One of the best ways to enjoy a cheap cruise is on a repositioning route. A repositioning cruise takes place in either the spring or the fall, when the cruise lines need to move some of their ships from their winter routes in such areas as the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe to their summer routes, including those in Alaska.
Rather than sailing the cruise ships empty between destinations, the major cruise lines carry passengers on these repositioning voyages at what often amounts to a huge savings over regular in-season cruise pricing.
Yet though the prices are much lower, the ship facilities and activities are usually operating at full functionality. You'll have plenty to see and do on a repositioning cruise, from live shows and other entertainment to sports, arts, crafts, and tons of other activities, and you can do it all at a truly fantastic price.
Another advantage of repositioning cruises is that you can travel to places not frequently visited on the in-season cruise routes, most notably the Panama Canal. Other ships sail the Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific routes, between ports in Europe and the Caribbean and between ports in Australia and New Zealand to Hawaii and Alaska.
Repositioning cruises can be both long and short, ranging from three and four cay cruises between Vancouver and California to several week Trans-Atlantic and Trans Pacific cruises.
On the longer cruises that include ocean crossings, there are few port stops, so passengers have plenty of time to take full advantage of the many activities, shows, and other forms of entertainment aboard the cruise ships.
Of course, it is easy to spend a lot of money in the ship's bars and casino during a long cruise, so you might want to keep track of your tab along the way to avoid any nasty surprises when you get your final bill.
One other factor to weigh when considering a repositioning cruise is the cost of the airfare. Since repositioning cruises by definition start and finish in different ports, you will most likely need to purchase a split fare ticket, which can often add a bit to the overall cost of your vacation.
But if the airfare is reasonably priced, a repositioning cruise can be a great way to cruise to new places while having the time to thoroughly enjoy the facilities and amenities of a modern cruise ship - all at a great bargain. It is hard to beat a deal like that.
With rapidly rising fuel costs, the price of going on a cruise has been on the upswing lately, so its more important than ever for anyone on a budget to research cruise fares and find a reasonably priced sailing that won't break the bank.
Generally, if you are looking to book a specific type of room, you are best off booking your cruise very early in order to ensure that you get the best possible fare. Room categories can sell out -- often months before the sail date -- and by booking up to a year and a half in advance, you can take advantage of often substantial early booking discounts while still getting that balcony room or suite that your heart is set on.
Of course if you want to save even more money, you need to be more flexible with the type of room you are willing to book. Inside rooms -- the rooms in the interior of the ship -- are often as much as one third less than balcony rooms or suites. This can represent a tremendous savings for the economy-minded traveler.
On most cruises, there is simply so much to see and do, from shows to pools to dining, that many passengers end up spending very little time in their rooms. Therefore, it is often worth considering booking an inside cabin, since you will still have access to all the same great meals, entertainment, and activities as passengers paying far more than you.
Of course, one drawback to inside rooms is the lack of windows, so if you have issues with claustrophobia, and inside room might not be for you. But there is another great low-cost option on many ships that can cost little more than inside rooms. This second option is an obstructed view outside cabin.
The views in these cabins tend to be obstructed by lifeboats, poles, or other elements of the ship's design. While the view might be partially or even full obstructed, you still have a window and thus usually will get some sunlight at the very least. Therefore, obstructed view rooms can be a great option for anyone who really needs a window in their cabin yet who still wants to save some serious cash.
Scott Russell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cruises, Birthday Gifts and Credit Cards. Scott Russell is a writer, consultant, frequent traveler, and editor of the , a guide to. Scott Russell's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.