Tropical itinerary options and pricing (per person, based on double occupancy) available in the Caribbean Super Sale include:

• Seven-day Classic Southern Caribbean on Caribbean Princess – starting at $399

• Seven-day Western Caribbean on Crown Princess – starting at $449

• Seven-day Eastern Caribbean on Ruby Princess – starting at $449

• Seven-day Southern Caribbean Explorer on Caribbean Princess – starting at $449

• Eight-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean on Caribbean Princess – starting at $549

• 10-day Eastern Caribbean Voyager or Southern Caribbean Medley on Emerald Princess or Star Princess – starting at $749

• 14-day Caribbean Collection on Grand Princess – starting at $999

Contact your travel agent for reservations and additional information.

Bookmark to:

Kids will work up a thirst having fun on board Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising ships sailing to popular destinations such as: Alaska; Canada & New England; Bahamas & Florida; Bermuda; the Caribbean; Hawai’i and Europe.

Families can experience the ultimate summer vacation on Norwegian Jewel’s seven-day Bahamas & Florida sailing from New York, which offers exclusive Nickelodeon at Sea activities and shows on board each and every cruise year-round, in addition to all the current on-board programming already offered. Hints of Nickelodeon will be discovered ship-wide with programs that include signature Nickelodeon activities, popular characters and interactive game shows, such as Slime Time Live!, which the entire family can enjoy together. This programming will also be available on Norwegian Epic when the ship launches this summer. There is no shortage of family fun on board Norwegian Epic with its expansive Aqua Park featuring the three-story Epic Plunge; two-deck sports complex; and interactive children’s area, Recess.

For reservations and additional information contact your travel agent or NCL.

Bookmark to:

According to Jeffrey Sherota, Sr. Vice President of Cruises Only, “ in 2010 we’ll see a gradual increase but prices won’t rebound to 2007 levels for a while.” Sherota also believes the shorter booking period – 90 to 110 days versus four to six months – will continue, although some cruise lines are offering early booking incentives.

I spoke to Uf Turkel, co-president and founder of Cruise Cheap, who agrees. He also says “I think we’re going to have a great Europe season in 2010. Cruisers are booking early to use frequent flyer points.”

CHEAPEST CRUISING AREAS
** According to Micky Arison who heads Carnival Corp., in 2010 capacity in the Caribbean will increase by double digit numbers due to the influx of new mega liners such as Carnival Dream and RCI’s Oasis of the seas.
** New York cruisers can expect great prices on 2010 Bermuda cruises because capacity will more than double next year.
** The cheapest prices continue to be Mexico cruises due to the number of high-capacity ships repositioned to this region and lack of itinerary options. Unless you want to cross the Pacific to Hawaii (five days of sea travel), cruisers must settle on taking one itinerary over and over. How Cheap? We’ve seen a few seven-day Mexico cruises starting at $199 per person, double occupancy
Has the frenzied building of newer and larger ships finally caught up with the cruise industry? For the first time the answer to that question appears to be “yes”. That coupled with continuing high unemployment will keep prices down throughout 2010.

Judging by the fact that I found many discounted Caribbean holiday cruises available in October, this overcrowded region will continue to be a buyers market. For example, a one-week Crown Princess Christmas cruise has balcony cabins priced at $899 per person, double occupancy.

GETTING THE BEST DEALS EARLY

In 2009, cruisers became ruthless bargain hunters and some waited until the last minute to book, thinking they’d get the lowest prices. And, in some cases they’ve been right. But because it’s almost impossible to operate a cruise line that way, several companies are adding big incentives to book early.

For example, Princess Cruises is offering lowest fares far in advance of departure. Those who book in October will find peak season balcony cabins starting at roughly $125 per person per day. As the inventory decreases, prices will go up. Along the same vain, Norwegian Cruise Line has is running big sales of 2010 voyages in October, such as New York/Bermuda voyages.

