Cruise prices are rebounding in 2010, but bargains still can be found

If you’re hoping for another year of dirt-cheap cruising, I have news for you: That ship has sailed.

After foundering in the recession, cruise lines have been buoyed by a recent surge in bookings. And that is bringing higher prices.

In the last three weeks, industry giants Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line have announced plans to increase fares in spring.

But don’t jump ship just yet. You can still find affordable cruises.

“Last year was the year of the steal,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of Cruise Critic, a consumer website. “They were almost paying you to get on a cruise ship. This year, you can still find deals. But you have to look for them.”

With that in mind, here are five ways to trim your budget sails in 2010:

Head for Mexico: With recent fares as low as $429 for seven-day, round-trip sailings from Southern California, the Mexican Riviera (Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta) is hard to beat for savings. Prices have been pounded by California’s weakened economy, Mexico’s drug wars and the entry of bigger ships into the market, experts say.

By contrast, Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Baltics remain popular, especially with affluent travelers, so you’ll find fewer deals there.

Reposition yourself: In spring, cruise lines typically shift ships from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean or Alaska for summer, then back in fall. Many of these repositioning cruises, which tend to be long on sea days and short on port calls, cost as little as $50 a day.

“If you love ship life, they’re very relaxing,” said Mike Driscoll, editor of Cruise Week, an industry newsletter based in Brookfield, Ill. Allow plenty of time, beware of bad weather on transatlantic crossings and expect an older crowd.

Take a long weekend: Short cruises from drive-to ports can be inexpensive. One reason: The rising tide of the economic recovery is not lifting all boats.

“You’re going to see good prices for three-, four-, five-day cruises because for that segment of the population — the classic budget traveler — their economic situation has not improved in the past year,” Driscoll said. “If they have a job, a lot of them are worried. If they don’t have a job, they’re not going to take a vacation.”

The Caribbean and Mexico are fountains of short itineraries.

Live like a pirate: As their investments recover from the losses of 2008, the affluent are spending again, said Mimi Weisband, spokeswoman for Crystal Cruises, where fares typically run about $500 per day.

“Last year, people were paralyzed,” Weisband said. “Now there isn’t as much uncertainty.” As a result, some sailings, especially in Europe, are already sold out.

But Crystal, like many luxury lines, is still offering huge incentives, such as free airfare, two-for-one fares and on-board spending credits. Fares overall on Crystal are about 14% lower than they were last year, Weisband said.

So luxe can be affordable. Example: Fares recently started at $2,165, or about $309 per person per day, for a seven-day, round-trip Mexican Riviera cruise on Nov. 21 out of Los Angeles on the Crystal Symphony. Plus, each cruiser gets $500 on-board credit.

Book early — or late. Greater demand means cabins are disappearing on popular sailings. At Crystal, where some ships sailed only 60% or 70% full last year, many departures in Europe are already more than 90% booked, Weisband said.

So if you’re heading to Europe or Alaska, book now; if to Mexico, where lower demand is driving some fire sales, Spencer Brown said, it’s not as urgent.

How soon you book also has to do with how choosy you are.

“If you’re picky about your cabin, book early,” Spencer Brown said. “If not, book two weeks out and take what’s left.”

At a discount, of course.

jane.engle@latimes.com