Cruises
The first place (at any time of year) to look for winter cruise deals is the last-minute special offers. One example is Carnival, where sometimes you can find attractive prices on short notice.
A similar page at Norwegian Cruise Line posts winter itineraries that are "on sale." For example, one recent search revealed a 11-night round trip Caribbean cruise leaving from Miami in January from $729/person.
Travelocity.com has a page devoted to Bahamas cruises that is updated frequently and includes seasonal buys leaving from a variety of U.S. ports.
Cruises.com advertises a Last Minute Deals page featuring major lines and a variety of discounts.
CruiseDirect.com offers a "Last Minute Cruise Deals" page that is well worth checking as you shop for winter cruises. One recent offer: a three-night Bahamas cruise from Miami from $149.
As with airfares, bargain cruises are offered to fill empty space and disappear quickly. If you find a price that looks good for dates that work with your schedule, be ready to book it.
Resort Deals
If you have interest in visiting China, here's a tour to consider: China Spree's eight-day trips start at $799/person with non-stop trans-Pacific airfare from San Francisco and New York JFK to Beijing. Taxes average an additional $71/person. Read restrictions carefully.
Expedia offers discounts on winter flight+hotel rates. Sample package prices are per person, based upon four nights' double occupancy hotel accommodations and round-trip midweek airfare from various cities for travel from Jan. 16 through April 12.
Tourcrafters offers Rome from $655/person for six nights and other deals related to the Mediterranean resorts.
CheapCaribbean.com offers flight+hotel offers to popular destinations such as Cancun. Their method of marketing is designed to make you think every sale is about to expire, but these deals should be available at reasonable prices throughout the winter. It's certainly worth a look as you plan a beach getaway with airfare included.
