Luxury for Less, Way Less
Silversea Cruises (tel. 877/215-9986; www.silversea.com) has lowered fares on more than 75 voyages in 2009, from the Arctic to Australia and Zanzibar. As part of its Silver Sailing program, reap savings of up to 50%, plus in some cases, extra perks like free or reduced airfare and $1,000 onboard spending credits. Here's a sampling of the deals. (The fares listed are per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite -- Adventurer Class on Prince Albert II -- and do not include port charges and handling fees that range from $100 to $500 per person, depending on itinerary.)
Africa and Seychelles
- Silver Wind departs December 4 on a 9-day voyage (#2937) from Mombasa to Mahe with calls in Lamu, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar, Madagascar and Assumption Island. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,247.
- Silver Wind departs December 13 on a 7-day "Seychelles Islands" voyage (#2938) sailing round-trip from Mahe with calls in La Digue, Curieuse Island, Silhouette Island and Praslin. Silver Sailing fares start at $2,497.
Arctic
- Prince Albert II departs Longyearbyen June 24 on a 10-day expedition cruise (#7916) exploring the Svalbard archipelago before concluding in Tromso. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,247.
Caribbean
- Silver Shadow departs November 13 on a 9-day voyage (#3929) from Barbados to Fort Lauderdale with calls in Bequia, Martinique, Dominica, St. Bart's, St. Kitts and Tortola. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,047.
Far East and South Pacific
- Silver Whisper departs December 3 on a 16-day voyage (#4937) from Singapore to Sydney with calls in Semarang, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,347.
Mediterranean
- Silver Wind departs May 14 on a 7-day voyage (#2915) from Barcelona to Nice with calls in Valencia, Corsica, Livorno and Antibes. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,197, plus $1,000 onboard spending credit available with free or reduced air from select cities.
- Silver Whisper departs September 12 on a 7-day voyage (#4928) from Istanbul to Athens with calls in Marmaris, Symi, Volos and Nafplion. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,497, plus free or reduced air available from select cities.
Northern Europe and Baltic
- Silver Cloud departs June 10 on a 10-day voyage (#1912) from London to Stockholm with calls in Rostock, Tallinn and Helsinki, plus a three-day, two night stopover in St. Petersburg. Silver Sailing fares start at $5,497, plus $1,000 onboard spending credit available with free or reduced air from select cities.
South America and Antarctica
- Silver Cloud departs November 26 on an 8-day voyage (#1929) from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires with calls in Parati, Sao Paulo, Itaji and Montevideo. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,447.
- Prince Albert II departs Ushuaia November 29 on an 11-day expedition cruise (#7928) exploring the Antarctic peninsula before returning to Ushuaia. Silver Sailing fares start at $4,397. ($750 per person round-trip charter air transportation between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia is additional.)
A $500 per person (maximum $1,000 per suite) onboard spending credit is being offered for a limited time on new bookings made on or before April 30, 2009. It is available on select voyages to Alaska (Voyages 3912 - 3923), Northern Europe (Voyages 1911 - 1923) and the Mediterranean (Voyages 2911 - 2920, 4912 and 4916). To take advantage of the Onboard Spending Credit offer, mention promotional code WWSBC500 at the time of booking.
Crystal's Onboard Shopping Spree
Crystal Cruises (tel. 888/269-9413; www.crystalcruises.com) is forking over $2000 per couple (that's $1000 big ones per person) shipboard credits on 17 Europe cruises this summer (including Crystal Symphony's V9214, V9215, V9217 and V9219-9221 cruises, and Crystal Serenity's V9315-V9324 voyages.
Falling Fares this Autumn
Peter Deilmann Ocean Cruises (tel. 800/348-8287; www.deilmann-cruises.com) is offering $1,500 per person savings and $99 round-trip airfare on two 14-day fall foliage Eastern Canada and New England cruises aboard the elegant 520-passenger MS Deutschland. While the October 6, 2009 departure focuses mostly on Canada and the October 20 sailing spends much of its time in the U.S., they both share many of the region's most popular ports -- Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney and lovely Quebec. Fares are reduced to between $4,200 and $15,500 per person, double occupancy, a savings of up to 26% over normal fares of $5,700 to $17,000. Deilmann's $99 air fare package includes round-trip air from dozens of North American gateways as well as pre-arranged shore excursions and transfers, representing a $600 value. Passengers arranging their own air get an allowance of $750 per person, deductible from the cruise fare.
