No vacation beats a cruise vacation in my opinion. You arrive at the cruise terminal and are usually checked in and on board the ship within 30 minutes and from there you are taken care of and pampered more than I have experienced on any luxury hotel or resort. Everything except for certain drinks are included in the cruise price and you can eat delicious meals 24 hours a day and enjoy the cruise ship's entertaining from early morning to late evening.

Of course all this comes with a price tag, and I have seen up to 600% difference between the best lowest and highest price.

First of all you need to be aware of the difference in the cruise prices during the different seasons. The low season is late summer/early fall and you can get incredible good deals during this time of the year. The downside is the risk of hurricanes and possible unbearable heat at the tropic destinations. Personally this is my preferred time to go on a cruise. When you book your cruise you probably book based on the destinations and the amount of cruise days. You need to know that you are guaranteed the amount of cruise days you ordered, but they do not guarantee that you will actually make it to the promised destinations. Circumstances in wind and weather can be reason for the captain to change plans and take you somewhere

Kids Fly Free to Snowmass
Before your kids fly down the slopes, they can fly to the slopes for free. Ski.com is giving away complimentary plane tickets for kids with purchase of an airfare-inclusive ski package to Snowmass, Colorado.
Omni Hotels: 20 Percent Off, Freebies With AmEx
Use your American Express card to book a minimum two-night stay at participating Omni Hotels, and you'll get 20 percent off your room rate and free extras such as snacks and drinks, cookies and milk turn-down service, and kids' gift bags.
Travelocity: $600 in Fiesta Americana Resort Credits
Travelocity has partnered with all-inclusive resorts in Mexico to offer a variety of discounts and extra perks. Find deals in Cancun, Cozumel, and Los Cabos.
Sofitel Hotels: Discounts, Perks for Families
The Magnifique Family package at Sofitel Hotels offers 50 percent off a second room for your children in addition to a late 4 p.m. check-out and complimentary breakfast for the kids.
Motel 6: Senior Discounts
For guests 60 and older, Motel 6 offers a 10 percent senior discount. If you're traveling with grandkids aged 18 or younger, they can stay free when sharing your room.
Novotel: Free Breakfast, Late Checkout, More for Families
Lodging and breakfast are free for two children under 16 when they stay in their parents' room. Families are also offered late 5 p.m. check-out on Sundays and can book a second room at half price.
Hampton Inn: Family Fun With Attractions Tickets
If you're taking the whole family on your next trip, book Hampton's Family Getaway package for added fun. The package includes two tickets to a local area attraction along with free breakfast.
Walt Disney World: Winter Savings Up To 35% Off
This season save when you visit Disney. Save up to 35% at select Disney Resort hotels and treat your family to a fun-filled getaway for select stays this winter.
Wyndham Hotels: Free Nights, $100 American Express Card, and More
Get a 5th night free & $100 American Express Gift Card when you stay 5 consecutive nights at Wyndham locations in California, the Caribbean, & Mexico.
December Weekend Getaways From $50/Night
Psst... a secret for you. If you're able to get away during the busy holiday season, you'll find some of the best weekend getaway deals of the year. Squeeze in a quick trip this season and get a great bang for your buck.
November Weekend Getaways From $70/Night
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, hoteliers around the country have promotions to entice you to take a weekend away. Rates for November getaways start at $70 per night
October Weekend Getaways From $45/Night
Autumn is one of the best seasons for taking a weekend getaway, with crisp afternoons, beautiful foliage, and harvest bounties in many parts of the country. Even better, there are plenty of deals, too.
September Weekend Getaways From $99/Night
Fall tends to bring affordable travel deals in abundance, and this year is no exception. Leisure travel providers offer promotions to entice travelers to visit, starting at $99 per night.
Disney Cruise Specials From $450
For three- and four-day Bahamian sailings this May and June, Disney is offering discounted rates. Adult prices start at $450.
Free Fares for Kids on Swiss Rail Service
When parents purchase a "Swiss Pass" for rail travel in Switzerland, they can request a free "Swiss Family Card," that allows children ages six through 15 to ride for no charge. Kids under six always ride free.
Disney Caribbean Cruises From $632/Adult, $207/Child
Thinking about next year's vacation? Disney seven-night Caribbean sailings start at $207 per child and $632 per adult.
Tourist Passes From $48/Adult, $38/Child
Go Card discount passes for Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and Seattle, among others, give visitors pre-paid admission to dozens of attractions.
Kids Ride for Free on National Bus Service in the U.K.
National Express, a British bus line that services 1,200 destinations throughout the U.K., sells two family discount cards that allow kids up to age 15 to travel for free.
CityPass Offers up to 50 Percent Off Family Attractions
CityPasses offer up to 50 percent off on admissions and the chance to skip entrance lines at select family-friendly attractions in 10 North American cities.
Free Bahamas Sailings on Your Birthday
Discovery Cruise Line, a small Florida-based cruise company, offers round-trip sailings to Grand Bahama Island for free during your birthday month, from $50 per adult, and free for children 12 and under.
On Greyhound, Kids Travel For Free or 40 Percent Off
Families can save on Greyhound bus travel with discounted kids' fares. Greyhound is the biggest bus company in the U.S., connecting more than 3,100 cities and towns in North America.
Northeast bus company offers kid's discount of 40 percent
Peter Pan Bus Lines offers a 40 percent discount on fares for kids under 12 traveling with an adult. This Northeast-based bus company serves more than 100 destinations in the region.

else and maybe even cancel one or more of the ports you were suppose to arrive in. It has never happened to me, but I believe most cruise lines will credit you for a lost port.

When I go on a cruise I do it primarily for the time I spend on the ship. For that reason I have no problem booking my cruise in September and take the chance with the hurricane season and the captain changing his route. I know I will get my amount of days on the ship and I know I will enjoy every minute of it.

Another way to save on your cruise vacation is to keep and eye on the specials. Go to the cruise lines websites and sign up for their news letters. This way you will get the cruise specials delivered right to your mailbox.

These are the 4 largest cruise lines:

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Princess Cruises Carnival Cruise Line

Happy cruising!