cut_costs.jpgSuddenly the cruise industry is flooded with steeply discounted fares. Whether this is a one-time phenomenon or an indication of steeper price cuts ahead is uncertain.  Whatever the case, it’s smart to jump when a deal is just too good to pass up.

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.