Set Sail for Savings

If the mere mention of shore excursions and midnight buffets get you daydreaming of sailing off into the turquoise horizon, then hang on to your seats -- Oct. 17 marks the beginning of National Cruise Vacation Week.  

Billed as the largest consumer vacation promotion in the travel industry, this sale is overflowing with deals on river, ocean, luxury, small and mega-ship cruises. There is truly a deal for any type of cruiser. 

Most of the major cruise lines are offering onboard credits up to $500 per cabin (depending on cabin type, of course) with bonuses like reduced deposits and 2-for-1 airfare sprinkled in.  

Score deals on standbys such as Caribbean, Bahamas and European cruises, plus exotic locations like Alaska, the Panama Canal and Australia. Or, spend the holidays in style with a Christmas or Thanksgiving cruise. 

Click here to see hottest deals we found for this week and start packing for your cruise adventure.