perfect deal yet? Join the many members who benefit from our deals by signing up for our email newsletter and rest assured that you won’t miss that perfect opportunity. Be the first to know about upcoming featured cruise deals, last-minute savings, coupons, seasonal offers, and more that you will be sure to love.

More Ways to Save

Past guest loyalty offers.

Our loyalty program, the Captain’s Circle, offers great perks for those who have previously traveled with us.

Military Cruise Benefits

Princess offers up to $250 free onboard spending money as a way to thank the brave men and women of the American and Canadian militaries for their service.

Discover Princess Casino Perks and Discounts

Earn points as you play and you could earn special perks like future discounts or comp cruises, VIP invitiations to special events and tournaments and more.

The Princess® Rewards Visa® Card Earn 20,000 Bonus Points

Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 90 days. That’s worth $200 in onboard credit. Plus, enjoy 2X points per $1 spent on all Princess purchases including onboard purchases. Terms apply.

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Princess Cruise Deals FAQ

Book early and check out the cruise deals page for the latest deals. The earlier you book, the better availability, and fares you will get!

Book early for our best cruise fares and have a great selection of sail date, itinerary and stateroom selection. Last-minute deals are great for the guests that live close to the departure port and are able to leave on short notice. Last minute deals have limited availability so make sure you book early for the best cruise deal and selection.

We sail to over 330+ destinations, all our cruise lengths and destinations have great cruise deals. Check out our cruise deals page for the latest offers. Book early and save big of all destinations.

We have great discounts and programs including our  Military Benefits Program, Past Guest Loyalty Program as well as Onboard Cruise deals to book your next vacation!

Princess Cruises offers extremely competitive pricing but may not always be the absolute cheapest, we consistently offer some of the best deals that provide exceptional value and unforgettable high-quality experiences.

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Cruise.com has been connecting travelers with the perfect cruise vacations since 1998. We pride ourselves in the best service possible, an accomplishment acknowledged by the most authoritative companies in the cruise industry. Cruise.com was named Agency of the Year by Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. As well as these major industry awards, MSC Cruises named Cruise.com Online Partner of the Year and many other cruise companies have celebrated our years of service to the cruise travel industry.

Cruises offer a great value and are an excellent way to see your favorite destinations around the globe. Cruise.com offers cruises on all cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and a host of others. When booking a cruise on Cruise.com you can select your preferred cruise line, destination and many other search options to find the best cruise for your next vacation. Our agents are experts in cruising and are available 24/7 in case you prefer to book over the phone. As one of the largest cruise sellers Cruise.com is able to offer our clients exclusive discounts, onboard credits, upgrades and many other valuable amenities. Call now to get the best cruise deal on your next vacation.

Best Cruises

Caribbean, Alaska & Europe

• Up to $1,700 Onboard Credits
• FREE GRATUITIES
• FREE Beverage Package
• Reduced Airfare
• Healthy Sail Protocols

60% OFF 2nd Guest

+ 30% OFF 3rd/4th Guests + Onboard Credit or Instant Savings

• EXCLUSIVE: FREE Gratuities or Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit
• Kids Sail FREE
• Specialty Dining for 2
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• AMEX Cardholder Benefits
• AMEX Cardholder Benefits: Up to $300 Onboard Credit + Bottle of Premium Champagne

UP TO $1,000 OFF + FREE AT SEA

FREE Open Bar, Specialty Dining, FREE Shore Excursion Credit, FREE 3rd/4th Guest, FREE Wi-Fi + BOGO Airfare

• Exclusive: Up to $1,700 Cash Back
• Up to $300 Onboard Spending
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• Past Guest Offer

Up to 40% OFF

EARLY BOOKING: Up to $2,000 Airfare Credit + Up to $500 to Onboard Credit

• Exclusive: Up to $1,785 Onboard Credit
• Solo Traveler Rates
• Princess Premier Upgrade: Beverage Package, Wi-Fi, Crew Appreciation, Specialty Dining and more
• Call in Sale! Save up to $500
• Military: Up to $250 Onboard Credit

Up to 4 Category Upgrade

+ 2 For 1 Fares + FREE Excursion Credit + FREE Champagne, Wine & Beer + FREE Gourmet Specialty Dining

Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit

• Special Solo Fares: Up to 50% OFF Single Supplement Waived
• FREE Land Programs
• Premium Economy Air Upgrade fr. $499
• Past Guests: 10% Savings

END OF SUMMER SALE

FREE International Airfare + $25 Deposits

• Complimentary Shore Excursions
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Complimentary Unlimited Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks at lunch and dinner
• Complimentary bottled water
• Complimentary 24-hour cappuccino, coffee or tea
• Exclusive Rates Available

CIE Land Tours

Small Group Departures

• Travel with Friends: Save 5% on 5 - 9 People
• Group Discounts: 10+ Passengers
• CIE Tour Special Amenities
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• Worldwide Destinations

Best Alaska Cruisetours

FREE Gratuites (select sailings)

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Cruise Deals on All Major Cruise Lines

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DAILY CRUISE DEALS

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Exclusive Cruise Offers

60% OFF 2nd Guest + 30% OFF 3rd & 4th + Onboard Credit or Instant Savings + Kids Sail FREE + Specialty Dining for 2

• FREE Gratuities or Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit
• Up to $500 Air Savings
• AMEX Cardholders: Up to $300 Onboard Credit + Bottle of Champagne
• AMEX Cardholder Benefit

LABOR DAY SALE: $100 Onboard Credit

Up to 75% OFF 2nd Guest + 3rd-5th Guests Sail FREE FREE UPGRADE

--> FREE Beverage Package + Basic Wi-Fi

• Exclusive: Up to $1,700 Onboard Credit
• Galapagos: Save 20% + FREE Airfare
• Back to Back Savings
• Call in Sale: Save up to $500
• Special Military Rates

Book Early: Up to $2,000 Airfare Credit + Up to $500 to Onboard Credit

• Princess Premier Upgrade
• Call in Sale: Save up to $500 per stateroom
• Military Special
• Military: FREE Onboard Spending up to $250
• Solo Traverler Rates
• Complimentary Wine

EARLY SAVER SALE

Up to $50 Onboard Credit + 50% Reduced Deposit + FREE Upgrades

+ AUSTRALIA SALE: Great Guaranteed Rates + Reduced Deposit SPRING SAVINGS: Great Reduced Rates

