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If you are looking on the internet for the best cruise deals, it pays to watch out for discounts from the same cruise company and to shop around the different cruise booking agencies.

Some lines offer a 'cabin guarantee' discount. You are guaranteed the cabin class of your choice when you make the initial booking, but you do not immediately get to know your cabin number. This comes closer to or perhaps on the date of departure.

For example, an inside cabin at a certain grade for a 26-day cruise on the Mediterranean might cost something in the range of GBP 3,264. By not being fussy about where on the ship you are going to end up, and accepting the cabin guarantee at the same grade, this will cost GBP 2,871, a savings of nearly GBP 400, or a whopping 12%.

Be careful when comparing prices from different booking companies. Depending on which company you choose, you can pay more for the same destination, length of cruise and departure point for a departure in the same month of the year. As an example, you can save GBP 60 on a seven-day cruise of the Mediterranean departing from Palma, Spain (return air fare from UK included) by being flexible about your date of departure. Prices can vary by almost four per cent.

If you are able to be flexible about your week of departure, it is possible to shave GBP 60 off of a fare for a seven-day cruise of the Mediterranean, same ship, same cabin class. This represents a saving of nine per cent.

Take notice when booking companies offer extra onboard spending money. A cruise that is offered at GBP 709 from one company and GBP 634 from another, is actually cheaper than the latter if they include the 'extra onboard spending money.'