Every 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! 
 

EUROPE

Cruise 411 is having a sale on Holland America cruises worldwide that expires March 7.  For example the 10-night “Roman Empire” departing May 19, starts at $1199 per person, double occupancy.  Sailing round-trip from Civitavecchia (port of Rome) HAL’s Noordam visits Dubrovnik; Corfu, Katakolon and Santorini in Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Malta and Sicily with two days at sea.  For reservations and additional information visit Cruise 411’s web site or call 800-553-7090     

Azamara Cruises’ Quest departs May 28, 2008 on a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise with fares starting at $1,649 per person, double occupancy.  Sailing round trip from Civitavecchia (port of Rome), the ship visits Sorrento, Italy; Malta; Tunisia; Barcelona (overnight); Sete, France; Marseille, France; Monte Carlo, Portofino and an overnight stay in Livorno (port of Florence).  For reservations and additional information visit Cruises Only’s web site or call (800) 278-4737.

Oceania Cruises opened bookings for 2009 Europe cruises of its three 720-passenger ships, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica.  Early booking savings include two-for-one cruise fares and free airfare from 20 North American cities.  Visit Oceania Cruises’ web site and consult your local travel agent for reservations. 

A ten-day Mediterranean cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ 720-passenger Regatta departing Nov. 1, 2008 from Piraeus (port of Athens).  Ports of call are Valleta, Malta; Messina, Italy; Amalifi, Italy; Civitavecchia (port of Rome); Livorno (overnight) Monte Carlo and Marseille ending in Barcelona. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $2,299 including round-trip airfare between the U.S. and Europe.  For reservations and additional information, visit Premium Cruises’ web site or call (800) 905-6697. 

ALASKA

Sailing round-trip from San Francisco, the Aug 15 ten-day Dawn Princess cruise starts at $1,149 per person, double occupancy plus shipboard credit.  Ports of call are Victoria; Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord with four days at sea.  For reservations and additional information, visit American Vacation Center’s web site or call (877) 358-4211. CARIBBEANCelebrity Cruises’ Century sails on a five night itinerary round-trip from Miami with port calls in Grand Cayman and Key West.  The April 14 departure starts at $399 (inside); $449 (outside); $799 (balcony).  For reservations and additional information visit Cruises Only’s web site or call (800) 278-4737.TRANSATLANTIC

Queen Mary 2 sails on six-night transatlantic voyages between New York and Southampton, UK.  The April 28 voyage starts at $768 (inside) $1168 (ocean view) $1,268 (balcony) and $2,195 (suite) per person, double occupancy.  For information and reservations visit Tripres or call (800) 758-5673.