• PACK & GO SALE
• Up to $1,600 Cash Back
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60% Savings on Premium Package + FREE Shore Excursion + FREE 3rd & 4th Guest

Alaska Early Booking: + Elite Beverage Package + Specialty Dining + Premium Wi-Fi + Shore Excursion Credit

• Up to $1,700 Cash Back
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• Distinctive Voyages: Cocktail Reception + Exclusive Shore Event

Up to $1,000 OFF + Take All FREE: FREE Open Bar + FREE Specialty Dining + FREE Wi-Fi + Shore Excursion Credit + 3/4 Guest Sail FREE + BOGO Airfare

• Up to $300 Onboard Credit
• 50% Reduced Deposits
• Solo Reduced Rates
• Past Guests Offer

BIG BALCONY EVENT: Up to $600 Shipboard Credit (Balcony and above) + Grill Suites: Drinks Package, Hotel & Dining Service Charges are included

• Past Guest Discount
• Military: Up to $250 in FREE Onboard Spending

DISCOVERY AWAITS EVENT

Up to $2,000 Onboard Credit + Reduced Deposit + Past Guests: Up to $1,200 Discount + Grill Suite Guests: FREE Gratuities & Drinks

• Up to $400 Onboard Credit

MSC EXCLUSIVE: Cruise Only + Up to $250 per stateroom

ESCAPE TO SEA SALE: Cruises from $229 + Kids Sail FREE

• Exclusive Rates - Must Call to Book
• Reduced Single Supplement
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FREE UPGRADE SALE: Great Rates + 2-Category Upgrade

AUSTRALIA SAVER SALE: Up to $400 AUD Onboard Credit + 50% Reduced Deposit

• Senior Rates

FREE UPGRADES: Up to a 4 Category Upgrade

+ SIMPLY MORE PERKS: 2 for 1 Cruise Fares + FREE Shore Excursions + Specialty Dining + FREE Unlimited Wi-Fi + FREE Champagne, Wine & more

• Past Guest Savings: 10% Exclusive Savings
• Solo Travelers: 50% Single Supplement Waived

FREE First Class Air + EXCLUSIVE $200 Shipboard Credit

Up to $5,500 Savings

• Up to $250 Shipboard Credit
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• Kids Sail FREE or REDUCED
• Air Specials Available
• 2 For 1 Fares + FREE Gratuities + FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions + FREE Beverages

END OF SUMMER SALE: FREE International Airfare + $25 Deposits

END OF SUMMER SALE: FREE International Airfare + $25 Deposit

• FREE Shore Excursions
• FREE Beer & Wine with lunch and dinner

MORE MOMENTS ON US: Up to $2,200 Shipboard Credit

FLIGHT AIR CREDIT: Up to $2,000 per suite Air Credit

• Seabourn Club Savings: 5% Discount
• FREE Gratuities
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• Private Cocktail Reception + Exclusive Shore Event

LABOR DAY SALE: $500 Onboard Credit + Choice of Wi-Fi or Drinks (Veranda & above)

EARLY BOOKING BONUS: 20% OFF + Premium Beverage Package, $300 Onboard Credit & Unlimited Wi-Fi

• Early Booking Bonus: 20% OFF + Premium Beverage Package,$300 Onboard Credit & Unlimited Wi-Fi
• Back-to-Back Savings
• Dine at the Chef's Table
• FREE AzAmazing Evening Event
• Beverage Package

Always Summer Sale! Get a Balcony for the price of an Ocean View

FREE DRINK PACKAGE on Comfort plus rates

• Exclusive Rates: Book Now and Save
• CostaClub Benefits Available — Call for details

CRUISE.COM EXCLUSIVE: Up to $2,800 OFF

• Limited Time - Save up to 25%
• Limited Time - Special Military Rates
• Offers may be combinable with your Castaway Club Rewards Benefits - Call for details.

COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE: Upgrade to an elegant Ocean Penthouse Save 5% when you book early & pay in full-->

FAMILY VACATION SAVINGS: Save up to 50% OFF for kids & additional guests

• Single Supplement from only 25%
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• In-suite Welcome Bottle of Champagne upon arrival

LABOR DAY SALE: Up to $100 Shipboard Credit

FREE Upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares

• Reduced Rates on ALL Destinations
• Upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares: Unlimited Beer, Wine & cocktails, Wi-Fi & Gratuities from $79pp per day
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2 for 1 Fares + FREE Airfare

YACHT CRUISES: Up to $2,000 Bonus Savings RIVER CRUISE: Up to $1,750 Bonus Savings

• EXCLUSIVE RATES: Book Now and Save
• Complimentary Gratuities
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• Personal Butler

UP TO 70% OFF 2ND SAILOR

FREE Balcony Upgrades

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Save up to $3,000 + 15% Reduced Deposit

American Express Member Benefits Additional 5% Savings-->

• Refer a Friend: Save up to $500
• 25% Single Supplements Fares
• Complimentary Beverages
• Welcome Bottle of Champagne

Onboard Credit or Dollars OFF: Up to 6,000 NOK Onboard Credit or Up to $1,000 OFF

GREAT SAVINGS: Save up to $3500 on select Expedition sailings

• Buy One Get One FREE: on select 2024 Norway
• Single Travelers: Reduced or Waived Single Supplements
• Northern Lights Promise

UPGRADE OFFER: Wi-Fi, Specialty Dining, Shore Excursion Discount & Premium Drink Package

• Premium Drinks Package from US$19 per day
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Inclusive Yachting Experience

• Open Bar with select wines & premium spirits
• 24 hour room service
• Daily selection of Wines for lunch & dinner

BOOK NOW SAVINGS

Save up to $5,400 per Suite

• Expedition Cruises: Save up to $10,000 per Suite
• Open bars throughout the ship

Exclusive Adult Only Departures

• Two Adventure Guides
• Outstanding Accommodations
• Most meals during trip
• Gratuities Included

Save up to $150 per person

Travel With Friends:Save 5% on 5 - 9 People

• Solo Traveler Savings Save $50 per person
• Group Discounts on 10+ people
• Military Discounts
• Special Student Discounts
• Small Group Departure

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Up to $1600 Tour Credit

Small-Group Discovery

• Guided Sightseeing Tours
• Gratuities included

Up to $1,700 Tour Credit

• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Independent City Stay

Choice Touring by Globus

• Small Group Discovery Tour

Exclusive Experiences

• TAUCK BRIDGES: Family Discovery Tours
• Ken Burns American Journeys
• Airport Transfers

