Have people had much success with doing this in the past? Or alternatively, any top tips and getting

I've been looking at a Cruise (I previously posted about it) with my wife and baby daughter. We've been told to book a deluxe cabin with balcony as it has a bath and room for the cot and so forth, while allowing us enough space to relax and have a double bed rather than singles. (Previous post on here seemed to support airline ticket bargain that being a good choice)
The price for the cruise airline ticket bargain that I want to go on comes in at £2,727. This is 7 nights from Southampton on August 31st to Norways Fjords on the Azura in the upgraded cabin. It breaks down as £1,279 each + £40 fuel surcharge and £89 for my daughter.
Have people had much success with doing this in the past? Or alternatively, any top tips and getting price reductions. If I could knock it down (and keep the same set up) to around £2,000, which is what I originally budgeted I would frankly book it today.
I've just had a look, the £999 cabin is no where near as big as the P O one (we need the room for cot etc), similar airline ticket bargain grade seems to be about the same price and they charge more for babies and facilities are not as good. So all in, I think we'd be worst off.
We certainly have - as in last minute bookings airline ticket bargain at a third of the original price. It really depends on how keen you are to go on that exact ship and exact date, but personally we wouldn't even consider booking well ahead with the financial situation as is it ... and certainly not nearly airline ticket bargain eight months ahead, when you want to get as much as possible for your holiday money
As I understand it, the price guarantee airline ticket bargain can easily be got around by calling the fares a different name close to the sailing date; many posters on here seem doubtful about its value, so I really wouldn't let that sway you
Well, the last two times we've gone for a guaranteed cabin within the grade we wanted; doing it this way they don't actually tell you what's still available. Each time, though, we've been upgraded significantly above what we'd paid for - even at the low rates - so it looks as if they certainly had plenty left!!