Value Alert: Sample 14 Days In Regent Luxury Including Air, Transfers, & Excursions From $4,899 Per Person Miami To Montreal

You can enjoy two weeks Miami to Montreal on Regent in May, 2020, with air, transfers, unlimited wi-fi and all excursions for about what you would pay on other luxury cruise lines for 14 nights without these valuable inclusions. The late Spring sailing visits popular ports and includes an overnight in Bermuda, all for about $4,900 per person for a 300 square foot ocean view suite chosen by the cruise line. Discounts and on-baord credit may be available. Always ask.

Seven Seas Navigaor, 490 passengers, built 1999, refurbished 2016.

Seven Seas Navigator

Itinerary

May 22 Fri MIAMI, FLORIDA
May 23 Sat PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA
May 24 Sun CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
May 25 Mon CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
May 26 Tue CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
May 27 Wed  ST. GEORGE'S, BERMUDA
May 28 Thu ST. GEORGE'S, BERMUDA
May 29 Fri CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
May 30 Sat HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
May 31 Sun SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA
Jun 01 Mon CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Jun 02 Tue GASPE, QUÉBEC
Jun 03 Wed  CRUISING THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
Jun 04 Thu QUÉBEC CITY, QUÉBEC
Jun 05 Fri MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC

Regent Navigator Deluxe Window Suite

Seven Seas includes for this cruise:

• Roundtrip Air
• Transfers Between Airport and Ship
• Unlimited Shore Excursions
• Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits,
• Open Bars and Lounges Plus In-Suite Mini-Bar Replenished Daily
• Pre-Paid Gratuities, 
• Specialty Restaurants
• Unlimited WiFi

Regent Navigator Prime 7 Steakhouse

Value Alert: Crystal Stages Broadway Tunes From Alaska Inside Passage to Los Angeles

The Crystal On Broadway all inclusive cruise combines four days on the Alaska coast with an overnight in San Francisco for a distinctive sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles this September 17 at a competitive price for the luxury brand.

Crystal Symphony, 848 passengers, built 1995 and refurbished several times including a major 2017 update. $2,299 plus $495 port charges per person for a guarantee ocean view cabin selected by the cruise line. Free upgrades and on-board spending cash may be available. Always ask.

Crystal Symphony

The cruise line pitch:

A voyage of compelling contrasts, from the majesty of Alaska's fjords and glaciers to the sophisticated indulgences of San Francisco's cultural scene and the serenity of Santa Barbara vineyards.

11-Night Itinerary

Tuesday, September 17 Vancouver, BC, Canada
Wednesday, September 18 Inside Passage, AK (Cruising)
Thursday, September 19 Sitka, AK
Friday, September 20 Juneau, AK
Saturday, September 21 Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Cruising)
Sunday, September 22 Ketchikan, AK
Monday, September 23 At Sea
Tuesday, September 24 At Sea
Wednesday, September 25 San Francisco, CA
Thursday, September 26 San Francisco, CA
Friday, September 27 Santa Barbara, CA
Saturday, September 28 Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA

Silversea Luxury Trans-Pacific Cruise Alaska To Overnight In Tokyo With Round-trip Air

Silver Muse, a well-reviewed luxury ship that entered service two years ago and carries just 596 passengers, is re-positioning from Alaska across the Pacific this September at a relatively low price for the Silversea experience.

The fare from about $5,000 per person for an ocean view cabin includes the brand's all-inclusive features and a day's call in the obscure Alaskan port of Dutch Harbor where, if you are lucky, you will happen on an overwhelming crab-boil feast for lunch at a local institution-- the Norwegian Rat Saloon.

Norwegian Rat Saloon

Book by April 30 to secure the rate. On-board spending and suite upgrades may be available. Always ask. Bookings through May 31 include free trans-oceanic economy air or discounted business class.