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer “Price Guarantees”. When you book a Carnival vacation, you have 48 hours from the time you book to find a lower price and your fare will be lowered. Royal Caribbean’s Price Guarantee is better: you have until 72 hours prior to departure to find a lower advertised price so that your fare is reduced.

Jeff Sherota also pointed to a positive trend: sales of travel insurance have grown significantly “because people are concerned about protecting their investment,” he said. He said consumers are very price conscious, comparing the price of a cruise with vacationing at Disney or Las Vegas.

His advice to bargain hunters: “always remember that if you book in advance and fares go down you can adjust your price through the travel agent. You have until final payment, which varies from 60-90 days before departure, depending on the cruise line.”

And, since cruise prices are entirely based on supply and demand, realize that suites (followed by balcony cabins) are the first to sell out so book early if your heart is set on a higher category stateroom.

“The cruise industry thrives in times of adversity, it is extremely resilient. Cruise lines know that if you have a half full ship you have half pay with low morale,” he said.

Bookmark to:

Carnival Cruise Lines is launching the new “Cash Back” program available on many departures this summer. 

The only hitch is you don’t actually get cash back. 

The partial refund is applied to your shipboard credit, which means you can only spend it on items related to your cruise such as tips, shore excursions, spa treatments, purchases in the ship’s shops and drinks.  It is actually onboard credit, which is very common in the cruise industry.   In general onboard purchases have declined as passengers cut spending during the recession.  This is a good incentive to encourage you to spend more. 

To get Carnival’s “cash back” program, cruisers must apply for it when they book their cruise between now and May 10, 2009.  Passengers will receive a $100 per stateroom shipboard credit on three- and four-day cruises; $150 per stateroom credit on five day voyages and $240 per cabin credit for voyages ranging from six to eight days.

What effect has the economy had on your onboard spending? 

Bookmark to:

Online Vacation Center has peak season Celebrity Solsticewinter Caribbean deals that are nearly impossible to pass up.  The Feb. 1, 2009 seven night Eastern Caribbean itinerary sailing round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale is a steal:  $1049 per person, double occupancy for a Concierge Class balcony stateroom ($699 for inside, $749 for oceanview).  The Feb. 15 departure on the same itinerary has regular balcony cabins starting at $799 per person, double occupancy (inside is $699, outside from $649).  For reservations and information call Online Vacation Center at (800) 329-9002.  I also suggest that you sign up for their newsletter since they have terrific prices.

If you’ve always wanted to take a luxury cruise, this year is the perfect time since the high-end cruise lines are slashing fares by up to 70%. 

Oceania Cruises offers savings of up to 72% off select 2009 cruise departures of its three 680-passenger ships. On select 2009 European Collection voyages, guests will receive Free Airfare, 2 For 1 Cruise Fares and an additional Price Reduction of $2,000 per stateroom on accommodation in categories G through A. For the 2009/10 Winter Collection, passengers will receive the following savings in addition to free airfare: $500 per stateroom discount, $500 per stateroom shipboard credit and free prepaid gratuities.

Crystal Cruises The cruise line offers discounts everywhere it sails, including 2009 11-day Baltic and 12-day Mediterranean voyages with savings of $1500, $1000 or $750 off nearly all departures.  Optional business class air add ons start at $799 to the Baltic and $899 to the Mediterranean. 

The Yachts of Seabourn is reducing fares by 60% on April to August departures of Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend for those who book between Jan. 12 and Jan. 19, 2009.  Seven-day cruises start at $2,840 per person, double occupancy.  Contact your travel agent or call the cruise line to take advantage of the special pricing.

With prices like these it’s probably a good thing banks won’t lend money :)

Now that prices are lower, do you plan to take a cruise?   My rule of thumb is that when it’s cheaper to take a cruise than stay home, I’ll  bite.  Ok, in all fairness I live in New York.

Bookmark to:

I’ve a big fan of Priceline’s “Name Your Own Price” feature, where I bid for the lowest price on a hotel.  The downside, however, is that I won’t know the name of the hotel until I’ve plunked down my credit card.

