Arthur Frommer Online: Looking for a bargain at sea? You'll find it from Southwest Airlines!

Mar 20, 2008

Looking for a bargain at sea? You'll find it from Southwest Airlines!

It may be my imagination, but I'm beginning to think that Southwest Airlines, that cheapest of all carriers, has wheedled some of the major shiplines into offering up the cheapest of all cruise rates. Time after time, the Southwest website seems to be quoting rates or discounts or credits that are just plan awesome.

Go to www.southwest.com, click on "Specials," and then, when a list appears in a vertical column on the left-hand side of the page, click on "Cruise specials." Up will come "Cruise of the week" -- an assortment of bargains -- supplemented by a direction to "Find other cruise offers" by clicking on those words at the bottom of the page.

As I write this, "Cruise of the week" offers the following on sailings aboard ships of Royal Caribbean:

3-Night Bahamas: From $219 + $100 Onboard Credit

4-Night Baja California: From $289 + up to $75 Onboard Credit

5-Night Western Caribbean: From $399 + $50 Onboard Credit

7-Night Mexican Riviera: From $499 + $100 Onboard Credit

7-Night Eastern Caribbean: From $599 + $100 Onboard Credit

7-Night Mediterranean: From $699 + $100 Onboard Credit

While I can't confirm that these prices are lower than those offered by other cruise discounters, they seem awfully good. It is entirely possible that those bargain-conscious folks at our cheapest airline are also working hard to excel -- pricewise -- on the high seas as well. For information on the cruise bargains offered by Southwest Airlines, you can call tel. 888/SHIP-SWA.

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Labels: airlines, cruise