MSC holds contest for free group Caribbean cruise

MSC Cruises is holding a new Family and Friends Group Contest in honor of the upcoming arrival of its ship MSC Orchestra in North America.

The winner will receive up to four staterooms (each holding up to four passengers) on a seven-night Caribbean sailing -- either in the Eastern or Western Caribbean -- during the 2008-2009 winter season.

To win, you must write a maximum 150-word essay describing what you "envision a fantasy cruise for you and your family onboard the Orchestra would be like," as the cruise line puts it. Essays will be judged on creativity, enthusiasm, knowledge of the Orchestra's features as well as Caribbean destinations, and fit with the theme "the Orchestra is coming to town."

Weekly voting on the best essays will be followed by weekly prizes. The grand prize winner will be announced December 5.

To enter, log onto this web page. And good luck!

Photos from MSC Cruises.

Save up to $2,000 per couple on Uniworld European river cruises

Uniworld is offering savings on selected 2009 European river cruises of up to $2,000 per couple ($1,000 per person) if you book and pay in full by September 30.

The offer applies to category 2 and above cabins on a number of different European river itineraries for 2009. For example, you could choose the "Eastern European Explorer," a 16-day itinerary from Vienna to Bucharest (or vice-versa) that runs from early April through mid-October next year.

For lower-price cabin categories, you could save between $1,000 and $1,200 per couple. Rates for lower-priced cabins for "Eastern European Explorer" voyages start at around $4,000 per person, depending on which month you sail. You'll need to request an exact quote from Uniworld to see exactly how much you save on the cruise you want.

If you book and pay in full by November 30, 2008, you can still save up to $500 per couple on selected 2009 itineraries.

For more information or bookings, go to the Uniworld website or call 800/733-7820 or a travel agent.

Photo from Uniworld.

General Tours offers big savings on Danube cruise this November

General Tours is offering more than $1,000 per couple savings on Main Deck outside staterooms aboard the MV Mozart -- a five-star Peter Deilmann river vessel -- on its eight-day "Treasures of the Danube" voyage embarking November 2, 2008.

A Main Deck outside stateroom now starts at $1,599 per passenger, double occupancy, down from $2,149 previously -- an $1,100 savings per couple.

The MV Mozart sails roundtrip from Passau, Germany, an easy transfer from Munich Airport, and visits Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, among other stops (with overnights in both those ports). Here's one of the best parts of the deal: seven escorted sightseeing excursions are included, as are port charges.

For more information, click here or call General Tours at 800/221-2216.

Photo of MV Mozart from Peter Deilmann.