I found another search that may be just as good:  Hotels Combined.  This web site searches dozens of other discount hotel sites and comes up with the best bargains.  And I love the qualifiers.  For example, I can narrow the search to four- and five-star properties and also search for hotels with airport shuttles, fitness centers and even “pets allowed”.  Each hotel/resort has member reviews and rating, plus maps and hotel features.  

I searched for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale on the night of October 24, 2008 and found excellent prices.  The Westin was priced at $149, the Sheraton at $159 and the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six for $159.  What also came up were the three web sites where the lowest rates are offered.

We all expect the internet to solve our problems at the speed of light and Hotels Combineddoes that.    Among the sites I didn’t have to visit are Orbitz, Hotel.com, Travelocity, Priceline and a dozen or so more.   And, you can search for hotels worldwide.

Bookmark to:

There are two reasons for this:  the popularity of “Homeland Cruising” and the inherent value of a cruise vacation.   Non-drinkers can sail for a week and keep the tab under $100 if they skip shore excursions and art auctions. Compare that to the price of getting the family to a Disney or Las Vegas hotel and then adding on the price of food and entrance fees.

Add to that, vacations are so important to many of us that, if necessary, we’ll cut back in other areas before giving up a cruise.  Do any of us really need more clothes or electronic toys?

1. Homeland Cruising:  The Best Value

Those fortunate enough to live close to the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, or the Gulf coast, don’t need to worry about high airfares and unpredictable service.   In 2007, over one million passengers sailed from the three ports of New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bayonne, NJ) and that number is expected to increase in 2008/09.   In June, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that Carnival Pride will sail year-round from Baltimore starting Sept. 13, 2009 while numerous ships sail from Boston during the spring/summer/fall season.  On the West Coast, you can take ships from every major city on the coast.

Before Homeland Cruising took off, you could cruise to two destinations from New York:  Bermuda and Canada/New England.  Today ships sail year-round to the Caribbean while Queen Mary 2 carries the trans-Atlantic tradition of frequent crossings between New York and Southampton.  Add to that a few exotic itineraries, such as Princess’ cruise from New York to Iceland or a Holland America voyage from New York to Los Angeles through the Panama Canal.

2. Cheapest Cruising Regions

The lowest fares will be found on Caribbean, Mexico and Panama Canal   Air capacity to San Juan is being cut by 25% so you will find Southern Caribbean cruises — which normally sail from Puerto Rico – steeply discounted.  This year in peak season I see Holland America Alaska cruises starting at under $500 per week, a trend I expect to continue into 2009.

Short Bahamas cruises are cheaper than staying home.  Dreadful air service and high airfares are causing many of us to think twice about flying to a warm-weather port.  In 2009, there will be an overcapacity of ships in Europe and it’s expensive to get there, so Europe fares should be pretty reasonable. 

Repositioning cruises continue to be tremendous bargains so I encourage you to consider traveling one-way between the U.S. and Europe or taking a ship from California to Alaska or Hawaii. 

3. Cruise Industry Discounts. 

Based on 2008 fares, the cruise lines which seem to discount the most are Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America.  One travel agent was offering a one-week Norwegian Gem Mediterranean cruise at starting per person, double occupancy rates of $399 — and the ship sails on dynamite itineraries.

4.  The Best Airfares.

I’ve had the best luck at Kayak.com because the search engine pulls up fares from every site on the Internet.   And, this year I’ve seen incredible deals offered by cruise lines to entice you to sail.  For example, one air/sea fare on a Carnival Europe cruise saved $500 off the price if I tried to purchase the airfare and cruise separately.  And, the fare included airport transfers which, if purchased directly from Carnival,  would have cost an additional $250 per person.

However, never assume the cruise line airfare is a good deal:  the two-for-one pricing with free airfare is simply a marketing gimmick.  Price the airfare yourself and deduct it from the air/sea price:  you’ll arrive at the cruise-only price.  Of course, factor in airport transfers which can be pricey, especially in Europe. The point is, you must check for yourself. 

