Saving money is important to everyone right now, especially when it comes to vacations. Cruises generally offer some of the best value vacations, especially during the fall and between the holidays. This year, however, low prices are even spilling over into prime winter months.

The current trifecta of the economic downturn, oversupply, and low-season sailing dates has resulted in some unbelievable discounts. Many of the cruise dates on sale are well outside of hurricane season, which ends in late November. The December through February sailings also provide a great pre- or post-holiday vacation as well as a welcome escape from cold winter weather.

If you're considering taking a cruise over the next few months and can be flexible about your dates and itineraries, now is the time to grab a great vacation deal. Here's the scoop:

* Bahamas cruises are currently as cheap as $99 per person. Norwegian Cruise Line has discounted some of their 3- and 4-day Bahamas sailings to as low as $99 per person including port charges, a savings of as much as 89% over brochure rates. Refer to Norwegian's Promo PGHOT booking code for these fares. Airfare as well as some additional taxes and fees are extra. These fares were readily found for sailings in October and November of this year. Deep discounts of 70-80% on Norwegian, Carnival and other cruise lines were available for Bahamas sailings in November and December as well as in January and February, 2009. Cruises depart from Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Florida.

* Short Caribbean cruises are another good bargain. Currently, 4- to 6-day cruises to ports such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios can be found for 70-80% off brochure prices on Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line from November through January. Royal Caribbean cruises are also deeply discounted, with substantial senior and state resident discounts when applicable. February and March, 2009 prices are somewhat higher, but sale prices of 60-70% off brochure prices can readily be found. Cruises leave from a number of home ports, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Mobile, and Galveston.

* Fewer deep discounts are available on 7-day Caribbean cruises, but there are definitely some great deals out there. For example, 7-day Western Caribbean cruises on the Norwegian Pearl currently start at $249 per person during the month of November. This cruise visits Roatan, Belize City, Cozumel and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island. Carnival is also offering substantial discounts on many of its sailings, with lower end prices of $299 to $349 through mid-December. While discounts of 70-80% can be found on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from November, 2008 through January, 2009, they are more sporadic and prices vary significantly by sailing date and ship. Bargain hunters will need to show more flexibility in order to scoop up the lowest fares. Sailings depart from such ports as Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

* West Coast cruises to Mexico are showing some substantial discounts of 70-80%, particularly on 7-night sailings. These cruises typically visit such ports as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For example, 7-day cruises in early November of this year aboard the Norwegian Star now start as low as $299 per person, using promo type PGHOT. Discounts of 60-70% are commonly available on shorter cruises as well. Prices are currently lowest in November and the first half of December, but good values can still be had in January and February, 2009. Cruises depart from home ports in California, including Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego.

If you're seeking an inexpensive getaway, take a closer look at these cruise values. These deals are particularly attractive to those who live within driving distance of a home port or travelers who have frequent flier miles to spare. Make sure to ask questions and determine the final per person price before booking, as some initial price quotes may not include fees, taxes, fuel surcharges, port charges, and other costs.

To take advantage of these great deals, contact your favorite travel agent. Other good Internet sources for cruise discounts include such sites as Vacations To Go, Cruises.com, Cruise.com, Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz. You can also call the cruise lines directly and speak with one of their reservations agents.