Frommers.com Cruise Deals for the Week of November 13, 2008
Early holiday deals from Carnival, free air to Ecuador, special offers on France river barges, and a host of discounts from leading cruise specialists.
By Heidi Sarna November 12, 2008
Carnival Gives Holiday Presents Early
Carnival (tel. 888/CARNIVAL; www.carnival.com) is in the gift-giving mood early this year. Book 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises for as low as $149 per person, and 5-, 7- and 8-night sailings for as low as $249. Christmas 3- and 4-night sailings are starting at $269 a person and at $429 for 5-, 7- and 8-night cruises. Over New Year's Eve, 4 and 5 nighters are going for $549 a person, while 6, 7 and 8 nighters are starting at $649. Valid on new bookings only and other restrictions may apply. Offer expires at midnight EST on Monday Nov 17, 2008. When booking, have past guest ID number handy and mention fare code PHL.
Cruise West Rewards Early Bookers
Cruise West (tel. 800/296-8307; www.cruisewest.com) is offering savings of up to $1,100 for early bookers.
Japan cruises: Book by Jan 16, 2009, to save $600 on the Sept. and Oct. 2009 sailings; pay in full by Jan 16 and save an extra $200.
Alaska's Coastal Odyssey/Bering Sea: Book and pay in full by Dec. 12, 2008 to reap savings of up to $1,100 on departures after June 15, 2009.
Ring of Fire: Book and pay in full by Dec. 12, 2008 to save up to $800 on the 21-day voyage along the Kamchatka coast.
Europe's Danube River: Book and pay in full by Dec. 19, 2008 and save up to $550 on any 2009 departure.
Grand Asia: Book and pay in full by Feb. 6, 2009 and save up to $900.
Vietnam: Book and pay in full by Feb 6, 2009 and save up to $500.
Columbia & Snake Rivers: Book and pay in full by Dec 12, 2008 and save up to $450.
Nature Travel Company Offering Free Air to the Land of the Blue-Footed Booby
International Expeditions (tel. 800/633-4734; www.ietravel.com) is offering free airfare credits (up to $900 per person) to Ecuador for the Jan 2 and Feb 6 ten-night Galapagos voyages to celebrate Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. Aboard the 32-passenger Evolution, explore the island chain's small islands and remote waterways. Highlights include Fernandina Island, the youngest and most volcanically active island in the Galapagos; Isabela Island, where flightless cormorants, sea lions and marine iguanas thrive; Santiago Island, where sightings include land birds such as finches, doves and Galapagos hawks; and Bartolomé Island, whose summit boasts panoramas of lava flows, beaches, sea and the jagged Pinnacle Rock -- a well-known Galapagos landmark. Swim and snorkel with penguins, sea lions and sea turtles, and take panga rides in search of rays and sharks. Fares start at $4,998 per person, including accommodations, most meals, local transportation, guides and group transfers. In-country flights from Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands are not included. Join a free online 45-minute presentation about the Galapagos on Tues, Nov 18 at 8pm (EST), led by Expedition Leader and Naturalist Bolivar Sanchez. Click here to register.
Costa Goes Exotic for Less
Costa Cruises (tel. 800/GO-COSTA; www.costacruises.com) is offering 11-night Med cruises aboard the cozy 776-passenger Costa Marina for as low as $2,499 per person on departures from Savona, Italy on June 29; July 10, 21; and August 1, 12 and 23. Ports of call include Argostoli, Greece; Heraklion, Crete; Ashdod, Israel; Port Said, Egypt; Nauplia, Greece and Naples, Italy. This is the first time Costa is offering routes with a port of call in Israel since 2001. Ashdod, Israel, is a modern city from where you can visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem. From Port Said, Egypt, travelers can visit Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza.