Silver Muse

The promising itinerary includes a peek at extreme northern Russia and concludes with an overnight in Tokyo:

Thursday, Sep 12 Anchorage (Seward), AK
Friday, Sep 13 Kodiak, AK
Saturday, Sep 14 At Sea
Sunday, Sep 15 Dutch Harbor, AK
Monday, Sep 16 At Sea
Tuesday, Sep 17 At Sea
Wednesday, Sep 18 Cross International Date Line (Cruising)
Thursday, Sep 19 At Sea
Friday, Sep 20 Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka, Russia
Saturday, Sep 21 At Sea
Sunday, September 22 At Sea
Monday, September 23 Kushiro, Japan
Tuesday, September 24 Hakodate, Japan
Wednesday, September 25 At Sea
Thursday, September 26 Tokyo (Harumi), Japan
Friday, September 27 Tokyo (Harumi), Japan

Included:

•  Economy Class Air Roundtrip
•  Transfers (between airport and ship)
•  Scenic Train transfer from Anchorage to Seward from selected countries
•  Spacious suites – over 80% with private verandas
•  Butler service in every suite
•  Unlimited Free Wifi
•  Personalised service – nearly one crew member for every guest
•  Multiple restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
•  Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits
•  24-hour dining service
•  Onboard entertainment
•  Complimentary transportation into town in most ports
•  Onboard gratuities

Spring Break: Balcony Cabins Florida To Europe Under $70 Per Night Per Person

Transatlantic cruise opportunities are hitting some of the lowest prices offered for Spring Break and the April holidays, including the following balcony cabins below $100 per night per person. 

Taxes and port fees are additional, but agents often will discount your final price to cover these. Promotions are offered for most sailings, sometimes including drinks packages, on-board spending money, gratuities of $10 to $15 a day per person, etc. Always ask your cruise agent or the cruise line directly.

Before committing, check each ship's qualities to assure they meet your needs for the sea days during the Atlantic crossing, including size (from 2,300 to 4,300 passengers) and dining and entertainment venues.

Mid-Market cruise lines we consider usually above average in quality and service:

April 7 Fort Lauderdale to Rome, Holland America Koningsdam, built 2016, 2650 passengers, 13 nights via Ponta Delgado, Azores, and Malaga and Cartagena, Spain, some of our favorite ports. Balconies from $799 per person.

Koningsdam Queen's Lounge

April 14 Fort Lauderdale to London Celebrity Silhouette, built 2011, refurbished 2015, 2,886 passengers, 13 nights including Nassau, Bahamas, an overnight in King's Wharf, Bermuda, and Lisbon. Balcony from $869.

Celebrity Silhouette

April 14 Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen Regal Princess, built 2014, refurbished 2017, 3,560 passengers, with Ponta Delgada, Zeebrugge, Belgium, Rotterdam, Holland. $1,049.

Regal Princess Balcony Cabin

Other cruise lines:

April 28 New York (Manhattan) to Amsterdam Norwegian Pearl, built 2006, refurbished 2017, 2,394 passengers,, via Cork and Dublin, Ireland, Le Harve (Paris), France, Tilbury (London), England, Zeebrugge, Belgium, Amsterdam, Holland. $879.

Norwegian Pearl Balcony

May 4 Fort Lauderdale to Southampton (London) Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas  built 2008, refurbished 2018, 4,375 passengers, with stops in Haiti, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. $1,243.

Independence of the Seas

Value Alert: Last Cabins From $1,000 For True Small Ship Week On Croatian Coast

Sail Croatia is offering a week in July or August on its 36 to 40 passenger "Elegance" ships for as little as about $1,000 USD per person. At least two sailings, July 22 and August 5, remain at that lowest price, with other dates higher but still a value.

Sail Croatia Olimp

The brand is little known in the United States, but has a European following for its ships in several categories from basic to its most comfortable "Elegance Class." Here is how Sail Croatia describes these ships:

Elegance Cruises offer the highest quality comfort on board our brand new Elegance Premier Plus ships. This 7-day cruise explores the Adriatic coast with like-minded travelers onboard small luxury ships. Explore historic towns and villages, swim in secluded bays, watch golden sunsets with new found friends and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Croatia.

