We understand how difficult it is to be a travel adventurer on a budget. Once you are past the living out of a back stage in student hostels, travel can get pricey. Even as writers we look for deals. All inclusive resorts can be a bargain if you can travel at the last minute. We like redtag.ca, and lastminutevacations.com as a great place to compare travel spots and see what’s new and well priced.

But they don’t always have the cheapest spots for cruises. As we are based out of Central Florida in the winter, it is only an hour each way to either the big port at Tampa, or the smaller (but well priced) departure center at Cape Canaveral. Each spot has cruises that leave a number of times each week and do either the Gulf and Mexico, or the western Caribbean. Cruise ships prefer to be a full capacity. They make money on the alcohol and day trips, and it makes the experience seem more robust for everyone if more rooms are full. If you can wait until the day before, prices for cruises can be remarkable. You don’t have to live in Florida to be able to take advantage of cheap cruises.
We found direct Westjet flights to Orlando from Ottawa for $69 (plus tax for a total of $90 each way booked off of redtag.ca) for most of January and inexpensive flights can be had from most major centers.

The traditional last minute cruise sites such as:

1. http://www.lastminutecruises.com/
2. http://www.cruisecritic.com/bargains/lastminute.cfm

We’ve booked directly off of portcanaveral.com the day before. MSC Carribeean has a few cheap cruises as well. Take Advantage Of Our Last Minute Cruise Deals. Here’s the press release they sent us:

Embark on a journey from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the most beautiful ports of call in the Caribbean. Onboard take in the peaceful view of the Caribbean Sea from your private veranda on MSC Poesia. Graced with Italian hospitality, she offers a luxurious Balinese spa, sophisticated sushi bar and eco-friendly design and much more.
7 Night Cruises from $449*
For more information call 1.800.666.9333

So, there is no excuse not to sail the warm waters this year. We’ll see you on deck and we’ll do it for about $30 a day.