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Up to $1,600 Tour Credit

• All Hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• Airport Transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
• An expert Travel Director and separate driver
• VIP entry to many sights

ANNIVERSARY SALE: Save up to 20% + Reduced Airfare

SUMMER TRIPLE SAVINGS: Save up to $4,000 + Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade + $100 Onboard Credit per stateroom

• Mekong River: 2-For-1 Land
• Christmas Markets: Save up to $2,000
• Solo Traveler Specials
• FREE Wi-Fi + Unlimited Beverages

SAIL AWAY & SAVE: Up to $3,500 Savings + $100 Shore Excursion & $100 Onboard Credit

EXCLUSIVE: Up tp $1,700 Onboard Credit

• FREE Wi-Fi, Beverages

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Complimentary AirFare + Up to $2,000 Savings

• Complimentary cocktail hour each evening
• Breakfast room service
• Afternoon tea service in the Sky Lounge

LIMITED TIME SAVINGS: FREE Panorama Suite Upgrade

• Europe River: Save up to $4,000 per couple
• Mekong River: Save up to $2,000 per couple
• $599 Air from select U.S. Cities
• Single Supplement Waived
• Complimentary Excursions

EXCLUSIVE ONBOARD CREDIT

• Save up to $4,000 per Suite
• FREE Wine & Wi-Fi
• Call for Rates TOO LOW to Advertise

YACHT & RIVER CRUISES SAVINGS: Up to $1,000 Bonus Savings + 2 for 1 Fares + FREE Airfare

Exclusive Rates: Book Now & Save

• FREE Drinks at Lunch & Dinner

SAIL & SAVE: Save up to $1500 per cabin

FREE Drinks Package on select Europe rivers

• FREE use of bicycles during port visits
• FREE water, coffee and tea

RIVER HERITAGE CLUB SAVINGS: Save up to $500 per person

• Solo Traveler Savings: Waived Single Supplement
• 205 Early Booking: Save 10%
• Unlimited Beverages
• Complimentary Internet & Wi-F
• Complimentary Culinary Experiences
• FREE Unlimited Beer, Wine, Soft Drinks
• Exclusive Rates

All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking. Not all offers are combinable with other offers.

Featured Cruise Deals

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WEEKLY VIDEO CRUISE DEALS

Royal Caribbean

• 30% OFF ALL Guests
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• Great Reduced Rates
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Check back weekly to see the newest deals and visit our YouTube Channel to experience the latest in cruise innovations and unique destinations.

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10 Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise

Tell us if this process sounds familiar.

You want to book a cruise, so you start searching around. A web search takes you from one site to another. Before you know it, you’ve looked at a dozen different sites to try and find the best deal.

What’s more, you’ve tried searching multiple dates, itineraries, cruise lines, and room types, searching for that best combination of price, time and route.

It’s enough to make your head spin… and that’s before you actually purchase your fare .

After that, you end up checking the same cruise obsessively, making sure you’ve gotten the best price possible.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way . We’ve spent years studying the cruise industry and have come up with our best rules to follow to make sure you’re getting the absolute best rate with as little headache as possible.

It’s no guarantee that you’ll get the lowest rate offered for your cruise, but these rules will help you be smarter about buying your vacation.

In This Article...

Want a cheap cruise? Study this chart

Before we get into the rules, we want to walk you through some of research. First, we want to show you the most important resource when it comes to what you will pay for a cruise.

The chart below shows the historic per-person cruise fare for both an interior cabin and balcony room for a 3-day Carnival cruise over a period of two years between 2021-2023 . This particular cruise sailed from Miami, with a stop in Nassau, Bahamas.

We selected this cruise because it runs weekly, giving us a chance to compare the price of the trip over multiple years and see the trends in the fare.

First, you can see from the blue line (price for an interior room) that prices to travel last minute are consistent with the same time a year later. In other words, you don’t see that much of a discount — if any — by waiting until the last minute .

Second, notice the trends in the rise and fall of the prices. Cruise fares see large spikes during holidays and the summer. The basic rule of thumb is that if school is out, then cruise fares are high . Cruising off season can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Of course, there is so much more to learn about finding the best rate on your next cruise. We go into full detail of all the rules you should follow to find the lowest rate possible…

Rule #1: DO be flexible with your days to cruise the cheapest

As you can see in the chart , the fares for the same cruise can vary dramatically, depending on when you sail.

Holidays like Christmas and New Year’s fetch the highest prices by far. These rates can often be double what you would pay in the lower season. The highest rates found around the holidays are closely followed by peak summer rates when families with kids like to cruise:

The best times to sail with the lowest rates? The fall months when people are back at school and work, meaning that rates hit their lowest. You can also find lower rates in the time between New Year’s and Spring Break.

Rule #2: DON’T think there is a magic website with cheaper cruise fares

The cruise line’s website, Expedia, Cruises.com, Travelocity… the list of sites where you can search for trips is endless. The odd thing? They usually all have the exact same rates.

We researched the most popular sites for a Carnival cruise (although this rule applies to all cruise lines), comparing prices with the cruise line’s official website. This trip is a 7-day cruise from Miami in June 2025 aboard Carnival Magic. We’ve tabulated the prices we found below:

So which site should you use?

We generally suggest booking through the cruise line’s website. We like this because it takes out the middleman in booking your sailing. Should there be an issue, you can call the cruise line directly and everything is dealt with through their site.

However, many third-party sites can have special deals such as onboard credit that’s not available if booking through the cruise line. We’ve seen up to $750 in onboard credit just for booking through these types of sites, depending on their offers.

[Read: The Best Websites to Book a Cruise ]

As well, third-party sites take your search across multiple cruise lines. So instead of just searching for Carnival cruises or Royal Caribbean, you can search every cruise line — potentially finding a cheaper cruise with another line. Meanwhile, you typically won’t pay any more than booking directly from the cruise line.

If you know the cruise line you’d like to sail, we suggest booking directly through them. If you are open to which line you sail, then third-party websites give you the ability to search more cruise lines and itineraries to find a better price.

Rule #3: DON’T think you’ll save a ton by booking last minute

It would make sense that you would find the cheapest fares right before the ship sails. After all, if a room sails empty, the cruise line earns nothing from that cabin. They should want to get you on the ship and at least earn some cruise fare, then hope to earn more on excursions, drinks, and shopping onboard.

