How to Get Best Cruise Prices

The answer to how to get the best prices on cruises depends on your sea ship travel vacation style -  cheap ship cruise deals, or luxury ship cruise packages all-inclusive deals. The discounts offer some of the cheapest  rates, but the great cruise prices are not all the fun. "Discount" and "Value" do not always match - a cheap discount may offer either an itinerary with little or no interest to you, or sailing an older ship, with less on-board activities and amenities.

The special prices on cruises call on the following "ports" exclusively - knowing quite a few tips and tricks, best of luck, time, and money, naturally, particular lines and ships. While there's nothing to be said about the "luck-time-money" issue (you either have it, or you don't), for both the thrill and prudence in finding your discounted sea voyage, here are the best nine recommendations to follow:

• Early Booking. Availability of all the best cruise ship accommodations, a great option for free cabin upgrades (paying less for the best), and the best availability for a particular destination (discount prices are not guaranteed with the early booking option). The cheapest ship fares are not always the best feature of the sea voyage, if YOU insist on the destination YOU want, on YOUR favorite ship, and in a cabin of YOUR likeness. Top luxury cruise companies all-inclusive (Seabourn, for example) offer a discount if you pay in full on booking. Another reason for early booking is that the  most popular deals sell out fast. A ship cabin may be booked up to 18 months in advance.
• Group Booking. The discounts are even sweeter, if you are able to talk others into sailing with you as a group. Attainable mostly by people, belonging to some group - a church organization, a book club, etc. The group booking discount (special pricing to groups of 15+ passengers) is not offered by all lines, but you should check this option out. Huge discounts are offered for larger groups, and to less attractive itineraries (including those in low season).
• Cruise with Value Added. The fare itself is not changing, but numerous additions "sweeten the deal": gratuities added, cabin upgrades (a stateroom in category, higher than the one you've paid for), ship-board credits (added by the line to your stateroom account), special amenities (like cocktail parties), free gifts (souvenirs, binoculars, etc.). Such deals may even offer two-for-one cruise fares, all inclusive cruise fares, kids sail free offers, free round-trip air transportation (with transfers between the airport and the ship), etc.
• Member Discount Programs. The cruise ship discounts often are the well deserved rewards to socially active people, who usually operate by several credit cards, and belong to diverse programs and huge organizations, like the military, AARP, AAA. If you are a member of such organization, there could be potential discounts or rewards as benefits for your membership.
• Special Cruise Offers. Sign up for the best specials and promotions on the line's official web site. You also may check their regular updates at Twitter, or Facebook. The good travel agent could also be of great help - some companies offer travel-agent finder on their sites (like Holland America, and Royal Caribbean, for example).

Notes:

• AAA (American Automobile Association) is a nonprofit association of 51 regional clubs in USA, with more than 53 million members, providing them on a local club level with products or services.
• AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) - a nonprofit organization in USA (over 40 million members, mostly seniors age 50+). It also sells insurance, investment funds and other financial products.

CONTINUING with How to Get the Cheapest Prices on Cruises - cheap Late deals, passenger ships Repositioning, Low Season travel, Past Guests Loyalty programs.