Ten tips for finding the best cruise deals online

Search for "cruise deals" on Google, and you'll get 6.5 million results. You could spend hours combing these websites for low prices, special offers, and signs that the seller is legit. With no guidance but your own Web savvy and research skills, you may despair that a great deal is hard to find online.

The process can be easier than you think if you know where and how to look. I can't tell you which of the many online cruise sellers are the best, but I can give you advice on how to conduct an effective search. The following tips—peppered with insider advice from two major online travel agencies—will put you on the path to uncovering the best the Web has to offer.

Bigger is better

Cruise lines and cruise sellers work hand in hand to sell cruises. Therefore, an online agency that regularly sells a high volume of cruises will have more negotiating power with the cruise lines than a small agency or one that doesn't specialize in cruise vacations.

"Pricing is determined by the cruise lines, and they can decide to sell a cruise at a discount just with Expedia," says Katie Deines, spokesperson for Expedia.com. When you're searching for an online cruise agent, look for companies that focus on cruises or for big names such as Expedia and Travelocity. These sellers have clout with the cruise lines that can result in better deals for you.

Focus on extra value

Many consumers don't know that cruise prices don't vary much from seller to seller. The cruise lines tell agencies what prices they can advertise, and agents can try to angle for a better offer. More often than not, the difference between cruise deals lies in the add-ons, not the dollars and cents.

Both online and bricks-and-mortar travel agencies will negotiate extra perks for their clients, such as complimentary Champagne, spa treatments, insignia merchandise, photos taken by the ship's photographer, shore excursions, and ship credit. If you're not seeing differences in cruise fares, look to the add-ons to save you money.

Timing is everything

When you do your online cruise search can greatly affect the fares you'll find. "Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have a one-day sale every Tuesday, and Carnival has a one-day sale every Wednesday. Norwegian and Holland America hold sales week by week," says David Crooks, vice president of cruise product for World Travel Holdings, whose cruise brands include CruisesOnly, Cruises.com, CruiseOne, and Cruises Inc. Not all itineraries are discounted on these days, but you'll have a better chance of finding low rates on a cruise line's sale day than on any other.

Deines recommends booking during January and early February, when Expedia and other agents have big "Wave Season" sales. But Crooks says to wait until March to book. "If Wave Season is a success, the prices won't change. But if Wave Season is weak, you'll see deals left and right for spring," he says. Fall cruises are typically less expensive no matter when you book.

Book at the last minute

Last-minute deals are here to stay, but waiting until the 11th hour to book can be a gamble. "If you wait until the last minute, I can offer you the deal of a lifetime for Europe, but you may not get your first choice of itinerary or cabin," says Crooks. Shortly before departure, you're more likely to find inside cabins at great prices, but you won't find a balcony cabin or get a choice of destinations. Plus, pricey last-minute airfare might eat up the money you saved on your cruise fare. The best way to take advantage of last-minute deals is to book cruises from ports within driving distance of your home.

Be flexible

You may have your heart set on a western Caribbean cruise out of Miami, but the best deals might be for eastern Caribbean voyages out of Orlando. The more flexible you can be about your cruise preferences, the better chance you have of finding a great deal. "I encourage people to be flexible about their port of departure and ports-of-call," says Deines. "If you don't mind a couple of days at sea, you might realize extra savings." You have the right to be picky about your vacation choices, of course. Just know that by limiting your options, you're also decreasing the chances of finding a discounted sailing.

Take advantage of incentive programs

Did you know that you can book cruises through most airlines and earn frequent flyer miles for your purchase? Or, that Expedia participates in Citi's Thank You rewards program, allowing customers to earn and redeem points for cruises? Your loyalty may not save you money on the cruise fare itself, but it might help you get free airfare or merchandise, providing savings elsewhere in your life.