More Bang for Your Buck: Seaworthy Savings

(WSVN) -- From fantastic food to endless entertainment, cruising has come along way since Steamboat Willie.

Tim McLaughlin: "I like the fact that you're not stuck in one place. You go to bed, you wake up and you're on another island."

In just two months, Tim and Kami will be husband and wife.

For their honeymoon, the happy couple is planning set sail on a love boat.

Kami: "We were trying to find something realistic, because you can go out there and spend thousands of dollars on a cruise just for a couple of days."

But the high seas do not have to come with a high price.

Willie Fernandez of Travel Leaders says a tropical trip can be affordable if you go before or after the holidays.

Willie Fernandez: "They have really nice ships. Sailing out of Miami at incredible deals."

Right now, Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises are sailing for about as little as $150 dollars a day.

"They are offering a nine night cruise at a seven day value and you're only having to use that week's worth of vacation time."

Also worth considering - the coasts of Hawaii, Europe, New England and Canada. Plus you may even be able to score free airfare if you're leaving from ports outside of South Florida.

Willie: "Radison Seven Sea for their Europe product in 2005 is offering free economy class air on their European sailings."

Sailings and savings. Many cruises also offer discounts for seniors, children, and if you book a trip when the ship is moving from its summer to its winter home.

Willie: "It's a cruise leaving from Miami or Fort Lauderdale arriving into either Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver visiting southern Caribbean ports, visiting Central America and visiting Mexico."

Kami and Tim will soon be saying bon voyage. They're headed to the Caribbean for a week they'll never forget.

Tim: "We got everything we want out of it and it's not an overwhelming amount. We're happy."

Another tip - if you're traveling with a group, you may qualify for cabin upgrades for a lower price.

Contact: lmartinez@wsvn.com