Many cruise lines, cruise travel agents, guidebook writers, and “cruise tip” websites will try to convince you that booking a cruise as early as possible will result in the best discount cruise deal. Not always true – you’ll often save more money when you book a last minute cruise…

Passengers who book last minute may save hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than passengers who book their cruise many months in advance.

That’s because the hottest deals and deepest cruise travel discounts are usually available within two to three months of sailing, or less. That’s when cruise lines offer a discount cruise deal on the cabins they’re afraid will go empty unless they cut their rates drastically. It’s not uncommon to see last minute discount cruise savings as high as 60 percent, 70 percent, or even 80 percent off the brochure rate.

Choosing to book a last minute cruise is not for everyone. You need a fair amount of flexibility in your travel plans to take advantage of this tactic. If you have to sail on specific dates, or over a busy holiday or vacation period, or if you have to have a certain type of cabin or are traveling with a large group, then booking your cruise early will better assure you of getting your top choices.

But if your main goal is to snag a bargain and you aren’t too particular about where and when you sail, or on which ship, then patience can not only be a virtue but can help you land a great discount cruise deal.

The best last minute cruise deals are usually offered by big travel agencies that have special relationships with the cruise lines. The cruise lines make their best deals available to these mega-discounters, and the agencies pass much of those savings on to you. Sometimes the big discounters will buy up large blocks of cabins from the cruise lines and then re-sell them to their clients at big discounts, making their profits from bulk sales.

Passengers may really benefit if these cabins don’t completely sell out. Rather than risk getting nothing for their investment, the agencies are likely to offer them for sale at bargain-basement rates.

The result for you is the same – you’re likely to pick up a great deal when you choose to book a last minute cruise!

Clark Norton

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/book-a-last-minute-cruise-and-save-money-103425.html

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Technorati Tags: booking, cruise travel, discount cruise, discounts, last minute cruise

The greatest secret to affordable air travel or accommodation discounts is to know your budget and what you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you’ve looked at all your options and choose the best among them. And importantly, always plan ahead. Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.

Whether you’re a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some air travel tips to help you save money and choose the best deal:

1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket, so you can save a bit by buying direct. If the holiday you’re planning has a number of different components to it – air travel to your cruise departure point and hotels before and after, for example – then simplifying things by going through an agent might be worth the added cost. That’s your choice.

2. Make all your purchases/reservations at once for these mutli faceted trips instead of buying one at a time. Discounts may be available on booking fees this way.

3. Booking for a package tour that includes air travel, accommodation and any other expense could be a wise choice for some destinations.

4. Compare prices online for the best discounts. There are websites that help travelers to shop and compare. Some also provide travel tips and guidelines.

5. Play the seasons. Some travel destinations are cheapest at certain times or seasons of the year. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal.

For both air travel and driving, avoid the crowds by traveling during the week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. An added bonus is that airfares for travel Tuesday through Thursday are usually cheaper.

Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. Travel sites also offer the low down on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it’s only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!

And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there’s less road traffic?

Some of the most affordable air travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot. Book immediately with your discount travel broker. Never hesitate!

6. Be flexible with travel dates and times. Some airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts if you book one or two days earlier.

7. Smaller airlines often have smaller fares. Additionally, small airlines don’t necessarily mean smaller airplanes.

8. Using an alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Ask your travel agent about it.

9. Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have.

10. Buy trip insurance. Insurance will not only save your life but also could save you money. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization.

11. Sign up for hotel and airline awards programs. Chain hotels usually have award programs; take advantage of it especially if you are a frequent business traveler. Finally, never stop bargaining, always explore the possibility of lower airfare, lower hotel rates.

However, it is important to weigh and compare all options, since not all cheap travel deals will give you the travel value you deserve. Travel will be more enjoyable if you get the most for your hard earned vacation budget, and some hotels aren’t fit to stay in no matter how cheap they are. You do want to remember your trip for the right reasons!

James Yee

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/best-travel-deals-for-your-holiday-137030.html

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Technorati Tags: Air Travel, budget, cheap travel, deals, discounts, red-eye flights, tips, travel destinations, vacation planning

Get up, go to work, go home, and go to bed. Repeat. Your lifestyle is a recipe for disaster. All work and no play make Johnny, and Jane, perfectly miserable.

When you’ve had enough of the rat race and just need to get away, a luxury cruise vacation is just the ticket. Vacations via luxury cruise ship lines offer pure paradise for a week, a month or even six months. Nothing to do but lie back, relax and let the ocean carry you away…

Choosing to take a luxury cruise vacation is one of the easiest decisions you’ll ever make. The tricky part is deciding when to leave, and when to come back. Chances are, you’ll want to leave tomorrow and never return. Unfortunately we all have to return to reality at some point, but even a few days on a luxury cruise’s ship is better than none at all.

Work with your travel agent in planning your departure and return dates. You’ll be surprised at the difference a week can make in rates and availability. If cost is a factor, take advantage of off-season discounts and you can save a bundle. Booking well in advance can help you to save a few bucks. Adventurous types who are in a position to drop everything can sometimes catch a break with last-minute bookings.

Think about where you’d like to go for your dream getaway. There are countless options available, depending on where you’d like to travel and what you’d like to see. Check the itineraries of different cruise packages to determine which ports of call you’d like to explore.

Of course, you may decide the perfect vacation activity for you is simply basking away on the ship’s pool deck. If that’s the case, you can just book the cruise without worrying about day trips along the way. The time you have available plays a big role in deciding when and where you will travel. Traveling on luxury cruise ships can be packed with fun and excitement.

The fun part is actually booking and preparing for your vacation. Once you’ve made the arrangements, you can get up and go to work with smile on your face, as you count down the days till your luxury cruise vacation. Bon Voyage!

Charles Jackson

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/luxury-cruise-vacations-86179.html

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Technorati Tags: agent, cruise, cruise ship lines, cruises ships, day trips, discounts, getaway, Luxury, off season, packages, travel, vacation