This thread will have the potential to save people lost of money. Please add your comments on any things that you have done to get real cheap cruises.<BR><BR>My experience is that to get the cheapest cruises, you have to:<BR>1) Get an interior cabin. <BR>2) Get a guarantee category (you will not know your room number until the day of sailing);<BR>3) Be flexible as to the date of sailing (certain times of the year are cheaper than others);<BR>4) 4) Contact multiple travel agents and let them earn their money. Just tell them what you want (such as 7 day cruise to Caribbean in March or April for less than $400 per person including all taxes and port charges) and let them find the deals for you.<BR><BR><BR>Any other details that help?<BR>

If you're flexible, book at the last minute. Saved a lot on last-minute cruises.

Hi Nick,<BR><BR>When you find that $400 seven night cruise in March or April let me know and I will join you.<BR><BR>For Piney .... For the heck of it, choose a cruise about 8 months in advance and call every month to see how the price is going. At the last minute price your cruise for the last time. Then see how much cheaper the last minute price is. You will be surprised to find out the last minute price is more money.<BR><BR>As far as "guarantees" you will find that the gamble will more than likely result in a better, higher category cabin but there is always that slight chance that you may be under the galley or the disco. Even at the very front of the ship where the sea is slapping up a against your wall. Is higher better? Who knows unless you get to be close to the pool and buffet otherwise a quality midship cabin, lower deck, near an elevator that will take you where you want to go in minutes may be the best.<BR><BR>Paul<BR>

Nick-Port charges are generally $100-200. Taxes vary. Agents are not paid for either of those. That $400 'including port charges and taxes' cruise might bring $10 into a travel agents earnings.Your suggestion that you 'let travel agents earn their money'shows a complete lack of understanding of the process. How hard would you be willing to work for $10? Certainly, with an attitude such as yours, an agent doing their best for you in hopes of establishing a long term relationship, would be an exercise in futility.<BR>If your definition of a wonderful vacation consists of a week in a mid-sized closet with no natural light, no regard to the location of the cabin (pray for calm water) and the personal satisfaction you apparantly feel when you think you have made someone 'work' for their money...minimum wage...I sincerely hope you get what you pay for! Compared to you, Ebeneezer Scrooge was alturistic!

You guys are funny. I never said that I found a 7 day cruise in March for $400, (nor did I say that I was looking). I merely listed that as an example of how detailed a customer should be when they request a price quote.<BR><BR>As for the pity argument, that just doesn't wash with me. I could care less how hard someone works. if you don't like your job, quit. I merely commented that travel agents worked for customers and customers should shop around for the best price. Don't count on travel agents (like the above poster) to find the best deal for you. As you can tell, sometimes they think it is not worth their energy. Thus, request quotes from as many as possible. Reward the agent that gives you the best price. <BR><BR>

Nick: Your suggestions will save money but who wants to travel that way? Unless you are a retiree on a meager income, the majority of people find it hard to be flexible on dates due to work schedules. <BR><BR>Also the reason most new ships have more and more outside cabins with balconies is because that's what people want. <BR><BR>Also guarantees are risky since you can end up in a miserable room under the disco, galley, etc. <BR><BR>My suggestion is to select the date, itinerary, ship and cabin grade you want and than hunt out the best deal.<BR><BR>

Hey this is great. We're all going on the same cruise next April. I found a seven day Caribbean cruise on the Norway for April 6 or 13 for only $399 including port charges. Now I know Nick's statement said "including taxes" also - but hey, one of you guys ought to have a coupon we could use to cover the $40 taxes, eh?<BR><BR>Won't this be great? Now we'll get to meet Paul and Experienced and you'll get to meet me! It'll be great fun.

that is the worst ship to go on and all of you must be cheap to get bunk bed rooms

A cruise on the Norway ..... that's not a cruise, that's camping-out.<BR><BR>Meet Peter on a cruise .... I'd rather swim in a septic tank.<BR><BR>Paul

An inside room for a week or more is very confining and is not a vacation. College kids who spend no time in their rooms may find this OK but a traveler who packs for a cruise and looks forward to the trip will find an inside cabin a prison. Bunk beds are also OK for youth but mature travelers will find them a true penance. For a very small additional cost you can enjoy your trip. The money saving trips are always coupons in major newspapers and usually with a certain time frame. There are many ways to save money traveling but a lousy room for a week or more is not a savings, you may as well stay home. All agents are privy to the same information if licensed agencies. Ask for the cruise specialist, he will be most up-to-date on sailings and fares. I have been on a lot of cruises and have no complaints that other than small things that one can overlook if wanting to enjoy his trip. If you pay less for an older ship and the cuisine is not the Ritz, remember you have paid for that and it is not always a bad thing. Two weeks of the Ritz gets tiresome also. You should to get the best for your money, research the destination, know something about your ship, leave well informed and no surprises will be waiting for you. It always amazes me how many passengers expect the cruise line to inform them of every detail upon landing, they read not one page on a huge city and complain about the excursions. You get out of life what you put into it.