Last minute cruises can be a great way to save money on your vacation. They can also be a good option if you simply didn't have the time to plan for a vacation, but still want to have a relaxing break in an exotic destination. Popular cruise destinations include Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe. It's easier to find last minute cruise deals for ships sailing to these destinations, as the more popular the cruise, the more likely it will be for you to find tickets at the last minute. Discount cruises to the Bahamas, for example, are normally in plentiful supply, as it is not only a popular cruise destination, but there are also lots of ships coming and going from the home ports, as many passengers choose this region for shorter two to three day journeys.

If you're unable to find cruise vacation packages or cruise deals in advance, last minute cruises can save you money, while cutting down on the hassle of planning. However, it does mean that you may have to find last minute flights to the embarkation port. Some of the most popular embarkation ports are Florida, New York, and Vancouver. As these are also big cities, your chance of booking flights at the last minute is quite high. You may be able to find last minute cruise deals that include the flight in the price. Such vacation packages can solve all your planning problems, while saving you money. It's best to go directly to flight providers to find these deals, as cruise lines themselves often choose not to advertise them.

When looking for last minute cruise deals you will want to check out what times of the year fall in the high and low tourist season for that area. Alaska, being a colder region, has its high reason in October to April, so it will be easier to find last minute cruises from May to November. Cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico, meanwhile, are busiest over the Christmas and Easter holidays, and deals can most easily be found in spring and during the fall. Another tip for finding last minute cruise deals is to travel during the week, rather than over the weekend. Most travelers will want to make use of their free weekends, so cruises over this time will be in high demand. By going against the crowd, you may be able to get a real bargain.

Those who want to find discount cruises without restricting the time in which they travel should check out cruises to nowhere. A cruise to nowhere, contrary to what the name suggests, does travel across the ocean, but doesn't stop at any ports of call. These cruises can be cheaper, as they are usually scheduled in while a ship is waiting to embark on a new itinerary. The cruise company, in other words, is keeping their ships in action on cruises to nowhere, where otherwise the ship would be waiting idle in dock. Another tip for finding discount cruises is to regularly check the websites of the larger cruise lines, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America. Many of these websites also have mailing lists, and will regularly update you on the latest deals.

Also, check out the booking tool on this page as it will allow you to compare travel deals and vacation packages, including flights and cruises, across several popular travel sites.