NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Looking for a winter vacation? What could be more fun than sailing to an exotic port while your neighbor digs his SUV out of the snow?

More than 8 million Americans will set sail this year, making cruises the fastest growing segment of the US travel industry. More boats are afloat and more departure ports exist than ever before.

Even better, all this extra capacity means better deals. How do you get the best one? Here are today's five tips.

If you are a first-time cruiser you'll want to find a certified travel agent to help you get started.

That's because a cruise is a complicated purchase -- in other words, it is not like calling up an airline and buying a ticket or booking a room in a hotel.

More than eight million Americans will go on a cruise this year. CNNfn's Gerri Willis shares five tips on booking a cruise. Play video (Real or Windows Media)

Cabins on the same boat or even the same deck can be very different. Likewise, some cruise lines are better than others if you have special needs or children.

The nearly 17,000 travel agents affiliated with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) are a good resource. On CLIA's Web site you can find a certified travel agent in your area by punching in your zip code.

Make sure you ask a lot of questions, and don't be afraid to be forward. Some to ask include: Does the agency have preferred cruise lines, and ask the agent if he or she has cruised on this line before.

Remember, for the most part the cruise lines pays the commission to the travel agencies.

If you're an experienced cruiser, you may want to book your cruise on your own -- the lines give special deals to people who've sailed before. Either way, plan on doing some research on the Web.

Sites to check out include:

• www.cruisediva.com, which has list of last minute and luxury cruise specials as well as a quote service. The site also tells you what to pack for you or family members.
• www.cruisecritic.com has a section detailing the latest bargains, and a "community" where first time cruisers can go to chat with experienced cruisers.
• You also can go to individual cites of the cruise lines... but realize those tend to be very glossy and paint a very nice picture.

Last winter, fear spread among travelers as several cruisers came down with the Norwalk Virus. While the concern is very real, of the estimated 7.4 million passengers who went on cruise ships last year, less than .01 percent were affected.

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of Cruisecritic.com, says many ships now have on-board lab testing to quickly curtail any situation.

Even so, before you book your cruise, go to the Center for Disease Control's Web site where you can find sanitation reports and scores for individual cruise lines.

Some cruise lines allow passengers to fill out immigration and other predeparture documentation online, which can speed up boarding.

Nonetheless, always make sure to have your passport or at least a birth certificate on hand.

Also, cruise lines have the right to change your itinerary WITHOUT telling you, if the weather is threatening. This, of course, is for the safety of the traveler, but know that the cruise line does not have to compensate you for incurred losses.

Consumer Reports says it can't hurt to buy travel insurance from an independent source (that is, not from your travel agent or the cruise line). Some good options: Travel Guard, Access America and CSA Travel Protection.

While you can easily find a reasonable cruise, even for $75 to $100 day per person (which includes food, entertainment and travel), be aware that you most probably will face additional fees.

As the ships get bigger they are adding a la carte pricing for such amenities as spa treatments. Alcohol and even sodas usually are also extra.

Finally, tipping is expected -- the norm is $10 per day for your cabin steward, dining room waiter, assistant dining room waiter.

Gerri Willis is the personal finance editor for CNN Business News. Willis also is co-host of CNNfn's The FlipSide, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET). E-mail comments to 5tips@cnnfn.com