Sail Croatia Olimp

These cruises are worth consideration, particularly if you are disappointed by the growing size of many "luxury" cruise ships and the 450 to 900 passenger clientele that they now attract. Elegance ships include a captain's dinner evening, breakfast and 3-course Croatian lunch daily, a local village dinner, orientation tours at some locations, disembarkation airport transfers, and some WiFi. You'll find the lines's website here and you can compare cabin amenities and on-board inclusions with more familiar cruise companies.

Cruises operate from Dubrovnik or Split. Google Flights shows roundtrip air fares from U.S. cities to Dubrovnik from about $1,000 economy, $2,000 premium, and $3,000 business.

Dubrovnik

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Value Alert: Stretch Your Labor Day Into The Adriatic On This Luxury Regent Wine Cruise

One of our goals is to discover trips that wrap around traditional American holidays and expand them into fascinating voyages. Regent is offering such a cruise, beginning August 25 in Barcelona and ending the week of Labor Day with an overnight stay in Venice. 

Regent Voyager

This 12-day sailing is L'esprit de Monaco Spotlight on Wine with "hosted dinners, wine tastings and meet-and-greets with a renowned wine expert, shore excursions that explore this region’s endless array of delectable cuisine and legendary wines, including the opportunity to visit the Banfi Estate in Tuscany."

Regent rates are high, but the luxury line's "all-inclusive" includes

• Business Class Air* on All Intercontinental Flights
• Transfers Between Airport and Ship
• Unlimited Shore Excursions
• Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits
• Open Bars and Lounges Plus In-Suite Mini-Bar Replenished Daily
• Pre-Paid Gratuities
• Specialty Restaurants
• Unlimited WiFi 

Added for this voyage are a $300 Shipboard Credit and Unlimited Valet Laundry.

Regent Voyager Deluxe Veranada

Regent Seven Seas Voyager, 700 passengers, built 2003, refurbished 2016.  Deluxe veranda suite, location chosen by Regent, 306 square feet plus 50 square foot balcony, king bed, $12,199 per person. For $13,399, Regent offers a Concierge Suite, same size, but with a one night pre-cruise hotel package and some other benefits. Some travel agents are offering additional on-board credits or other benefits; always ask.

Part of the value of this cruise is the included business class air. If booked by a traveler today, it would cost about $5,000 or more per person from New York to Barcelona and returning Venice to New York.

Other features are the final overnight in Venice in early September, when the overcrowded destination is somewhat less hectic, and stops at some of our favorite Adriatic ports including Kotor, Montenegro; Zadar, Croatia; and Koper, Slovenia.

Itinerary

Kotor, Montenergro

Aug 25 Sat BARCELONA, SPAIN

Aug 26 Sun PROVENCE (MARSEILLE), FRANCE

Aug 27 Mon ANTIBES, FRANCE 

Aug 27 Mon MONTE CARLO, MONACO 

Aug 28 Tue MONTE CARLO, MONACO 

Aug 29 Wed  FLORENCE/PISA (LIVORNO), ITALY

Aug 30 Thu ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY

Aug 31 Fri NAPLES/POMPEII, ITALY

Sep 01 Sat CRUISING THE STRAIT OF MESSINA

Sep 02 Sun KOTOR, MONTENEGRO 

Sep 03 Mon ZADAR, CROATIA

Sep 04 Tue KOPER, SLOVENIA

Sep 05 Wed  VENICE, ITALY

Sep 06 Thu VENICE, ITALY

Koper, Slovenia

L'esprit de Monaco Spotlight on Wine cruise, as pitched by Regent:

Spotlight on Wine voyages feature:

• Wine Expert
• Wine Tastings and Culinary Pairings
• Wine Education Seminars
• Specially-designed Shore Excursions
• Dining Experiences Paired with Banfi Wines

Guests enjoy all Spotlight on Wine activities and amenities, plus the opportunity to sign up for a Regent Choice Shore Excursion to Banfi Estate in Tuscany for a wine tasting and delicious, locally-sourced lunch.

