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Deals on Keels: Reel in the Cheapest Rates on Upcoming Cruises

We've got the scoop on the lowest prices, free upgrades, big discounts for repeat cruisers and more.

Small Ships, Big Deals

Soft-adventure operator Clipper Cruise Line (tel. 800/325-0010; www.clippercruise.com) is offering discounts, including deals for single travelers, for a handful of itineraries in 2005 and 2006 in the Caribbean, Antarctica, Artic, Russian Far East, Southeast Asia and other regions. Double occupancy rates are lowered up to $4,000 (per cabin) and singles can save as much as $5,145 on a number of cruises aboard Clipper's four small globe-trotting ships, the Nantucket Clipper, Yorktown Clipper, Clipper Adventurer, and Clipper Odyssey. To check out a full list of the discounted itineraries, visit the line's website. When booking, mention the code "Fall Special 2005" to reap the savings. This promotion is valid on a space-available basis on select trips through November 30, 2005.

Land of the Free Cabin Upgrades

On new bookings for Norwegian Coastal Voyage's (tel. 800/323-7436; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us) 19-day voyages to Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords in November and December, cabin upgrades are being offered when available. Departing on alternating Wednesdays from Buenos Aires and Santiago between November 2 and December 21, book a double or single inside cabin for $4,980 per person and get upgraded to the best available outside cabin. For $4,760 per person, book a triple outside cabin and reap an upgrade to the best available outside cabin. AARP members receive an additional $150 per cabin reduction. The cruises are offered on the 481-passenger MS Nordkapp or the 464-passenger MS Nordnorge, both rated Ice Class C and limited to 350 passengers. The itinerary features naturalist guides, noted guest lecturers and PolarCirkel boat landings. The route sails across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, past desolate Cape Horn, through narrow Lemaire and Neumayer Channels, and along the Strait of Magellan and the rugged Chilean coast, taking in the White Continent's glaciers and icebergs, gentoo penguins, humpback and killer whales, elephant and fur seals, and Antarctic terns as well as Chile's fjords, snow-capped mountains and fishing villages. Rates include round-trip LAN flights from New York, intra-regional flights, five-star hotels and breakfast in Buenos Aires and Santiago, all meals aboard ship, naturalist guides, guest lecturers, some shore excursions, port charges, air taxes and transfers. The offer doesn't apply to suites and junior suites and is limited and based on availability.

This'll Costa Less

If you've sailed with any of the "World's Leading Cruise Lines" in the past (which includes Costa, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, Windstar and Cunard), reap big savings on Costa Cruises (tel. 800/462-6782; www.costacruises.com) in November, December and January. The deals apply to the following sailings:

  • On the Magica 7-night Caribbean cruises departing Dec 19 start at $699; on Jan 15, at $649
  • On the Mediterranea 7-night Caribbean cruises departing Nov 20 & 27 start at $599; on Dec 11, at $549; and a 5-night cruise on Dec 18 starts at $449.
  • Kids sails for as little as $199 or $299 per week. When booking, ask for fare code VP. Offer expires Oct 31, 2005.

Book Now, Save Later

Cruise West (tel. 888/851-8133; www.cruisewest.com), a specialist in small-ship expedition cruising in Alaska, is offering savings of up to $1,800 per person for bookings paid in full by Dec 9, 2005. The deal applies to cruises scheduled to depart through June 15, 2006. For any departure after June 15, 2006, guests can save between $100 and $800 per person if booked by the deadline -- those who pay in-full by the December deadline will receive an additional savings of $100 or $200 per person, depending on the itinerary.

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.

Chartwell Travel (tel. 800/772-2103; www.chartwelltravel.com)

  • NCL Norwegian Wind: 11-night Hawaii/Fanning Island, round-trip from Honolulu. From $779, Jan 7, 28 sailings.
  • Celebrity Century: 9-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $750, Nov 26 sailing.
  • NCL Norwegian Dawn: 11-night western Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $812, Nov 20 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas: 11-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $999, Nov 21 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas: 5-night Bermuda, round-trip from Bayonne, NJ. From $449, Nov 21 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas: 6-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $699, Jan 2 sailing.

Cruise Brothers (tel. 800/827/7779; www.cruisebrothers.com)

  • NCL Norwegian Majesty: 15-night Caribbean, Charlestown to Boston. From $999, April 22 sailing.
  • NCL Norwegian Dawn: 11-night western Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $949, March 5 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas: 12-night Transatlantic, London to Boston. From $1099, Aug 30 sailing.
  • Princess Crown Princess: 9-night Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $1449, June 14 sailing.
  • Celebrity Constellation: 12-night Caribbean, round-trip from New Jersey. From $1300, April 7 sailing.
  • NCL Norwegian Spirit: 7-night Bahamas, round-trip from New York. From $1029, April 16 sailing.
  • Princess Grand Princess: 12-night European, Barcelona to Venice. From $2240, May 28 sailing.
  • Holland America Noordam: 10-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $1,499, March 4 sailing.
  • NCL Pride of Aloha: 7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Maui. From $1,249, Feb 18sailing.
  • NCL Norwegian Star: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $899, June 11 sailing.

