For many years, the concept of a last minute deal on a cruise was that you walked down to the dock and got a great deal or maybe you called the cruise ship live the night before the ship sailed and they offered you a deal. Those scenarios can no longer occur as of 09/11/2001 because the cruise ship must have the complete passenger manifest up to 24 to 48 hours before sailing. Don’t let the new stipulations put you off because great deals are still available. In the new world of cruising, planning a trip 6 months in advance is considered short-term planning.

When looking for a cruise with a good deal, a smart place to start your search is to look at the various cruise websites and see what deals they offer because many of these deals are posted on their websites. If you’re not impressed by these prices, your next step should be to go to discount travel websites like expedia, orbitz, travel zoo, or last minute cruises because many times these sites offer great deals.

Check out repositioning cruises, this can be a good idea because when a ship changes location from where it sails they will offer great rates, but keep in mind that you should be able to buy a reasonably priced return flight from where the ship drops off because you it will not return to its original starting point.

Don’t plan to take a cruise during peak holiday seasons like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Also, spring break and Easter are not a good time either.

Many cruise lines that sail the Caribbean offer great incentive prices if you book during hurricane season, but be prepared to cancel or postpone your trip.

The best time to look for a really good price is to check online 60 days in advance. Go to the many sites available because you might get lucky and pick up some cruise cancellations from previously planned trips and these are usually offered at a lower price.

When completing your cruise reservations, there are a few things to check so there are no surprises. Make sure the rate you are quoted is for single or double occupancy. Check what type of cabin you have purchased and see if any airfare is included because sometimes what may be a good deal can turn out to be an expensive cruise.

A last minute cruise may not be what we used to think it meant, but there are still plenty of cheap cruises available and remember that more people are cruising than ever before.