We've always planned our cruises well in advance of embarkation day--sometimes as much as 18-months in advance--but you should know that if you have the flexibility, booking closer to a cruise could mean saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Industry experts agree that booking 30-90 days out could mean that you'll find special reduced fares and/or premium cabins suddenly available when they were not before. That's because cruise lines have a certain date when passengers are allowed to cancel without penalty. If you can find out when that is, you can probably zero-in on some great deals or snag that balcony cabin near the main elevators that you had your eye on.

Do a little leg work and you can make your vacation dollars work for you!

The SeaPass card (and possibly known by other names) is the credit card-sized card you use on board the ship to make purchases for drinks, services, and other goods.  Typically, this is the only way to make purchases while on the ship.  The card is also your room key and your "ticket" to get back onto the ship whenever you are in port.  You don't want to lose it.  If you do lose it, be sure to report it lost immediately and get a new card issued.  Treat it like you would a credit card.