Cruising for Cruise Discounts

Of course, a high-end cruise does not come cheap. Just how much you'll pay varies widely (based, upon other things, the cruise line, the location of your room and the itinerary), but prices generally start at $100 to $200 per person per day and can ratchet up significantly from there, says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of CruiseCritic.com, a cruise vacation planning guide.

Still, it's possible to keep your wallet afloat. We've got six ways to save a bundle:

1. Plan way ahead — or last minute.
If you have your heart set on a specific itinerary during peak tourist season — like an Alaskan cruise in the summer — plan your trip at least six months in advance, says Terry Dale, president of the Cruise Lines International Association, an industry training and marketing association. This will give you the widest selection of rooms to choose from at various price points.

If you're flexible on time and location, however, you may be able to find some juicy last-minute deals. Keep in mind, this most likely means you need to be amenable to inside rooms or less desirable itineraries, among other things.

You can find listings for last-minute cruises at most of the major travel web sites, including Expedia and Hotwire, as well as specialty cruise web sites. Some sites, including CruiseCritic.com and SmarterTravel.com, offer a free newsletter of handpicked last-minute deals. Ready to leave now? In its latest newsletter, SmarterTravel.com reported that for $779, you can snag an inside room on Norwegian Cruise Lines' 10-day Western Caribbean cruise leaving Charleston, S.C., on Dec. 17.

2. Travel during the off-season or shoulder season.
You can save a bundle by booking your cruise during the less-popular times of year, says Tom Ogg, editor of CruiseReviews.com. For example, a three-night cruise from Cape Canaveral to the Bahamas on Disney Cruise Lines would cost you $1,009 per person for a balcony room during the high season in July. The same room on the same cruise during the low season in January would cost you only $649 — 36% less.

Before you jump at off-season rates, be sure to ask what off-season means for the region, advises Kathy Burk, a travel retail sales specialist for AAA. "In the Caribbean, off-season is hurricane season," she explains.

Here are the off and shoulder seasons for various regions:

3. Look for so-called repositioning cruises.
These one-way cruises occur when the cruise line moves ships in its fleet from one region to another usually due to a change in season and itinerary, says Dale. For example, Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering an 11-day cruise from Honolulu to Ensenada, Calif. The cruise begins on April 1, and rates start at $599 per person.

"Ask your travel agent specifically about these," Dale recommends. Though the rates might be a bit cheaper, be sure to consider airfare — you might be flying a bit farther, or into odd ports. You also may not see as many sights as you would on a standard cruise.

5. Use your nearest port.
Nearly 70% of Americans live within easy driving distance of a port used by cruise ships, says Dale. (Cruise companies now operate out of 30 U.S. ports.) Using your closest port has cost advantages. First, you can cut down on travel costs. You might not need to fly to your destination port, for example. You might also be able to arrive on the day of departure, which means you can avoid paying for a hotel.

Using your local port could also qualify you for regional promotions, says Stewart Chiron, a cruise expert and CEO of CruiseGuy.com. Disney, for example, offers Florida state residents 30% off regular cabin rates.

You might also be able to save by traveling out of smaller ports. For example, instead of Miami, consider Galveston or Fort Lauderdale. Cruise lines pay less to use these less-busy ports, and you could easily save $100 or more as a result, according to Consumer Reports.

6. Look for the discounts.
Travelers may be eligible for all sorts of discounts. Breaks are often offered to students, senior citizens, members of certain clubs or organizations, or folks who use a certain credit card. Cruise lines often run regional "community appreciation" promotions for select professions, such as teachers or firefighters, says Burk.

Seasoned regulars and newbies may each be eligible for discounts. Burk says most cruise lines also discounts (usually 5% to 10%) for passengers who have used their company, or one of its sister lines, in the past. You can often get a similar discount for being a first-timer.