Combine a few of these strategies, and you are sure to find the best cruise deals available on your next sailing.
Cruise during the off-season. ... Book early. ... Book late. ... Sail on an older ship. ... Use a travel agent. ... Consider a repositioning cruise. 

By booking a last-minute cruise deal a few weeks or a couple of months before sailing, you may be able to enjoy a more affordable vacation. Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins.

This is the starting point when determining how much a cruise costs. ... Flights, Transportation and Hotels Before and After. Budget for the costs of flights. ... Gratuities on Board. ... Alcohol and Specialty Restaurants. ... Excursions and Activities.

There's No Best Day to Book Cruise lines generally release their lowest fares when itinerary schedules are first published, and then run sales every so often to encourage bookings. As cabins fill up, the prices go up.

According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise. Prices associated with travel are always in flux due to supply and demand, so the prices of a cruise can change daily. Prices could spike on a Wednesday and drop, well, on a Thursday.

Beyond during holiday periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Labor Day when there may be some flash sales, January and February are particularly good times to book a cruise, as the first two months of the year are considered “wave season” in the cruising industry.

You may find cheaper cruise fares if you're able to book a last-minute cruise departing in the spring or fall when most families with children in school can't travel. As such, cruise lines typically have more availability and lower pricing during these times.

Prospective cruisers can usually find "a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year" during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March.

While there is not a clear winner across all of the categories, Carnival, MSC and Royal Caribbean offer the lowest prices for those wanting to cruise. These costs were compared solely on the cruise fare, which does include complimentary dining venues as well as most of the onboard activities and entertainment.

Last minute cruises -- defined roughly as sailings booked between several days and three months prior to the embarkation date -- offer savings to those of us who either procrastinate for a living or enjoy the luxury of cruising on a whim.

You may find cheaper cruise fares if you're able to book a last-minute cruise departing in the spring or fall when most families with children in school can't travel. As such, cruise lines typically have more availability and lower pricing during these times. 

While cruising with a passport is always recommended, it's not required by law in certain circumstances. Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport.

What does adult-only cruising mean? For most ships, this means an age restriction on 18 and over. So while you may get some young adults on your ship, there won't be a screaming toddler or moody teenager for many a nautical mile around.

The intimate ships of high-end lines like Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (or ultra-premium lines, such as Oceania Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Azamara and Viking Ocean Cruises) are refined, dignified and geared to adults.

Instead of limbo and pool deck activities, guests can expect more lectures and information on the history and culture of each destination visited. Viking Cruises offers onboard entertainment like destination-themed performances, expert-led lectures, and cooking classes.

Holland isn't technically an adult-only cruise line, but anyone who has cruised on their stately ocean ships will tell you that kids are few and far between, and they aren't the target demographic for this cruise line that happily skews older.

MSC Cruises has become one of the best family cruise lines. You'll find exclusive clubs (and childcare) for children from infancy to age 12, plus teen spaces for those up to 17 years old aboard all MSC ships. You can also consider Disney Cruises where you will  find games, movies and other activities the whole family will enjoy together, plus things to do that are tailored for specific age groups: Splash areas for little kids. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Disney Fantasy for children ages 3 to 12. Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab for bigger kids.

Royal Caribbean is unarguably one of the best cruise lines for kids. But that doesn't mean all its ships are equally good for kids of all ages and interests.

In many cases, cancellation penalties start between 90-120 days from the cruise date. Cancel before that and you'll get back what you've paid, minus your initial deposit. The closer to the sailing date before canceling, the higher the penalty amount.

On every cruise – regardless of the cruise line – you will be able to enjoy included food without paying extra. Not every restaurant will be free, but there is always a main dining room, and there is usually a buffet, and these are typically open for every meal and they don't charge extra.

Overall: Resort casual by day; elegant casual or formal after 6 p.m. Recommended for Women: Slacks or skirt with blouse, pantsuits, dresses. On Formal Nights, evening gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits are required. Recommended for Men: Slacks with collared dress shirt or sweater.

Next Travel Solution.com provide the knowledge and expertise to guide our clients through this process, through considering budget and interests, identifying special offers and matching travellers with the right cruise vacation - essentially taking care of all the details while offering extra discounts and perks.

If you're booking a cruise vacation, you'll find there are benefits to both strategies. Planning ahead is a great way to score big savings, as Royal Caribbean often runs early saver deals to guests booking well in advance.