Carnival sometimes marks down its late-summer cruises to fill the last few cabins. It's worth checking to see what might be available when you want to get away. If you're fairly flexible about itinerary, you can find good rates.
eCruises.com offers summer deals from its home page. Most of these are last-minute deals involving perhaps a handful of empty cabins, so expect offers to come and go very quickly.
Many budget travelers find touring Europe by cruise ship is far less expensive and more efficient. You give up your ability to stay an extra day in an interesting place, but for first time travelers to Europe, it can be a good choice, especially in high-cost areas such as Scandinavia. Norwegian Cruise Line has posted some summer cruises for places such as Alaska, Bermuda and Hawaii. Read the dates and restrictions carefully.