If that were how things actually worked, however, the cruise lines would go insane trying to plan. If rates were lowest right before the trip sailed, then every passenger would wait until the last minute. The cruise lines wouldn’t be able to plan their needs for the trip ahead of time or predict revenue, costs, or profits.

That’s why cruise lines have largely eliminated last-minute discounts.

In fact, if you look at our chart of prices for the cruise below, you can see that the price you pay for a cruise about to depart is inline with the same time a year later.

Where you can really get burned by waiting until the last minute is in your room selection.

When you book late, many of the prime rooms have been taken already. So if you had your eye on a certain type of room or location on the ship, it might not be available if booking late.

For more on buying last-minute cruises, read 9 Smart Last-Minute Cruise Buying Tips .

Rule #4: DON’T get distracted by cruise line sales

The cruise lines are like department stores — they constantly run sales and special offers. Sometimes it is 50% off the second fare. Sometimes it’s lower deposits. Sometimes it’s onboard credit.

We’ve found that there is a constant flow of deals, and they usually are all about the same. In other words, we don’t really think you should let it influence whether or not you buy… or let it affect the timing of your purchase.

Yes, it is possible that one deal might be better than another. However, they typically end up around the same price. If a cruise line really needs to fill rooms, they will simply lower the price of the specific cruise instead of offering a fleetwide discount via a sale.

Rule #5: DO sail on older ships for cheaper deals

It’s not written in stone, but you will usually pay much less to sail on an older ship compared to a newer one. Older ships are still kept up and comfy, but simply can’t offer the space or amenities as the larger, newer ships.

Over the past two decades, ships have seemingly transformed from simply seagoing vessels to floating amusement parks. From huge waterslides to promenades, robot bars, roller coasters, ice rinks, and more, it’s hard to believe what they can put on a new ship these days.

If you don’t need these sorts of things on your cruise, then look for an older ship to get a much cheaper cruise.

What can you expect to save? It’s difficult to compare apples to apples as different ships sail to different ports at different times, but we found two similar cruises to compare.

The first was a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from Port Canaveral, departing April 2025. Wonder of the Seas is one of the cruise line’s newest ships, and it’s priced accordingly.

The cheapest price (interior cabin) we found for an April sailing on this new ship was $1,106 per person .

Compare this rate with a 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard an older Royal Caribbean ship — Adventure of the Seas. We found this cruise departing Port Canaveral during the same month (April 2024). Despite being one night longer, the trip was priced at just $955 per person for an interior cabin . That’s about $150 per person less for an additional night.

In other words, sailing the older ship in this example costs considerably less than the new ship — despite the cruise being a day longer.

(Note: There is also a 6-night cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas during that same month starting at just $666 per person — an even larger discount.)

Rule #6: DO choose your room location carefully

While not every cruise line does it, many will charge you different amounts for the same class of room in different locations of the ship. For example, a room on a higher deck will cost more than one on a lower deck. Through years and years of bookings, the cruise lines know which rooms are most desirable and charge accordingly.

Most times the premium you pay for room location won’t seem like a big deal. The cruise lines sometimes frame it by adding something like $3-5 per person, per day.

Let’s do the math, however.

A room with two people being charged an extra $5 per person, per day would rack up $10 per day — or $70 in room location charges over the course of a week-long cruise. That may not sound like much to some of you, but that comes about to about 4-6 drinks from the bar if you were to want to spend your money on alcohol instead.

The rule of thumb is that the higher up your room is on the ship, the more you will pay.

For the absolute best rate for your particular room class, let the cruise line place you automatically at their lowest rate.

Rule #7: DON’T buy the “wave season” hype

You might have heard of “wave season.” This time of year — running from January through March — is supposed to be when the cruise lines offer the best deals. That’s due to the cold weather in most of the country making people think of warmer places combined with the passing of the Christmas holiday. It is definitely true that more booking activity goes on during this period. But it may not mean better prices. 

Our take? Wave season is hyped up, similar to “Black Friday.” Sure there may be good offers — but not enough to keep us from booking a good deal when we see one a different time of year.

If everyone waited until the wave season because the deals were better, then the cruise lines wouldn’t have anyone book the other nine months of the year. You’ll find that the deals offered aren’t that much different than those found the rest of the year.

Rule #8: DON’T think booking far ahead will save much

If last-minute booking doesn’t offer much of a discount, then surely you’ll be rewarded by booking well in advance, right?

Not so much.

Rates vary the most by time of year… not by how far in advance the departure is. For example, you’ll see similar fares for a cruise in September, whether that’s three months from now or a year and three months from now.

Now, that’s not to say that the fare for a cruise well in the future won’t drop at some point. If the cruise line has trouble filling rooms, they will certainly drop the rate. But many times, there is no huge advantage to booking a year or more in advance (although you will have more cabin options).

Rule #9: DO book your cruise when you find a rate you like

We know that trying to find the best rate can be nerve-wracking. Don’t let it get to you. We think the key is to do some research first on the cruises offered and what they are selling for. Once you have a ballpark idea of what they cost, you can have a better idea if you are getting a good deal.

Once you find a rate that you think is fair (including any sales/promotions), go ahead and book it. There’s no sense in waiting and watching to see if the price will fall more, especially since it could also rise. ( Read more on the best time to book a cruise. )

And while you want to book your cruise once you’ve found a rate you’re happy with, we recommend NOT paying in full. In fact, put down the smallest deposit allowed.

This will give you some leverage for Rule #10. (Keep in mind that if you book last-minute, you often have to pay for the trip in full at the time of booking.)

Rule #10: DO monitor price drops…and call the cruise line

So what if after all this you book your cruise and then the price drops?

First, you should be monitoring the price of your cruise after you book if you want to save money. We’re not saying to check it every day, but once or twice a month is sufficient.

If you run across a price drop, then you should contact the cruise line immediately. This is where having put down only a deposit — and not paying in full — buys you some leverage.

Many times the cruise lines will work with you to compensate for the lower fare, even though they often aren’t obligated to do so. They can refund the difference or offer onboard credit to make you happy.

Some lines have price protection policies in place. Carnival, for example, has it’s Early Saver Program :

1. When you book a 3-5 day cruise three months in advance, or 6 day or longer cruise five months in advance, you are assured the lowest rate. 2. In the unlikely event that you do find a lower Carnival-advertised rate after booking your cruise, we will honor it and adjust your cruise rate accordingly. Simply fill out the Price Protection Claim form and we’ll take care of the rest.

If you only have a deposit down, and they won’t work with you on the price difference, determine the refund policy to see if it is worth it to cancel your original trip and re-book the cruise at the lower rate.

If you’ve already paid in full, it’s still worth calling the cruise line if you see a lower fare. The lines want happy customers and will sometimes work with you to compensate for the new lower price.

Bottom Line: Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball that will tell you the absolute best time of year or day of week to book your cruise. That said, the tips above can help you carve out the best deal possible — without driving yourself crazy.

More on Cruise Buying:

• The Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• The Best Time to Book a Cruise (Save Money, Better Cabins)

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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Informative but I am really confused what I am missing. I looked at several Azamara cruises on both their website and VTG. There was a huge prices difference. Even if I subtract things like port fees and gratuities, it did not come close to accounting for the price difference. Can anyone explain why?

I agree that the fall months as well as early in the year are best for cheaper rates but I live on the East coast and I monitor hurricanes every year. It seems to be a very big risk booking during hurricane season. I’ve been researching cruises to Bermuda. Last time I booked was first week in June. That was my first cruise so I was a total newbie. Great cruise, however. Your article was very informative. I’ve never cruised on Carnival before, always cruised on NCL.

Hello, this is more about the cruise incentive, rather than cruise price. I booked August 31 to sail December 1 with Expedia for HAL. Expedia is now offering the drink package at a reduction of $400 each plus more onboard credit.I would be saving $625, initially I did receive free gratuities.

They are not willing to help as of my phone call, any tips on what to do? Thanks in advance. Your site is great, I have been enjoying the tips.

So you’ve called and they won’t give the better offer? What sort of cancellation fee are you looking at? It might be worth cancelling and then re-booking the better deal if you wouldn’t be out too much money.

I agree with most everything you said in this article except letting the cruise line choose your room. Yes you may save a few dollars that way but you will also most likely get an undesirable room. Undesirable rooms are those under the Lido deck, above and below the nightclubs, next to the galley, and next to the elevators. Also if you are booking an inside room (which is the cheapest), be sure you are not booking a room with an upper and lower berths if that is not what you want. If you are booking an outside room and you really want the view, be sure you are not booking one with a restricted view (life boats, structure, etc). If you elect the cruise line choosing your room be sure you are selecting the right category. This is where a travel agent can help.

Thanks for the comment. We always let the cruise line choose the room for us to save money. Never had an issue with location.

Probably the truest article I’ve read! So many other sites seem to be in some kind of alliance with the cruiselines so they halfway tell you something then backtrack. Also, I find it interesting that you mentioned the fact that the sales are constant and basically offer the same. I witnessed it first hand over the last few weeks. I kicked myself for not booking when the rates went down, however, when they increased $25 per person (2 in cabin, so $50 more), the onboard credit increased $50 with the offer. So it was essentially the same deal. I think all in all, in 2 different cruises after searching, waiting and continually checking even after booking, I’ve only missed out on a total of an extra $25 onboard credit for the entire cabin.

It’s great that you elaborated on which dates are best for finding better deals on cruises. I remember when my husband and I discussed going on a cruise sometime, we weren’t sure what dates we would want to plan ahead for. What you said about going in the falls months when people are back to work and school means lower rates, in general, was very interesting to me.

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How to Find the Best Cruise Deals, According to Travel Experts

Snagging a great cruise deal is easier than you think — so as long as you follow these expert tips.

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

It’s no secret that cruising has become increasingly popular in recent years. According to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), nearly 36 million passengers  (35.7 million, to be exact) will set sail in 2024, up 4.2 million from 2023. And, despite the industry’s increasing popularity, finding the best cruise deals may not be as difficult as you think — that is, as long as you know when to book (and what to look for). 

What’s more, wave season, which takes place from January to March, is when dozens of cruise lines release their best, most value-packed offers, which means it’s arguably the best time to book your sailing. During these months, cruisers can choose from hundreds of different promotions, which, while exciting, can be overwhelming. However, according to Rob Clabbers, T+L A-list travel advisor and founder of Q Cruise + Travel , a Virtuoso agency in Chicago, “the lowest fare is only a deal if it is the right cruise for you.” In other words, he explains that if you “pick the wrong line or itinerary, that deal just turns into a waste of vacation time and money.” 

With all this in mind, we tapped Clabbers, along with a few other T+L A-list travel advisors, to share their expert insight on how to find the best cruise deals.

Meet the Expert

Rob Clabbers is a Travel + Leisure A-list travel advisor who specializes in cruises. He also founded Q Cruise + Travel, a Chicago-based travel agency. 

Mary Curry is a  T+L A-list travel advisor and small ship specialist.

Ashton Palmer is also a T+L A-list travel advisor who specializes in expedition sailings. 

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Take advantage of wave season. 

As previously mentioned, wave season runs from January through March. During this months-long stretch, sometimes referred to as the Black Friday of cruise deals, many cruise lines — from budget lines to small-ship luxury ones and beyond — offer some of the most competitive deals of the year. It’s well worth booking your cruise during these months.  

Use a travel advisor.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or veteran sailor, the slew of deals, promotions, and special offers can seem daunting: How do you know which ones are worth booking? Which offers the most value? Clabbers explains, “All these options and special offers can be confusing, and a qualified travel advisor who knows their way around cruises may help you find the best deal.” Oftentimes, these folks can “offer extra benefits that are not available when booking directly with a cruise line.” Ultimately, says Clabbers, the best travel advisors are those who can “help customize your trip with hotels, tours, and other services that may be a better value or fit for your style of travel.”

Consider shoulder or low season travel.

Per Clabbers, many cruise lines offer lower fares before or after the peak seasons. “While the weather may not be at its peak, neither are the crowds. If your main interest is visiting cultural attractions and museums or exploring cities, rather than baking on a beach, fewer fellow travelers make for a much more enjoyable experience. Bonus: airfares may be lower, too.” A few examples include an Alaska sailing in May or September (as opposed to peak season, July and August) and a European river cruise in March or October/November (instead of May or September, which, per Clabbers, is considered high season).  

Mary Curry, another T+L A-list travel advisor and small ship specialist, echoes these sentiments. “I can't tell you how many travelers are hoping for a 'waived single supplement' or 'two for one' offer and then restrict themselves to only the peak dates for that region.” With that in mind, she says,  “It's so much more likely that these specials will be offered for dates where demand is not as high since small ships don't take long to fill for peak dates and rarely need to offer these” on sale or as part of a larger promotion. 

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Be flexible. 

Put simply, explains Clabbers, “The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to find a lower rate for your cruise.” For example, if you are “very flexible and are looking for a standard room on a large ship on an itinerary that repeats week after week, you are more likely to find a promotional fare.” However, if you’re only open to traveling during a specific timeframe or itinerary (including ones that operate infrequently, such as a world cruise ) in “a category that contains only a few rooms or suites, etc.,” explains Clabbers, “the limited supply will likely result in higher pricing.” Additionally, in some cases, “you may come across a ‘guarantee’ special offer.” In other words, this means that “in return for a lower fare, the cruise line gets to assign your specific room anywhere on the ship, in the category you selected.” 

Ironically enough, being flexible sometimes may mean giving up some of your flexibility. For example, says Clabbers, “Some lines, like Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean, offer slightly lower fares if you’re willing to give up some of your flexibility by choosing to pay a nonrefundable deposit instead of a refundable one.”  

Book early. 

When it comes to snagging the best cruise deals, booking early is ultimately your best bet — “especially if you’re looking to travel on a luxury cruise line , or for unique, popular itineraries,” says Clabbers. “Lines like Silversea, Seabourn, Explora Journeys, and others aim to offer their lowest fares and best promotions when reservations are first accepted for a new itinerary and will raise fares as the departure date comes closer.” 

Additionally, according to Curry, this is especially true on small-ship sailings . “Most small ships are counting on filling all their cabins, so they offer the best deals for travelers who plan early.” She goes on to explain that many small-ship lines have even “formalized this system by offering 'capacity-controlled pricing' that offers the best rates furthest in advance with the rate steadily increasing for the same category cabin as you get closer and the ship fills.” 

Finally, keep in mind that some cruises can be booked up to three years in advance, which means it’s never too early to start planning.

Or book a last-minute cruise.

Sometimes, it pays to book late — so as long as “you’re very flexible with dates, itinerary, type of room, or location on a ship,” explains Clabbers. 

Ashton Palmer, another T+L A-list travel advisor who specializes in expedition sailings , shares similar insight. “If you are flexible and can travel 90 days or less before departure, cruise lines will sometimes extend discounts.” 

Related:   The Best Time to Book a Cruise

Stick with one line.

Just as airlines and hotels offer travel rewards programs and perks to loyal customers, most cruise lines do the same, too. Put simply, says Clabbers, “loyalty can pay off.” In fact, “Many cruise lines offer some discounts or credits to spend onboard or other benefits for their returning passengers.” Plus, these programs are free to join, so you have nothing to lose by signing up.

Mark Katzman/Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Cruise with friends or family.

Cruise with your nearest and dearest — and get rewarded for it, too. According to Palmer, cruise lines are often willing to extend a discount “for groups of six or more.” For example, Royal Caribbean , Virgin Voyages , and Princess offer group discounts. 

Consider repositioning cruises. 

Budget-conscious travelers should certainly consider a repositioning cruise. These unique one-way sailings generally occur at the beginning or end of a cruising season (typically in the spring or fall) when ships need to return to their home ports. Two real-life examples of these itineraries include Celebrity’s Mediterranean Passage Transatlantic sailing (which cruises from Tampa to Barcelona) and Windstar’s Greenland: North Atlantic Odyssey itinerary (which sails from Reykjavik to Montreal).

Keep in mind that these value-packed cruises, which hover around two weeks, feature far more sea days than typical itineraries to account for the travel time between the embarkation and disembarkation ports. As such, you’ll be spending the bulk of your vacation on board.

Bundle up. 

Nowadays, many cruise lines offer additional perks and discounts that go far beyond the basics (think: free specialty dining, onboard credits, an open bar, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and, in some cases, pre- and post-cruise hotels and/or airfare). Oceania’s Simply More offer, for example, includes shore excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and Champagne and wine. Norwegian Cruise Line’s beloved Free at Sea promotion offers similar savings, while select sailings on lines like Ponant and Celebrity include flights .

Guests sailing with luxury all-inclusive line Silversea also have the option to add flights by booking the Door-to-Door All-Inclusive package . You may also be able to find — and book — reduced-cost flights directly through the cruise lines. For example, per its website,  the Holland America Flight Ease program offers passengers the opportunity “to book air travel featuring flight inventory from most airlines, our specially negotiated low prices, the freedom to change your flights with no change fees, and late-arrival protection with 24-hour assistance. In addition, you can earn frequent flier miles with participating airlines,” according to the Holland America website. Similarly, some lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises , offer free two- or three-night land programs and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay for some guests. 

Do your research to see if you’re eligible for additional discounts or benefits.  

According to Clabbers, select lines, including Cunard and Princess , offer “extra benefits for certain types of passengers,” including added perks and, in some cases, discounted or free fares. Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines offer special military perks and discounts. 

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TIS THE SEASON FOR ADVENTURE

Holiday cruises.

Fill the December holidays with tropical, action-packed days and unforgettable memories. Start a new tradition with the biggest holiday cruise celebration at sea.

This year, spend the holidays in a warm winter wonderland with your favorite holiday traditions — plus some epic new ones — onboard the world’s boldest ships. Bring everyone together for Thanksgiving memory-making that the whole family will be grateful for. Sailings in December keep magical Christmas celebrations dancing through your head. And it all culminates in the hottest New Year’s Eve party at sea. So get onboard and deck the holidays with us.

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Enjoy the ultimate holiday celebration with loved ones this festive season.

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MAXED OUT IN NEW TRADITIONS

A holiday at sea is filled with epic new traditions in the making. Onboard, have a blast hanging ten on the FlowRider®* or gasping in awe at a high-diving AquaTheater spectacular. And on shore, you’ll be glad you ditched the cold for extra bold experiences from ATV jungle treks to underwater snorkel discoveries and more.

tropical holiday fun

You don’t need snow for plenty of whoa this December. Choose an island-hopping getaway for winter fun under the sun. All of the best holiday cruises for families spend one glorious day at CocoCay.

DASH THROUGH THE WHOA

It’s the most thrilling time of the year — with exclusive adrenaline-pumping experiences you won’t find on any other cruise line. Try skydiving right on deck, take on The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides and more!

