Thursday, July 31, 2008

Princess has special on 9-day October Caribbean sailing

Princess Cruises has a nine-day Southern Caribbean cruise on the Sea Princess out of New York City on October 23 with inside cabins starting from $679 per person, double occupancy. That's about $75 per day, a nice price for a premium line.

The itinerary includes six port stops, including St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Grenada before finishing in Barbados. (Dominica, St. Vincent, and Grenada are three of my favorite Caribbean ports.) There are also three days at sea.
One-way air add-ons from Barbados back to New York are available for $299 per passenger, or you can ask for roundtrip air add-ons ranging from $399 to $599 per passenger, depending on whether you're flying from the East Coast, Midwest, or West Coast. Government fees and taxes are not included in these prices, so you may be able to do better on your own.
The base cruise price includes an $81 fuel supplement but not fees and taxes that may add up to $59 per person.
One thing to be aware of during fall Caribbean sailings: it's hurricane season there. However, cruise ships generally get plenty of advance warning if a storm is forming to the east, and can change itineraries as needed, so the risk of a cruise being cancelled mid-voyage is very slim.
If you're interested in booking, click here for the Princess website or call Princess at 800/774-6237 or a travel agent. Be sure to request Promo Code UEA.
Photo from Princess Cruises.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers 8 nights in Caribbean for $72 per night in deluxe cabins

British-owned Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has a special deal on its eight-night Braemar cruise from Barbados to Miami departing November 5, 2008.

The line is putting a limited number of deluxe "B" category outside cabins on sale for just $576 per person in double occupancy, or $72 per person per night. Fares include taxes and port charges but not a $96 fuel surcharge.

After leaving Barbados, the 850-passenger Braemar will call at Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and Tortola before the ship makes her maiden call in Miami on November 13. The ship will then depart later that day on the first of a season of Caribbean cruises out of Miami through April 2009. The Braemar was lengthened earlier this year by 102 feet.

Fred. Olsen is known for its mid-sized classic ships, English Country House atmosphere, and onboard friendliness. Having cruised the Caribbean aboard the Fred. Olsen ship Balmoral this spring, I can attest to the line's outstanding value, considering the high level of comfort and amenities you receive.

North American residents should call the line's booking agents, Borton Overseas, at 612/822-4640 or 800/843-0602 ext. 6, e-mail them at info@bortonoverseas.com, or go to their website here.

Braemar photo from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Early booking deadline near for 2009 Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises is offering savings of $1,000 per couple for many of its 2009 river cruises in Europe, Russia, and China. The only catch is that you have to book and pay in full by the end of this month -- that's Thursday, July 31, 2008.

Itineraries for 2009 eligible for the discount include Eastern European Odyssey and Treasures of the Rhine in Europe, Waterways of the Czars and Footsteps of the Cossacks in Russia and the Ukraine, and Imperial Jewels of China and Roof of the World in China.

To book, call Viking at 800/304-9616 and ask for offer code EBD. Reservation hours are up to 8 p.m. Pacific time on weekdays. You can combine the offer with a Past Guest Travel Credit if you're eligible.

Viking also has some special promotions on fast-upcoming 2008 river cruises; you can save up to $2,000 per couple on most October departures and $1,000 per couple on September departures of Waterways of the Czars, for example, or $2,000 per couple on October-November departures of the Grand European Tour cruises, among other deals. When you call Viking, ask for offer code 60W.

Go to the Viking website for more details on all these itineraries and discounts.

Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises.