Value Alert: $888 Oceanview To Rome For Amalfi Coast, Sardinia March 28 With All Taxes Fees Gratuities

Amalfi Coast, Positano at Dusk

In response to Tweets this week from a variety of travel blogs extolling the beauties of the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, and other Italian destinations, we have been suggesting on Twitter @CruisingGrade using a low-cost Spring re-positioning cruise to get to Europe. Here is a particularly appealing sailing departing March 28 from Fort Lauderdale for Rome.

Sardinia La Pelosa Beach

We often recommend a transatlantic cruise as a cost-efficient way to get to Europe. Holland America makes that decision easier today with a $599 ocean view rate per person, plus the usual "taxes, fees, port expenses" at $100 and gratuities of $189. That's a total of $888 per person double occupancy. Veranda about $200 more. If larger suites do not sell soon, you may be offered a discounted upgrade to more spacious quarters.

Relatively low cost flights from Rome to Sardinia are offered by Alitalia and trains from Rome to Naples and other towns on the Amalfi Coast by ItaliaRail. Book well in advance to get the best economy rates.

Check with a travel agent or online for potential additional discounts or amenities. The agent or cruise line can book a one-way return flight, usually for less than domestic carriers that charge as much as a round-trip flight. Norwegian Air Shuttle also offers well priced one-way fares from various European cities.

Holland America Koningsdam

The cruise departs Fort Lauderdale, calls on Horta and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, and then Malaga and Cartagena, Spain, two of our favorite ports of call, before arriving at the port of Rome, Civitavecchia, on April 11. Nine sea days mean, of course, you should compare the ship's facilities to your own requirements and expectations for dining, entertainment, and accommodations, The vessel is Holland America's latest and largest, the Koningsdam, 2,650 passengers, built 2016.