Muskoka Resorts - New York Cruises - 10 Tips For Cutting Cruise Costs

A trend that is continuing as air travel gets pricier and more unreliable and a gallon of gasoline pushes the $4 per gallon level, roughly one million people opted to take a New York cruise, in 2007. Mountains of food and entertainment, including a stateroom, a cruise is one of the best travel deals you can find: some 80% of your travel costs are included in the price of the cruise ticket. The reason? Cruise line CEO's report that their industry is still going great, while the economy is unstable and we may think about eliminating our vacation.

Why fly to the Caribbean when a dozen or so ships sail from the three ports of New York, and? Newfoundland and Quebec City, bar Harbor, let the cruise line worry about the price of fuel as you spend a day in lovely ports like Newport, instead of taking a Canada/New England vacation by car. But Bermuda cruises make the destination highly affordable since the ship is both your hotel and restaurant. Bermuda is one of the priciest destinations in North America, for example.

I'm passing along my tips for cutting cruise costs even further, since New York cruisers are bargain hunters who want the very best deal possible.

Lawyer or anyone in a service business, as you would a doctor, the best way to find a terrific agent is to ask for referrals. Travel agents know when bargains become available before the public. Better ship and show you a discount you didn't even know about, in many cases, he or she can steer you to another. A terrific travel agent is critical to getting the best deals. 1.

Sometimes a few staterooms Pounce, whenever a great deal on a cruise pops up! 2.

Are available a month before departure and these will go in a nanosecond

Sign up for weekly bargain newsletters from a bunch of them. Run "cruise travel agent" in Google and you'll pull up hundreds of travel agencies. 3.

Free gratuities and/or onboard credit will save money. Cabins are standard in size and amenities and cruise lines will only upgrade you in the category you're already booked in, cabin upgrades rarely are: today, for example. Know what a bargain is and is not. 4.

You'll find the best prices outside these periods Peak season for Canada/New England cruises is September and October. Ships are normally full of families, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Cruise during the shoulder season. 5.

I got the same deal for $30, by going directly to Budget. One cruise line offered a one-day Budget car rental for $70, for example. You can arrange the same excursions on your by visiting the port's web site. Which are over-priced, the cruise line's shore excursions, or eliminate, cut down. 6.

Most change cruising seasons in March and October/November, while a few ships sail year round from New York. Repositioning cruises are the very best deal of all. 7.

Then buy it on EBAY or head for your local discount store, if the answer is "yes". But do you really need anything, i know it's fun to buy new clothes for a cruise? 8.

But gasoline keeps climbing and parking is very expensive, not only is driving in New York a nightmare. Check out alternative transportation such as Amtrak or bus service, if you live outside the New York metropolitan area and plan to drive to New York or Brooklyn. 9.

I've eliminated massages since they're never as good as what I'll get in New York and cruise ship spas charge 40% more. Do you really need more T-shirts? Art auctions and other revenue generating areas, today cruise lines get the bulk of their revenue from onboard purchases so they push the spa. Decide which on-board expenses are unnecessary, before departing. 10.