CruisesOnly (tel. 800/278-4737; www.cruisesonly.com)

  • Carnival Fascination: 4-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami. From $269, Jan 23 & 30 sailings
  • Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 5-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Tampa. From $339, Jan 23 & Feb 6 sailings.
  • Celebrity Century: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $650, Jan 28 sailing.
  • NCL Norwegian Spirit: 7-night Bahamas & Florida roundtrip from New York. From $599, Feb 26 sailing
  • Holland America Noorda: 11-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from New York. From $1,499, March 4 sailing

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

  • Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas: 9-night Alaska & West Coast, Vancouver to LA. From $779, Sep. 15, 2006, sailing.
  • NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Charleston. From $499, Jan. 7 sailing.
  • Cunard Queen Mary 2: 12-night repositioning, New York to Rio. From $2,799, Jan. 15 sailing.
  • Carnival Inspiration: 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Tampa. From $449, Jan. 16 sailing. Deal includes $75 cabin credit.
  • Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $649, Dec. 10 sailing.
  • Celebrity Summit: 13-night west Coast & Alaska, Los Angeles to Vancouver. From $1,250, May 7 sailing.
  • Princess Dawn Princess: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $919, May 27 sailing.
  • Carnival Glory: 7-night Key West, Cozumel & Belize, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $649, Jan. 28 sailing.
  • NCL Pride of Aloha: 7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Honolulu. From $979, Jan. 22 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas: 3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Miami. From $259, Dec. 9 sailing.

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

  • Holland America Volendam: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $675, Dec 19 sailing.
  • Holland America Zaandam: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $1,028, Dec 28 sailing.
  • Carnival Triumph: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $949 for oceanview cabins, Dec 31 sailing.
  • Carnival Conquest: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Galveston. From $899, Dec 25 sailing.
  • Celebrity Century: 9-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $1,700, Dec 24 sailing.
  • Celebrity Mercury: 10-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from San Diego. From $1,540, Dec 23 sailing.
  • Princess Caribbean Princess: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $1084, Dec 24 sailing.
  • Princess Sapphire Princess: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $1,048, Dec 24 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $1,149, Dec 24 sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Tampa. From $1,399, Dec 24 sailing.

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

  • Celebrity Zenith: 5-night Key West and Grand Cayman, roundtrip from Miami. From $300, Nov 19 and 28, Dec 3 and 17 sailings.
  • Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas: 5-night Western Caribbean, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. From $369, Nov 12 sailing.
  • Carnival Celebration: 5-night Key West and Bahamas, roundtrip from Jacksonville. From $329, Nov 14, Jan 23 and 28 and Feb 6 sailings.
  • Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas: 7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami. From $649, Nov 26 and Dec 10 sailings.
  • NCL Norwegian Spirit: 11-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from New York. From $679, Nov 27 sailing.
  • Windstar Wind Surf: 7-night southern Caribbean, St. Thomas to Barbados. From $1495, Nov 27 sailing
  • NCL Norwegian Dawn: 11-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from New York. From $549, Dec. 12 sailing.
  • Windstar Wind Surf: 7-nights southern Caribbean, roundtrip from Barbados. From $1,495, Dec 4, Jan 29; Feb 12; and March 12 sailings.
  • NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Charleston. From $479, Dec 10, Jan 21 and Jan 28 sailings.
  • Windstar Wind Surf: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from Barbados. From $1,495, Dec 11, Jan 8, Feb 5, Feb 19, March 5, March 19 and April 2 sailing
  • Holland America Westerdam: 5-night Bahamas and Key West, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. From $451, Jan 3 sailing.
  • Carnival Inspiration: 5-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Tampa. From $399, Jan 21 and 30 sailings.

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

  • Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 4-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Tampa. From $319, Jan 19 sailing.
  • Celebrity Constellation: 9-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Cape Liberty to San Juan. From $400, Nov 10 sailing.
  • Holland America Westerdam: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $699, Jan 15 sailing.
  • NCL Pride of America: 7-night Hawaii, roundtrip from Honolulu. From $749, Dec 10 sailing.
  • Carnival Liberty: 12-night Mediterranean, roundtrip from Civitavecchia/Rome. From $1,549, May 7sailing.

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

  • Holland America Statendam: 35-night South America/South Pacific, San Diego to Auckland. From $3,599, Nov 11 sailing.
  • Holland America Oosterdam: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from San Diego. From $599, Nov 26 sailing.
  • Holland America Prinsendam: 15-night Transatlantic, Lisbon to Ft. Lauderdale. From $1,250, Nov 9 sailing.
  • Holland America Zaandam: 10-night southern Caribbean/Panama Canal, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $999, Dec 11 sailing.
  • Holland America Maasdam: 10-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Norfolk. From $749, Dec 7 sailing.
  • Windstar Windsurf: 7-night eastern Caribbean, St. Thomas to Barbados. From $1,495, Nov 27 sailing.
  • Silversea Silver Whisper: 9-night ultra-luxe southern Caribbean, Barbados to Ft. Lauderdale. From $3,007, Nov 11 sailing.
  • Silversea Silver Whisper: 7-night ultra-luxe southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $2,545, Apr 13 sailing.
  • Silversea Silver Wind: 7-night ultra-luxe Mediterranean, Civitavecchia/Rome to Venice. From $2,479, Apr 25 sailing.
  • Crystal Symphony: 8-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $1,759, Dec 14 sailing.

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