There are a number of great deals you can take advantage of as the leaves change and the weather cools. The changing of the seasons is always a great time to buy previous season merchandise at a huge discount, and that goes for services and luxuries, as well. While you might already be aware that fall is a great time to purchase summer furniture, sports gear, and perennial foliage; there’s another savings category that goes largely unnoticed: vacation packages.
Summer is, of course, peak vacation season for obvious reasons — ideal weather, lighter work loads, and school breaks. But if you want to snag the best deals, summer usually isn’t the best time. Package vacation deals offered by resorts and cruise lines are the most expensive in the summer since they are in high demand and people are willing to pay the price. Cruises that run from $700-$900 in the summer may be as low as $400-$500 just a few months later. If you’ve been wanting to go on a cruise but haven’t been able to afford it, you may want to consider changing your vacation plans to the fall season. Here are some tips for finding the best cruise deals this fall.
Book from late September through mid-December. September signals the end of cruise lines’ busiest season, prompting them to offer the best rates in hopes of luring vacationers to continue booking through the end of the season. While some passengers are leery of cruising later into the fall with the onset of storm season, cruise lines claim they are easily able to avoid or outrun them. And, since most Caribbean cruises take you to warmer waters, the weather will still be enjoyable. Not all fall cruises are cheap, however. Some fall color-tour cruises are just as expensive as summer cruises since their highlight is catching all of the best fall color, especially on the East Coast and Canada. If you want to take an Atlantic color cruise, take it later in the fall, after the leaves have stopped turning.
Take longer cruises. Cruise ships have to move from one seasonal port to another anyway, so they make package deals that include longer routes, such as across the Atlantic. There isn’t as great a demand for these longer trips since they require more time away from home, but if you want to see more of the world, you’re in business.
Take a mini-cruise. In addition to long, change-of-port cruises, many lines are now offering 1-2 day mini cruises. These are designed to introduce people to cruising without requiring them to commit to a longer trip. Some of these out-and-back trips are available for less than $200 per person, a rate comparative to staying one night in a luxury hotel with a much better view.
Take advantage of special offers. During National Cruise Vacation Week, from October 20th-27th this year, cruise lines offer some of the deepest discounts of the year as they compete for business and try to revive slumping sales. When cruise lines open up new ports, they also typically offer special introductory deals to launch their business. If you live near a popular port city, stay abreast of new cruise lines coming to your area so you can get in on the deals, since they won’t last for long. Sometimes cruises have a difficult time filling the last handful of cabins and will advertise these at a discounted rate. Check websites such as Expedia.com (especially the coupons we have listed for them here), Cruisebrothers.com and others where you can compare prices and snag limited-time offers. If you’re using a travel agency, shop around for the best prices and use competition to your advantage.
Who said you can’t have an amazing cruise vacation in October? With a little bit of planning ahead, flexibility in scheduling, and shopping for the best deal, you can afford the vacation of your dreams.
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