Get Aboard Practically Every Boat Afloat for Less with this Week's Cruise Deals

German Line Offers American Deals on Indian Ocean Cruises

Attention Americans: German line Peter Deilmann Cruises (tel. 800/348-8287; www.deilmann-cruises.com) is offering special deals just for you on exotic 2006 itineraries. In January 2006, the 513-passenger luxury liner MS Deutschland, one of the loveliest, most beautifully appointed cruise ships in the world, will sail three 15- and 16-night Indian Ocean itineraries Jan. 4 (Port Louis, Mauritius, to Cape Town, South Africa), Jan. 17 (round-trip from Cape Town), and Jan. 30 (Cape Town to Mombassa, Kenya). Travelers from the U.S. who book any of the three sailings can take advantage of a special offer of free air, 10% reduced rates on cabins, 50% discount on English-language shore excursion packages, and free airport/ship transfers. Advertised prices for the cruises start around $5,140 per person.

What's More Fun that a Good Deal?

Book a Carnival cruise (tel. 800/327-9501; www.carnival.com) in the month of August and reap "best available stateroom upgrades" and special discounted fares. The month-long promotion is valid on new individual bookings made between now and Sept. 2, 2005, for virtually all three- to eight-night cruises on Carnival "fun ships" departing between now and April 2, 2006. Rates begin at $249 per person double occupancy for three- and four-night Bahamas/Caribbean cruises; $299 for four- and five-night Caribbean voyages; and $499 for six- to eight-night Caribbean departures. The promotion includes the line's newest ship, the Carnival Liberty, which is currently sailing its inaugural season in Europe.

Note: The promotion is capacity controlled and not applicable with any other discount offer. Minimum purchase of category 4A stateroom required and upgrades are available within like stateroom categories (interior to interior, ocean view to ocean view, balcony to balcony). Fare code CPBA must be requested to be eligible for this promotion.

A Sea of Queens: Sail the QE2 from Southampton to New York

Pied Piper Travel (tel. 800/874-7312; www.piedpipertravel.com), an agency specializing in gay travel, is offering rates as low as $849 per person, including outbound airfare from some 120 U.S. gateway cities, for a gay group transatlantic crossing on the QE2. The westbound crossing departs Jan 3, 2006, from Southampton, England. For more info, go to: http://home.att.net/~gaygroupcruises/flyers/1-3-06.htm

Testing the Waters Before Diving In

Like the idea of a cruise, but not really sure you like the idea of a cruise? Love the idea of a cruise, but don't have the time or money to invest in a long one? If the answer to these questions is a YES, then read on.

Holland America (tel. 877/724-5425; www.hollandamerica.com) is offering a slew of one- to five-night sailings from both coasts to give you a taste of the cruising life.

• Zaandam: Sept 24, 1-night cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. Inside cabins start at $119 per person and outsides, $139 per person.
• Veendam: Sept 25, 1-night cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. Inside cabins start at $119 per person and outsides, $139 per person.
• Volendam: Sept 28, 1-night cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. Inside cabins start at $119 per person and outsides, $139 per person.
• Ryndam: Sept 25, 3-night cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. Inside cabins start at $269 per person and outsides, $299 per person. Includes special cooking demos by guest chef Mike Davis.
• Volendam: Sept 28, 3-night cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco. Inside cabins start at $299 per person and outsides, $329 per person. Includes special cooking demos by guest chef Mike Davis.
• Veendam: Sept 25, 4-night cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Inside cabins start at $329 per person and outsides, $369 per person. Includes special wine tasting events.
• Volendam: Nov 25, 5-night cruise round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale, calling on Key West, Nassau, Cozumel and Half Moon Cay, the line's wonderful private island in the Bahamas. Inside cabins start at $429 per person and outsides, $499 per person.
• Westerdam: Jan 3, 5-night cruise round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale, calling at the same ports as above. Inside cabins start at $549 per person and outsides, $599 per person.

Ask for Promo #5, Promo #185 or Promo #2002. Valid for new bookings only. Full payment is required at time of booking.

