Crossing into Deeply Discounted Waters
Silversea Cruises (tel. 877/215-9986; www.silversea.com) is offering savings of up to 50% per person on six 12- to 16-night trans-ocean crossings in 2005 and 2006. These leisurely journeys feature many days at sea, as the cruises travel between continents and passengers have the time to enjoy the fleet's luxurious amenities. The four intimate ships all have roomy suites designed with large marble bathrooms and walk-in closets, plus three lovely restaurants, a spa and several lounges.
2005 Voyages
- Silver Whisper departs August 29, 2005 on a 12-day "Classic Crossing" (Voyage 4533), from London (Southampton) to Boston with calls in Falmouth, U.K.; Waterford and Cork, Ireland; St. John's, Newfoundland; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early Booking Incentive fares start at $4,346 per person (25% savings).
- Silver Cloud departs October 17, 2005 on a 14-day "Islands in the Sun" (Voyage 1531) from Lisbon to Barbados with calls in Porto Santo and Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; Santa Cruz de la Palma and Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Cape Verde Islands. Silver Sailings fares start at $3,298 per person (50% savings).
- Silver Shadow departs December 6, 2005 on a 16-day "Passage Down Under" (Voyage 3537), from Singapore to Sydney with calls in Semarang, Indonesia; Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane, Australia. Silver Sailings fares start at $6,857 per person (30% savings).
2006 Voyages
- Silver Cloud departs April 8, 2006 on a 14-day "Tropical Passage" (Voyage 1610), from Barbados to Lisbon with calls in Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; Cadiz, Spain; and Portimao, Portugal. Advance Payment Bonus fares start at $4,352 per person (35% savings).
- Silver Whisper departs April 20, 2006 on a 14-day "Atlantic Passage" (Voyage 4615), from San Juan to Las Palmas with calls in Road Town, Tortola; St. John's, Antigua; Porto Santo and Funchal (Madeira), Portugal; and Santa Cruz de la Palma, Arrecife and Tenerife, Canary Islands. Advance Payment Bonus fares start at $4,352 per person (35% savings).
- Silver Shadow departs May 29, 2006 on a 14-day "Across the Bering Sea" (Voyage 3615) from Tokyo to Anchorage with calls in Hakodate and Otaru (Sapporo), Japan; Petropavlosk (Kamchatka), Russia; and Dutch Harbor, Kodiak and Homer, Alaska. Advance Payment Bonus fares start at $6,956 per person (20% savings).
For any of these itineraries, you can also add-on pre- and post-cruise land packages. For instance, from Singapore, opt for the 6-night overland trip to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, which includes visits to temple sites and ruins. Deluxe accommodations, all transportation, transfers, guided sightseeing and some meals are included. Prices for land packages start from $2,095 per guest.
Note: Discounts are subject to change at any time, but typically "Advance Payment Bonus" deals require full payment six months prior to sailing; "Early Booking Incentives" and "Silver Sailings" savings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with no specific time frame.
Reap a River of Savings
See Europe by river and save big time with AHI International Corporation (tel. 800/323-7373; www.ahitravel.com), a company that has been offering education-oriented tours for alumni groups, associations and special-interest organizations for close to 35 years. Six 8-night Saxony cruise tours are being offered this fall on the River Elbe from Berlin, Germany, to Melnik, Czech Republic, gateway to Prague. Rates include round-trip airfare, 7-night cruise, 1 hotel night, three full meals a day (including wine with dinner), and excursions. Rates on departures between Sept 19 and Oct 26 this fall start at $3,095 per person.
The trips are offered aboard the intimate two-deck MS Swiss Coral or MS Saxonia, both built in 1998. Each offers all outside cabins with private bathrooms, color TV, hair dryer, safe and mini-bar. The ships have a restaurant serving international cuisine, a large observation lounge, panoramic bar, sun deck, boutique and cozy reading area.
Highlights include a Berlin city tour visiting remnants of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Charlottenburg Palace and the Reichstag Parliament. In Potsdam, sightseeing includes Sanssouci Park, the magnificent summer home of Frederick the Great; in Wittenberg, see the former residence of Martin Luther; and in Dresden, the tour includes a musical performance, "The Sound of Saxony." Many other sightseeing opportunities are offered.
Radisson Ends the Year on a Low Note
On five itineraries in November and December, Radisson Seven Seas (tel. 800/285-1835; www.rssc.com), is offering two-for-one savings on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Voyager, a luxurious all-suite, all-balcony ship. Fares include wine with dinner, stocked mini-bars, all soft drinks and tips.
- An 8-night crossing departing November 13 from Madeira to Fort Lauderdale, features Le Cordon Bleu cooking classes ($395 per person, limited to a maximum of 16 guests per class). This sailing also features Big Bands, including live music from the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Inclusive of the two-for-one promotion, prices start at $2,148 per person.
- A 7-night Thanksgiving cruise round-trip out of Ft. Lauderdale November 21, features overnight stays in Key West and Cozumel. The line's Club Mariner children's program will be up and running, offering complimentary supervised activities for three age groups (5-9, 10-13 and 14-17). Fares start at $2,248 per person.
- A 7-night Caribbean cruise round-trip out of Ft. Lauderdale, departs November 28. Fares start at $2,248 per person.
- A 7-night Caribbean cruise round-trip out of Ft. Lauderdale, departs December 5, features all things chocolate. The "Spotlight on Chocolate" sailing offers mouthwatering samples by some of America's leading chocolatiers and pastry chefs. Fares start at $2,248 per person.
