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Request a Galapagos Quote for 11/1/2020 – Galapagos Inner Loop – 7 Nights Roundtrip Baltra | From $8,512

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Request a Galapagos Quote for 8/11/2019 – Galapagos Inner Loop – 7 Nights Roundtrip Baltra | From $9,380

All fares are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, and reflect promotional savings, are for new bookings only, are subject to availability, and must be booked by September 1, 2019. Promotional savings in categories F-B on the December 21st sailing and categories C-D on the December 27th sailing only. *Included roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco is based on availability in class of service. Offer may be combined with applicable 3rd guest in stateroom offer but may not be combinable with other offers. Port, security, and handling charges of $149 per person are additional. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Call for details. Ship’s registry: Bahamas.

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How to Find Last-Minute Cruise Deals

With the rising cost of hotels and airfare, cruises are still one of the most affordable ways to travel.

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Cruising on a budget? There are many resources available for travelers looking to save money.

Cruising is back – in a big way – after all the turmoil and shutdowns in the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Cruise Lines International Association's 2023 State of the Cruise Industry report, the intent to cruise is higher now than it was in December 2019, before the pandemic. About 85% of travelers who have been on a cruise will cruise again, which is 6% higher than it was pre-COVID.

John Lovell, president of the Travel Leaders Group division of Internova Travel Group, tells us, "Cruising has roared back since the pandemic and the lifting of sailing restrictions. It's a true success story! That means that we will see (and are seeing) full ships, even more so than pre-pandemic." He adds, "While Caribbean cruises remain popular, travelers are embracing river cruises, expedition cruises, smaller ships and off-the-beaten-path ports. There really is a cruise for everyone."

CLIA's report also states that passenger volume for 2023 is projected to reach an astounding 31.5 million passengers – 106% of the volume in 2019. In addition, the cruise industry is seeing higher numbers of solo travelers and people with mobility challenges – and there are more Gen X and millennials booking cruise vacations.

Chris Gray Faust, the executive editor of Cruise Critic, says that cancellation policies have also returned to normal with cruise bookings back to pre-pandemic levels, particularly for mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line . You also probably won't find many deals on sailings in high season and on the most anticipated new ships .

With more demand for cruise travel – one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism – how can you find a last-minute cruise deal in 2023? Read on to find out how to book your dream cruise vacation for less.

When to find the best cruise deals

Scoring a great cruise deal depends on several factors, including the type of experience you're looking for ( adults-only or family-friendly , for example), the destination, the length of the sailing, the time of year and your flexibility to travel.

Lovell recommends booking early for the best pricing. "For many cruise lines, especially the expedition products and with some luxury lines, the best time to find deals is when they open new sailings," he says. "The cruises fill up quickly, so usually the best offer is the first offering in terms of pricing. Some of the larger cruise lines will have pricing and value-added promotions on sailings that still have open space about 100 days prior to sailing."

Summer 2023

If you're planning on traveling within the next few months, you may be able to score a last-minute cruise deal to some destinations, such as Alaska . According to Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com, "There are still some great deals for the summer, especially in Alaska, which is particularly soft right now."

A representative from Priceline notes that the travel agency is also offering great deals for summer cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

When you're looking at pricing for cruises, be sure to compare fares that include the same costs, Levinstein advises. Some advertised fares that seem like an incredible deal don't include the port taxes and fees, which can substantially raise the price of your vacation.

Within 90 days of sailing

Gray Faust says the window for finding last-minute cruise deals is within 90 days of a sailing. "That three-month mark is when final deposits are due on a cruise, and historically the last point you could cancel your cruise without financial penalty," she says. "At that point, cruise lines try to fill those vacant cabins, usually in the form of slashed fares to entice people to book."

Levinstein agrees. "While the market has heated up, the closer-in the sailing the more likely you will find a bargain." He adds, "But as last-minute deals are based on how full a particular sailing on a particular ship might be at a given time, shopping around is often rewarded regardless of overall market conditions."

Fall or spring

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.

Wave season

If you're willing to book a cruise during the promotional period known as "wave season" – which spans early January through the end of March – you may be able to find a last-minute cruise deal that fits your budget.

Hurricane season

Planning a last-minute cruise during hurricane season in the Caribbean and Mexico – from June 1 to Nov. 30 – is another option. These months coincide with the shoulder season in those regions, so it can be a great time to find cruise savings. If you do book a cruise during hurricane season, consider investing in a travel insurance policy that has trip interruption and trip cancellation benefits. You'll also want to make sure that all of your prepaid and nonrefundable expenses are covered in the policy.

Read: The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Early December

Levinstein says the first two weeks of December are also a great time to take a cruise. Early December is typically when families are preparing for the holidays at home or getting ready to travel at the end of the month for Christmas and New Year's, so it's an ideal time to go on a cruise for less.

Book a last-minute cruise deal on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

How to find last-minute cruise deals

Cruise line sites

If you're internet-savvy and don't mind perusing the cruise lines' websites individually, check out their advertised discounted fares, included amenities and special bonus exclusive offers. These special fares often include free upgrades, airfare and credit for onboard spending. The types and level of perks may increase depending on the stateroom category.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a number of Free at Sea offers. These deals include unlimited open bar, shore excursion credits, dining at specialty restaurants, complimentary Wi-Fi and discounted rates for the second guest. Third and fourth guests staying in the same stateroom even get to sail for free with some deals.

In addition to the Free at Sea offers, Norwegian features CruiseFirst, a special bonus offer that essentially allows cruisers to earn free money. For example, if you purchase a $150 CruiseFirst certificate today for a six-day or longer voyage, it will double in value and you'll have $300 to spend on a cruise that you can take as early as 120 days from the purchase date. The certificates expire within three years.

If you're looking for reduced fares on a luxury cruise, it'll likely be more challenging to find a last-minute deal, with even lengthy – and expensive – world cruises selling out within hours. Levinstein explains this is because there's more demand than supply, when compared with the entry-level market.

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Cruise deal aggregator sites

If you prefer to use cruise deal aggregator sites, you can find last-minute cruises across the industry all in one place. Simply sort your findings by the month you'd like to travel, the length of your intended trip and where you wish to cruise. These are some of the best resources for finding cruise discounts:

• Cruise Critic
• Tripadvisor
• Cruise Compete

"Some lines began steering away from last-minute fare drops a few years ago, so keep an eye out for value-add deals as well," Gray Faust says. "While you might not get a super cheap base fare, things like free gratuities, drink packages and/or shore excursions could actually save you even more than you'd save on a slashed price."

'Kids sail free' fares

Some cruise lines allow kids to sail free , greatly reducing the total price of and/or adding value to your cruise. MSC Cruises allows guests ages 17 and younger to cruise for free year-round when they're the third and fourth passengers in the same stateroom with their parents. If you're considering a family cruise, check out the other cruise lines that offer similar promotions where children sail free, including Holland America Line and Norwegian.

Book a family cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Cruise line loyalty programs

Consider joining your preferred cruise line's loyalty and membership programs for free upgrades. These are some of the best options:

• Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP Club:  This program features up to 40% discounts off fares, up to $50 in onboard credits, access to exclusive deals and other perks. Carnival VIFP members receive a loyalty number and can watch their points and rewards accrue online.
• Viking Cruises ' Explorer Society:   Viking's program offers past cruisers travel credits to use on future voyages, as well as members-only cocktail parties on the ship. Members are also privy to new itineraries and limited-time offers.
• Princess Cruises ' Captain's Circle:  Benefits with the Captain's Circle are based on the number of cruises you've taken. Some perks include early access to new itineraries, discounts for the onboard retail shops and excursions, complimentary minibar setups, priority disembarkation, access to the Platinum and Elite lounges, complimentary wine tasting events, and more.
• Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards:  This tiered program allows cruisers to earn discounts on select Norwegian products and services, such as beverage packages and signature spa treatments. You also get priority check-in, an exclusive cocktail party while on board, laundry service and more.

Cruise deal aggregator loyalty programs

You can also find loyalty programs through sites such as Expedia. An Expedia Rewards membership is free and offers discounts on travel; depending on your level (Blue, Silver or Gold), there are additional perks and benefits. You also earn rewards points to use toward booking future trips.

"On the Expedia website and through nearly 300 Expedia Cruises retail locations across North America, Expedia offers Member Prices, saving travelers up to 10% on last-minute deals, along with exclusive promotions on a variety of cruises," a company spokesperson says. "Expedia also secures special rates in advance on the most popular itineraries and cruise lines through the Expedia Exclusive Staterooms program. Most of all, travelers can reach out to one of Expedia's Vacation Consultants who can help navigate the current environment, answer any questions and help find the best value on their ideal vacations."

Read:  The Best Travel Rewards Programs

Travel advisors

Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable travel advisor can make planning easier – and it's one of the best ways to find last-minute cruise deals. Advisors, especially those specializing in cruises, usually have unique access to perks and discounts for big savings with cruise lines that can further enhance the value of your vacation and/or lower the total price.

Lovell agrees with this tip. "Demand for cruising is very high. I would always recommend booking early and working with a travel advisor," he says. "While there are lots of new ships, they often fill up quickly since travelers are eager to try out the latest and greatest the cruise lines have to offer."

Some aggregator sites also have their own travel advisors to assist in your search. Head of Priceline Cruises Denise Bialek says, "We highly recommend calling one of our Priceline Cruise advisors, as they are the most knowledgeable about the best rate options, know how to combine promotions to get the best deal and will save you time navigating the plethora of cruise lines, cabin categories, pricing, port charges and more." She adds, "An advantage of booking with one of our Priceline Cruise advisors is access to all cruise line offers and loyalty perks, in addition to our many Priceline exclusive deals, all supported by 24/7 service."

Additionally, keep in mind that travel advisors have insight into additional restrictions and the condition of each cruise line.

All-inclusive cruises

Though it may seem counterintuitive, you may be able to score a better value by booking an all-inclusive (or mostly all-inclusive) voyage than a budget cruise with a cheaper base fare. While these options are primarily in the luxury cruise line category, some fares are especially attractive thanks to included airfare costs, transfers to the ship, meals at all dining venues, premium wines and spirits, Wi-Fi access, and more.

When you book one of these cruises, you'll know the total cost upfront, and there won't be any unwanted surprises when you close out your shipboard account at the end of the cruise. Some of the traditional extras on noninclusive cruise lines – like bottled water, snacks, specialty coffee, gratuities or even beach equipment rentals on the line's private island – can add up quickly, diminishing the impact of your original fare savings. These are some of the all-inclusive cruise options:

• Viking Ocean Cruises:  On  Viking Ocean Cruises , travelers enjoy veranda staterooms; all meals (including alternative dining); beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; one complimentary excursion in every port; and more, all in the base fares.
• Silversea Cruises:  Silversea Cruises  boasts door-to-door all-inclusive fares that encompass private transfers, gourmet meals, butler service, beverages and at least one complimentary excursion in every port.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises:  Regent Seven Seas Cruises  offers two-for-one all-inclusive fares that also feature business class airfare on international flights, free two- or three-night land programs, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, free unlimited beverages and open bars, complimentary dining in specialty restaurants, unlimited Wi-Fi, shore excursions, prepaid gratuities, and more.

These lines also offer other discounts, and you may be able to combine them with exclusive offers that your travel advisor can access. Book an all-inclusive cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Short cruises

Three- to five-night cruises generally equate to instant savings since they have lower fares than voyages lasting a week or longer. You may also be able to drive to the port, saving on airfare and other travel expenses. If you sail from ports in Florida or Texas, you can visit destinations in the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico; ports of call may include stops at private, cruise line-owned islands like Royal Caribbean International's Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

If you're in the northeast U.S., you can book a short sailing to Bermuda  aboard a few different lines. Bermuda sailings with Carnival Cruises depart from New York City and Norfolk, Virginia, while Royal Caribbean sails to the nearby island from New York City and Baltimore .

From Los Angeles , embark on four-night Royal Caribbean cruises to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. With Celebrity Cruises , passengers can book six-night voyages that call on select California cities and Vancouver . The line also offers six-night, round-trip sailings from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Shorter itineraries are less expensive not only because of their length, but also because they typically don't use the cruise lines' newest, largest vessels. Still, some ships have been updated, including Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, which underwent a $116 million amplification in 2020. Its upcoming itineraries make short trips between Miami and the Bahamas.

Repositioning cruises

Repositioning cruises are another option for booking a great cruise deal. The price on these voyages is less expensive since most of the days are spent at sea as the ships move from one region of the world to another. The itineraries are longer, so you'll need to have a flexible schedule for extended travel.

One of the pros of booking these cruises is that you'll get to see incredible destinations like Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Portugal, Spain and Italy – with considerable savings. If you enjoy spending time on board the ship and don't need a port of call to explore every day, then this may be a great cost-saving option to consider.

For example, Celebrity has a 16-night Mediterranean Passage Transatlantic sailing from Rome to Tampa, Florida , in November 2023. The sailing includes eight ports and nine sea days, with fares starting at $899 per person.

Want to plan a cruise? See the top cruises on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Email alerts

Sign up for email alerts to receive updates on discounted pricing through the cruise line websites, travel aggregators or your travel advisor. That way, you'll be the first to know about limited-time offers, last-minute deals or value-adds that may make the price just right.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts and traditional masted sailing ships. Most recently, she traveled on a small expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• How Much Does a Cruise Cost?
• The Trick to Finding Cheap Flights

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Last Minute Cruises

You want to go on a cruise right now? Find the best last minute deals and leave with big savings within the next 30 days.

Very good price

9 Night Transatlantic

Lisbon; Horta, Azores; Boston

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7 Night Europe

Civitavecchia Rome, Italy; Messina; Valletta; Corfu; Dubrovnik; Split, Croatia; Venice (Trieste), Italy

3 Night Bahamas

Fort Lauderdale; Bimini, Bahamas; Fort Lauderdale

23 Night South Pacific

Honolulu; Kona, Hawaii, Us; Tahiti (Papeete), French Polynesia; Tahiti (Papeete), French Polyn... Sydney

17 Night South Pacific

Honolulu; Kona, Hawaii, Us; Tahiti (Papeete), French Polynesia; Tahiti (Papeete), French Pol... Auckland

1 Night Pacific Coastal

Seattle; Vancouver

21 Night Panama Canal

Seattle; Vancouver; Santa Barbara, California; San Diego; Puerto Vallarta; Huatulco,... Fort Lauderdale

12 Night Transatlantic

Lisbon; Ponta Delgada, Azores; Halifax; New York City; Miami, Florida

4 Night Pacific Coastal

Vancouver; Santa Barbara, California; San Diego

4 Night Bahamas

Miami, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; Miami, Florida

Find perfect last minute cruises and cruise deals for your spontaneous getaway

It’s never too late to look for a cruise and enjoy a spontaneous time-out on the world's seas. There won't be anything next weekend and you have to relax from your everyday life? Who doesn't know this moment? As cruise experts, we have the perfect solution for you, your family, friends or partner. Book a last minute cruise trip that you will always remember and from which you can get back into the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day life completely refreshed. With our cruise search we show you the best last minute cruise deals leaving in the next 30 days. So you can easily find the perfect vacation for the best price without stress. From South America, to Australia or the Caribbean, even cruises leaving soon offer you a wide variety of ways to discover the world. And departing in less than a month, you can get often a great discount. Especially on Mediterranean cruises, you can find a real bargain booking a last minute cruise in low season. Our cruise finder makes it easier than ever for you to find the perfect vacation. Simply select the destination that suits your wishes, the departure port that is most practical for you, your favorite cruise line and the cruise length. We will show you your perfect last minute cruise.

Plan your last minute cruise vacation with the most popular cruise lines and exciting cruise destinations

When you are looking for your perfect last minute cruise vacation, you have to keep some aspects in mind, so that your cruise search will be easy and successful. Unfortunately you have to say goodbye to the idea of getting a super last minute offer, because cruise lines close their passenger lists 24 to 48 hours before departure. Therefore, you need to plan your cruise a little bit more ahead. But don't worry. You can still experience the impulsive feeling as even the best cruise lines sometimes have space available that they provide to spontaneous travellers. Therefore, you can enjoy all the luxury, service and onboard offers with a last minute cruise like on any other long planned cruise. Savour for example the beautiful beaches and the nature with a Caribbean cruise from Princess cruises or Royal Caribbean. Sail to the Bahamas with the Norwegian cruise line or get to know Hawaii with a Holland America cruise. The most popular mainstream cruise lines such as Carnival cruise line or Royal Caribbean offer lots to little onboard spending, so that you can fully enjoy your journey. When you are looking for a luxury last minute experience, there are also cruises from premium cruise lines such as Windstar cruises, Cunard or Azamara Club cruises. From a 3-day-cruise to a cruise length of 21 days, with a last minute getaway you can sail away whenever you want and for as long as you want. Whether you want to snorkel in turquoise water, explore history with a European cruise or let yourself be enchanted by the nature and wildlife in Alaska. With the diverse onboard offers of the best cruise ships, no wish is left unfulfilled. Whether you prefer relaxation in the spa, excitement on shows, doing sports or numerous dining options. The shore excursions of the cruise lines will make your cruise even more unique and memorable. Sounds far-fetched to you right now? With cruises leaving soon in our cruise search it is right in front of you just a few clicks away.

Get your cheap last minute cruise trip and save money with excellent deals

When you have decided and booked your perfect cruise, you will not only enjoy anticipation, but also celebrate that you have saved money. With our cruise search we show you the best last minute cruise deals and reduced rates. Of course, the price of your cruise varies based on your chosen destination, the cruise line and the cruise length, but we help you find cheap last minute cruises that will be worth it in any case. Creating an account on cruisewatch, you will get the best offers and cruise price drops directly to your email address without missing any bargain ever again. Information about the cruise ship, the departure dates, the itinerary and the price details such as taxes and fees, we leave nothing to chance. So, check your calendar, go through our last minute cruise deals and get ready for your spontaneous vacation. But also if you'd rather plan in advance, you can get the best cruise deals with our price alert which is informing you about price drops and excellent deals for your desires and allow you instant savings.

 Always Pack Tissues

• May 31, 2023

How to Book Last Minute Cruise Deals Like the 90-Day Ticker

Updated: Aug 28

Booking a cruise doesn't need to be a daunting task. My inbox is flooded daily with promotions from cruise lines - some I've traveled with, and others who have managed to hunt down my email address on their own. I'd say I'm averaging 3-5 emails from cruise lines a day, all boasting the next best thing in cruise travel. How do I sort through the last minute cruise deals and pick the best one? How do I book cruise deals that work for me?

Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale.

How To Book A Cruise

Depending on your status with certain cruise lines or credit card companies, there are many options available to you.

Start On The Cruise Line Website

Although this may seem like the most expensive option, hear me out. Deals are popping up all the time - sometimes kids sail free or they offer onboard cruise credit. Sometimes little freebies like wifi or drink packages are included, or extra discounts are applied for being a frequent cruiser with a particular line. (Side note: always join the loyalty programs when you sail!).

Go through the process of booking online as if you were going to click 'save and submit'. Get all the way to the payment page.

During this process, find the best cabin for you and the cabin number. Do this by searching the deck map. Make sure that your room is not situated directly over a bar or club, or has obstructed views, and make sure your party is together or where you can access stairs and elevators easily.

Play with the cabin classes and see what deal looks good to you. Save the prices on a sheet of paper and exit the process without booking.

Next, you will compare to the travel agency prices and the price you find on Cruise aggregator sites like VacationsToGo (more on this below).

Book Through A Travel Agency

You can book through numerous travel websites like Cruise Direct , Expedia, Orbitz and more. These sites are often thought of as search tools, but they are also travel agencies, which means they can aggregate the best prices to top out going to the cruise line directly. Find the cruise you like, and follow the online prompts to book.

You can also book with VacationsToGo (my favorite of the search tools). To do this, simply call the number on their website and reference the FastDeal number (more on this below). An agent will be assigned to work with you throughout the booking process until the day you sail at no extra fee to you.

Booking through agencies will often get you discounts, so be sure to compare to the cruise line website directly.

Book Through Your Credit Card Loyalty Program

As a Marriott Bonvoy Member, I often check the prices on the Marriott Cruises website . You can cruise with points by spending them like cash, although I don't feel the value is worth it. Instead, book with your Marriott card or Marriott membership through this portal and receive at least 3x the points that you would have booking elsewhere.

Points add up to free nights in the future, so if you plan on spending money, you may as well make some money in return.

Choose The Best Option And Reserve

Finally after comparing the travel agencies, loyalty programs and booking with the cruise line directly, choose your favorite and book.

What Do I Need To Book A Cruise?