NCL Wheels and Deals
Norwegian Cruise Line (tel. 866/234-0292; www.ncl.com) is offering these discounts for cruises booked anytime between Sat February 28 and March 6, 2009. Mention promotion code when booking.
- February 27, 2009, Norwegian Sky. 3-day Bahamas, round-trip from Miami, calling in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. From $199 per person best available inside; $99 for 3rd and 4th person. Mention promo code: PG6.
- March 1, 2009, departure. Norwegian Spirit. 7-day Caribbean, round-trip from New Orleans calling in Costa Maya, Mexico; Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. From $499 per person best available inside. Mention promo code: PG6.
- March 1, 2009, departure. Norwegian Jewel. 5-day western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami, calling in George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico; $399 per person best available inside. Mention promo code: PG6.
- July 12 & 19, 2009, departure. Norwegian Gem. 7-day western Mediterranean, round-trip from Barcelona calling in Valletta, Malta; Naples, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia); Florence (Loverno); and Cannes, France. From $749 per person best available inside. Mention promo code: PGHOT.
- September 5, 2009, departure. Norwegian Star. 7-day Alaska, round-trip from Seattle calling in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway; and British Columbia. From $649 best available inside cabin, per person; 3rd and 4th person from $99. Mention promo code: PGHOT.
What Travel Agencies Are Offering
Here are some of the best deals a handful of major travel agencies are advertising this week. Cruises are capacity-controlled and offers may be withdrawn at any time. Similar deals may be available from competing online and brick-and-mortar agencies. All rates are per person for an inside cabin unless otherwise stated, and include port charges. Rates for the ultra-luxe lines may also include gratuities and some or all beverages.
All-Travel (tel. 866/565-3214; www.all-travel.com/cruises)
- Crystal Serenity: 12-night Mediterranean, Barcelona to Venice. From $6,055, July 16 sailing. Deal includes a $2,000 per couple shipboard credit.
- Crystal Serenity: 7-night Mediterranean, Venice to Civitavecchia/Rome. From $3,535, June 14 sailing. Deal includes prepaid gratuities ($182 to $254 per couple).
- Crystal Symphony: 11-night Northern Europe, London to Stockholm. From $4,995, June 19 sailing. "Tennis" themed cruise includes lectures, lessons from tennis pro lessons, plus optional post-cruise land program to London for the 2009 Wimbledon Matches. Deal also includes a $2,000 per couple shipboard credit.
- Holland America Ryndam: 7-night Hubbard Glacier, Seward to Vancouver. From $1,229, June 26 sailing. Deal includes complimentary shore excursion in Skagway.
- Holland America Noordam: 10-night Mediterranean, round-trip from Civitavecchia/Rome. From $1,199, June 28 sailing. "Food and Wine at Sea" themed cruise includes a winemakers lunch at the Pinnacle Grill, two one-hour wine tastings, and one bottle of wine per stateroom.
- Holland America Eurodam: 10-night Baltic and English Channel, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $999, July 2 sailing. Deal includes complimentary shore excursion in Amsterdam.
- Holland America Rotterdam: 12-night Scandinavia and Russia, Copenhagen to Rotterdam. From $1,299, July 6 sailing. Deal includes complimentary shore excursion in St. Petersburg.
- Regent Seven Seas Paul Gauguin: 11-night Tahiti, round-trip from Papeete. From $2,795, July 4 sailing.
Cruise Brothers (tel. 800/827-7779; www.cruisebrothers.com)
- NCL Norwegian Jewel: 11-night Transatlantic, Miami to Dover UK. Oceanviews from $549, April 17 sailing.
- Princess Caribbean Princess: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $499, May 3 sailing.
- Holland America Zuiderdam: 10-night Panama Canal, round-trip from Ft Lauderdale. From $899, April 8 sailing.
- Princess Emerald Princess: 10-night Northern Europe, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $1,299, May 26 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas: 7-night Mexico, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $599, October 4, sailing. Deal includes $100 shipboard credit.
- Viking River Pride: 7-night Danube, Budapest to Nuremberg. From $1,999, August 9 sailing.
- Carnival Miracle: 8-night Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $749, June 9 sailing. Deal includes free bottle of wine.
- Celebrity Infinity: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $699, June 12 sailing.
- Amadeus Waterways Tolstoy: 13-night Russia, Moscow to St Petersburg. From $2,799, September 15 sailing.
- Carnival Sensation: 4-night Bahamas, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $289, May 10 sailing.
- Crystal Serenity: 12-night Mediterranean, Venice to Athens. From $5,999, September 26 sailing. Deal includes $2,000 shipboard credit & prepaid gratuities.
