If you're thinking about a last-minute holiday vacation in December, consider a cruise. Cruises can be one of the best vacation values available, especially during this holiday season. Some cruises we found are currently discounted by up to 70% and many offer exceptional deals.

Here are some of the best offers we found on holiday cruises. Hurry to book these bargains if you’re interested, however. At these prices, staterooms are going fast.

Short 3-5 Night Cruises

December 21, 2009
Carnival Fascination
51% off with prices starting at $519 per person
5-night cruise departing from Jacksonville, Florida and visiting Key West and Nassau

December 21, 2009
Norwegian Sky
67% off with prices starting at $299 per person
4-night cruise departing from Miami and visiting Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

December 22, 2009
Carnival Elation
58% off with prices starting at $379 per person
4-night cruise departing from San Diego and visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico

December 28, 2009
Carnival Imagination
53% off with prices starting at $329
3-night cruise departing from Miami and visiting Nassau, Bahamas

December 28, 2009
Carnival Paradise
61% off with prices starting at $329
3-night cruise departing from Long Beach and visiting Ensenada, Mexico

December 31, 2009
Carnival Sensation
34% off with prices starting at $449
3-night cruise departing from Port Canaveral and visiting Nassau, Bahamas

December 31, 2009
Carnival Elation
51% off with prices starting at $419 per person
4-night cruise departing from San Diego and visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico

7-Night Cruises

December 19, 2009
Carnival Liberty
63% off with prices starting at $659 per person
Departs Miami and visits Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica

December 19, 2009
Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America
63% off with prices starting at $1079 per person
Departs Honolulu, Hawaii and visits Maui, Hilo, Kona and Kauai

December 19, 2009
Windstar Wind Star
70% off with prices starting at $1049 per person
Departs Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica and visits San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica, Puerto Quepos, Bahia Paraiso, Curu and Tortuga Island, Costa Rica

December 20, 2009
Carnival Valor
56% off with prices starting at $779 per person (free 2 category upgrade possible)
Departs Miami and visits Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel

December 20, 2009
Costa Fortuna
59% off with prices starting at $599 per person
Departs Fort Lauderdale and visits Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Nassau, Bahamas

December 20, 2009
Carnival Splendor
55% off with prices starting at $759 per person
Departs Long Beach, California and visits Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

December 26, 2009
Costa Atlantica
55% off with prices starting at $749 per person
Departs Fort Lauderdale and visits Key West, Grand Cayman, Roatan and Cozumel

December 27, 2009
Norwegian Jewel
39% off with prices starting at $729
Departs Miami and visits Roatan, Belize City, Costa Maya and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

December 27, 2009
Carnival Valor
51% off with prices starting at $869 per person (free 2 category upgrade possible)
Departs Miami and visits Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel

To book one of these great deals, contact your favorite travel agent or visit sites such as VacationsToGo.com, Cruises.com, CruisesOnly.com, CruiseCompete.com, or other online travel agencies.