At the time of booking, all you need is a credit card to reserve the deposit, which is typically a few hundred dollars off the total sum.

Can I Cancel A Cruise After I Book It?

Once you have booked, you are still able to cancel and get your deposit back until typically around 90 days before the sailing date. This is a great feature if you change your mind or plans change.

What Do I Need To Do After My Cruise Is Booked?

First, I like to make sure and log in directly to the cruise website to associate my booking ID number with my account. Whether I booked through an agency or directly, I want to visualize my cruise on the cruise line website immediately to be sure everything was booked correctly.

I browse around to see if there is anything else I need to take care of like any VISA requirements or passport information needed. Typically I am just clicking through each page of the booking confirmation to see what's what.

You can also begin to browse excursions offered, spa and drink packages and other custom items to add to your cruise. It is not necessary to reserve any of this at the time of booking, although I do recommend booking excursions a few months out.

At this point, you can put everything away and focus on planning your days in port like what to do and what to eat, what's in port , or if you should plan a walking day on your own.

You can start your web check-in process, but it's not necessary until the cruise date gets closer.

The cruise line will be sure to email you all the necessary steps over the course of time between booking and the sail date.

How Early In Advance Should I Book A Cruise?

It is common to book cruises 6-12 months in advance of sailing. Sometimes you can find last minute cruises for cheap to the Bahamas or Caribbean, but in general the ships are selling out early. My last ship in Japan even went out at half or partial capacity due to COVID (three years post lockdown!), so the ship appeared to be "sold out" when booking.

Book early to get the best cabins and the best prices. If you see a good deal now, it may not be there next week. And remember, you are only putting down a deposit so you can always change it.

Can I Change My Booking After I Have Reserved It?

Yes! In fact, I encourage this. Sometimes if it looks like a ship is going to sell out, I book the cheapest interior room that I can in order to just get on board. In most cases rooms will open up and I can call my agency or the cruise line to get an upgrade to the next class of room.

You can also call your agency or cruise line to change your cabin at any time (pending availability), and can figure out available rooms by pretending to book a fresh new reservation. This will show you the available rooms and current prices.

There are almost always incentives in advance of the cruise to register for a paid upgrade, as well. Sometimes they are worth it, but typically my advice is to keep calling your agency or cruise line to see about moving up in the cabin classes.

How to Find Last Minute Cruise Deals and Deeply Discounted Cruises

One of the top market tools to use is Cruise Direct . I am newer to this platform but have been really impressed with their price matching, perks like free excursions and cruise credit, etc.

I have been using vacations to go for years, so I'll detail their process below, but Cruise Critic deserves a look too, if not simply to price compare!

That said, I always start at vacationstogo.com.  I can spend hours  sitting in VacationsToGo's custom search fields trying to find the perfect last minute cruise deals (using the 90-day ticker and some clever search tricks), and also for browsing cheap cruises in bulk. Let me show you how it's done.

Sign up for a Vacations To Go account

You don't need to give them too much info. Just sign in with your email address.

Use Their Search Features

There are three primary search features:

The 90-Day Ticker

The 90-Day Ticker is excellent for people looking to book a last minute cruise. The ticker is not meant to show all cruises within 90 days of departure, but is a snapshot of the best deals in the next 90 days.

'Find a Bargain' Basic Search

By selecting fields from the drop down options, you can narrow down whether you want a 3-6 day cruise, a 7 day cruise, name a departure port of your preference, and even pick a general time frame and region.

Custom Search

The custom search can be found by clicking the 'more search options' hyperlink. Once there, the drop down selections expand greatly and help you to narrow down your search further.

Let's say you already have plane tickets booked to Spain for September 10-20, but you're thinking maybe you'd like to catch a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona somewhere in those dates. With their detailed dates field, you can narrow to exactly which departure dates would work for you.

You can also exclude certain cruise lines. For instance, if you really hate the idea of a party ship, exclude Carnival. Or maybe you don't want to be the only young family on a ship of mostly elderly folks, then exclude Cunard.

A lot of cruise lines have reputations for being one thing or another, but the best overall ships (in my opinion) for all folks include Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, MSC and Costa.

There are even options to choose the ship name, should you have a preference, the number of passengers, and the year the ship was built. Some people want new ships or small ships, so these options really help you to narrow it down.

How To Interpret The Search Results

Below is an example snippet of a quick search for a Bahamas cruise from August to September. Notice that you can sort by number of nights, sailing date, departure port, cruise line, rating, and 'our starting price'.

What is PPDO or "Double Occupancy"?

In the top fields you can also choose the cheapest 'ppdo oceanview', 'ppdo balcony' and so on. This means cheapest "per person double occupancy".

Every cruise ship room (cabin) has space for a certain number of guests. The room price is based on two people per room, i.e., "double occupancy".

If you are a single traveler, there will be a single supplement charge on top of the double occupancy rate. If you are traveling with children, sometimes they sail free, or for a reduced cost.

VacationsToGo and most other travel agency sites show only the double occupancy rates. You typically have to call to get the other member prices.

What Type Of Cabin Should I Choose?

When sorting by your preffered PPDO option, you are sorting based on your preferred cabin. For me, I never choose anything less than an oceanview cabin unless the ship is sold out and I REALLY  want on board. Choosing your stateroom is an important part of the booking process , so it's vital to know what type of travel is appropriate for you in the beginning.

