Tip of the week: How to get a deal on a cruise

Act fast. For luxury lines, “book as soon as possible.” Some companies announce deals a year in advance, at rates as low as 60 percent off and including “spectacular extras” like 2-for-1 deals and free airfare.

Or wait. For “mass-market” lines, the best fares are usually last-minute specials.

Trust a travel agent. Because of their “special relationships” with cruise lines, agents actually do have access to better rates and can provide “value-added perks,” such as prepaid gratuities and private tours and excursions.

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Book your next trip shipboard. “Showing your loyalty” by booking while aboard has long proved beneficial, but recently cruise lines have “upped the ante.” Some offer as much as 10 percent off to passengers, while others provide hundreds of dollars in onboard credits.

Contact: Travel + Leisure