Top 10 Cyber Monday Cruise Deals

It's almost here! The annual frenzy of (online) holiday shopping has nearly arrived. Cyber Monday is a date that's firmly circled on the calendars of shopping connoisseurs and savvy bargain hunters. This online extravaganza takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving, once the leftovers have been polished off and trudging back to work begins. While Black Friday is more popular among those who love to get up at the crack of dawn, head to a store, and mingle with (read: elbow through) the crowd, Cyber Monday offers shoppers the chance to sit back and relax at home or the office and make holiday purchases online.

Today, travel companies are gearing up to make sure you find the perfect vacation deal on Cyber Monday to give as a holiday gift or treat yourself to after the holiday season. Perks can include deposit waivers, reduced and two-for-one fares, shipboard credit, cabin upgrades, pre-paid gratuities, or even cash back.

Here are the best cruise deals you'll encounter this Cyber Monday.

Abercrombie & Kent

The Deal: 8-day Galapagos Islands getaway, including five nights aboard the 48-guest Eclipse

The Price: Save $1,000 per person (fares from $3,960 per person)

Itinerary Highlights: Guayaquil, Baltra Island, Floreana Island, Santa Fe Island, Punta Pitt, Elizabeth Bay, and more

The Dates: January 11–18, January 25–February 1, and February 22–March 1, 2013

Caveats: Booking must be made through Abercrombie & Kent, not combinable with any other offer, subject to availability, payment in full is due upon booking, and all payments are non-refundable.

American Safari Cruises

The Deal: 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes yacht vacations aboard the 36-passenger Safari Explorer

The Price: Receive a $500 travel credit per couple (fares from $4,995 per person)

Itinerary Highlights: Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Molokini, Lanai, Big Island

The Dates: Valid on sailings between November 2012 and April 2013

Caveats: Must book by November 30, 2012. This credit is combinable with Past Guest Savings.

American Safari Cruises

The Deal: 7-night Baja's Bounty Mexico / Sea of Cortez itinerary aboard the 86-passenger Safari Endeavour

The Price: Receive a $300 travel credit per couple (fares from $2,995 per person)

Itinerary Highlights: La Paz (Baja California Sur), Isla Espiritu Santo, Los Islotes, Isla San Francisco, Bahia Agua Verde, Loreto, and more

The Dates: Valid on sailings between November 2012 and April 2013

Caveats: Must book by November 30, 2012. This credit is combinable with Past Guest Savings.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

The Deal: Choose from three Paul Gauguin Cruise itineraries: 7-night Tahiti & Society Islands, an 11-night Cook & Society Islands, or the 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Island itinerary

The Price: Save $800 to $4,350 per person off previously advertised rates in addition to 50% off standard cruise and included airfare from Los Angeles (fares from $3,995 per person)

Itinerary Highlights: Tahiti, Raiatea, Taha'a, Motu Mahana, Bora Bora, and Moorea

The Dates: Select 2013 voyages

Caveats: Must book by December 7, 2012

Crystal Cruises via Cruise Specialists

The Deal: Receive $500 shore excursion credit plus the services of an onboard host, a welcome aboard reception, and an exclusive shore event (on most sailings)

The Price: Fares from $2,495 per person

The Dates: Select itineraries from January 5 through November 2, 2013

Caveats: Must book with Cruise Specialists by November 30, 2012

Disney Cruise Line

The Deal: 3-night Bahamian Cruise aboard Disney Dream

The Price: From $399 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside stateroom

Itinerary Highlights: Port Canaveral, Florida, Nassau, Bahamas, Castaway Cay, Bahamas

The Dates: embarking February 21 and February 28, 2013

Caveats: Subject to availability, excludes government taxes and fees of approximately $59 per person.

Lindblad Expeditions

The Deal: 7-night Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness cruise

The Price: Free round-trip air between Seattle and Alaska

Itinerary Highlights: Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Petersburg, Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, Point Adolphus, Inian Pass, Glacier Bay National Park, and Sitka

The Dates: Select May and June departures

Caveats: Must book by December 31, 2012.

Lindblad Expeditions

The Deal: 14-night Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent

The Price: Free airfare based on round-trip economy group flights from Miami to Buenos Aires

Itinerary Highlights: Buenos Aires and Ushuaia (Argentina), Antarctica

The Dates: Itineraries embarking November 27 and December 7, 2013

Caveats: New bookings only. Not combinable with other offers.

Luxury Cruise Connections

The Deal: Receive up to $2,000 onboard credit or up to 5% cash back for cruises booked with Azamara Club Cruises, Compagnie Du Ponant, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, and Silversea,

The Price: Varies depending on cruise line and itinerary selected

The Dates: Select 2012 and 2013 itineraries

Caveats: Must book your cruise with Luxury Cruise Connections by November 30, 2012

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

The Deal: Choose from a variety of river cruises in Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, or China

The Price: Save $300–$800 per couple, depending on cruise itinerary

The Dates: Select 2013 voyages

Caveats: Must book by January 15, 2013

Where Else to Look for Cyber Monday Cruise Deals

If you've got a specific cruise in mind and want to find the best deal on Cyber Monday, head to CruiseCompete.com. You can anonymously request a quote from all the travel agencies that are part of the website's community. You'll receive email messages with special fares and offers for the exact cruise you want to book. It's an easy (and commitment-free) way to compare special deals from different agencies.

A variety of online travel agencies specializing in cruise vacations always launch sales events for Cyber Monday so it's worth checking out their websites, too. Look for reduced fares and deposits, shipboard credit, cabin upgrades, pre-paid gratuities, or cash back. Some sites may require advance registration so it's best to do a quick search sooner than later to see when sales events begin and end. Try CruCon Cruise Outlet, Cruises Only, Vacations To Go, and Cruise Brothers.

Photos courtesy of Disney Cruise Line, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Uniworld