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)

• Celebrity Infinity: 3-night Mexican Baja, round-trip from San Diego. From $350, Oct 6 sailing
• NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night Bermuda, round-trip from Boston. From $499, Oct 2,9,16,23 sailings
• Holland America Maasdam . 11-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Norfolk. From $999, Nov 5 sailing
• Carnival Legend . 8-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $699, Sept 10,18; Oct 4,12 sailings
• Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas. 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $549, Dec 18 sailing

Cruise Value Center (tel. 800/231-7447; www.cruisevaluecenter.com)

• Carnival Pride: 7-night Mexico, round-trip from Long Beach. From $529, Dec 4 sailing.
• Carnival Valor: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip Miami. From $499, Jan 15 sailing.
• Celebrity Constellation: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $550, Dec. 3 sailing.
• Celebrity Century: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft Lauderdale. From $600, Feb 4 sailing.
• Holland America Oosterdam: 7-night Mexico, round-trip from San Diego. From $545, Dec 10 sailing.
• Holland America Westerdam: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft Lauderdale. From $651, Jan 15 sailing.
• Princess Caribbean Princess: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft Lauderdale. From $553, Nov. 12 sailing.
• Princess Sun Princess: 10-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft Lauderdale. From $919, Jan 17 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from New Orleans $499, Dec 10 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami $599, Jan 15 sailing.

Just Cruisin' Plus (tel. 800/888-0922; www.justcruisinplus.com)

• Carnival Glory: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $529, Sep. 3 sailing
• Holland America Zuiderdam: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $549, Sep. 3 sailing
• Carnival Valor: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $499, Sep. 11 sailing
• NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night Bermuda, round-trip from Boston. From $499, Sep. 18 and Oct. 2 sailings
• Carnival Victory: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $479, Sep. 25 sailing
• Holland America Oosterdam: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from San Diego. From $649, Oct. 8 sailing
• Princess Caribbean Princess: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $549, Oct. 15 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $499, Nov. 27 sailing.
• NCL Norwegian Jewel: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $599, Nov. 27 sailing
• Carnival Pride: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $529, Dec. 4 sailing
• NCL Norwegian Sun: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from New Orleans. From $529, Dec. 4 sailing
• NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Charleston. From $479, Dec. 10, Jan. 7, Jan, 21 and Jan. 28 sailings.

Mann Travel & Cruises/123Travel (tel. 800/835-9828; www.123travel.com)

• Holland America Ryndam: 10-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from San Diego. From $799, Oct. 8 sailing.
• Carnival Celebration: 4-night Bahamas, round-trip from Jacksonville. From $329, Dec. 8 sailing.
• NCL Norwegian Spirit: 7-night Bahamas/Florida, round-trip from New York. From $769, Feb. 26 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas: 7-night Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. OCEANVIEW from $759, Nov. 12 sailing.
• Princess Coral Princess: 10-night Panama Canal, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $1199, Dec. 5 sailing.
• Celebrity Summit: 13-night Alaska, Los Angeles to Vancouver. From $1250, May 7 sailing.
• Holland America Statendam: 17-nighte Hawaii, Vancouver to San Diego. From $1699, Sep. 16 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Sovereign of the Seas: 3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $289, Jan. 16 sailing.
• Carnival Glory: 7-night Caribbean, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $549, Dec. 3 sailing.
• NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night Bermuda, round-trip from Charleston. From $584, Nov. 11, 2006 sailing.

Vacation Outlet (tel. 800/690-2210; www.vacationoutlet.com)

• Carnival Fascination: 3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Miami. From $229, Sept 16,23,30 & Dec 2,9,16 sailings
• Celebrity Infinity 4-night Mexican Baja, round-trip from San Diego. From $360, Oct 2 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas. 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $599, Dec 18 sailing
• Holland America Maasdam: 10-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Norfolk. From $899, Oct 26 & Nov 16 sailings
• NCL Norwegian Spirit 8-night Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $899, Nov 19 sailing.

Vacation Shoppe (tel. 866/7-CRUISE; www.vacationshoppe.com)

• Holland America Maasdam: 11-night Canada/New England, Montreal to Norfolk. From $2,399, Oct 15 sailing.
• Holland America Amsterdam: 15-night Hawaii, round-trip from San Diego. From $1,799, Dec 7 sailing.
• Holland America Ryndam: 30-night Panama Canal/Amazon River, Los Angeles to Tampa. From $4,350, Sep 29 sailing.
• Holland America Amsterdam: 14-night Transatlantic, New York to Copenhagen. From $1,999, May 9 sailing.
• Crystal Symphony: 8-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $1,795, Dec 14 sailing.
• Crystal Serenity: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $2,165, Dec 15 sailing.
• Oceania Regatta: 10-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $2,598, Jan 3 sailing.
• Oceania Regatta: 12-night Transatlantic, Miami to Barcelona. From $1,199, Mar 22 sailing.
• Celebrity Century: 2-night Bahamas, round-trip Ft. Lauderdale. From $240, Jan 12 sailing.
• Celebrity Zenith: 4-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $380, Dec 8 sailing.

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