Families with small children may want to consider an oceanview for safety reasons (versus a balcony), and adults may enjoy the luxury (and fresh air!) that a balcony provides.

Interior cabins are for those who don't plan to spend much time in the room and don't mind sleeping in a dark crypt every night (pro tip: bring a nightlight!).

FastDeal Numbers

Once you have narrowed down to one or two cruises, it is time to share the details with your family! Use the FastDeal numbers as reference numbers. They can input this number into the home page text field that says "FastDeal Lookup".

Have everyone review that may be joining.

How To Interpret The Cruise Details

Ok, so you found one you like. Here's the details screen:

The elements of the results are clear - the "brochure price" versus the VacationsToGo price for all levels of cabins, the itinerary, and a map of the trip. Tabs detail more amazing facts like what the ship looks like, the year it was built, when it was last refurbished, deck plans, and even weather and details for each of the ports of call.

You can easily see photos of the ship, the dining areas and more. It's a pretty great roundup compared to deep diving all over a cruise ship website trying to find deck plans and itineraries among a sea of ads and very enticing clickbait photos of activities on board.

At the end of the day, the price differences don't vary THAT wildly so book with the agency or cruise line that makes you most comfortable. You will be "stuck" with them until you sail.

If you are unsure about how to book a cruise, I hope that this guide has been helpful in getting you on the right path. Booking a cruise shouldn't be stressful, and should be a pleasant and easy experience with these handy booking tools.

If you want to cruise like a pro, be sure to brush up on my advice on common mistakes cruisers make so the next time you set sail you know what to avoid!

Bon Voyage!

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Staterooms that accommodate more than 3 people are limited and must be confirmed at time of booking. Few ships can accommodate more than 4 or 5 passengers in a single stateroom. The largest stateroom on any ship accommodates 8 people.

Family suites generally accommodate 6 to 8 people but are extremely limited in number and are often quite expensive. It may be more economical for large families to book two cabins, either side-by-side or across the hall from each other. There are a few ships with adjoining cabins connected by a private door. If you are interested in adjoining cabins, please specify that at the bottom of this page.

Cruise lines require at least one person in each cabin to meet a minimum age requirement. If at least one person in the cabin is 25 or older, this requirement will be satisfied for all cruise lines.

If the oldest member of your party is younger than 25, some cruise lines will not accommodate you. The lowest minimum age requirement for any cruise line is 18. This does not apply to children traveling in a cabin that is adjacent to their parents' cabin. An exception is made for underage married couples, as long as they are both 18. These couples may be asked to show proof of marriage.

In isolated cases, cruise lines may change age requirements on individual sailings. Please confirm restrictions in place at time of booking.

Only those ships that offer open seating in their main dining room are classified as such here. Many ships also feature alternative dining options beyond the main dining room which may offer open seating. There are a few ships that offer both assigned seating and open seating in their main dining rooms. Those ships will be listed under both seating options here.

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90 day Ticker Cruise deals

Today, I'd like to share huge, last-minute discounts on cruises to the world's most popular destinations, savings of up to 83% off the brochure price!

Since 1984, Vacations To Go has been working with major cruise lines to book unsold cabins at deeply discounted prices. If you are flexible with your travel dates and can book at a moment's notice when price cuts are announced, we can help you find an incredible deal on a cruise vacation.

Below are some examples of unbeatable offers on cruises departing in the next several weeks. For a look at more terrific cruise bargains, click here to visit our 90-Day Ticker - the industry's only comprehensive list of last-minute markdowns.

A 7-night Caribbean cruise departing from Tampa on March 19, starting at $649 (FastDeal #31938). Save 83%!

A 14-night South America cruise departing from Buenos Aires on February 21, starting at $799 (FastDeal #21373). Save 83%!

A 4-night Bahamas cruise departing from Miami on January 25, starting at $229 (FastDeal #23579). Save 81%!

A 4-night Pacific Mexico cruise departing from Los Angeles on February 29, starting at $179 (FastDeal #37333). Save 80%!

A 7-night Caribbean cruise departing from Houston on January 23, starting at $369 (FastDeal #20724). Save 78%!

A 14-night trans-Atlantic cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale on March 27, starting at $699 (FastDeal #22557). Save 77%!

A 4-night Bahamas cruise departing from Port Canaveral on February 29, starting at $229 (FastDeal #31110). Save 76%!

A 7-night Pacific Mexico cruise departing from Los Angeles on January 31, starting at $499 (FastDeal #22608). Save 74%!

An 11-night Mediterranean cruise departing from Barcelona on February 3, starting at $749 (FastDeal #22942). Save 73%!

A 4-night Caribbean cruise departing from Miami on February 29, starting at $269 (FastDeal #28913). Save 71%!

A 7-night Caribbean cruise departing from New Orleans on January 31, starting at $549 (FastDeal #21794). Save 71%!

A 3-night Bahamas cruise departing from Port Canaveral on February 21, starting at $219 (FastDeal #22943). Save 68%!

A 7-night Bahamas cruise departing from Galveston on January 31, starting at $579 (FastDeal #30802). Save 68%!

A 14-night Panama Canal cruise departing from Santiago on March 13, starting at $1, 099 (FastDeal #14459). Save 67%!

