Budget Cruises

January 11, 2008

The Cheapest Cruises are the Best Vacations

Some of the cheapest cruises are the best vacations. The cruise ship alone is reason to take the trip. If you find an incredibly cheap cruise, don’t pass it up. You will regret it later. The cruise ships have so many things to offer for people with or without kids, people looking for activities, and more.

People traveling with kids can’t pass up some of the cheapest cruises because many of these cruise ships have an entire floor dedicated to kids. Some of the floors of the ship won’t let them get off the floor unless you come and get them. This allows for parents to spend time together alone. Also, many of the kids’ floors of a cruise ship have movie theaters, video arcades, buffets, and more. The kids are guaranteed to never get bored. In addition, you know your kids will never get bored swimming.

Some of the cheapest cruises offer activities for women like yoga and aerobics classes. There are jogging tracks around the ship for you to take that early morning run you are used to. There is nothing like taking a run while you are sailing through the Caribbean in the ocean. There are also activities like shuffleboard, basketball, and swimming. Most cruise ships have several swimming pools and if you are one that doesn’t like kids, they have pools just for you.

Some of the cheapest cruises also offer gambling in onboard casinos. You can spend some time winning it big while you sail in the ocean waters. There are plenty of night clubs on cruise ships if you are looking to have a good time with the nightlife. There are discos if you feel like dancing.

The food offered on some of these cheapest cruises is incredible. You will never find seafood as good as what is offered on a cruise ship, and need we say why? You can eat in dining rooms, snack from buffets that are laid out throughout the days, and most cruise ships have midnight buffets that are overflowing with tropical fruits you have never seen and octopus from the ocean.

The cheapest cruises make the best vacation because once you are on the boat, you are on vacation. There is so much to do on the cruise ship, you might not want to get off when you reach your destination.

Filed under Budget Cruises, Kids by Denise Walker

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December 21, 2007

Bargain Cruises are the Best Vacations

There are so many benefits of bargain cruises and there are so many of them to choose from. Almost every cruise line is offering some sort of a bargain on a great cruise. You can choose from several different types of bargain cruises with several different itineraries. The benefits of bargain cruises versus a vacation at a resort outweigh the latter tremendously.

Many of the different bargain cruises you can choose from include 3 day trips, 5 day trips, 7 day trips, and if you want you can even go on a cruise for two or three weeks. Depending on how long you would like to take a vacation, you can pay as little as $50 a day.

The bargain cruises are with almost every cruise line out there including the Royal Caribbean, the Norwegian, Princess, and more. You can choose from destinations like Panama, the Caribbean, Mexico, and other places. Design your cruise itinerary with the duration and the places you would like to see. You will be surprised all of the different options you have to choose from.

The benefits of bargain cruises rather than settling at one location include being able to see many different places on the same trip. You can travel on a beautiful cruise ship that offers plenty of activities to do while you are at see and you can tour and take part in excursions at different destinations. There is no experience like a cruise on a ship. Another benefit that outweighs a vacation at one destination is the fact that bargain cruises save you a bunch of money. You won’t come nearly as close to paying what you would in a hotel room every night at another destination. Plus, you would have to pay for meals outside of the hotel room, and all activities you would like to partake in. On a cruise, the meals are a package deal and the activities. Extras include alcoholic beverages and drinks ordered from the bar.

Bargain cruises outweigh the benefits by far of a vacation where you are stuck in one location. What if you decide you don’t like the place you have chosen for an entire two weeks?

Filed under Budget Cruises, General by Denise Walker

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August 18, 2007

Take a Discount Alaska Cruise

You can take a great discount Alaska cruise with your family. Discount cruises are easier than ever to find and book with many online sources offering low prices. If you are debating between a Caribbean or Mexican cruise and an Alaskan cruise, you’ll find many advantages and reasons to take a cruise to Alaska.

The number one reason people take a discount Alaska cruise is the scenery. You’ll see glaciers, mountains, sky-blue icebergs, and wildlife like grizzly bears, orca whales, moose, and bald eagles. Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean while you sip champagne. Cruises offer a great way to see Alaska and experience the frontier spirit.

