LOWER aviation fuel costs and the falling euro mean general holiday bookings in the UK are surging, and cruise lovers can join in the bargains too.

Cruise ships used to be the playgrounds of the elite but there are ways to bag a great deal, depending on when you book, destinations and flexibility.

"There has never been a better time to book a cruise early," says Dan Townsley, managing director of specialist Cruise1st.co.uk.

"The plunging fuel prices mean cheaper flights which will in turn lower the cost of fly cruises. Customers looking to book long-haul fly cruises to the Caribbean, for example, could save hundreds of pounds.

"Likewise, those cruising to European destinations will find that they get more bang for their buck as the pound stands strong against the Euro.

"All of this will see some great deals to be had and coupled with cruise lines increasingly offering added value on their cruises, from free all-inclusive packages to complimentary cabin upgrades, now really is the time to get in there early and capitalise on these savings."

You can also save money by taking a repositioning cruise, which allows you to visit uncommon and even exotic ports of call as a cruise ship relocates to a new region. They typically include itineraries such as Alaska to Hawaii, Alaska to the Mexican Riviera and transatlantic crossings from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, or the reverse.

Cruise lines sell these one-way routes (usually at a discount), rather than sail the ships without passengers. In spring, for instance, you could do a journey from Brazil to Italy with thecruisetraveller.co.uk from £1,099 per person, including flights from London to Sao Paulo, two nights' five-star accommodation there before joining the ship for a 17-night full board cruise, flying home from Genoa.

Look for destinations with specific annual seasons - ships which cruise Alaska may have to reposition come the autumn, for instance - or for transatlantic cruises as ships reposition from East Coast ports like New York and Fort Lauderdale to Europe for a season of Mediterranean or Northern European sailings.

Wave campaigns, which offer incentives including free on-board spending money, free all-inclusive drinks packages, low deposits, free parking at UK cruise ports and free credit card charges, are increasingly being brought forward by cruise lines, and savvy travellers should watch out for them.

Operators often add incentives for new ships, to fill places soon after sailings are announced. Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas launched in October 2014 and Anthem of the Sea is launching in April, as well as P&O's Britannia which is launching in March.

"If you can be flexible with your travel dates then you could benefit from huge savings," says Townsley.

"Sometimes booking a cruise a week earlier or a week later can get you a promotional fare or a discount. Potentially, you could see a difference of hundreds of pounds in price for a sailing even just a few days later or earlier."

Of course, last-minute bargains are always out there and are eye-wateringly cheap in low season. Cruise1st (cruise1st.co.uk; 0800 953 4707) is offering an eight-night all-inclusive cruise around France and Spain with Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas on its maiden voyage from £1,099 per person, including all food and drinks (including alcohol), departing April 22.