July 11, 2003 -- Carnival, Costa, and Holland America are all offering upgrades to balcony cabins when you book a regular outside cabin. Carnival's deal (800/819-3902, www.carnival.com) applies aboard eight of its ships sailing 3- to 7-night cruises in the Caribbean, Sept-Oct, and also offers upgrade to an outside stateroom when you book an inside. Prices start at $279 for 3-night cruises, $549 for 7-night, and must be booked by July 31. Costa (800/462-6782, www.costacruises.com) is offering a free balcony upgrade aboard the new CostaMediterranea and sister-ship CostaAtlantica on most 7-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries for 2003/2004. Prices start from $749 and must be booked by July 31. Holland America (877/724-5425, www.halw.com) is offering free upgrades to Deluxe Verandah Outside staterooms or Superior Verandah Suites aboard the new Oosterdam (eastern and western Caribbean sailings Jan 4 through April 11, 2004) and her year-old sister-ship Zuiderdam (eastern and western Caribbean, Jan 3 through May 29). Prices start at $969 and bookings must be made by August 31.
What the Online Sellers Are Offering
Here are some of the best deals the major online sellers are advertising this week. Cruises are capacity-controlled and offers may be withdrawn at any time.
Cruise.com (800/800-9552, www.cruise.com)
Carnival Jubilee: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. Prices from $345 (including upgrade to outside cabin), Oct 11 and 25 sailings.
Celebrity Century:
NCL Norwegian Majesty: 7-night Bermuda, roundtrip from Boston. Prices from $519 on Labor Day sailing, Aug 31.
Oceania Cruises Insignia: 10-night Mediterranean, Barcelona to Athens or Athens to Rome. Prices from $1,140, April 3 and April 13, 2004 sailings. New line, newly refurbished midsize ship, and cool itineraries.
Royal Olympia Cruises Renaissance: 7-night Mediterranean, roundtrip from Barcelona, with stops in Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, and Gibraltar. Prices from $829, Sept 5 sailing.
Cruise 411 (800/553-7090, www.cruise411.com)
Carnival Carnival Pride: 7-night Mexican Riviera, roundtrip from Los Angeles. Prices from $529, Dec 7 and 14 sailings; from $549, Nov 2 sailing.
Carnival Carnival Victory:
Carnival Christmas Cruises:
The following cruises all depart Dec 20 or 21: Paradise roundtrip from Miami, from $699; Elation from Galveston, from $699; Destiny from San Juan, from $749; Triumph and Victory from Miami, from $799; Inspiration from Tampa, from $799. Other ships and departure ports are also available, at prices from $849-$949.NCL Norwegian Star:
7-night Hawaii, roundtrip from Honolulu. Prices from $599, Nov 23 and 30 sailings.Princess Dawn Princess:
7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. Prices from $549, Oct 12-Nov 16 sailings.Princess Golden Princess:
7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. Prices from $574, with suites starting at only $974, Oct 25-Nov 15 sailings.Cruises Only (888-278-4737, www.cruisesonly.com)
Holland America Statendam: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. Prices from $559, August 31 sailing.
NCL Norwegian Dawn:
Princess Sun Princess:
7-night Alaska, between Vancouver and Seward. Prices from $599, Aug 25 and Sept 1 sailings.Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas:
4-night Baja, roundtrip from Los Angeles. Prices from $249, Sept 29, Oct 27, and Dec 1 and 15 sailings.Royal Caribbean Sovereign of the Seas:
3-night Bahamas, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Prices from $209 inside, $229 outside, Dec 12 sailing.Expedia (800-397/3342, www.expedia.com)
Carnival Jubilee: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. Prices from $399, Sept 27 sailing.
NCL Norwegian Sky: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. Prices from $449, Oct 26 sailing.
Princess Coral Princess: 10-night Panama Canal, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. Prices from $999, Oct 10, 20, and 30 sailings.
Icruise (888/909-6242, www.icruise.com)
Carnival Carnival Triumph: 7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami. Prices from $323, Sept 27; Oct 4, 11, 18, and 25; Nov 1 and 8; and Dec 13 sailings.
Carnival Elation: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Galveston. Prices from $259, Oct 19 and 26; Nov 9, 16, and 30; and Dec 7 sailings.
NCL Norwegian Crown: 14-night South America, Buenos Aires to Valparaiso. Prices from $1,125, Nov 30 sailing.
NCL Norwegian Sky: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. Prices from $280, Nov 11 and 30, Dec 7 and 14 sailings.
NCL Norwegian Wind: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami. Prices from $278, Nov 1, 8, 15, and 29; Dec 6 and 13 sailings.
Travelocity (877/815-5446, www.travelocity.com)
Carnival Ecstasy: 4-night Baja, roundtrip from Los Angeles. Prices from $229, Dec 15 sailing; from $239, Nov 3 sailing; from $249, Oct 20 and 27, Nov 10 and 17, and Dec 1 and 8 sailings.
Celebrity Mercury: 7-night California/Baja, roundtrip from San Francisco. Prices from $700, Oct 5, 12, and 19 sailings.
Holland America Maasdam: 7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. Prices from $499, Nov 23 sailing; from $517, Nov 9 sailing.
Holland America Veendam: 7-night Alaska, Seward to Vancouver. Prices from $549, Sept 14 sailing; from $599, Aug 17 and 31 sailings.
Princess Dawn Princess: 7-night Alaska, Seward to Vancouver. Prices from $499, Sept 22 sailing.