• Ask about discounts. One of the most popular is the military discount. Some cruise lines insist on either active-duty status or evidence of a long career. But not all. ''Carnival Cruise line will sell their military rate to anyone who has served for two years,'' says Liz Lamagese, a Tampa-based travel agent. ``As long as you have your separation papers to fax them, you can get very low rates on most of their cruises.''

• Private tours can save you big money. That's what Jerry Rothstein, a New York investment consultant, discovered on a recent cruise to the Greek islands. ''We quickly figured out that for six people, we'd be better off having a private arrangement for shore excursions,'' he says. Now he regularly runs Internet searches to find less costly tours for groups that are ''more intimate'' and cost less than those offered by the cruise line.

• Become a frequent cruiser. Evelyn Fine, a market researcher based in Daytona Beach, has found that loyalty pays. Cruise lines offer her everything from discounts to special on-board perks, like VIP receptions and priority dinner reservations. ''Becoming a loyal customer is worth it,'' she says.

• For a free upgrade, tell them you're a VIP. Actually, get your travel agent to tell them you're a VIP, says Royce Jones, a Jackson, Miss., furniture manufacturers representative. ''My agent tells the cruise line I'm one of her best customers, and that if I like the trip, I'll return again in the future,'' he says. ``And then she asks for an upgrade. It works most of the time.''

• Don't get on the bus. ''One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to not take the provided transportation that meets you at the dock,'' says Michael Berger, an information systems consultant in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. ''They usually cost more or end up taking you to their uncle's store to get a discount.'' Instead, he recommends walking a block or two away from the dock and finding a local transportation option. It's cheaper, and you're less likely to fall for a tourist trap.

• Get a soda sticker. If you like bubbly drinks, buy the soda sticker for the cruise if your cruise line sells one. On Princess, for example, $29.50 gives you unlimited soda -- something Tom Kinsella of Woodbridge, Va., software manager, discovered on his last cruise. ``And bring your own large soda mug. Ours is 64 ounces, and they'll fill it any time you need it filled. That way, you're not stuck with their small glasses.''

• Or try these two booze tricks. Tip No. 1: Bring your own wine and pay a corking fee at dinner. ''It's still cheaper than the roughly $30 low-end wines offered by the cruise line,'' says Kirsten Taylor, an information technology manager in Feeding Hills, Mass. Tip No. 2: If you prefer hard liquor, try emptying a water bottle and replacing it with your favorite vodka or gin. ''No one will notice,'' says David Tuder, a banker from New York.

• Buy your next cruise . . . on your cruise. ''The cruise line will offer special deals available only onboard, with much lower base prices than you'd find off the ship,'' says Kevin Harris, a hotel owner from Fort Lauderdale. ``And when you book with the onboard person, you usually receive higher onboard credits to spend anywhere on the ship.''