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Cruise Lines Offer "War Fares" and Easy-Out Cancellations, Plus a Roundup of Deals

April 4, 2003 -- Gulf War II prompted travel jitters long before the first shots were fired, leading cruise lines to offer attractive prices and worry-free cancellation policies as they attempt to fill European-bound ships for the summer and beyond.

It's a buyer's cruise market across the board, with weeklong Mediterranean itineraries starting around $1,000 per person on mainstream ships like Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas and Costa's CostaMediterranea, and sailings aboard Windstar's semi-luxe sailing ship Wind Spirit starting around $1,650. Even so, SeaDream Yacht Club deserves special mention both for price and in the "you can't fault them for humor" category. On March 21, the line announced special "War Fares" for its 2003 European season, offering 7-night Mediterranean cruises on the 110-passenger SeaDream I and SeaDream II from $1,699 per person, double occupancy. Not cheap compared to the mainstream lines, maybe, but cheap-cheap-cheap when you consider that SeaDream is one of the most luxurious lines in the business, and that fares include all bar drinks and gratuities. For more information and booking, go to www.seadreamyachtclub.com.

Upgraded "no worries" cancellation policies have also been a hot topic these past few weeks. SeaDream, Royal Olympia Cruises (www.royalolympiacruises.com) and Costa Cruises (www.costacruises.com) will allow passengers to cancel 2003 European cruises without penalty and receive a 100 percent credit for a future cruise. Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com) and Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.com) will provide a 90 percent credit to guests who cancel summer Mediterranean sailings prior to May 1. Passengers booked on Star Clippers (www.starclippers.com) Mediterranean itineraries between mid-May and late September may cancel up to 72 hours before the cruise and receive a 100 percent credit, minus a $100 per person administration fee. Other lines offer optional cancellation insurance.

Notable Cruise Deals of the Week

All prices are per-person, based on double occupancy, may carry restriction and additional taxes and fees, and may sell out super-fast. Inquire with the cruise lines or your travel agent for details.

Carnival (www.carnival.com)

  • 7-night eastern Caribbean on the smoke-free ship Paradise from $399 (April 13 departure, from Miami)
  • 7-night western Caribbean aboard Carnival Conquest from $429 (April 27 departure, from New Orleans)
  • 12-night Hawaii aboard Carnival Spirit from $799 (April 20 departure, Ensenada to Honolulu)

Norwegian Cruise Line (www.ncl.com)

  • 7-night southern Caribbean aboard Norwegian Sky from $499 (October 19-December 14 sailings, roundtrip from San Juan)
  • 7-night western Caribbean (April 12) and eastern Caribbean (April 19) aboard the new Norwegian Dawn from $599 (roundtrip from Miami)
  • 7-night Hawaii aboard Norwegian Star from $499 (May 4-25 sailings, roundtrip from Honolulu)
  • 7-night Alaska aboard Norwegian Sky from $699 (June 7-July 26 sailings, plus August 16 and 30, roundtrip from Seattle)

Orient Lines (www.orientlines.com)


  • 26-night West Africa/Mediterranean cruisetour aboard Crown Odyssey from $1,395 (April 9 sailing, Cape Town to Rome--this is an amazing last-minute deal!)

Princess Cruises (www.princess.com)

  • 9-night transatlantic aboard Golden Princess from $299 (April 26 sailing, Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona, entirely at sea)
  • 7-night Gulf of Alaska aboard Sun Princess, from $699 (May 19 sailing, Seward to Vancouver)
  • 7-night Gulf of Alaska aboard Dawn Princess from $699 (May 26 sailing, Seward to Vancouver)

Windjammer Barefoot Cruises (www.windjammer.com)


  • 13-night eastern/southern Caribbean aboard Amazing Grace from $899 (June 20, July 5 and 18, Aug 2, Grand Bahama to Trinidad)

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