A 7-night Mediterranean cruise departing from Savona on March 7, starting at $449 (FastDeal #27018). Save 67%!

If you're in the market for a last-minute cruise, act quickly to lock in one of these amazing rates. Deals this low can sell out within hours of listing!

Next, I'm pleased to tell you about these money-saving offers we've negotiated with six top cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Regent, Azamara and Disney. They include free shipboard credits, which can be used toward onboard purchases not covered in the cruise fare, like shore excursions and boutique purchases.

Royal Caribbean is offering Vacations To Go customers big discounts - save up to 84%. Plus enjoy exclusive shipboard credits of up to $500 per cabin on nearly every voyage in 2016. And, get a free drinks package that includes alcoholic beverages on select cruises that depart from Italian port cities. See dates and prices.

Celebrity is offering our customers fantastic discounts of up to 78%. Book nearly any cruise departing from April 2016 to April 2017 and choose two of the following amenities: 1) a shipboard credit of up to $500 per cabin, 2) free gratuities, 3) a free Classic Beverage Package, which includes a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks or 4) unlimited Internet. See dates and prices.

Carnival is offering our customers huge fare markdowns, with savings of up to 78%. As a bonus, get a shipboard credit of up to $50 per cabin on a variety of sailings this year. Past guests may see better rates on select sailings. Book by January 11. See dates and prices.

Regent is offering Vacations To Go customers savings of up to 73% and exclusive shipboard credits of up to $900 per cabin on nearly all upcoming voyages. Book by January 18. Regent fares include unlimited shore excursions, gratuities and unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits and, on select sailings, unlimited Internet (valued at $30 a day). See dates and prices.

Azamara is offering our customers savings of up to 81% off its deluxe cruises. On select departures, receive an exclusive shipboard credit of up to $1, 000 per cabin, unlimited Internet for one device, a $400 shore excursion credit per cabin, a premium beverage package and a wine and cheese platter for two. Book by January 17. See dates and prices.

Vacations To Go is offering our customers exclusive shipboard credits of up to $100 per cabin on nearly every available Disney Cruise Line sailing. See dates and prices.

As always, these offers are for new bookings only and subject to availability. Restrictions may apply.

Here are today's Top 10 Cruises , brand-new specials from the world's best cruise lines. Click the FastDeal # for details .

1) Caribbean, 7 nights on Carnival, departs Miami Apr 10, starting at $499, save 70%, FastDeal # 29349

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Finding last minute deals

By dunrobbin , March 7 in Royal Caribbean International

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Hubby and I are going Fulltime in an Motorhome in a few months, when we retire.

We are leaving from Canada and plan to see as much of North America as we can in the next few years.

Love cruising, even with the issues abound with food and service.

We hope to pickup last minute cruises as we travel around the coastline. (If we can afford it!!)

Does anyone have a magic formula for finding these very last minute cruise gems?

I do check out the 90 Day Ticker from Vacations to go.

Has anyone dealt with Royal on the phone looking for last minute?

Any advice you can share would be appreciated!

Thanks Robby

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There is a thread called going going gone which has a link to last minute deals. Keep your expectations low. Most are short cruises and not that good of rates. Ships are sailing full. 

I have never heard calling works better than just pulling up the website. Those days are long gone.

Those days are long gone. You’ll find an occasional deal but they are rarely if ever great deals anymore. 

Engineroom Snipe

Repeat and rinse the two previous answers.

Since December of 2022, the prices normally are going up until the ship is full during the six months previous to embarkation.

With rare exceptions, agree with the cliched "those days are long gone"... for now at least.

59 minutes ago, dunrobbin said: We hope to pickup last minute cruises as we travel around the coastline.

The deals, if there any, are likely to be 30-60 days out and/or on repo sailings (like Transatlantic).

LobsterStalker

1 hour ago, dunrobbin said: Hubby and I are going Fulltime in an Motorhome in a few months, when we retire. We are leaving from Canada and plan to see as much of North America as we can in the next few years. Love cruising, even with the issues abound with food and service. We hope to pickup last minute cruises as we travel around the coastline. (If we can afford it!!) Does anyone have a magic formula for finding these very last minute cruise gems? I do check out the 90 Day Ticker from Vacations to go. Has anyone dealt with Royal on the phone looking for last minute? Any advice you can share would be appreciated! Thanks Robby    

Not what you were hoping to hear on the last minute deals side but hey Congrats on the retirement and the plan... Sounds awesome

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Eight ways to make sure you get the best deal on a cruise

To the average consumer, it can seem easier to pin Jell-O to a wall than to find the best price on an ocean cruise — especially because there are so many options: There will be more than 15,400 sailings in 2019 alone, according to Cruise Industry News. But you can find deals, especially if you are flexible about when and where you cruise and what type of cabin you stay in. All it takes is patience, vigilance and a bit of research.

As a consumer expert and longtime cruiser, I’m well versed in securing decent prices. I also asked Cruise Critic editor in chief Colleen McDaniel and Emerson Hankamer, CEO of Houston-based Vacations To Go, one of the largest sellers of ocean cruises, for their advice on finding deals. Here are our suggestions.

