Cruise bargains

With the UK recession taking its toll on many holiday firms this year, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the vast array of cruise bargains currently on the market.

The competition for customers who are feeling the pinch has led many cruise lines to drop their prices dramatically, meaning that holidaymakers can afford to be picky when choosing the best cruise deals.

According to bestcruisedeal.co.uk, many travellers who had never cruised in the past are now finding that this type of holiday offers significant value for money over land-based holidays.

And it's not just small, independent travel operators getting in on the cheap cruising action. Big names like Royal Caribbean have also jumped on the cruise bargains bandwagon by launching special deals that reward holidaymakers for booking far in advance.

The operator's recent Best Price Guarantee promised to refund the difference to travellers who booked early and saw their holiday advertised at a lower price on a later date.

It seems all this hard work by the cruise operators has paid off in terms of increased sales. According to White Star Cruises, bookings for luxury holidays on the high seas in 2010 have risen by 30 per cent as customers strive to save money and secure a cheap cruise.

 Cruise deals

The annual National Cruise Week provides the perfect opportunity for Brits to pick up some great one-off cruise deals, but there are plenty of other chances to bag cruise bargains during the other 51 weeks of the year.

Industry organisation the Passenger Shipping Authority (PSA) claims that while cruises were once seen to be the preserve of the rich or a once-in-a-lifetime holiday choice, they are rapidly becoming a more mainstream option.

The PSA said that cruise holidays now account for one in every 12 package holidays booked in the UK, compared to just one in every 26 bookings a decade ago.

Many people choose to embark on cruises as they offer a great package deal, with all added costs included to help you keep on top of your holiday budget.

One survey from Post Office Travel Services found that 21 per cent of holidaymakers who had previously made all their own travel arrangements were thinking of swapping to a low-priced package such as one of the many cheap cruise offers available at present.

As well as the money saved by booking package cruise deals instead of opting for DIY travel arrangements, many customers are attracted by the financial protection provided by such holidays should any unforeseen problems arise.

Some of the holiday hotspots currently offering the best cruise deals include exotic destinations such as Thailand, Bali and Malaysia and visitors will find the cost of living when they arrive at these ports is very welcome news for the pocket.

A free cruise

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there can be such a thing as a free cruise for savvy holidaymakers who know where to look.

Like many areas in life, when it comes to bagging a free cruise it's not what you know, but who you know. Having lots of friends can be very beneficial for anyone looking to cruise for free as some operators will waive the fare of a passenger organising a large group trip. So all you need to do is to speak to a few companies and ask them about their policy on group bookings, following the old adage that if you don't ask, you don't get.

Most cruise lines define a group cruise as a minimum of 16 people occupying eight cabins, providing the 16th person with a free cruise, but it is advisable to check with individual brands before you start inviting your best pals along.

Operators are also far more likely to offer up a free cruise during the off-peak season. With more rooms to fill and a nadir in passenger demand, holiday operators will usually bend over backwards to secure a group booking because it's guaranteed money in their pockets. Play your cards right and it could be money in yours as well.

Another opportunity to cruise for free is open to those who have something to offer the holiday company. According to Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, knowledgeable holidaymakers can bag a free cruise by offering up their services as an on-board lecturer.

Cruise liners are also more likely to favour retirees for lecturing posts as they tend not to have full-time jobs and are generally more reliable. You may not get paid in cash, but the free accommodation, food and jaunt around the world should more than make up for that.

Win a cruise

If trying to secure a free cruise through the aforementioned ways seems too much like hard work, there are plenty of opportunities to win a cruise through competition websites such as Active You – the UK's only 40+ rewards site.

The site frequently gives consumers the chance to enter a prize draw for a chance to bag an exotic trip around the world completely free of charge such as its recent offer in partnership with Barrhead Travel.

Those who would like the chance to win a cruise could find themselves and a friend or partner sailing around the azure splendour of the Mediterranean on a one-week trip worth a staggering £2,000.

Whether holidaymakers choose to spend their time relaxing and sunbathing under the warm sun or cooling down by the poolside with a refreshing cocktail, it will be all the more relaxing knowing you do not have to return home to a hefty bill.

Another of the site's offers to win a cruise recently saw users offered the chance to bag a four-night trip on board one of the most expensive boats in the world – Celebrity Eclipse. The ship features the height of luxury including an AquaSpa relaxation room and a main dining room beneath a two-storey glass wine tower and dazzling chandeliers.

 

Cheap cruise

For those who are unable to get their holiday at sea completely free of charge, there are still plenty of ways to have a cheap cruise if you are on a tight budget.

The PSA recently offered holidaymakers interested in cruise deals some top tips for keeping the cost of travel to and from their departure port low. The industry body suggested opting for ferry travel over flying as prices start from as little as £29 for a family car and four passengers heading from Dover to Calais.

"None of our members charge for suitcases to be taken on board; none of our members charge extra for ski equipment; and none of our members charge prohibitive fees if you fail to check-in online," said PSA director William Gibbons.

Furthermore, on many ferry services there is no charge for extra passengers as long as they can all board in your car, so it is perfectly possible for four or more people to travel for one fixed price.

If you were thinking of starting your adventure a little further away from home and opting for a fly-cruise, there are still ways to shave money off your costs. Those looking to make theirs a cheap cruise should be wary of 'hidden costs', according to Berlitz.

The company recently published what has been hailed as the 'cruise bible' for those looking to save cash – the 2010 Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships. It warns that the range of add-ons can take the glow off what may seem like bargain cruise deals.

In particular it cites government taxes, port charges and fuel surcharges as factors which can drive up the price of what may at first glance seem like a cheap cruise holiday.

It also states that to entice customers during the tough trading conditions of the recession, many operators are offering incentives for passengers to hop onboard, including upgraded cabins or credit to spend on the ship.

So whatever route you choose, you can be sure that now is the perfect time to take advantage of cruise bargains and set sail for the trip of a lifetime.