Cruise One, Satellite Beach (tel. 888/368-0655; www.skennedy.cruiseone.com)
- MSC Cruises Lirica: 10-night Panama Canal, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $599, March 4 sailing.
- MSC Cruises Orchestra: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $499, March 7 sailing.
- MSC Cruises Orchestra: 18-night transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Copenhagen. From $1,199, May 2 sailing.
- MSC Cruises Lirica: 16-night transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Dover. From $1,099, April 23 sailing.
- Seabourn Pride: Ultra-lux, all-inclusive, 13-night transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon. From $2,998, March 18 sailing.
- Seabourn Legend: Ultra-lux, all-inclusive, 13-night transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon. From $2,998, April 3 sailing.
- Princess Sea Princess: 10-night Alaska Inside Passage, round-trip San Francisco. From $1,099, May 24 sailing.
- Princess Diamond Princess: 7-night northbound Alaska, Vancouver to Whittier. From $399, May 23 sailing.
- Princess Sapphire Princess: 7-night northbound Alaska, Vancouver to Whittier. From $399, May 30 sailing.
- Regent Seven Seas Regent Mariner: Ultra-lux, all-inclusive 7-night northbound Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. From $3,195, June 3 sailing. Deal includes Free Shore Excursions and Free Air.
- Princess Diamond Princess: 18-night eastern Asia and Australia, from Bangkok to Sydney. From $1,699, November 22 sailing.
Cruise Members Only (tel. 800/999-3543; www.cruisemembersonly.com)
- Princess Crown Princess: 12-night British Isles, round-trip from Southampton/London. From $1,649, June 25 sailing.
- Princess Crown Princess: 12-night North Cape & Norwegian Fjords, round-trip from Southampton/London. From $1,649, July 7 sailing.
- Princess Grand Princess: 12-night Egypt & Aegean, round-trip from Civitavecchia/Rome. From $1,489, October 13 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas: 7-night Western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $499, November 1 sailing. Deal includes free personalized health and fitness classes.
- Azamara Journey: 12-night Scandinavia & Russia, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $3,799, June 30 sailing. Deal includes airfare from most major airports & special President's Cruise features.
The annual $50 membership fee is being waived for Frommers.com subscribers who mention Frommers.com when booking.
CruisesOnly (tel. 800/278-4737; www.cruisesonly.com)
- Carnival Imagination: 3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Miami. From $219, March 13 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing. Book a 4A category stateroom and automatically receive a 4F category stateroom for the same price.
- NCL Norwegian Jewel: 11-night Transatlantic eastbound, Miami to London. From $299, April 17 sailing. 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing. Deal includes up to $250 free onboard spending on select cabins.
- Celebrity Century: 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $329, March 23 sailing. Deal includes a 15% discount on all shore excursions with this sailing.
- NCL Pride of America: 7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Honolulu. From $899, March 28 sailing. Deal includes up to $250 free spending on certain cabins.
- Royal Caribbean Spendour of the Seas: 4-night Brazil, round-trip from Santos (Sao Paulo). From $199, March 16 and 23 sailings.
Just Cruisin' Plus (tel. 800/888-0922; www.justcruisinplus.com)
- Carnival Triumph: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $529, March 22 & April 19 sailings.
- Carnival Destiny: 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $419, March 23 sailing.
- Carnival Conquest: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Galveston. From $579, April 12 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $399, April 25 sailing.
- Carnival Pride: 7-night Bahamas & Orlando, round-trip from Baltimore. From $629, May 3 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $599, May 15 sailing.
- Celebrity Millennium: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. From $449, May 29 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas: 7-night Alaska, Seward to Vancouver. From $449, May 29 sailing.
- Celebrity Millennium: 7-night Alaska, Seward to Vancouver. From $499, June 5 sailing.
- Princess Emerald Princess: 10-night Scandinavia & Russia, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $1299, June 5, 15, 25; July 5, 25, & August 14 sailings.
- Celebrity Infinity: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $549, Sep. 11 sailing.
Vacation Outlet (tel. 800/825-3633; www.vacationoutlet.com)
- Carnival Victory: 7-night southern Caribbean, round Â?trip from San Juan. From $399, March 15 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions.
- Mariner of the Seas: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $629, April 26 sailing.
- Holland America Eurodam: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $599, March 21 and 28 sailings. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions.
- Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas: 4-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Barcelona. From $349, April 30 sailing.
- Carnival Miracle: 6-night Bermuda, round-trip from New York. From $749, April 16 sailing.
