Monday, December 8, 2008

Tips for Getting in on Caribbean Cruise Deals

A Caribbean cruise vacation is an absolute dream holiday, especially to many who haven't had the opportunity to enjoy this type of vacation. Many times, taking your dream vacation is only a matter of finding a discount cruise vacation package before your dream becomes a reality. Finding the best cruise deals to your dream Caribbean destination will be much easier if you follow these tips.

Finding a cruise deal to Caribbean comes down to a combination of having a good strategy, being in the right place at the right time, and being able to take swift and decisive action to book hot deals when you find them. Supply and demand are still the economic kings when it comes to the rates. Lots of discount cruise travel deals pop up if the cruise line isn't able to fill all of the spots on their ships. If they are enjoying quick bookings and people clamoring to get aboard, then the travel deals disappear and the prices start to climb.

Whenever one of the cruise companies has a new ship built and it is time to launch it on it's maiden voyage, there is a good chance of finding cruise deals. The new vessel will likely have an increased capacity over an older one, and the owners will be very eager to have it full of paying customers. Therefore, they will often offer some great deals to get passengers aboard. And, in response, their competitors will often drop their rates as well, so that they don't lose too many customers to the competition.

One of the best ways to enjoy hot deals on cruises is to be as flexible as possible with the category of ship and the type of cabin you are willing to book. It is also a good idea to book your cruise at least 90 days ahead of the departure date. For the best discount cruise travel deals, it is advisable to book four to six months ahead because the rates are generally lower when the ship is far from full capacity. However, if you can be super-flexible about when you can leave, then you might be able to find super hot deals on last minute travel.

When you are considering the available deals, be sure to remember that the rates for cruises include all your meals aboard ship, your on-ship entertainment, and most of the onboard activities such as movies, live shows, gym usage, games and sports, and dance classes. Some people absolutely love all the food, activities and fun that are part of the package of the "all inclusive" price.

If you discovered great Caribbean cruise deals and ultimately got a break on your ticket price, then bravo to you and happy sailing. But be aware, there will be some additional charges that you might not know about. Normally, the custom is that you will tip the service staff, and it is expected that you will. Plan on about $10 per day to cover this expense. Bottled water, soda pop, and alcoholic beverages are not included in your ticket fare, so you need to budget for your needs in this area as well. Another separate expense that you need to plan for is the optional activities such as, spa services and classes (yoga for example), and shore excursions. These will need to be paid for individually.

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