Cruise experts say the days of an ocean of cheap cruises are over, though affordable trips are still out there.
“If you’re hoping for another year of dirt-cheap cruising, I have news for you. That ship has sailed,” writes Jane Engle of the Los Angeles Times.
“They (cruise lines) were almost paying you to get on a cruise ship. This year, you can still find deals but you have to look for them,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of Cruise Critic.
Cruise demand has raised prices with both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival announcing new fares.
But are there still affordable cruises for those taking advantage of higher prices during ship re-positioning themselves or shorter cruises from drive-in ports. Secondary ports such as Tampa and Port Canaveral tend to have less expensive weekend cruises.
Cruises might also look for incentives such as free airfare to reduce otherwise expensive ship outings.
By David Wilkening
