Posts Tagged ‘vacationstog’

Paying for pleasure travel during tough economic times is, well, tough.  But even though times may be tough, you would still like to take a vacation.  In fact, you deserve it! Don’t worry, you can still take a vacation if you are short on funds.  If you’re ready to go, look no further than discounted cruises.  Just about every major cruise line currently offers discounted cruises in an effort to encourage consumers to keep on cruising, in spite of tough economic times.

If you are willing to consider taking a cruise instead of flying to a single destination, you just might enjoy some of the best discounted cruises the industry has ever offered.  In addition to offering discounted cruises as an incentive to get people cruising, cruise lines offer discounted cruises if you book early or last minute, if you book off-season, if you book online or if you book with a group.

Cruise lines prefer to sell out in advance, so you will enjoy significant savings just for booking your cruise well in advance.  And believe it or not, cruise lines offer discounted cruises for booking last minute as well.  If cabins are still available several weeks or so before the cruise departs, prices may be reduced by as much as 75% off the regular rate.

If you don’t mind booking off-season not only will you reap several benefits offered by discounted cruises.  You will also enjoy smaller crowds as well as special discounts and lower prices on everything from shore excursion adventures and shopping to restaurants and hotel stays. You will find a wide variety of discounted cruises during slow or shoulder seasons in year round destinations.  The following is a list of destinations and their slow seasons: Alaska, May and September; Bermuda, April-May and September-October; Canada/New England, July-August; the Caribbean, late April-May, September-early January; Hawaii, late August, late November, and February; Mexican Riviera, early January and May, October-November; Eastern and Western Mediterranean, March-April and September-November.

Other ways to enjoy discounted cruises include: taking advantage of special senior rates and booking with popular cruise lines.  The world’s most popular cruise lines include: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, SilverSea Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

A senior is typically defined as a person who is 55 or older.  If you are a senior, in order to  take advantage of senior rates, you cannot book online.  There are two ways to book a discounted cruise if you are a senior: you can call a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line.  Proof of age is required.  To enjoy discount cruises for groups and families it might be a good idea to book your cruise through a cruise travel specialist for the best deals or if you have a cruise line in mind, contact a live cruise travel agent.

To find the perfect discounted cruise, you can visit any of the following popular discounted cruises websites or discount booking search engines listed below. The sites listed below offer access to some of the lowest cruise prices on the market, and a convenient way to shop and compare. In addition, you can book your discounted cruise right online if you’re prepared to seal the deal!

Finding The Best Deals On Carnival Cruise

Want to go on a cruise but don’t know where to go exactly? Well, this wonderful world is yours and it can also make the money you have worked hard to earn stretch as far as it can possibly go.  Carnival provides fantastic deals for everyone.  They may all change, but there is always something you can do to save money.

There is a program that Carnival has for early savers.  Spend less than $70 dollars per day for getting in there early.   For $70 dollars a day, get the best stateroom, delicious foods (and room service), and enjoy all of the on board entertainment one could ever want. For family vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines can’t be beat, there are many youth programs geared at making sure the kids have a great time on board!

The Carnival Cruise ships are like floating cities, there is so much to do and see right on the ship.  Go to just roam and relax , party till dawn or participate in all the activities that are scheduled for the guests.  No matter what you want to do, there is always something for you.  Get delicious dining from a simple burger to filet mignon.

Another great special they offer is the option to depart from the nearest port to your home. You can get anywhere from Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tamp, New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Anchorage, Honolulu, San Juan, Vancouver, or Ensenada.

This “fun ship” vacation will prove to be a fantastic buy and relaxing trip. Get a 7 Day “Fun Ship” cruise for $995 dollars and end up saving half of what you would normally be paying.  These all inclusive packages include everything the ship has to offer, like meals, entertainment, activities and cocktails.  It doesn’t matter where you want to go.  Do you want to go to Alaska, Bahamas, Canada or New England? Maybe head out to the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal or the cruise to nowhere.

Trip to nowhere?

A trip to nowhere is considered to be a fun day at sea. Typically it can be a two day trip from Norfolk, VA.  Go enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and don’t find yourself too lost.  The prices for those kinds of trips do vary but seem to be a lot more cost effective.  Enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy all of the fun that Carnival provides for you.

It is impossible not to find a great deal on Carnival Cruise Lines, finding the deal isn’t hard it is deciding which deal to take that is hard.

Last Minute Discount Cruises

The economy is all that anyone talks about; people are getting a lot smarter with their money. People who have been traveling awhile know that flexibility is key to successfully traveling for less.  There are a few ways to grab some real deals when traveling last minute.  Discount cruises are probably in the top five.

Benefits

The obvious benefit is the savings! Last minute discount cruises can save you up to 75% off regular prices, which is a lot of cash in your pocket to spend or save. The cruise ships are fabulous today with so many amenities and options. They are literally sailing vacation spots in their own rights.  There is really no need to ever leave a cruise ship.  The cuisine is amazing on most lines, the entertainment unbelievable and the activities make it hard to believe that you are out at sea.  Most of the cruise ships today are loaded with activities.  Gone are the days of shuffle board and table tennis (although still available for those diehards out there). These ships are outfitted with climbing walls, miniature golf, pools, wave machines to surf on, boutiques for shopping that rival some malls, ice skating rinks you name the activity and you can probably find a ship that offers it! These great getaways will make memories that will last forever.

Typical Costs

A great deal can be had at the last minute for around $200 to $350 per person for a three to four day cruise. That is an amazing low price considering you would be hard pressed to find a hotel for that price, much less a luxury liner.

Of course adding in the cost of transportation to the nearest port will bump the cost up some, but it will still be much lower than you expect to pay.

Living in a coastal area that is near one of the ports that these liners depart from or stop over at can realize the biggest savings, because transportation to the port can simply mean cab fare. What a great opportunity!

Everyone needs a vacation from life; cruises are a great way to leave all your problems behind on land and to head out into the great big ocean. Why spend a fortune? Take advantage of last minute deals, all you need is a little flexibility, some cash and a sense of adventure and you will be on your way.