The problems are mounting for cruise lines and to counteract the concerns, cruise companies are dramatically "cutting" prices, offering Caribbean trips for as little as $529 per person (traveling in August). If you prefer traveling in the fall, deals can be had for as little as $749 per person.

Other reasons for lower cruise prices are the new ships that are taking bookings away from older, smaller ships. For example the Royal Caribbean's new mega "Freedom of the Seas" ship is the largest cruise ship in the world with room for 3,600 passengers. It has every imaginable amenity including a 1,215 square foot presidential suite. The popularity of sailing on this treasure ship draws passengers away from other ships; thus the prices go down on the smaller ships.

Also lending to lower rates, are the bizarre incidence that have occurred while cruise ships have been at sea. These include bad press about sanitary conditions aboard ship, strange viruses that have affected hundreds of passengers, passengers who have been murdered or simply disappeared and even a pirate attack on a Carnival cruise ship.