5. Your New Best Friend

A terrific travel agent is the most important person in the process of getting the best cruise deals.   For example, the one week Caribbean deal you think is terrific may not be because your travel agent can get you aboard a better ship at a better price.  Cruise lines change fares constantly and the only person who has real time fare information is a travel agent.  If you don’t have a travel agent you’re nuts about, it’s time to start networking, asking other cruisers for referrals.

 So, suddenly that Caribbean cruise over Spring Break is starting to look a lot more feasible!

Bookmark to:

Keep in mind, however, that while cruise prices are lower, adding on the fuel surcharge, port charges and taxes can almost double the final cost of a cruise depending the cruising region. 

Holland America is having a three-day sale which ends Friday, May 30 on fall Caribbean, Alaska and Christmas cruises. 

     * Ten-night Maasdam Southern Caribbean voyage round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale starting at $799, departing Oct. 14, 2008….. Seven-night Westerdam Caribbean cruise sailing Oct. 26, 27, 2008 from Ft. Lauderdale starting $646 for balcony staterooms….One-week Statendam Christmas cruise departing Dec. 20, 2008 from Ft. Lauderdale starts at $799 … Ten night Zuiderdam Christmas cruise to the Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal departing Dec. 19, 2008 starts at $1499 …. One-week Veendam Western Caribbean cruise sailing Nov. 16 from Fort Lauderdale starts at $549. 

Fares are per person, double occupancy and do not include fuel surcharge or taxes.  Contact your travel agent to book these cruises.

Here are more super deals we’ve found:

*** 12-night Norwegian Jewel Caribbean cruise sailing round-trip from New York, departing Oct. 28, 2008, starts at $799 (inside), $1049 (outside) and $1299 (balcony) per person, double occupancy.  Ports are Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curacao, Belize, Honduras with six days at sea.  Visit CruisesInc. web site.

*** One week Celebrity Solstice Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami departing Feb. 22, 2009 visits San Juan St. Kitts and St. Maarten with balcony cabins starting at $1040 per person, double occupancy at White Travel’s web site.

*** Seven night Norwegian Dawn Canada New England cruise sailing round-trip from Boston Aug. 31, 2008 starts at $549 per person, double occupancy.  Visit the Cruise Brothers’ web site for additional information.

*** 14-day Azamara Quest Mediterranean cruise sailing round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) on Sept. 27, 2008 visits Sorrento, Valletta, Tunis, Barcelona (overnight), Sete, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Florence (overnight) with fares starting at $1,949 per person, double occupancy.  Visit Cruise.com’s web site.

*** Five-night Carnival Inspiration Christmas Caribbean cruise sailing round-trip from Tampa Dec. 20 starts at $449 per person, double occupancy.  Visit Cruises Only.

*** Ten day wine country cruise aboard Celebrity Mercury on the Oct. 13, 2008 voyage from Vancouver to San Diego starts at $809 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Victoria, Seattle, Astoria, San Francisco (overnight) and Monterey.  Visit Cruise Compete’s web site.

*** Four night Western Caribbean cruise aboard RCI’s Enchantment of the seas sailing round-trip from Miami.  The Sept. 11 and 25, 2008 departures start at $319 (inside), $419 (outside) and $679 (balcony) per person, double occupancy.  Visit Cruise 411’s web site.

Bookmark to:

*** 14-night repositioning cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Civitavecchia (Rome) on Carnival Cruise Line’s Freedom, departing April 25, 2009, starts at $519 (inside); $799 (outside) and $1049 (balcony), per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are St. Maarten, Madeira, Malaga and Livorno (port of Florence).  Port charges, fuel surcharges and government taxes are $404.50 per person, additional.  Visit White Travel’s web site for additional information.