REVELRY AND RIVALRY

Holiday time is family time. Discover incredible ways to take togetherness — and competitive spirit— to new heights. Cheer each other on while scaling the signature Rock Climbing Wall, or see who’s brave enough to plunge down the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠.

PUTTING THE SEA in seasonal favorites

Holidays onboard are decked out with everything you love most about the season. Gather 'round for a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner — without lifting a finger. Wander through a winter wonderland as the Royal Promenade comes alive with Christmas cheer. Ring in the New Year with a massive balloon drop plus sensational beats. And that’s just a taste of the celebrations in store. 

HOME STYLE HOLIDAYS

Pack your appetite — all your favorite flavors of the holiday season are onboard. Savor mouthwatering Thanksgiving staples like oven-roasted turkey and old-fashioned pecan pie. And  Christmas dinner classics, like honey baked ham and homemade sides.

LIGHTING UP THE SEA

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah, you’ll find your most treasured holiday traditions at sea — with festive tree and menorah lighting ceremonies on every sailing in December.

NEW WAYs TO NEW YEAR

Ring in the new year with an enchanting countdown to the massive balloon drop. Plus, score an invitation to the hottest New Year’s Eve party at sea, where jam-worthy live music starts the year on just the right note.

STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY BLISS

Need a no-pressure family getaway? A romantic beach adventure for two? Whatever style you're looking to celebrate in, you'll cruise through this year's holiday season stress-free.

FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE

Make sure you stop at  Perfect Day at CocoCay  for an action-packed adventure that everyone will love. Kiddies can splash to their heart's content at Splashaway Bay or head to the swashbuckling Captain Jill's Cannon for the ultimate pirate experience. See who's brave enough to conquer all 13 waterslides at  Thrill Waterpark , or relax along the  Oasis Lagoon . Get the whole family together on a hot air balloon ride and make holiday memories to last a lifetime.

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BABY, IT'S NOT COLD OUTSIDE!

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Sit back and relax while we handle the details. Our award-winning staff and service are committed to making this your best holiday yet. Enjoy your holiday journey with exceptional accommodations with room for the whole family, traditional holiday meals and more. 

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Once you step onboard, our award-winning crew is waiting to add an extra dash of joy to your holiday journey — from cheer-filled smiles to service so good, you’ll wonder if it’s Santa in disguise.

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Find room for the whole family — big or small — with a wide selection of well-appointed staterooms and indulgent suites that can accommodate up to ten guests. Everyone enjoys all the comforts of home during a holiday adventure at sea.

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Let us handle all the holiday magic making — from over-the-top traditional meals where you won't have to lift a finger to an incredible lineup of seasonal festivities that keep the whole gang entertained. The only decision you need to make is which adventure is right for you.

SPEND THE HOLIDAYS ON THE BOLDEST CRUISE SHIPS AT SEA

Incredible is on the itinerary when you set sail on one of our Oasis Class cruise ships. Get your adrenaline fix with two onboard water slides, a wave park and the only boomerang slide at sea. Dash through the seas and launch into the holiday spirit with themed parties and daily shows. 'Tis the season to indulge! Enjoy one of our specialty restaurants where you'll find traditional favorites and new holiday-themed dishes and delights.

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GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The ship's crew is there to make sure you have the best holiday cruise. At the start of your voyage, take part in the time-honored tradition of lighting the massive ship's tree. Join Santa's hardest working elves for the ultimate Christmas celebration and a surprise Christmas giveaway. Get up on deck for a festive walk in support of World Wildlife Fund's Arctic programs, presented by Coca-Cola. Decorate your own gingerbread cookies and unleash your creativity with DIY ornament classes.

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6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Editor's Note

Getting a really great deal on a cruise is getting harder. Strong demand for cruises over the past year has allowed cruise lines to raise fares sharply and cut back on last-minute discounts to fill unsold cabins.

One line recently said bookings have been so strong that it would be stopping all last-minute discounts indefinitely .

As a result, the fares you'll find for cruises this year are significantly higher — by 20% or more — than they were in 2019, the last normal year for cruising.

So how do you get the best cruise deal if you're trying to book a cruise for this coming winter and beyond?

To start — don't panic. Even if fares for the coming year don't come down soon, you can find ways to save when booking a vacation at sea.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Below, we've assembled six of our top tips for finding a bargain on a cruise. These are travel hacks that can work any time — not just when fares are rising. Combine a few of these strategies, and you are sure to find the best cruise deals available on your next sailing.

Cruise during the offseason

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are cruise ships can be significantly less expensive during the "offseason" travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel drops off, resulting in diminished demand for many types of travel, including cruises.

In the Caribbean, these months also fall during hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

Related: Read this before booking a cruise during hurricane season

In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for cruising generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region.

Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August have been high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

It's a growing truism of the cruise world: the earlier you book, the better price you'll get.

Cruise lines often open departures for bookings with the lowest prices at which they want to sell the trips. Then, as the departures start filling up, they slowly raise prices on the remaining inventory.

To get the best price on any particular sailing, your best bet, in many cases, is to book right when the sailing opens for sale. This means planning way in advance, as many cruise lines open their reservations for sailings two or even three years before departure.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you're far more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out first and quickly.

Related: How to pick the perfect cruise line for you

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise super far in advance? Here's the good news: If, for some reason, the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you often can get your fare reduced to match the lower price. This is often the case until the last few months before the sailing begins, when the cruise enters what's known as the "final payment" window. At that point, the fare you've paid is locked in.

Note that not all fare types allow for changes to the fare you've paid after booking. It's important to read the fine print for the fare category you're booking.

As noted above, cruise lines typically offer their lowest fare for any given sailing just after it opens for booking — often two or even three years before it's scheduled to begin.

Generally, the fare will only go up as the sailing date approaches. But in some cases, cruise lines will drop the price of a cruise significantly at the last minute. This can happen when the line finds itself with a lot of unsold cabins for a voyage.

If you're flexible and can travel on short notice, you sometimes can find a last-minute deal for cruises where the line is scrambling to fill berths.

A key thing to know here is that last-minute discounting isn't as common as it used to be. Like airlines, cruise lines have become much more savvy about revenue management over the years, and it's rarer that they find themselves with a lot of unsold inventory on sailings just before departure.

You'll also have to be flexible to take advantage of these deals. If you have a specific cabin type on a specific sailing on a specific ship that you're eyeing for a vacation, you can't count on it being available — especially not at a rock-bottom rate.

