http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/?source=rss_cruise SmarterTravel.com is your source for low-cost and extra-value cruise deals and advice on booking, saving money on, and making the most of your cruise vacation. We offer unbiased expert advice and the best deal coverage. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:46:12 -0500 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:46:12 -0500 Oceania may be offering $2,000 off two-for-one cruise fares and giving away from free airfare, but a 14-night Mediterranean cruise on Insignia will still cost you more than $300 a night for an inside cabin. The cruise has an action-packed itinerary, sailing from Barcelona to Athens and hitting all the highlights in between, including Rome, Florence, Dubrovnik and two days in Venice. Fares, after the discount, start at $4,273 per person (based on double occupancy), and the free airfare is only available from select U.S. and Canadian gateway cities. Definitely do the math to figure out how much airfare would cost you before taking advantage of this deal. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/14-night-mediterranean-cruise-free-air.html?id=3869636&source=rss_cruise cruise Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:34:00 -0500 Oceania may be offering $2,000 off two-for-one cruise fares and giving away from free airfare, but a 14-night Mediterranean cruise on Regatta will still cost you more than $300 a night for an inside cabin. The cruise has an action-packed itinerary, sailing from Rome to Venice and hitting all the highlights in between, including Florence, Monte Carlo, the Amalfi Coast and more exotic cities in Croatia and Slovenia. Fares, after the discount, start at $4,238 per person (based on double occupancy), and the free airfare is only available from select U.S. and Canadian gateway cities. Definitely do the math to figure out how much airfare would cost you before taking advantage of this deal. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/14-night-mediterranean-cruise-free-air.html?id=3869637&source=rss_cruise cruise Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:27:00 -0500 Treat your sweetheart to an early Valentine's Day gift by booking this seven-night sailing on MSC Poesia starting from just $384 per person. Get lost in the Italian ship's sleek and romantic style while visiting a total of six Western Caribbean ports including Key West and Playa del Carmen. Upgrade to a balcony stateroom to enjoy the view of the ocean whenever you wish from just $659 per person. Of course several other sailing dates are available, but fares are running between $500 and $600 per person -- so, snag this bargain now while fares are still low! http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-western-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3869638&source=rss_cruise cruise Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:43:00 -0500 If you like spending days at sea, why not try a transatlantic sailing where the ship is your destination. Costa Fortuna has plenty of cozy nooks for a relaxing winter trip, and this 15-night sailing starts at a comfortable $574 per person -- that's only $38 per night! You'll sail from Savona, Italy and call at the European ports of Malaga and Madeira -- keep in mind that visiting the Mediterranean in winter can be quite charming, plus you won't have to put up with the crowds of tourists you normally find in summer. You'll then have a warm-weather stint in the Caribbean calling on Guadeloupe, St. Maarten, La Romana and Nassau before reaching your final destination of sunny Fort Lauderdale -- arriving December 20 -- just in time for the holidays! http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/15-night-transatlantic-cruise.html?id=3869640&source=rss_cruise cruise Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:00 -0500 Looking for last-minute savings? Try this cruise deal that features a five-night cruise aboard Norwegian Dawn from just $209 per person. You'll sail to two Western Caribbean ports -- Grand Cayman and Cozumel -- and spend two days at sea during this December 13 sailing, roundtrip out of Miami. If you can't make it in December, there are several sailings in both January and February that are a little bit pricier, but are still considered very affordable. Visit Cruise.com's Web site for details on dates and fares. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/5-night-western-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3869639&source=rss_cruise cruise Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:54:00 -0500 Book a last-minute cruise and save with resident deals on Explorer of the Seas. Prices for the ship's nine-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on December 11 start at $499 per person -- if you're a resident of 18 select states. Plus, if you book a balcony cabin or higher category (excluding Category X), you'll receive free prepaid gratuities for the first two passengers or up to $750 in onboard credit (select inside and outside cabins are also eligible for this offer). Onboard, enjoy the extensive kids' facilities, rock climbing wall and ice skating rink, and Royal Caribbean's special theme nights, including the Masquerade Ball and Toga Party. Just book soon before this offer expires. