Ready to book a cruise but not sure where to start? VacationsToGo.com might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. With 42 years in business and more than 8 million customers served, this Houston-based company has earned its reputation as the world’s largest cruise-selling agency. The site aggregates deals from 35+ cruise lines including favorites like Royal Caribbean and Princess with savings that can reach up to 85% off standard rates. 

Here’s your step-by-step guide to making the most of everything this platform offers. Plus, your chance to vote for your favorite cruise line and win a $100 gift card! 

Why VacationsToGo? 🛳️

You might be wondering what the benefits are of booking with VacationsToGo instead of directly on a cruise line’s website. Here’s what sets this site apart: 

• Price guarantee: If you find a lower advertised rate for the same ship, date, and cabin category elsewhere, they’ll match it.
• No booking fees: Unlike some online travel agencies that tack on service charges, VTG doesn’t cost you extra to use.
• Exclusive inventory access: Cruise lines share unsold cabin availability with VTG that they don’t always advertise on their own websites. This protects the cruise line’s full-fare business while giving deal hunters access to serious discounts.
• Side-by-side comparison shopping: Instead of toggling between Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, and a dozen other browser tabs, you can compare options in one place.
• Human support included: Cruise counselors are available by phone seven days a week to compare discount programs, answer questions, and handle booking details. That’s a level of service direct booking often lacks.

The bottom line: you’re getting access to deals the cruise lines won’t publicize on their own sites, plus research tools and agent support at no extra cost.

Choose Your Adventure: Specific Plans vs. Open to Anything 🗺️

VacationsToGo offers two main approaches depending on how flexible your travel plans are. Both lead to great deals, but they work differently.

“I Know What I Want” → Use the Find a Bargain Tool

This search tool is ideal if you have specific dates, a destination in mind, or a cruise line you already love. The filtering system lets you layer multiple criteria to narrow your results:

• Date range (select by month, with options stretching years into the future)
• Region (40+ choices from Alaska to the Mediterranean to World Cruises)
• Cruise line (Royal Caribbean, Princess, and 35+ others)
• Specific ship (great if you’ve sailed before and have a favorite vessel)
• Cruise length (3-6 nights for a quick getaway, 7 nights for the classic itinerary, 14+ for deeper exploration)
• Departure port and ports of call

Start broad, then add filters until the results feel manageable. You’ll see pricing across cabin categories so you can decide where to splurge and where to save.

“Show Me the Deals” → Use the 90-Day Ticker

If your schedule is flexible, the 90-Day Ticker is where the magic happens. These curated listings of last-minute cruise markdowns showcase cabins that cruise lines need to fill before a departure date within the next 90 days. Accessing it requires a free newsletter signup, which can pay off significantly when you’re looking for last-minute journeys.

• Savings regularly reach 82-85% off standard rates
• Average deal availability is less than seven days, and popular sailings sell out within hours
• Listings update throughout the day
• Each deal includes a FastDeal number (your reference code for calling or sharing with travel companions)

Spot a Princess Mediterranean sailing or a Royal Caribbean Bahamas itinerary that looks perfect? Each listing includes a FastDeal number, which is a unique reference code for that cruise. Share with travel companions or give it to a cruise counselor when you call for a quote.

Do Your Homework Before You Book 🔍

One of VacationsToGo’s underrated strengths is its research library. Before you commit to any sailing, take advantage of these resources:

Ships & Ratings Page: Every ship in their database receives a rating on a 6-star scale. You’ll also find deck plans, specs, passenger capacity, year built, and last refurbishment date. This is especially helpful when comparing experiences. 

Cruise Lines Page: Each line gets a detailed description covering its personality, target audience, and signature features. Links connect directly to discounted sailings for that brand.

“About Cruising” Section: First-time cruisers will find answers to every question the need to ask. Age requirements, packing guides, passport info, tipping etiquette, dress codes, and dining explanations all live here. 

Pro tip: Check the ship’s refurbishment date. A vessel refreshed within the last two to three years will feel noticeably more modern than one due for updates.

Stack Savings Like a Pro 💰

Discounts Most Cruisers Miss

Scroll down the left sidebar and you’ll notice a “More Cruise Discounts” section that’s easy to overlook. These specialty rates can add meaningful savings:

• Age 55+: Only one passenger per cabin needs to qualify for everyone in the room to benefit.
• Military: Active duty, veterans, and family members.
• First responders: EMTs, firefighters, and police officers.
• Teachers
• Past guests: Loyalty rates for repeat cruisers returning to the same line.
• Singles: Solo travelers usually pay an extra “single supplement” fee since cabins are priced for two. Select sailings reduce or waive that fee. 

Always mention any qualifying status when speaking with a cruise counselor. They can compare multiple discount programs to find your lowest possible rate.

When to Expect the Best Promotions

Timing matters. Wave Season (January through March) is the cruise industry’s biggest booking period, and lines compete aggressively with incentive offers. Early booking windows reward planners with perks like shipboard credits, drink packages, or complimentary Wi-Fi. Shoulder Season (between peak and off-season) markdowns appear when demand dips for specific destinations. The Daily Specials section on VTG’s homepage rotates featured promotions, and Royal Caribbean and Princess appear frequently given their large fleets.

Ready to Cruise? 🚢

Start by signing up for VacationToGo’s free newsletter to unlock access to the 90-Day Ticker. If you already have a specific trip in mind, head straight to the Find a Bargain tool and start layering those filters to find your perfect vacay. Your dream cruise is out there, and now you know exactly where to look.