December 3, 2003 -- A jazz outing for Mardi Gras, a contest to win one of a covey of Caribbean cruises, a free pass on Alaska itineraries and our detailed listing of the best deals on the high seas are all on deck this week.
First European Cruises Plans First Creole Jazz Fest
First European Cruises (888/983-8767, www.first-european.com), the U.S. arm of Europe-based Festival Cruise, has announced plans for its first-ever jazz cruise, to be held during Mardi Gras week in February 2004 aboard the 1,500-passenger European Vision.
Sailing roundtrip from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and visiting Aruba, Isla Margarita, Grenada, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten, the cruise features jazz notables such as Cuban trumpet great Arturo Sandoval, legendary New Orleans singer/pianist Dr. John, gospel soul greats The Blind Boys of Alabama, and fusion legends David Sanborn and Joe Sample, among others.
In addition to onboard performances and opportunities to mingle with the artists, the week's jazz theme spills over into Creole cuisine and cocktails, musical games, and gala Caribbean and Carnival parties. Rates start at $1,140 per person, double occupancy.
Royal Caribbean Sweepstakes Offers Cruises for the Whole Clan
The only thing better than a cheap cruise is a free cruise. Until January 31, go to www.royalcaribbean.com and enter to win one of three 7-night cruises for twelve to Alaska, the Caribbean, or Europe (your choice), on select ships. Runner-up prizes include three 7-night Caribbean cruise for four aboard one of the line's Voyager-class ships. Winners will be selected on or about February 6, 2004. Complete rules and regulations are available on the line's website.
Kids Sail Free on Crystal's 2004 Alaska Cruises
Ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises (800/820-6663, www.crystalcruises.com) is offering quite a deal for relatively well-heeled passengers: On all of its 12-night summer 2004 Alaska cruises, sailing roundtrip from San Francisco, kids sails free when sharing a cabin with their parents (one per cabin only) and adults get deals up to 50% off, with fares starting around $2,600 per person. Departing between May 30 and September 15, the cruises visit Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Vancouver, and Victoria. Kids programs include the usual supervised activities plus a Cotillion program, which teaches kids social and dining etiquette and ballroom dancing.
And 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. Similar deals may be available from competing online and brick-and-mortar agencies.
Cruise.com (800/800-9552, www.cruise.com)
- Celebrity Mercury: 7-night Mexican Riviera, roundtrip from San Francisco. From $550, Mar 21 sailing.
- NCL Norwegian Sun: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami. From $549, Feb 1 and Feb 8 sailings.
- Princess Caribbean Princess: 7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $524, Sept 18 and 24, 2004 sailings. Brand-new ship, debuts in April.
- Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $599, Dec 14 sailing.
- Royal Olympia Olympia Voyager: 14-night Mexican Riviera/Central America, San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale. From $1,486, Mar 21 sailing.
Cruise 411 (800/553-7090, www.cruise411.com)
- Celebrity Constellation: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $530, Jan 3, 17, 24, and 31, Feb 21, Mar 6 and 20 sailings. Offer ends Dec 4.
- Celebrity Galaxy: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $482, Jan 2, 16, and 30, Feb 20, Mar 5 and 12 sailings. Offer ends Dec 4.
- Disney Magic: 7-night western and eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. From $629, Dec 6 western Caribbean sailing and Dec 13 eastern Caribbean.
- Holland America Oosterdam: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $499, Dec 14 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas: 7-night western and eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. From $624, Jan 25 western Caribbean sailing; from $686, May 16 eastern Caribbean sailing. Brand-new ship.
Cruises Only (888/278-4737, www.cruisesonly.com)
- Carnival Glory: 7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. From $499, Dec 13 sailing.
- Princess Dawn Princess: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $399, Dec 7 sailing.
Expedia (800/397-3342, www.expedia.com)
- Carnival Ecstasy: 4-night Mexico, roundtrip from Los Angeles. From $199, Dec 8 sailing; from $239, Dec 15 sailing.
Icruise (888/909-6242, www.icruise.com)
- Carnival Destiny: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $516, April 25 sailing.
- Celebrity Galaxy: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $470, Jan 16 and 23 sailings.
- Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from New Orleans. From $470, Jan 10, 17, 24, and 31 sailings.
Moment's Notice Travel Club (888/241-3366, www.momentsnoticetravel.com)
- Celebrity Century: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $468, Feb 28 sailing.
- Celebrity Galaxy: 7-night southern Caribbean, San Juan to Baltimore. From $368, Mar 19 sailing.
- Celebrity Horizon: 11-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Tampa. From $828 oceanview, Mar 1 sailing.
- Celebrity Millennium: 7-night eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $508, Mar 14 sailing.
- Celebrity Summit: 12-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $978, Mar 15 sailing.
- Celebrity Zenith: 12-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Jacksonville. From $718, April 11 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $498, Mar 21 sailing.
- Royal Caribbean Nordic Empress: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Tampa. From $428, Feb 7 sailing.
Travelocity (877/815-5446, www.travelocity.com)
- Carnival Ecstasy: 4-night Baja, roundtrip from Los Angeles. From $189, Dec 8 and Jan 19 sailings.
- Celebrity Constellation: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $550, Jan 10, 24, 31 sailings.
- Holland America Veendam: 7-night western Caribbean, roundtrip from Tampa. From $549, Mar 27 sailing.
- Holland America Zaandam: 7-night eastern or western Caribbean, roundtrip from Port Canaveral. From $549, Mar 20 western Caribbean or Mar 27 eastern Caribbean sailings.
- Princess Dawn Princess: 7-night southern Caribbean, roundtrip from San Juan. From $499, Jan 18 and Feb 1 sailing.
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