MJ_01Most people might think summer is the best time to take a cruise, but it might not be the best time to find a deal. From the dead week to repositioning cruises to the first wave season deals, we’ve got the biggest 2014 cruise deals. Right now you have options for 2014 cruise deals that are under $50 per person, per night.

Dead Week Cruise Deals:  

Between New Year’s Day and  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is known as the dead week. It’s not just one week, but a 12 to-14 day travel period, where you can find year-round low fares for on cruises; you’ll also find deals for hotels, flights and rental cars.

Two to three-day cruises are the way to go to score a deal! With Royal Caribbean, you can travel for three nights for just $130.  The cruise stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay, Paradise Island, and Atlantis Aquaventure. Click here to book.

Depart from Fort Lauderdale on Holland America on January 5 and you can book a 7-night cruise for $404 a night. You’ll stop at Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador Island), Bahamas, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Key West, Florida. Visit Cruise Brothers for more information.

The First Wave Season Deals:

msc-lirica1January through March is known as “wave season” in the industry, when many people make their travel plans for the rest of the year. That’s when cruise lines offer incentives like 2-for-1 fares, upgrades and shipboard credit. Here are some of the best options we’re seeing so far:

MSC Cruises is offering a “2-for 1 plus” deal. Pay for two for the price of one and choose from a list of complimentary amenities. Amenities include shipboard credit and beverage packages. Travel must be made by March 31, 2014. Book online or call 877-655-4655.

Travel seven nights on Celebrity Cruise’s East Caribbean cruise for only $559 person. This deal may also be combined with the Celebrity’s 1-2-3 Go! sale. Under the 1-2-3 Go! sale, choose a bonus amenity list that includes free tips, beverages or onboard credit.   Departure must be on January 18. To book, call 888-283-6879.

Take a short 4-day cruise on Princess Cruises from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Turks and Caicos.  Rates start at $249 valid for travel on February 6, 2014. To make your reservation go online or call 800-774-6237.

French Barge CruisesExplore the Hawaiian Islands for 15 days in February. Travel from San Francisco to the islands for $1,099. That makes your trip less than $73 a day. This price is per person and based on double occupancy. To book online or call 800-774-6237.

Carnival Cruises is offering a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise for travelers wishing to departing on January 20. The 5-night stay starts at $249. There is no booking deadline for this deal but prices may change in the future. To make your reservation, call 800-764-7419.

River Cruise Deals:

Book a trip on European Waterways’ La Belle Epoque and get up to $2,000 off per cabin if you choose to depart on March 30. Guests will also get 10 percent off whole boat charters in April. Book the Tulip Cruises and get $1,000 off per cabin when you depart on April 13 and April 27. Get 10 percent off whole boat charters for departures on April 6 and 20. Travel on the Anjodi next spring and get $1000 off per cabin booked and get 10 percent off whole boat charters. This deal is valid when you depart on April 27. These deals must be booked by December 20, 2013. For more information, click here or email sales@gobarging.com.

Avalon Waterways is offering a number of deals on select Avalon Europe sailings. Travel options include a 7-day trip through Amsterdam. Travelers can opt for a one week cruise down the Rhine starting at $1,650. The cruise line is also offering $800 air credit on European River Cruises.

Other European Cruise Deals:

Norwegian Epic Blues Club RenderingTake a 12-day Africa and Mediterranean cruise on Holland America for $1,699 per person,  interior cabin. Depart on April 10, 2014 from Barcelona and disembarks in Venice. Book online or call 877-932-4259.

The new Norwegian Cruise Line is offering 9-nights aboard its Norwegian Spirit for $629. Travel from Spain through Morocco, the Canary Islands and back to Spain. Cruise between March 10 and March 19, 2014. The price is per person and based on double occupancy. To book, click here or call 1-866-234-7350.

Repositioning Cruises

Repositioning cruises go one-way when the ships are literally repositioned to their summer and winter homes. Holland America cruise ship

Travel from Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Barcelona with Holland America. This 14-night Holland America cruise costs just $795 per person, that’s just The ship departs on April 6, 2014. For more information click here or call Holland America at 877-932-4259.

Another deal from Carnival Cruise is a 9-night cruise from Port Canaveral to New Orleans. This repositioning cruise starts at $589 leaving the cost at less than $70 a night. The ship sets sail on April 5. To book your trip, call 800-764-7419.

Oceania Cruises is offering an extended 35-night cruise. The ship sail from Bangkok to Rome and departs March 31, 2014. Prices start at $8,999. When booking through Cruise Specialist, travelers will get free airfare from select cities, prepaid tips and up to $1,500 in onboard credit. Click here for more information.

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By Judith Retana for PeterGreenberg.com