When

• Cruise ships don't sail to Bermuda during its winter, from November through March. Bermuda isn't particularly hurricane-prone, but is most likely to take hits from August through October. If an active hurricane season is predicted, bookings may dip and you might find a good deal if you're willing to chance it, but buy travel insurance that covers natural disasters.
  
  If you live near a port and can sail last-minute, you may be able to find deals within 60 days of any sailing. That's when final payments are usually due and cruise lines become eager to fill canceled bookings.
  
  

Where

• If you live within driving distance of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Bayonne, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; or Charleston, South Carolina, drive to your ship. Even with an overnight hotel stay before sailing day, you'll make out better by eliminating airfare and the hassles of flying.
  
  

Cruise Lines

• Lines sailing to Bermuda include Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Regent Seven Seas and Royal Caribbean. However, not all offer exclusive Bermuda itineraries, but include it as a stop on a broader voyage.
  
  

Ships

• Because King's Wharf is the only Bermuda dock currently equipped to handle megaships carrying over 2,000 passengers, they typically stay only one day and call infrequently. Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean regularly sail older, smaller ships to Bermuda, and fares on those ships are less than those charged for larger, newer vessels. Consider any fare below $100 a day a steal.
  
  

Shorter Sailings

• Instead of a seven-day cruise, try a less expensive five-night cruise. Bermuda has three main destinations: Hamilton, St. George's, and King's Wharf. If this is your first visit and you see these places, you can say you've "done" Bermuda. It's only 21 miles long and has highly efficient, frequent bus and ferry service, so you can easily hit the highlights in two days.
  
  

Shopping Tip

• The Bermuda and U.S. dollars are equal and accepted everywhere. According to the World Bank, Bermuda is the most affluent nation in the world, so prices on everything tend to be high. But there is no sales tax.