Sail on an older ship

At many big lines, you'll find that the newest, most amenity-filled cruise ships sell at a premium price. Older ships come with a discount.

The older ships are, of course, older, and they sometimes don't have quite as much to offer on board as the newer ships. But if you're looking for a deal, they can bring great value.

Use a travel agent

Are you a plan-it-yourself type of traveler? We get it. Many of TPG's staffers are that way, too.

But even if you book all your land trips on your own, you might want to use a travel agent who is a cruise specialist to book your next voyage.

One big reason is that cruise-selling travel agents often have access to lower bulk fares for sailings that aren't available to the general public. Big travel agencies will block out large chunks of cabins on ships soon after they open for booking to lock in such group fares, then sell them over the coming months.

In addition to lower fares, cruise travel agents also sometimes throw in extra perks like onboard credit or amenities when you book through them.

Travel agents specializing in cruising also will be able to guide you through the many types of cabin categories on some cruise ships and steer you away from cabins to avoid . Plus, they'll be there for you when things go wrong on a cruise .

Consider a repositioning cruise

Some of the best bargains in the cruise world are the voyages that cruise ships make as they reposition from one part of the world to another.

This is because cruise lines often have trouble selling these trips, which typically have somewhat oddball itineraries with very few port calls and lots of sea days. They also tend to be a bit longer than standard weekend getaways or weeklong voyages. They have to discount the trips to fill the ships as much as possible.

Related: The ultimate guide to repositioning cruises

Among the most common repositioning cruises are sailings between the Caribbean and Europe in the spring as lines move ships to the Mediterranean for summer. Similarly, there's always a wave of repositioning cruises between Europe and the Caribbean in the fall.

You'll also find some repositioning cruises every year between the Caribbean and Alaska, and between the West Coast of the U.S. and Asia.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

G etting a really great deal on a cruise is getting harder. Strong demand for cruises over the past year has allowed cruise lines to raise fares sharply and cut back on last-minute discounts to fill unsold cabins.

One line recently said bookings have been so strong that it would be stopping all last-minute discounts indefinitely .

As a result, the fares you'll find for cruises this year are significantly higher — by 20% or more — than they were in 2019, the last normal year for cruising.

So how do you get the best cruise deal if you're trying to book a cruise for this coming winter and beyond?

To start — don't panic. Even if fares for the coming year don't come down soon, you can find ways to save when booking a vacation at sea.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Below, we've assembled six of our top tips for finding a bargain on a cruise. These are travel hacks that can work any time — not just when fares are rising. Combine a few of these strategies, and you are sure to find the best cruise deals available on your next sailing.

Cruise during the offseason

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are cruise ships can be significantly less expensive during the "offseason" travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel drops off, resulting in diminished demand for many types of travel, including cruises.

In the Caribbean, these months also fall during hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

Related: Read this before booking a cruise during hurricane season

In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for cruising generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region.

Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August have been high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

It's a growing truism of the cruise world: the earlier you book, the better price you'll get.

Cruise lines often open departures for bookings with the lowest prices at which they want to sell the trips. Then, as the departures start filling up, they slowly raise prices on the remaining inventory.

To get the best price on any particular sailing, your best bet, in many cases, is to book right when the sailing opens for sale. This means planning way in advance, as many cruise lines open their reservations for sailings two or even three years before departure.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you're far more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out first and quickly.

Related: How to pick the perfect cruise line for you

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise super far in advance? Here's the good news: If, for some reason, the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you often can get your fare reduced to match the lower price. This is often the case until the last few months before the sailing begins, when the cruise enters what's known as the "final payment" window. At that point, the fare you've paid is locked in.

Note that not all fare types allow for changes to the fare you've paid after booking. It's important to read the fine print for the fare category you're booking.

As noted above, cruise lines typically offer their lowest fare for any given sailing just after it opens for booking — often two or even three years before it's scheduled to begin.

Generally, the fare will only go up as the sailing date approaches. But in some cases, cruise lines will drop the price of a cruise significantly at the last minute. This can happen when the line finds itself with a lot of unsold cabins for a voyage.

If you're flexible and can travel on short notice, you sometimes can find a last-minute deal for cruises where the line is scrambling to fill berths.

A key thing to know here is that last-minute discounting isn't as common as it used to be. Like airlines, cruise lines have become much more savvy about revenue management over the years, and it's rarer that they find themselves with a lot of unsold inventory on sailings just before departure.

You'll also have to be flexible to take advantage of these deals. If you have a specific cabin type on a specific sailing on a specific ship that you're eyeing for a vacation, you can't count on it being available — especially not at a rock-bottom rate.

Sail on an older ship

At many big lines, you'll find that the newest, most amenity-filled cruise ships sell at a premium price. Older ships come with a discount.

The older ships are, of course, older, and they sometimes don't have quite as much to offer on board as the newer ships. But if you're looking for a deal, they can bring great value.

Use a travel agent

Are you a plan-it-yourself type of traveler? We get it. Many of TPG's staffers are that way, too.

But even if you book all your land trips on your own, you might want to use a travel agent who is a cruise specialist to book your next voyage.

One big reason is that cruise-selling travel agents often have access to lower bulk fares for sailings that aren't available to the general public. Big travel agencies will block out large chunks of cabins on ships soon after they open for booking to lock in such group fares, then sell them over the coming months.

In addition to lower fares, cruise travel agents also sometimes throw in extra perks like onboard credit or amenities when you book through them.

Travel agents specializing in cruising also will be able to guide you through the many types of cabin categories on some cruise ships and steer you away from cabins to avoid . Plus, they'll be there for you when things go wrong on a cruise .

Consider a repositioning cruise

Some of the best bargains in the cruise world are the voyages that cruise ships make as they reposition from one part of the world to another.

This is because cruise lines often have trouble selling these trips, which typically have somewhat oddball itineraries with very few port calls and lots of sea days. They also tend to be a bit longer than standard weekend getaways or weeklong voyages. They have to discount the trips to fill the ships as much as possible.

Related: The ultimate guide to repositioning cruises

Among the most common repositioning cruises are sailings between the Caribbean and Europe in the spring as lines move ships to the Mediterranean for summer. Similarly, there's always a wave of repositioning cruises between Europe and the Caribbean in the fall.

You'll also find some repositioning cruises every year between the Caribbean and Alaska, and between the West Coast of the U.S. and Asia.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.