Cruise the Americas with Holland America for $115 a day, including air

Holland America Line has a special offer on a 22-day cruise from San Diego, California, to Santiago, Chile, for prices starting at $2,499 per passenger for an inside cabin -- including airfare to and from a number of U.S. gateways.

The ms Amsterdam cruise departs from San Diego on November 23, 2008, and visits several ports in Mexico as well as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, and Peru before making three stops in Chile.

While I don't usually recommend getting airfare from your cruise line, it can make sense on a one-way cruise since flying one way to San Diego and then flying home from Santiago could get very pricey. Without the airfare included, Holland America is pricing the same cruise on its website for $1,708 and up. If you can match or beat an $800 airfare expenditure by arranging it on your own -- for example, if you live in or near San Diego -- go for it, because you'll be able to make your own choices of schedules.

The cruise and air option does have one additional advantage: the $70 per passenger fuel supplement is included in the price, whereas it's extra if you book the cruise only. Some taxes, however, are additional for both.

For more information or bookings, click here for Holland America's website or call 877/724-5425 or a travel agent.

Photo of ms Amsterdam from Holland America.