In addition, the shore excursions in Alaska are unlike any that you’ll find on other cruises. Take a helicopter ride over glaciers and icebergs, go on a bus trip to Denali National Park, or fish for king salmon. The excursions will allow you to experience Alaska’s native culture, Gold Rush history, and Russian influence. You’ll have a week or two to see the different parts of Alaska and its history.

Discount Alaska cruises make a great vacation for the whole family. Onboard, many different activities for all ages take place throughout the day. Both kids and adults will find activities to keep them busy and entertained. Kids will also love seeing the various species of wildlife that exist in Alaska. Take an off-road tour or head to Denali National Park during your time off the boat for more viewing opportunities.

While you could drive or fly to Alaska, cruises give you the same sights with much less hassle. All of your needs will be taken care of onboard the ship. Your accommodations, meals, and activities are included in the price of the cruise. You won’t have to worry about your car breaking down, delayed flights in the airport, sold out hotels, or the other hassles of travel. You’ll also get unparalleled sights on the ocean that you can’t get from land.

You’ll also find more options opening up every day. Alaskan cruises have become very popular and cruise lines are taking notice. With greater competition, you’ll find better discounts and more variety in activities and shore excursions.

Everyone in your family will love a discount Alaska cruise. You’ll see amazing sights and view a variety of different types of wildlife that you’ve probably only seen on TV or in a zoo before. Experience Alaska’s rich history and gorgeous scenery with a cruise!

Filed under Budget Cruises, US by Denise Walker

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August 16, 2007

Find Cheap Last Minute Cruises

Whether you want to soak up the sun in the Caribbean or want to watch whales cavort in Alaskan waters, you can find cheap last minute cruises for a relaxing vacation. While you can’t just show up at the destination port with your suitcase and expect to find an open cabin anymore, you can still book cruises in the weeks and months before departure. By definition, last minute cruises are those sailing between 60 days and 6 months in the future. Cruise ships have to finalize passenger lists 24 to 48 hours before departure so true last minute deals don’t really exist post 9/11.

One of the best times to find last minute cruises at great prices is 60 days before departure. Generally, travelers can cancel their reservations up to this time without penalty. So, 60 days before departure, cruise lines know exactly how many cabins are left and if there are more than they want, they discount, often heavily, to get the rooms filled.

Look for last minute deals at off-travel times. You’re more likely to find cheap cruises during hurricane season than at Christmas time, for example. By looking at non-peak times, you can find great deals to the locations that you are interested in.

You can also find some great deals with repositioned cruises. Sometimes a cruise doesn’t sell well and the company will reposition one of the ports. These cruises are often longer than normal and you’ll visit lots of ports, but you will be responsible for your own one-way travel which can be expensive. However, if you’re willing to fly an airline like Southwest that sells one way tickets and they fly to both the port locations, you can get a great deal.

When you’re looking for cheap last minute cruises, you should keep in mind some things though. Most cruises are already discounted on many sites so if there is one that you really want to go on, you may just want to pay the little bit extra. You’ll also want to read the fine print and know what the price includes. Be sure to add up extra expenses like airfare for cruises. You may get a great deal on one cruise but if the airfare is expensive, you may be better off choosing a more expensive cruise with lower airfare.

With a little homework and a keen eye, you can find some great cheap last minute cruises. By being flexible and willing to take an off-peak or less desirable cabin, you’ll find a variety of cruises to hot destinations.

Filed under Budget Cruises, General by Denise Walker

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How to Find Cheap Disney Cruises

When you and your family are on a budget but want a great vacation, look for cheap Disney cruises to get an experience everyone will love. Family vacations can be expensive and it’s often hard to find activities for all the family members to enjoy. Disney cruises offer a wide range of activities for all age groups and won’t cost you an arm and a leg if you play your cards right.

Disney offers family cruise rates on all its vacations. Kids between 3-17 cost less than adults and children under three travel for free unless you want to enroll them in the Flounder’s Nursery child care program. Because Disney targets families, you can often find great rates for the family. While other cruise lines may offer children’s rates, you may not get the same family oriented experience. Keep that in mind in case you find similar rates on different cruises.