Wait until the last minute . . . Most cruise lines have cancellation policies allowing for some sort of refund up to 90 days before departure. That’s why the biggest discounts usually appear in that three-months-to-sailing window. “Cruise lines use a book-to-fill model, meaning they want to fill 100 percent of cabins for each voyage to maximize their profit,” Hankamer says. “Since they want to sell out the ship, they offer markdowns on any available cabins.”

Eight rewards card pitches that travelers should ignore

While you may get a great price, booking last minute may limit your choice of cabin category or location, as well as shipboard restaurant reservations and popular shore excursions. To find the latest cruise deals, you can check the 90-Day Ticker at Vacations To Go or sign up for Cruise Critic’s Price Alerts and receive notifications by email when prices drop or increase on specific sailings, itineraries, destinations and cruise lines.

. . . Or be an early bird. If you know exactly which ship, cabin type and location, when you want to sail, and the itinerary, however, you can often get a good deal by booking as soon as an itinerary is announced — typically 18 to 24 months in advance, according to McDaniel. While the cruise lines may not discount the cabin per se, they reward early bookers with add-on incentives such as free or discounted airfare, beverage packages, prepaid gratuities and onboard credits, which can save you hundreds of dollars. Early birds may also be rewarded with the chance to bid for stateroom upgrades; programs include Celebrity Cruises MoveUp, Norwegian Upgrade Advantage, Azamara Upgrade and Royal Caribbean RoyalUp.

Consider repositioning. Ships don’t stay in the same place year-round and must be repositioned for maximum service. The Mediterranean is not smooth sailing come winter, and Alaska’s ports of call essentially shutter from October to early May. That means many ships may deploy to the Caribbean or look to ports in Southeast Asia such as Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in the winter. As I mentioned before, cruise lines hate sailing empty, so a trip from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, or from Seattle to Miami is priced aggressively to sell.

During our interview, Hankamer found a 14-night transatlantic trip from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro on the luxury brand Oceania Cruises for $1,899 per person and in recent years has seen cruise fares as low as $75 per night per passenger.

Repositioning cruises have trade-offs. On the plus side, you may experience some unique ports of call, transit the Panama Canal, or have more time for in-depth workshops and onboard lectures themed around topics of interest such as cooking, world affairs or photography. In the minus column: Depending on the route, you may have numerous days at sea, cross large expanses of open, sometimes rough water and have to deal with the extra cost of an “open-jaw” airline ticket — where the origin and destination are not the same in both directions.

Look to shoulder seasons. If I could predict the weather, I would have become a meteorologist instead of a journalist. Cruise lines aren’t any more accurate in long-range forecasting than the rest of us. So while they schedule Alaska sailings in May and September, they also know many passengers worry it will be too cold. Those willing to take a chance that the weather gods will look kindly upon them — and I know hardy people who have trekked across glaciers in May wearing shorts and a T-shirt — will probably find extra discounts. In fact, the savings may be as much as 75 percent off regular fares, plus value-added amenities.

First time taking a cruise? Here’s what you need to know.

The same holds true for sailing the Mediterranean in April, May and September. Plus, McDaniel says, any time kids are in school is a good time to sail, because you will probably have a more adult experience and family-oriented cruise lines are more likely to have extra cabins they need to fill.

Be willing to take a risk. One of the best times to find an affordable cruise is during hurricane season — from late May to late October in the Caribbean. “I often cruise during hurricane season and have never had a trip disrupted,” McDaniel says. “The great thing about cruise ships is that they can change course and move away from storms. So worst case is you may see different ports than originally planned.” She notes that while the odds are in your favor, you should buy travel insurance just in case.

Find an experienced travel agent. A good one will take the time to understand your needs and match you to the right cruise. They may also have access to deals not found on cruise line websites or widely publicized and will give you notice of sales or deals when they see a price drop. In fact, cruise lines often rely on partners such as travel agencies to let customers know about last-minute deals, Hankamer explains.

Shop warehouse stores. Cruising doesn’t exactly come to mind when traversing the aisles of your local Costco or BJ’s Wholesale, but members of these warehouse stores reap big rewards. For instance, book through Costco and you may receive a shipboard credit. If you don’t spend it all on board, let the cruise ship’s reception desk know, and Costco will issue a refund to your credit card for the unused amount. Or, in lieu of the onboard credit, Costco may offer a rebate in the form of a Costco Cash Card received after your cruise is over. In addition, executive members earn an annual 2 percent reward on Costco Travel purchases, including cruises. Members of BJ’s Wholesale who book a qualifying cruise may receive a BJ’s gift card up to $500 and/or onboard spending credits.

Look into every possible discount. There are other options for obtaining a deal. Being loyal to a specific cruise line can net you some savings; repeat passengers typically get a small discount on a future cruise. McDaniel also reminds travelers they may able to use points or miles accrued through credit cards toward a cruise. Hankamer says you may also find discounts based on age (55-plus) or profession, such as first responder, military officer or teacher. Also home in on the base price of the cruise. Your price may bundle in a drink package, airfare or shore excursions. Often the cruise line will reduce the fare by subtracting the add-ons you don’t plan to use.

McDaniel puts it best when she reminds cruisers, “You need to understand the difference between a good value versus a great deal. If the ship isn’t a fit, then no matter how little you paid, it’s not a deal. But if you are happy with the price you paid and have an experience that blows your mind, then that’s the best deal of all.”

Daily is a consumer writer based in Colorado. Find her at dailywriter.net .

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