We'll have to keep fares down. Seabourn and Cunard have lowered rates by 20 percent and are offering free airfare to many departure ports. When Silversea inaugurates its 388-guest Silver Shadow in September, competitors may further reduce prices. Consider repositioning cruises. Some of the year's lowest rates can be found every spring and fall, when ships relocate from one port of the world to another for the summer or winter season.
Vessels moving between the Caribbean and Europe make a transatlantic crossing of at least a week.
Shifting between the Caribbean and Alaska means a trip through the Panama Canal. There are unusual Indian and Red Sea itineraries on ships moving between Asia and Europe, and South Pacific sailings between Asia and the Americas. Don't rule out ships that are four or five years old. Travelers flock to brand-new ships, so vessels only a few years old are forced to offer steep discounts. Visit Alaska in May or September.