SHARRON MCCARTHY is the Vice President of Wine Education at Banfi Vintners. A legend in the industry, she was the former President of the U.S. Society of Wine Educators, affectionately known as “America’s First Lady of Wine.” Sharron has played an instrumental role in introducing Americans from all walks of life to an appreciation for the fruit of the vine. At the heart of her success is a refreshingly unpretentious, progressive approach, firmly aimed at demystifying wine.

About Castello Banfi

Since its founding in 1978, the Castello Banfi wines achieved outstanding accolades and awards. This is thanks to the will of the Italian-American brothers, John and Harry Mariani. From the beginning, their goal was to create a state-of-the-art winery combined with the most advanced science in the vineyards for the production of premium wines. Today their splendid vineyards of Montalcino and Chianti continue to produce wines of great character and outstanding quality.

Value Alert: $3000 All-Inclusive 11-Day Seabourn Rome To Barcelona Oct. 27

Rome St. Peters Square

Through June 25, luxury line Seabourn is promoting an 11-day sailing Oct. 27 from Rome to Barcelona for $2,999 per person. You must tell your agent to specify "We Select Your Suite" to get that price for a guarantee ocean view cabin. A guarantee veranda suite is $3,299.  This is under $300 a night, the low end of the cruise line's usual rates.

Seabourn Odyssey

Some agents may offer on-board credits or other benefits; always ask. Most accommodations on Seabourn Odyssey are the same size and have the same amenities, so there is no need to pay more to specify a particular cabin. Add Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses of $308.

Seabourn Odyssey, 450 passengers, built 2009, refurbished 2017.

We are traveling on this same cruise, although we start earlier, in Athens, for the 18 day itinerary we recommended last month. We will renew our acquaintance with the Odyssey and offer an up-to-date review. If you choose this cruise, please join us for a drink on board.

We will also publish insight into the ports of call on this voyage, which touches major destinations that are well-suited to first-time visitors because of excursions to popular attractions from Capri and the Amalfi coast to St. Paul de Vence.

Veranda Suite

Note that the departure described as Rome is actually from the port of Civitavecchia, a 1.5 hour drive. If you stay in Rome a day or two before the cruise, plan ahead for the transfer to the port.

A taxi or shared van transfer for two people costs $125 and up. Our preferred limousine service, Blacklane, quotes $170 for the trip in a "business class" Mercedes E-Class or similar. The main Rome airport is about a one-hour drive from the port and transfers are proportionately less.

Civitavecchia

The "trick" transfer we have used successfully is the inexpensive commuter rail from Roma Termini station to Civitavecchia, but you will have to schlep your own luggage and on arrival in Civitavecchia take a local taxi to the port. Train details are here.

But there is a less stressful way to get to your ship: arrive in Civitavecchia a day before the sailing and spend the night at one of several modest small hotels and B&B's. We have stayed several times at our first choice, Hotel San Giorgio at  http://www.sangiorgiohotel.biz/hotel-cruise-civitavecchia.htm

Hotel San Giorgio Classic Room

San Giorgio offers a cruise package starting at about $150 that includes breakfast buffet, free WiFi, and shuttle service to the Cruise Terminal. Rooms are adequate but not deluxe by any means. Try for one with a sea view. Small cafes for dinner are a short walk from the hotel. Also easily walk-able is a local shopping area where you can pick up liquids or other needs for the cruise that you don't want to fly with. The best feature is transfer to ship-side. The town refurbished its waterfront a couple years ago, so there is a pleasant promenade for an afternoon or evening stroll.