*** 12-day Grand Princess British Isles cruise departing June 7, 2008 sailing round-trip from London starts at $1,222 (inside), $1521 (oceanview), $1921 (balcony) and $2,523 (suite) per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Guernsey, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Invergordon, Edinburgh and Le Harve (port of Paris).  For additional information visit Vacations to Go.

*** 12-day South America voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires aboard Oceania Cruises’ Insignia departing Nov. 30, 2008. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $2,499 including round-trip airfare.  Ports of call are: two overnight stays in Rio, Buzios, Iiha Grande, Santos (overnight), Iguacu Falls (overnight); Punta del Este, Montevideo and an overnight stay in Buenos Aires.  For information and reservations visit Premium Cruises’ web site.

*** Four-night Pacific Northwest cruise aboard Celebrity’s Century sailing round-trip from Seattle starts at $269 per person, double occupancy.  Departing September, 22, 2008, the ship visits Nanaimo and Victoria.  For reservations and additional information visit Cruises Inc’s web site.

*** An eight-day Viking River Cruise in France sailing from Paris to Le Havre on July 27, 2008 starts at $1,115 per person, double occupancy, including shore excursions.  Ports of call are an overnight stay in Paris, Conflans, Vernon, Giverny, Les Andelys, Rouen, Caudebec, Honfleur and an overnight stay in Le Havre.  Visit Cruise Compete’s web site for additional information.

*** One week Alaska cruise aboard Holland America’s Oosterdam starts at $699 per person, double occupancy on the June 21 and 28, Aug. 23, Sept. 6 departures.  Sailing round-trip Seattle, the ship visits Juneau, cruises Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria.  For additional information visit Cruise411.   

*** One-week Bermuda cruises from New York aboard NCL’s Norwegian Dawn starts at $729 (inside), $779 (outside), $999 (balcony) and $1168 (suite) per person, double occupancy on the Oct. 19, 2008 departure.  For additional information, visit the Cruise Brothers *** Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton Aug. 7, 2008 begins at $960 (inside) $1081 (outside) $1175 (balcony) and $3246 (suite). For additional information visit Cruise.com.

Bookmark to:

*** Seven night Norwegian Dawn Bermuda cruise sailing round-trip from New York starts at $699 per person, double occupancy on the June 8, 2008 departure.  Contact CruisesOnly for information and reservations.

*** Eight night Mexico cruise sailing round trip from San Diego aboard Carnival Spirit.  The Feb. 16, 2009 departure starts at $420 (inside) $460 (outside) and $590 (balcony) per person, double occupancy plus $100 per cabin shipboard credit.Ports of call are Acapulco, Zihuatanjo and Manzanilla.  For information and reservations contact White Travel’s web site.

*** 12-night Greece/Egypt/Turkey cruise aboard Norwegian Jade sailing round-trip Athens Oct. 25, 2008 at fares beginning at $1399 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Katakolon, Corfu, Alexandria (overnight), Iraklion,Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Istanbul and Izmir.  For additional information visit Cruise Brothers web site.

*** 11-day Alaska cruise sailing round-trip San Diego aboard Dawn Princess May 27, June 16 and 26, 2008 at rates beginning at $1049 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord and Victoria with four days at sea.  Visit Cruise Compete’s web site.

*** 12-day Mediterranean cruise aboard Holland America’s Zuiderdam sailing from Venice to Barcelona June 13, 2008 starts at $1,149 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are an overnight stay in Venice; Dubrovnik, Corfu, Argostoli, Santorini, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Florence and an overnight stay in Barcelona.  Visit Vacations to Go’s web site.

*** 14-day Western Mediterranean cruise aboard Azamara Journey sailing round-trip from Civitavecchia (the port of Rome) at fares beginning at $1949 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Sorrento, Malta, Barcelona (overnight), Sete, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Livorno (port of Florence) overnight.  For additional information visit Cruise.com. *** Seven-night repositioning cruise aboard Caribbean Princess from New York to San Juan departing Oct. 26, 2008 starts at $455 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Thomas. Visit CruiseShopping’s web site for additional information

Bookmark to: