While the economy is unstable and we may think about eliminating our vacations, cruise line CEOs report that their industry is still doing very well. The reason? A cruise is one of the best travel deals you can find: about 80% of your trip costs are included in the cruise ticket price, including a stateroom, mountains of food, and entertainment. In 2007, approximately one million people chose to take a New York cruise, a trend that continues as air travel becomes more expensive and less reliable and a gallon of gasoline reaches the $4 per gallon level.

For example, Bermuda is one of the most expensive destinations in North America. But Bermuda cruises make the destination very affordable, since the ship is both your hotel and your restaurant. Instead of taking a Canada/New England vacation by car, let the cruise line worry about fuel prices while you spend a day in beautiful ports like Newport, Bar Harbor, Newfoundland and Quebec City. And why fly to the Caribbean when a dozen ships sail from New York’s three ports?

Since New York cruise ship passengers are bargain hunters looking for the best deal possible, I’ll pass on my tips for cutting cruise costs even further.

1. An excellent travel agent is essential to get the best deals. He or she can guide you to another, in many cases, better ship and show you a discount that he or she didn’t even know about. Travel agents know when offers are available to the public. The best way to find a great agent is to ask for references, like you would a doctor, lawyer, or anyone in a service business.

2. Every time a great deal comes along on a cruise, jump! Sometimes some cabins

they are available a month before departure and will be gone in a nanosecond

3. Run “cruise travel agent” on Google and you’ll get hundreds of travel agencies. Sign up for weekly deals newsletters from loads of them.

4. Know what is and is not a bargain. For example, cabin upgrades rarely are: Today, cabins are standard in size and amenities, and cruise lines will only upgrade you in the category you’re already booked in. Gifts and/or onboard credit will save you money.

5. Cruise during the low season. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the ships are usually packed with families. Peak season for Canada/New England cruises is September and October. You will find the best prices outside these periods

6. Reduce or eliminate the cruise line’s overpriced shore excursions. You can organize the same excursions on your own by visiting the port’s website. For example, a cruise line offered a one-day Budget car rental for $70. By going directly to Budget, I got the same deal for $30.

7. Repositioning cruises are the best deal of all. While some ships sail year-round from New York, most ships change seasons in March and October/November.

8. I know it’s fun to buy new clothes for a cruise, but do you really need anything? If the answer is “yes”, buy it on EBAY or go to your local discount store.

9. If you live outside of the New York metropolitan area and plan to drive to New York or Brooklyn, seek alternative transportation such as Amtrak or bus service. Driving in New York is not only a nightmare, but gas keeps going up and parking is so expensive.

10. Before departure, decide which expenses on board are unnecessary. Today, cruise lines make most of their revenue from onboard purchases, which is why they push the spa, art auctions, and other revenue-generating areas. Do you really need more shirts? I have eliminated massages because they are never as good as what I will get in New York and cruise ship spas charge 40% more.