Most cruise lines offer last minute cruise deals that are cheap; the key to getting the most for your money is research and planning and flexibility. In other words, plan now for a last minute cruise deal. The cruise lines and on-line travel agencies will give low prices early in order to sell as many tickets as possible. As the actual cruise dates comes closer, typically cruise prices will rise, since demand will probably go up. Then about 14 days prior to the actual cruise date the prices will usually go way down. The cruise ship wants to sell any unpurchased tickets it has left. This is when the tickets are the lowest.

Historically, August to Christmas, excluding Thanksgiving is the least expensive time to cruise in the Caribbean. May and September are the least expensive time to cruise Alaska. This is the perfect time to get a cheap, last minute cruise deal.

So plan ahead to be spontaneous and flexible! It sounds funny but, if you can decide on the approximate time you want to go, and generally where you want to go, but maintain some flexibility, you should be able to get a great cruise vacation pretty darn cheap. Once you have decided about when and about where you want to go, you wait. Start checking price on an on-line travel site about one month ahead; you will see how the prices start to fall, as the cruises get closer. Watch for what you want and when it happens, go for it. Remember you will have to be flexible, but that can be part of the fun. You know you are getting a cruise vacation, you just may not know where or on what ship until the “last minute”. What an adventure!

Using the internet is a great way to find the