Itinerary

DAY 0: October 27, 2018 Departs 05:00 PM Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

DAY 1: October 28, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Naples (Pompeii), Italy

DAY 2: October 29, 2018 Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Trapani, Italy

DAY 3: October 30, 2018 AT SEA

DAY 4: October 31, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Monte Carlo, Monaco

Marseilles

DAY 5: November 01, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 11:00 PM La Joliette (Marseille), France

DAY 6: November 02, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM Sete, France

DAY 7: November 03, 2018 Arrives 10:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Mahon, Menorca, Spain

DAY 8: November 04, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM Ibiza, Spain

DAY 9: November 05, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Cartagena, Spain

DAY 10: November 06, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Valencia, Spain

DAY 11: November 07, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Guell Park

Seabourn advertises its definition of luxury this way

• Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere
• Intuitive, personalized service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations
• Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences
• All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed
• Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
• Welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
• Tipping is neither required, nor expected
• Finest resort at sea that is masterfully designed
• Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
• World-class dining, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller
• Ventures by Seabourn™, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations
• All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish
• Select purposeful and sustainable travel experiences in partnership with UNESCO
• Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, featuring an exclusive mindful living program
• An evening entertainment experience in collaboration with Sir Tim Rice

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Value Alert: 7-Day Galapagos 100-Passenger Small Ship Cruise With $1000 Onboard Credit

All-inclusive Silversea has begun offering $1,000 on-board credits and one-category cabin upgrades on a few 2018 cruises, including a September sailing of its popular seven day Galapagos Islands expedition on luxury Silver Galapagos. If you have dreamed of exploring the Galapagos, and can get away the last week in September, you can take advantage of this "Last Minute Savings."

Silver Galapagos

Silver Galapagos, 100 passengers, built 1990, refurbished 2014.

Histrionically, fares start at $7,900 per person with little or no additional discount or benefits. Today you can pay that price, but get a $1,000 per cabin credit, a cabin upgrade, and other potential values. Least expensive cabins range from 210 to 250 square feet with windows or portholes. Veranda suites are $9,100 and up.

Silversea puts it this way:

• Last-Minute Savings: Book by 15 July, 2018 and enjoy $1,000 onboard credit per suite and one-category suite upgrade*  
• Galapagos - All Inclusive: Book by 31 July, 2018 and enjoy Reduced Air Fares + Included Hotel, Transfers and Quito by Night Tour  
• Single Fares: Single occupancy supplements starting at only 25%  
• Expedition Family Savings: Book by 30 October, 2018 and guests under the age of 18 receive a $500 cruise savings  
• Venetian Society sailing:  members of the Venetian Society enjoy an additional 5% saving on the cruise fare

Itinerary

• BALTRA, GALAPAGOS, Ecuador, Saturday 22 Sep 
• ISLA DAPHNE GRANDE, Ecuador, Saturday 22 Sep
• BAHIA DARWIN, GENOVESA, Ecuador, Sunday 23 Sep
• EL BARRANCO, GENOVESA, Ecuador, Sunday 23 Sep
• SEYMOUR NORTE, Ecuador, Monday 24 Sep
• BAHIA SULLIVAN, SANTIAGO, Ecuador, Monday 24 Sep
• RÁBIDA, Ecuador, Tuesday 25 Sep
• EL EDEN, SANTA CRUZ, Ecuador, Tuesday 25 Sep
• GALAPAGUERA CERRO COLORADO,SAN CRISTOBAL, Ecuador, Wednesday 26 Sep
• PUNTA PITT, SAN CRISTOBAL, Ecuador, Wednesday 26 Sep
• GARDNER BAY, ESPAÑOLA, Ecuador, Thursday 27 Sep
• PUNTA SUAREZ, ESPANOLA, Ecuador, Thursday 27 Sep
• ESTACION DARWIN & PUERTO AYORA,SANTA CRUZ, Ecuador, Friday 28 Sep
• PLAZAS SUR, Ecuador, Friday 28 Sep
• SAN CRISTOBAL, Ecuador, Saturday 29 Sep

INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE FARE

• Included flights between Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
• Included Transfers
• Included pre cruise Hotel in Quito (2 nights)
• Included National Park fees
• Included "Quito by Night" Tour
• Personalised service – the best crew-to-guest ratio in expedition cruising
• Butler service in every suite and stateroom – all guests are pampered equally
• Open-seating dining options – dine when and with whomever you please
• Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship – select wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees and soft drinks, plus your own tailored mini-bar
• In-suite dining and room service – available 24 hours aboard Silver Explorer, and from 06:00 to 23:00 aboard Silver Galapagos and Silver Discoverer
• Enrichment lectures by a highly qualified Expeditions Team
• Guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the Expeditions Team
• Gratuities always included in your fare
• Unlimited Free Wifi

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Value Alert: Another Way To Leverage Your Labor Day Holiday, New York To London

London Sunset

Cunard has dropped prices to $1,099 for a balcony on its August 26 seven night transatlantic sailing from New York, creating another opportunity to exploit your Labor Day vacation break and spend the holiday on Monday, Sept. 2 in London. 

Agents may offer on-board credits of $100 or more or other benefits. Always ask before booking. You'll find our review of the QM2 experience here. (See our June 14 article here for an alternative way to leverage the holiday on a sailing ship from Barcelona to Lisbon.)

QM2 New York Harbor

Cunard Queen Mary 2, 3,064 passengers, built 2004, refurbished 2016. Balcony cabins now start at $1,099 per person plus $77.03 fees and $80.50 gratuities. 

QM2 Typical Balcony Cabin

Room features

• 24-hour room service
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Nightly turn-down service with pillow chocolate
• Satellite TV with multi-language film and music channels
• Refrigerator, safe, hair dryer
• Daily shipboard newspaper
• Half a bottle of Bon Voyage wine
• Direct-dial telephone
• Fruit basket (on request)
• 220V British 3-pin and 110V 2-pin sockets

Scheduled speakers for the voyage

• David Sipress - Cartoonist. A graduate of Williams College and Harvard, David Sipress’ first cartoon appeared in The New Yorker in 1998, and he was newyorker.com’s first Daily Cartoonist, during the 2012 Presidential election.
• Giancarlo Impiglia - Artist & Art Historian. Giancarlo Impiglia is an artist and art historian whose name is renowned in the world of art. He studied at the Art Lyceum and the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. He also studied at the Italian Center of Cinematography of Rome, participating in several movies as cameraman and set designer.
• Giles Ramsay - Theatre Director & Producer. Giles Ramsay is an independent theatre director and producer who specialises in creating new work with artists in developing countries. Giles combines academic analysis with hands on experience to bring a unique insight to the world of the theatre.
• Dr Helen Doe - Maritime Historian. Helen is a historian from the University of Exeter who specialises in both naval and merchant history, from the days of sail to container ships.
• Maureen Ryan - Ex-Assistant Purser & Social Hostess, Cunard. Known to many as Queen Victoria’s Madrina and the only person to have served on Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, QE2 and Queen Mary 2, Maureen started her long career with Cunard as an assistant purser and later social hostess. Taking a break from sea life, Maureen worked as a PA in the Foreign Office in London, and British Embassies in Addis Ababa and Paris, later rejoining Cunard as a social hostess on QE2, Cunard Countess, Cunard Princess and Queen Mary 2.

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7 Night Transatlantic Cruises from $799 on Cunard Cruise Line, only at cruisedirect.com! Exclusive Up to $1,000 to Spend On Board, Plus FREE Drinks & Tips For Suites!

Value Alert: Luxury Cruises Under $300/Night

Plan ahead and you can take advantage of several 2019 and 2020 Crystal Symphony sailings for $250 to  $300 per night per person, the low end of the luxury lines pricing range.

