Trifter

If you are planning a cruise then you will want to use a travel agent.  Because of the complexity of planning a cruise it is wise to call a travel agent to book this vacation.  A lot of agencies charge fees but you could end up with a rebate that will cover the cost. Be sure to ask the agent for full disclosure.  You’ll want to know if they are rewarded by bonuses for selling a certain product.

Shop around on the different websites.  It can be cheaper to purchase airline tickets on the airline website.  You’ll want to check Orbitz, Travelocity and other sites like that then compare them.  You could save on fees that these other companies charge by purchasing directly from the airline.

If you take more than one suitcase on the airline you might pay more, so you need to become a good packer.  Take only what is needed, leave the hair dryer at home since your hotel will likely supply one.  If you can get away with packing lightweight clothing then do it.

Flight departure and arrival times can save you big money.  Look at the different options if you leave at 10am compared to 3am and so on.  Also the day you fly in or out can save you tons of money on your ticket price.  Some websites sell discounted last minute flights if you are flexible enough to go spontaneously.

You can bargain with the hotels when booking your room.  Call and talk to the hotel and negotiate the best price possible.  They would likely rather have a paying customer than let you slip away to a competitor.

Remember to look for what discounts you may qualify for. Often people have discounts through AAA, AARP and other sources and forget to mention them.