Wow! There are some fantastic cheap cruise options around and lots of people who've never cruised before are now dipping their toe in the ocean and finding out that the water's very warm indeed. In some cases, a cheap cruise can be less expensive than the same length of time in a hotel in a resort town when you consider the cost of meals, accommodation, transportation, entertainment and sundry expenses. Once you're on board the ship, your budget is very easy to manage. You've paid for nearly everything up front and you can economize as much or as little as you want.

Thus, the draw of exotic locations and pampering at sea is becoming more of a reality for people who never considered a cruise before as a vacation possibility. Booking a cheap cruise doesn't mean stowing away in a dormitory-style, sub-ocean type accommodation. It doesn't mean feeling like one of the herd crowded into claustrophobic cabins and watching ?C-grade? entertainment to while away the hours at sea. You'd be surprised at the standard of living on cruises, and the ports of call that are available for affordable prices. Here is a sample of cheap cruise options that are currently available through various companies. Be aware that the prices shown are for off-peak travel. But, would you mind traveling to beautiful, temperate Mexico in January?

3-Night Baja Mexico cruise (January) ? from $219

Interior: $219; Oceanview: $249

Departs from Los Angeles, CA

Ports of Call: Los Angeles, CA and Ensenada, Mexico

This beautiful vessel features a five-story shopping lobby with specialist boutiques plus a Champagne bar and entertainment that parallels that found in New York and Las Vegas.

7-Night Bahamas cruise (April) ? from $829

Interior: $829; Oceanview: $999

Departs from New York City and visits Port Canaveral, FL; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Key West, FL.

This ship features 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, a bowling alley, two swimming pools, six hot tubs, a day spa and a fitness center.

8-Night Bermuda cruise (April) ? from $899

Interior: $899; Oceanview: $949

Departs from New York City and visits Kings Wharf, Bermuda; Road Town, Tortola, B.V.I. and St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Passengers also receive free travel insurance, a free gift and up to $150 of on-board credit per cabin.

11-night Southern Caribbean cruise (February) ? from $949

Interior: $949; Oceanview: $1,199

Departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico and visits Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. Johns, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; Margarita Island, Venezuela; Willemstad, Curacao and Oranjestad, Aruba.

Free travel insurance and a free gift are included. Imagine 11 glorious nights visiting some of the most stunning locations and never having to unpack your suitcase more than once!

At the prices shown above, a cheap cruise is an affordable option for a wedding gift, or a special surprise for a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary. The low prices mean that families can go on vacation together and be happy in the knowledge that the financials are taken care of.

Start planning what you will do for your next vacation. Consider taking a cheap cruise. You can go away sooner and enjoy yourself more when you go.