Wee Wee Fares for Barge Cruises in France
French Country Waterways (tel. 800/222-1236; www.fcwl.com) is offering 10 to 20% off published fares for early bookings of 2009 luxury barge cruises made by Dec. 31, 2008. April, May, June, Sept. and Oct. sailings receive a 10% reduction, and July and August, 20%. Combining this offer with Value and Shoulder Season discounts of $500 and $1,000, respectively, means early bookers can save between $780 and $2,039 or up to 25%. Early-booking fares range from $5,836 to $7,376 vs. normal fares of $7,795 to $8,195 per person, double. Also new for 2009 is a luncheon ashore on all itineraries, complementing the dinner held at a Michelin-starred restaurant and the culinary experiences onboard. The company's luxury barges carry 8 to 12 passengers on leisurely six-night itineraries along portions of the thousands of miles of navigable rivers and canals crisscrossing France. Fares include escorted transfers; accommodations in suites and staterooms; tours and excursions; all meals on board, one Michelin-starred dinner at shore-side restaurants, and one lunch at a local restaurant; and Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines from a wide selection of vineyards at lunch and dinner. Some restrictions apply.
Asia on Sale
Crystal (tel. 888/269-9414) is offering 12-night Asia cruises aboard the Crystal Symphony for las ow as $3,995 per person. Departing March 27 and April 8, the cruises sail between Beijing and Hong Kong and the onboard experience includes a handful of expert lecturers and multiple dining venues
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-lux lines may also include gratuities and some or all beverages.
Crystal Serenity: 15-night Panama Canal, Miami to Los Angeles. From $4,895, Jan. 6 sailing. Deal includes per couple prepaid gratuities (value of $390 to $540) and $100 shipboard credit.
Crystal Symphony: 16-night South America, Buenos Aires to Miami. From $4,140, Jan. 9 sailing. Deal includes per couple prepaid gratuities (value of $416 to $576) and $100 shipboard credit.
Crystal Symphony: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $2,170, Mar. 2 sailing. Deal includes per couple prepaid gratuities (value of $182 to $252).
Holland America Statendam: 13-night Inca Discovery, Callao to San Diego. From $1,199, Jan. 24 sailing. Deal includes complimentary per couple shore excursion.
Holland America Zaandam: 15-night Hawaii, round-trip from San Diego. From $1,599, Feb. 5 sailing. Deal includes complimentary per couple shore excursion.
Holland America Volendam: 14-night Australia & New Zealand, Auckland to Sydney. From $2,099, Feb. 16 sailing. Deal includes complimentary per couple shore excursion.
Holland America Amsterdam: 16-night South America, Santiago to Rio de Janeiro. From $2,099, Mar. 3 sailing. Deal includes per couple complimentary shore excursion in Montevideo.
Regent Seven Seas Voyager: 34-night ultra-lux Panama Canal/World Cruise, Ft. Lauderdale to Auckland. From $14,750, Dec. 29 sailing. Deal includes $400 per couple shipboard credit.
Regent Seven Seas Voyager: 95-night ultra-lux Grand Cruise, Los Angeles to Istanbul. From $50,995, Jan. 13 sailing. Deal includes free economy class air or $800 credit.
Regent Seven Seas Mariner: 24-night ultra-lux Ring of Fire World Cruise, Valparaiso to Sydney. From $10,095, Feb. 28 sailing. Deal includes one per couple shore side experience by private car in Papeete or Moorea.
Celebrity Solstice: 2-night cruise to nowhere, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $329, Nov. 21 sailing. Deal includes free onboard credit (for a future cruise) worth up to $300.
NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night Bahamas & Florida, round-trip from Charleston. From $229, Nov. 29 sailing. Ocean-view cabins from $249.
Carnival Destiny: 5-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $199, Dec. 1 and 15 sailings. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions.
Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas: 8-night southern Caribbean, Ft. Lauderdale to Colon. From $249, Nov. 29 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions. Ocean-view cabins from $349.
NCL Pride of America: 7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Honolulu. From $899, Dec. 13 sailing.
Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas: 6-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $399, Dec. 7 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions.
Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas: 14-night Canary Islands & Portugal, round-trip from Barcelona. From $599, Dec. 7 sailing. Ocean-view from just $699.
Carnival Sensation: 4-night Bahamas, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $159, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 sailings. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions.
Holland America Eurodam: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $499, Dec. 13 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions. Ocean-view cabins from $549.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