- A 5-night Caribbean cruise round-trip out of Ft. Lauderdale, departs December 12. Fares start at $1,648 per person.
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 and include port charges. Rates for the ultra-luxe lines may also include gratuities and some or all beverages.
CruisesOnly (tel. 800/278-4737; www.cruisesonly.com)
- Carnival Destiny: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $599, Sept 4 sailing.
- Holland America Zuiderdam: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $599, Sept 24 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $649, Dec 11 sailing.
- Celebrity Zenith: 7-night Bermuda, round-trip from Bayonne. From $850, Sept 17 sailing.
- NCL Norwegian Jewel: 11-night Canada & New England, round-trip from New York. From $949, Oct 21 sailing.
Cruise Value Center (tel. 800-231-7447; www.cruisevaluecenter.com)
- Princess Sapphire Princess: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $829, July 31 sailing.
- Carnival Triumph: 4-night Canada, round-trip from New York. From $449, August 22 sailing.
- Carnival Triumph: 5-night Canada, round-trip from New York. From $529, Aug 22 sailing.
- Carnival Legend: 8-night Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $699, Oct 4 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $1,099, Aug 13 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $599, Nov 19 sailing.
- Holland America Zuiderdam: 7-Night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $542, Sept 17 sailing.
- Celebrity Constellation: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $1,580, Dec 24 sailing. (oceanview room)
- Celebrity Century: 7-night Europe, round-trip from Amsterdam. From $1,250, Aug 13 sailing.
- Holland America Oosterdam: 7-night Mexico, round-trip from San Diego. From $544, Dec 10 sailing.
Just Cruisin' Plus (tel. 800/888-0922; www.justcruisinplus.com)
- Holland America Zuiderdam: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $699, Aug. 20 sailing.
- Holland America Rotterdam: 12-nigth Scandinavia & Russia, Copenhagen to Rotterdam. From $1,399, July 26 sailing
- NCL Norwegian Dream: 10-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $799, Aug. 22 sailing
- NCL Norwegian Dawn: 7-night Canada/New England, round-trip from New York City. From $699, Sep 2 through Oct 7 sailings
- NCL Pride of America: 7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Honolulu. From $999, Sep 3 through Oct. 29 sailings
- NCL Norwegian Spirit: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $699, Sep. 3 and Sep. 10 sailings
- NCL Norwegian Crown: 7-night Bermuda, round-trip from New York City. From $499, Sep. 18 sailing
- Princess Star Princess: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $579, Nov. 27 sailing.
- NCL Norwegian Jewel: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $599, Nov. 27 and Dec. 11.
Mann Travel & Cruises/123Travel (tel. 800/835-9828; www.123travel.com)
- NCL Pride of Aloha: 6-night Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu to Maui. From $659, Oct. 2 sailing.
- Celebrity Summit: 10-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $950, Sep. 30 sailing.
- Holland America Veendam: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. From $649, Jul. 31 sailing.
- Carnival Inspiration: 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Tampa. From $449, Jan. 16 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $639, Oct. 9 sailing.
- Princess Tahitian Princess: 10-night Tahiti, round-trip from Papeete. From $1,195, Nov. 20 sailing.
- NCL Norwegian Majesty: 10-night Christmas Caribbean, round-trip from Charleston. From $839, Dec. 17 sailing.
- Holland America Prinsendam: 15-night TransAtlantic, Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale. From $1,769, Nov. 9 sailing.
- Carnival Legend: 8-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $629, Nov. 25 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas: 11-night Panama Canal, round-trip from Miami. From $1,169, Dec. 12 sailing.
Vacation Outlet (tel. 800/690-2210; www.vacationoutlet.com)
- Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas: 5-night New England & Canada, round-trip from Boston. From $649, Aug 30 sailing.
- Holland America Statendam: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. From $649, Aug 12 sailing.
- Carnival Legend: 8-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $699, Sept 18; Oct 4 & 12 sailings.
- Celebrity Century: 9-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $800, Nov 17 & Dec 15 sailings.
- NCL Pride of America: 7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Honolulu. From $899, Sept 10,17; Oct 22 sailings.
Vacation Shoppe (tel. 866/7-CRUISE; www.vacationshoppe.com)
- Celebrity Constellation: 8-night transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Dover, England. From $499, Apr 28 sailing.
- Celebrity Constellation: 14-night Scandinavia/Russia, round-trip from Dover. From $2,075, May 6 sailing.
- Princess Star Princess: 17-night transatlantic, Copenhagen to Ft Lauderdale. From $2,099, Sept 22 sailing.
- Princess Grand Princess: 19-night transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Rome/Civitavecchia. From $2,125, Apr 15 sailing.
- Princess Island Princess: 15-night Hawaiian Islands, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $2,035, Oct 8 sailing.
- MSC Lirica: 11-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $1,350, Dec 27 sailing.
- Cunard Queen Mary 2: 36-night circumnavigation of South America, Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles. From $7,499, Jan 15 and Apr 3 (reverse) sailings.
- Oceania Regatta: 10-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $1,299, Jan 3 sailing.
- Celebrity Galaxy: 12-night partial Panama Canal, round-trip from Galveston. From $950, Dec 5 sailing.
- Crystal Symphony: 7-night New England/Canada, round-trip New York. From $2,195, October 9 sailing.
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