Occasionally there are rumours in the travel industry of fantastic cruise deals, but online searches fail to reveal any details.
Sometimes cruise lines have a number of cabins left unsold before a sailing, which will be sold at heavily discounted prices. However, they will not publicly advertise these deals. The only way to find them is to join the e-mail list of a travel agency specialising in cruises.
Look for agencies that are preferred sellers for particular cruise lines, and if you receive an e-mail about low rates, do respond. Sometimes this will simply be a gimmick, but at other times you may get a very good deal on a cruise.
These deals are for last-minute cruises and only available for a limited time, so you will need to book quickly and be able to make travel arrangements at short notice. Also, be prepared to accept that the cabin you get may be the one that other passengers have complained about.
Travel agencies buy group space on cruises well in advance of the cruise date. The travel agency often pay a deposit, and as they work hard to establish a good relationship with the cruise line. They are often given a lower price, typically 10 to 40 percent less than the standard price. These savings are passed on to their customers. These deals are available to those who can book early, preferably more than 90 days prior to sailing. To take advantage of these cruise deals, you need to know your travel agent, so they can tell you if it is a good price, or if the price is likely to go lower closer to sailing. However, you can cancel or change your booking at a later date without incurring high penalties.