Some itineraries begin or end in desirable but distant ports, so airfare may offset some of the apparent savings. But other cruises sail from more convenient ports. Each cruise offers overnight stays in one or more world-class destinations. Some travel agents may offer on-board credits or other benefits; always ask before booking. Sample cruises are listed below. Ask Crystal or your travel agent for others and similar prices.

Crystal Symphony, 848 passengers, built 1995, refurbished 2017. Prices begin at the rates below for an ocean view stateroom, 202 square feet. 

Crystal defines all-inclusive this way:

• Complimentary select fine wines, champagne and premium spirits, as well as authentic, regional, local and seasonal wine and beer where available
• Complimentary gratuities for all dining, bar, housekeeping and butler staff
• Complimentary select fine wines, champagne and premium spirits
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet access. Restrictions apply
• Complimentary evening of specialty restaurant dining at least once in Silk Road or the Sushi Bar celebrating the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa, and at least once in Prego.
• Complimentary enrichment via the innovative Creative Learning Institute® and Computer University@Sea® with classes in diverse topics such as world affairs, wellness, art, wine appreciation, digital photography and iPad filmmaking.
• Complimentary fitness and Wellness at Sea® programs with classes in yoga, mat Pilates, Spinning®, and so much more!

Rio Rendezvous, New Orleans to Rio de Janeiro, January 5-24, 2019 (19 days), $4,845 per person plus $855 taxes and fees.

Rio de Janeiro

• Saturday, January 5 New Orleans, LA
• Sunday, January 6 New Orleans, LA
• Monday, January 7 At Sea
• Tuesday, January 8 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
• Wednesday, January 9 At Sea
• Thursday, January 10 At Sea
• Friday, January 11 Curacao
• Saturday, January 12 At Sea
• Sunday, January 13 Grenada
• Monday, January 14 At Sea
• Tuesday, January 15 Devil's Island, French Guiana
• Wednesday, January 16 At Sea
• Thursday, January 17 At Sea
• Friday, January 18 At Sea
• Saturday, January 19 Recife, Brazil
• Sunday, January 20 At Sea
• Monday, January 21 Salvador, Brazil
• Tuesday, January 22 At Sea
• Wednesday, January 23 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Thursday, January 24 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Tahiti & The Cook Islands, Papeete to Auckland, March 7-23, 2019 (16 days), $4,205 per person plus $944 taxes and fees.

Cook Islands

• Thursday, March 7 Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands
• Friday, March 8 Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands
• Friday, March 8 Moorea, Society Islands
• Saturday, March 9 Bora Bora, Society Islands
• Sunday, March 10 Bora Bora, Society Islands
• Monday, March 11 At Sea
• Tuesday, March 12 Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands
• Wed, March 13 Rarotonga, Cook Islands
• Thursday, March 14 At Sea
• Friday, March 15 At Sea
• Sunday, March 17 Crossing the International Dateline
• Monday, March 18 At Sea
• Tuesday, March 19 Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Wed, March 20 Tauranga, New Zealand
• Thursday, March 21 Tauranga, New Zealand
• Friday, March 22 Auckland, New Zealand
• Saturday, March 23 Auckland, New Zealand

Northwest Gold Rush, Vancouver to Los Angeles, September 17-28, 2019 (11 days), $3,365 per person plus $495 taxes and fees.

Vancouver

• Tuesday, September 17 Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Wed, September 18         Inside Passage, AK (Cruising)
• Thursday, September 19 Sitka, AK
• Friday, September 20 Juneau, AK
• Saturday, September 21 Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Cruising)
• Sunday, September 22 Ketchikan, AK
• Monday, September 23 At Sea
• Tuesday, September 24 At Sea
• Wed, September 25         San Francisco, CA
• Thursday, September 26 San Francisco, CA
• Friday, September 27 Santa Barbara, CA
• Saturday, September 28 Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA

Priceless Pearls of the Middle East, Dubai to Mumbai, November 8-21, 2020 (13 days), $3,749 per person plus $767 taxes and fees.

