First of all, you have a great chance of getting a cheap cruise by searching the Internet for last minute deals. These are bargains that are available a few days or weeks prior to the departure of the ship. A good time to look for cheap tickets would be 60 days before the cruise begins.

This is because most cruise lines have the rule that people can cancel their reservations up to 60 days before the departure without having to pay penalties. This is the right moment for you to jump in and ask for a cheap cruise ticket. The cruise line will be able to tell you whether there are any cabins left and will offer you a discount as well.

Out of season cheap cruises - In case you are looking for a cheap cruise, be prepared to go in the out-of-season period, such as the peak hurricane season in the Caribbean (September to mid November) or just before and after the Christmas. These are periods when the cruise lines offer cheap fares because the majority of people avoid these periods. Don't set your hopes as high as finding a cheap cruise for Christmas or New Year's Eve, because the chances are practically zero. You could be lucky to find a last minute ticket, but don't count on it.

In case of many destinations and cruise lines, the difference between peak season and shoulder season is noteworthy. For an Alaska cruise, savings can be as high as 50% leaving the week after peak season! If you want to travel in peak season, plan ahead. Many companies offer cheap tickets in the first place. So search the Internet or go to your travel agent to find out the latest cheap cruise offers.

Cruise money saving tips - After boarding on a cruise, in order to keep it cheap, don't register for shore trips. If you are at least 4 people, you can easily hire a guide who will show you the highlights of that cruise. Opt for repositioning cruises. These offer discounts most often because the cruise lines change the itinerary of the cruise. These cruises will be usually longer - 2 weeks instead of one, but it offers great value for little money. These repositioned cruises often present inconveniences for the existing passengers such as having to fly to the starting point of the cruise, so some of them will cancel the bookings.

Another good tip to get a cheap cruise: look for eleventh-hour repositioning; these cruises will be very low-priced. If you want to cruise all by yourself, ask for a share rate. This means you will have a cabin mate of the same gender, so you won't have to pay the addition of a single's supplement to your fare.

Be very careful when choosing a cheap cruise! If you suffer from claustrophobia, make sure you avoid an inside cabin. Read all the conditions specified on the offer, you might need to buy some airline tickets as well, in order to get to the departure line of the cruise, and that could cost more than the discount. Unfortunately, most of the times, the cheap cruise offers do not entitle you to choose the type of cabin you want. You might end up having to pay for a cabin with balcony, which even discounted is more expensive than a regular cabin. Pay attention to the taxes and extra fees, such as port charges, governmental fees etc.

Are they included in the cheap cruise price ? If not, see how much they are and establish if that bargain is a bargain indeed. Try to follow some of the tips above, and you will probably find cheap cruises for your vacation. Good luck!