News Summary: Tips on saving money on a cruise

News Summary: Saving money on a cruise vacation requires timing, knowledge

CRUISE AWAY: Despite the rash of bad publicity that cruise vacations have received over the past year, experts say this is a good time to save money on a cruise. But to save money on a cruise it's critical to learn how to navigate the booking process.

KEY TIPS: Book early, especially if you have specific days you can go on vacation. And avoid peak travel season, which includes the summer and December holidays.

SAIL OLD SCHOOL: Cruise on an older ship. It may not have as many amenities as the newer ones, but it also won't be as pricey.