Mumbai

• Sunday, November 8 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Monday, November 9 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Tuesday, November 10 Doha, Qatar
• Wed, November 11         Doha, Qatar
• Thursday, November 12 Manama, Bahrain
• Friday, November 13 At Sea
• Saturday, November 14 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Sunday, November 15 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Monday, November 16 At Sea
• Tuesday, November 17 Muscat, Oman
• Wed, November 18         At Sea
• Thursday, November 19 At Sea
• Friday, November 20 Bombay (Mumbai), India
• Saturday, November 21 Bombay (Mumbai), India

Value Alert: $320 Price Cut For Cruise Recommended Last Month: Ireland, Scotland & Wales 8 Nights With Optional Military Tattoo

Edinburgh Tattoo

August 18 Princess Pacific Princess, built 1999, refurbished 2017. Just reduced to $1,219 per person balcony 216 sq. ft. plus $195 fees. Extraordinary military tattoo ceremony available from $270 per person in front corner stands to $750 per person with private seating and reception.

Itinerary: London (Dover), England | Jersey (St. Helier) | Milford Haven, Wales | Dublin, Ireland | Edinburgh (Rosyth), Scotland overnight | London (Dover), England.

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Experience Culinary Delight and Amazing Itineraries When You Set Sail with Princess Cruises! Book Princess Cruises Today, Only at CruiseDirect.com!

Value Alert: Leverage Your Labor Day Holiday Into 8 Nights On A Sailing Ship Visiting Our Favorite Ports From Barcelona To Lisbon

We recently extolled here the value of visiting the Mediterranean in September, which avoids the worst of the summer heat and the hordes of Europeans and other tourists who must take their vacations in August.

Wind Surf Off Sicily

Windstar has just made that easier by including in their weekly promotion starting today a cruise that departs Barcelona Sept. 1, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and concludes Sunday, Sept. 9, just in time to fly home after only a few days off the job.

Wind Surf

Besides the perfect timing, there are two other treats to this cruise. First, the ship is the Wind Surf, Windstar's recently refurbished flagship that combines seven billowing sails with diesel electric engines. Second, the ports of call are among our favorite Mediterranean destinations.

Until June 20, you can book a cabin of 188 square feet with location chosen by Wind Star for $2,299 plus $218 taxes and $108 gratuities.

Sopranis, Cadiz

We rarely recommend restaurants, but in Cadiz last year we found an outstanding example. It is recognized in the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2018 Guide. If you schedule this trip, immediately book Sopranis, walk-able from the port and open for lunch 1 to 4 p.m. and dinner. Your ship arrives 7 a.m., does not sail until 11:59 p.m.

Wind Surf, 310 passengers, built 1990, refurbished 2013. 

• Saturday, September 1 Barcelona, Spain. Extraordinary art and eats if you arrive a day early
• Sunday, September 2 Palma de Mallorca, Spain. We'd skip the resorts, stroll the town
• Monday, September 3 Cartagena, Spain. For nearby coastal resorts.
• Tuesday, September 4 Granada, Spain. Do the Alhambra Palace excursion.
• Wed, September 5         Malaga, Spain. Picasso museum or village excursions
• Thursday, September 6 Gibraltar, UK Territory, The Rock.
• Friday, September 7 Cadiz, Spain. Another charming town for strolling.
• Saturday, September 8 At Sea
• Sunday, September 9 Lisbon, Portugal. Unique architecture and cuisine. Worth a day or two stay if you do not need to be back at work Monday.

Windstar fares include: 

• All meals in all venues at all times, including room service menu available 24 hours
• All non-alcoholic beverages, including cappuccino, espresso, and other specialty non-alcoholic drinks
• Welcome cocktails at reception
• All onboard entertainment
• Unlimited use of Fitness Center
• Unlimited use of all water sports equipment
• Informative nightly port talks and destination briefings

Round-trip air fares from New York and other U.S. cities range from about $800 in economy to  $4,000 in business. Use Google Flights to search for the best flights for your needs.
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