Look at several different websites and compare prices before booking your cruise. The Disney website posts “Magical Rates” on its special page. Other large sites like Expedia or Travelocity are more likely to have better rates than smaller sites. You should check out several sites to compare the prices and the cruises available.

Be flexible with your travel dates if you can. Being able to adjust the travel dates can get you a better price. Similarly, you may think about traveling on a Disney cruise during low travel times for better rates and specials. Traveling during the spring or fall may get you better rates than high travel times around the Christmas holidays or spring break.

Think about booking travel at the last minute. Although this tactic doesn’t always work and you run the risk of cruises filling up, sometimes you can get a great deal at last minute travel sites. You’ll want to do some comparison shopping beforehand to know whether you’re getting a good deal. You may also want to have back up plans in case you can’t find a cruise or can’t find a good rate.

As you look for cheap Disney cruises, don’t discount package offers. Often you’ll have to travel to the cruise launch point and you may need a hotel room for before or after the cruise. You may also be able to find packages that include on-board pampering or special activities. Add up the costs and see whether you’ll save money. If you plan on sightseeing before or after your cruise, package deals can sometimes give you great rates.

Cheap Disney cruises will delight the whole family. You’ll be saving money and the kids will love the children oriented format of the cruise. With a little patience and searching, you can find a great deal on a Disney cruise.

Filed under Budget Cruises, Kids, US by Denise Walker

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August 12, 2007

Sail Away on Oceania Discount Cruises

Oceania cruise line is a luxury cruise line, but if you look hard enough, you can find Oceania discount cruises.

Cruise Amenities

Oceania prides itself on being a luxury cruise line that caters to guests who want to be pampered while at sea. Oceania’s ships are huge (three of them have capacity for 684 guests), but they still have an intimate atmosphere. The cruise line has 400 staff members on each of these larger ships so guests really feel pampered. Oceania takes guests on cruises all over the world including the Greek Isles, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Central America.

Oceania discount cruises have several five-star restaurants that are full of delicious food. At night, guests can enjoy extensive entertainment at one of the ship’s bars or lounges. One of the most popular bars is the Grappa bar. The bar was named after a well-known Italian drink called grappa. Grappa is made from the seeds of grapes that have been pressed for wine making. Guests can also attend one of the many evening activities Oceania hosts. This includes live jazz music, magicians and comedians. Guests can also go the gentlemen’s club or spend their evening gazing at the stars.

Oceania’s on land excursions are also amazing. For example, on the Mediterranean cruise, guests can visit Taormina. Here they can pay for an evening of theater. They can also visit Tyndaris and the Roman baths.

Other excursions don’t cost any money. On its Mediterranean cruise, Oceania lets guests off at Positano on the Amalfi coast. Here guests can shop, visit the Capuchin monastery and eat pasta and drink wine. You usually have to purchase the excursions separately from the price of you’re ticket, but it’s well worth it. When you’re booking your cruise, make sure to ask about the excursions. They fill up pretty quickly so you should secure your seat early.

Finding the Discount Cruises

OK. After hearing about Oceania’s amenities, you’re probably sold on the cruise line. But, how do you find the discounts on a luxury ship? You need to be ready to do some research. Talk to travel agents, call Oceania and look at popular travel Web sites. Each one will have different discounts available. Check the Web sites daily as deals have a tendency to change from one day to the next.

Another great way to get the luxurious experience of an Oceania cruise without taking out a second mortgage is by cruising during the off-season. Most cruises experience an off-season from September to December. This time of year is hurricane season in the Caribbean. It’s also considered down time for European cruises. Finding good Oceania discount cruises just takes a little effort.

Filed under Budget Cruises, Cruise Lines by Denise Walker

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August 9, 2007

Choosing the Right European Discount Cruises

You’re sure to find plenty of European discount cruises as long as you know how and where to look.

Step One: Pick a Location

Saying you’re going on a European cruise is a very broad statement because Europe is a huge continent. Are you going to the Mediterranean? Western Europe? Northern Europe? Do you have any idea?

