Cruise discounts from RiverBarge Excursions

RiverBarge Excursions, which runs mostly weeklong river barge excursions along the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, and other rivers (and lakes) in America's heartland, has standing offers of discounts for both kids and teachers -- and they don't have to travel in school groups to take advantage of them.

Children 12 and under are free on RiverBarge voyages when occupying the same stateroom as their parents or grandparents, while kids 17 and under are half price when staying in their own cabin. Teachers, meanwhile, get to go for half price when sharing a stateroom with another full-paying adult.

Each voyage centers around a cultural or historical theme such as "The Route of Jean Lafitte" or "Cajuns and Creoles," so they're well-suited for both teachers and kids with an interest in American history or just enjoying life on some of the nation's great rivers. If you don't want your kids to be the only youngsters aboard, it would make sense to book your trip for summer or another school holiday period.

Weeklong full-fare rates start at $1,745 per passenger (for a trip in March 2008) but average more in the range of about $2,500 per passenger. Certainly not cheap, but you might be able to save on airfare if you live near a southern or Midwestern embarkation point. Shorter, less expensive trips are also available periodically, if you just want to get a taste of what they're like. And if you're someone who has to battle seasickness on an ocean voyage, you should find these river trips calm and to your liking.

For more information, go to www.riverbarge.com, call 888-462-2743 ext. 1, or e-mail reservations@riverbarge.com. You can find details on these discounts by clicking on "Special Excursions & Savings" on the website's home page.

Learn more about all kinds of cruise discounts! Go to Tracking Down Discounts.