On Wednesday, ShipCritic runs the best cruise bargains of the week.  If you see a terrific bargain, pounce: the best deals go first and, in some cases, only a handful of staterooms are available.  Unless otherwise indicated, rates are per person, double occupancy and do not include taxes and fuel surcharge.  Happy Hunting! 

*** Five night Celebrity Century Christmas Cruise sailing Dec. 24, 2008 starts at $690 per person, double occupancy plus $25 ship board credit.  Sailing round trip from Miami, the ship visits Jamaica and Grand Cayman.  Visit White Travel’s web site for additional information.

*** Seven night Norwegian Dream Bermuda cruise sailing round-trip from Boston May 25, 2008 starts at $749 per person, double occupancy.  Visit Cruises Only’s web site for additional information

*** One week Holland America Amstserdam Alaska cruise sailing round-trip from Seattle Aug. 22, 2008 starts at $677 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria.  For information visit Cruise Brothers’ web site.

*** Seven night Norwegian Star Mexico cruises sailing round-trip from Los Angeles at fares beginng at $499 per person, double occupancy from Sept. 27 through Nov. 8.  Ports of call are Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.  Visit Iwantacruise’s web site for additional information.

*** Nine night Thanksgiving Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas sailing round-trip from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ starts at $1000 per person, double occupancy.  Sailing Nov. 21, 2008, the ship visits Labadee, Casa de Campo, St. Thomas and San Juan with four days at sea.  For additional information visit Cruise Compete’s web site.

*** 13-day Diamond Princess Alaska cruise tour departing June 21, 2008 starts at $1999 per person, double occupancy.  Sailing from Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska, the ship visits Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and College Fjord.  The tour starts in Anchorage and visits Mt. McKinley/Denali and Fairbanks.  For additional information visit Seven Seas Travel’s web site

*** Seven night Holland America Veendam Caribbean/Bahamas cruise sailing round-trip from Tampa Nov. 9, 2008 starts at $559 per person, double occupancy.  Ports of call are Key West, Belize City, Santo Thomas de Castilla and Costa Maya.  Visit Cruise.com’s web site for information.