BudgetTravel

Huntsville, Ala.: Hi Carolyn. My family takes a cruise every year. We book online ourselves. How do you find out about repositioning cruises and what are the pros and cons for them outside of the air ramifications?

Carolyn Spencer Brown: I love the idea of a repositioning cruise because you often get to go to ports that aren't on the same-old, same-old list. I did a cruise on Holland America's Zaandam last year, San Diego to Vancouver, that was wine themed and great fun. I also once did a seven night Atlantic crossing, no ports, between Dover and Boston; got a little bored on that one, LOL.

You're right about air ramifications -- it can cost you to go one way or to fly out of different airports.

By the way, one of the absolute cheapest ways to cruise is to take a repositioning crossing (most commonly via the Atlantic; Pacific crossings take a lot longer and so are pricier). If you like sea days there's no other better way to go.

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Lawrenceville, Ga.: I want to take an Eastern Carribean Cruise on Holland America's newest ship, Eurodam. It doesn't sail until Feb. 28, 2009, but I am confused about when to "lock" in the best price. Is there really an advantage to booking early if I don't care where my cabin is, or should I wait for a deal??

Carolyn Spencer Brown: If you really care about your cabin location or type, book it sooner rather than later. Particularly when it's on a new ship, as Eurodam, which actually debuts in July, is....

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Longmont, Colo.: How can Single cruisers find good prices on cabins? Are there certain cruise lines who are lenient with the prices for just One in a cabin? Thank you so much. Clare

Carolyn Spencer Brown: Hi, solo cruisers are out in force today and we've answered a couple -- and will answer as many more as necessary. So read through all....

To Clare's specific question about cruise lines, I didn't mention in my earlier answer that luxury lines are often quite lenient -- and have sales on various destinations. But remember: it being luxury, the cruise is going to be more expensive to begin with.

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Greenwood, Ind.: What is the trick to get a room with a balcony cheaper? Kathleen Fox

Carolyn Spencer Brown: Hi Kathleen, one of the best ways to get a balcony for the price of, say, a standard inside -- actually, a great deal in general -- is to know your seasons and when they're soft. Cruises during a region's shoulder rather than peak season can often be found for a song, allowing consumers to snap up better accommodations for less dough. Cruise Alaska in May or September for example, rather than during the height of summer, or visit Europe in early spring or late fall. Hurricane season in the Caribbean (roughly June through November, with its height in September-October) also prompts fare fairs¿but keep in mind that in all of these cases, there's a reason why these cruises are cheaper (weather's a big one).

If you are able to travel last minute, you might also snag a bargain basement balcony that way. Look for deals about 60 days out -- that's the deadline for passengers to cancel without penalty, and if a lot of cabins are released back into inventory, cruise lines often offer deep discounts.

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