Now is the perfect time to plan a cruise for the spring. Many ships reposition from their winter homes in April and early May, while others are simply filling empty cabin space in what is known as the shoulder season. Either way, spring has plenty of choices that afford you the opportunity to experience cruising at unbeatable prices.

Celebrity

Most of Celebrity's hot deals this spring are repositioning, but there are two non-repositioning sailings with prices that are considerably lower than similar cruises. Millennium offers a  14-Night China to South Korea itinerary starting at only $1,099 near the end of March. Closer to home try 10 nights aboard the Equinox round trip from Ft. Lauderdale starting at $849 in March.

If you've always wanted to try a Pacific crossing, look at this 15-Night Repositioning from Tokyo to Vancouver in May with inside cabins starting at $879! And a bargain not to be overlooked is when Summit repositions from San Juan to Bayonne in April to start her summer routes. Get eight nights for only $559. Even the outside cabins are a good deal on this sailing.

The biggest bargain on Celebrity though, is $599 (Vacations to Go price) for 15 nights onboard Celebrity Constellation moving from Abu Dhabi to Rome in April.

Oceania

Stepping up to the premium quality found on Oceania has never been more affordable, with some spring deals breaking under $200 per night per person, on a line that can run double that. Try 21 nights on Insignia starting May 2 from Abu Dhabi to Rome for $4,199 (Vacations to Go price), or 11 nights from San Francisco to Vancouver on Regatta for only $2,149 (VTG price).

Dreaming of the South Pacific? Check out sailings on Sirena, like this one from Papeete to Los Angeles that gets you 18 days, including three in Hawaii for as low as $3,499 per person. 

Royal Caribbean

With prices that generally are affordable year-round, extreme deals on the mass market lines are a rare find, but repositioning cruises are the place to look for hidden gems. Try this one: 

13 nights on Legend of the Seas from Dubai to Barcelona at the unbelievable starting price of $487 per person. Even the outside cabins are only $649 per person.

Silversea

You probably didn't expect to find Silversea on this list; first glance at this itinerary makes you think there must be a mistake. Sail from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale in total luxury for 10 nights on board the Silver Wind for as low as $3,550. And remember, these are luxury suites with walk-in closets and bathtubs, not inside cabins. This may be your opportunity to give luxury cruising a try.

An even better deal is the trans-Atlantic crossing on Silver Spirit from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon, which sails for 13 nights for as low as $4,750 per person, including free round-trip economy air if you book by Feb. 28.  

Holland America

Also known for premium quality and typically premium prices, Holland America has some repositioning deals this spring that are tough to believe. Sail from Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen on a 26-day voyage that includes ten days in the Caribbean before the crossing, starting at only $2,149 per person in April.

Load your crossing with the wonders of the Mediterranean on the Koningsdam from Fort Lauderdale to Rome, a 28-day sailing, that includes Santorini for only $2,699 per person, coming in under the $100 per person per night benchmark.

Azamara Club Cruises

On another line where the word "deal" doesn't usually apply, Azamara moves the Quest from Miami to Barcelona in April. You get 16 nights for only $1,699 (VTG price), and when you consider the fact that standard alcoholic beverages are included in Azamara cruises, the price of just over $100 per person per night is astonishing.