If you’re not sure where you want to go, don’t worry. These cruises usually focus on one area of Europe so if you choose a Mediterranean cruise, you won’t be shooting up to Holland. Mediterranean cruises are great for couples that want to relax and have a beach experience outside of the United States or the Caribbean. If you’ve never been to Europe, you may want to choose a European discount cruise that hits the major European cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Athens.

When you’re contemplating where to spend your seven or 11 days, think about what you’d like to do both on and off the ship. Cruise lines are notorious for offering a wide array of luxury amenities. The ships themselves usually have several pools, lots of restaurants and bars and a spa. Casinos, live entertainment and shopping may also be available. Some European discount cruises will also teach you about the history of the country you’re traveling to and offer you cultural experiences on the ship. Make sure to check out the ship’s amenities before making your reservations.

You should also take a look at the attractions that will be offered at each port. Cruise ships stop at several port cities and allow passengers to get off the boat for a period of time to explore the area. Your European discount cruise line should have a list of ports and the excursions offered at the ports. If you don’t want to go on an excursion, get on-line and see what else you can do while you’re at the port.

Step Two: Learn to Hedge Your Bets

To find a good discount European cruise, you’re going to have to shop around. After you’ve picked the area you’d like to travel to, start comparing ship amenities, port excursions and cruise prices. Do your comparison shopping on the Internet, but also talk to travel agents. They may be able to find deals that aren’t listed on-line.

Another great option for finding European discount cruises is checking for off season cruises. Fall is a good time of year to find bargain rates because it’s not the highest demand season for European discount cruises.

If you don’t want to travel in the fall, but want a bargain rate, prepare to be flexible. Don’t book your cruise until last minute. Instead, subscribe to the daily or weekly travel deal updates that are offered on popular travel sites. When you see an appealing cruise, go ahead and book it. This is a great way to save money on European discount cruises.

Filed under Budget Cruises, European by Denise Walker

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August 3, 2007

Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises to the Caribbean

It is possible to find cheap cruises Caribbean, you just have to know where to look. You also have to be flexible and willing to go to any Caribbean location.

The best piece of advice you can adhere to when looking for a cheap Caribbean cruise is do your research. Finding a cruise is like anything else. The more you know and the more you look, the better deal you’re going to find. So, get out some paper and a pen and get ready to spend a lot of time sitting in front of your computer. You’re also going to need to talk to some travel agents either on the phone or in person.

Making Tips Work for You

You’re ready to do the research, but now what? First, look for off season cruise travel dates. In the off season, tickets are much cheaper than they are during peak seasons. In the Caribbean, the off season is in the fall. The off season typically ends after Christmas. There’s a reason for this. The fall is when the Caribbean sees its highest frequency of hurricanes. Though your changes of actually being in a hurricane during your cruise are slim, the chance of your cruise getting canceled is higher than it is during peak times.

Cruise lines drop their rates in the fall (sometimes by as much as 40 percent) so they can fill their ships. Your cruise could get canceled, but you could also end up enjoying a much cheaper cruise than you would during peak seasons.

You can also increase you chances of finding a cheap Caribbean cruise by being flexible with your travel dates. Travel Web sites will send you a weekly email of their best specials. These specials start and end at different locations, but they frequently include cruises. Cruise ships will offer great deals a week before they leave so they can fill their remaining seats.

While you’re being flexible with your cruise dates, don’t forget to extend that flexibility to cruise location. You may not be able to find a last minute cruise booking that goes exactly where you want to go. However, the Caribbean is full of beautiful ports, so keep your options open!

Internet Limitations Onboard a Cruise Ship

Though we rely on the Internet for a lot of things, it’s not the cure all for everything. After you’ve researched your cheap Caribbean cruise on the Internet, get on the phone and talk to some travel agents. They may have deals that are different than the ones you found. They also may have a good deal on a flight and cruise. Remember, unless you live in Florida, you’re probably going to have to book a plane ticket in addition to your cruise ticket. After all, you can’t board your cheap cruises Caribbean from Colorado!

Filed under Budget Cruises, General by Denise Walker

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