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/9-night-eastern-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3867224&source=rss_cruise cruise Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:21:00 -0500 It may no longer be the largest cruise ship in the world, but Freedom of the Seas is still a great choice for cruise travelers looking for lots to do onboard. On a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, you can try surfing or ice skating, watch parades and choose from multiple dining venues onboard -- when you're not sunbathing, shopping and trying water sports onshore. Fares start at $459, an unthinkably low price for this class of ship. Plus, if you book a balcony cabin or higher category (except Category X), you'll receive free prepaid gratuities for the first and second passengers or up to $750 in onboard credit per cabin. Select inside and outside cabins may also qualify for extra perks. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-eastern-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3867225&source=rss_cruise cruise Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:04:00 -0500 Cruise West is calling all families with new discounts for young cruisers. Kids ages 18 and younger pay half the adult fare, and kids under 2 sail free. The offer is available on any Cruise West small-ship sailing, whether it be an Alaskan adventure, a river cruise along the Columbia River, a warm-weather getaway to Panama and Costa Rica, or a historical and cultural itinerary in Asia or Europe. Cruise West's fares include accommodations, meals, soft drinks, all taxes and port charges, and most shore excursions. But before you book that family vacation, remember that Cruise West's ships are small and don't have elaborate children's activities or entertainment programming. If your kids will be bored by the line's focus on education, enrichment and nature, you might want to leave them at home. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/half-price-kids-fares-on-all-cruise-west-sailings.html?id=3867223&source=rss_cruise cruise Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:38:00 -0500 All January sailing dates for Crown Princess' Western Caribbean cruises now start at an immensely affordable $434 per person -- and this is a particulary good deal since Crown is one of the line's newer ships! You'll visit Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays -- the line's private island destination where you can rent equipment for watersports or lounge around in one of the beach clamshells, also available to rent. Sailing roundtrip out of sunny Fort Lauderdale for this relaxing cruise is a great way to start the new year. Plus, you can upgrade your cabin to a balcony at just under $100 per night -- or $664 per person! http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-western-caribbean-cruises.html?id=3864689&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:06:00 -0500 Start the new year off right in the islands of Aloha! NCL's Pride of America is sailing on December 26 over the New Year's holiday, and has several sailings this January starting from between $699 and $799 per person for an inside cabin. Plus, when you book with Cruise.com, you'll receive up to $800 in savings in the form of onboard cruise certificates. The itinerary includes overnight visits in both Maui and Kauai, and port calls in Hilo and Kailua. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-hawaii-cruises.html?id=3864691&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500 Explore the Caribbean on a 12-night cruise onboard Oceania's Regatta. From the lush green rainforests of St. Lucia to the endless stretches of sandy beach in Antigua, you can do it all -- water sports, shopping, active pursuits, gourmet dining and sunbathing. Onboard, take your pick of multiple restaurants (including steak, Italian and tapas) or treat yourself with a massage at the spa. Fares start at $3,889 per person for a balcony cabin. Oceania's cabins may be a tad small for a luxury line but they're nicely appointed and have extremely comfortable beds. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/12-night-caribbean-cruise-balcony.html?id=3857944&source=rss_cruise cruise Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:29:00 -0500 You have two pricing options for the 11-night Caribbean cruise on Crystal Symphony, departing January 23, 2010. You can choose the cruise-only option for $3,335 or the cruise-plus-air option for $4,184. Either way, the rates are pretty good for a luxury line, though you'll need to spend more for a balcony to enjoy those sea breezes in private. Escape the chill of winter with a blissful vacation to tropical islands like St. Lucia and Aruba, including a transit through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean. The medium-size ship -- it carries 960 passengers -- is big enough to offer multiple dining choices, a great spa and plenty of enrichment options, but small enough to create a sense of community and intimacy onboard. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/11-night-caribbean-cruise-on-crystal.html?id=3857946&source=rss_cruise cruise Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:24:00 -0500 On your seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Silver Shadow, you'll enjoy accommodations in a 287-square-foot suite with a picture window, champagne on arrival and as often as you'd like with the ship's open bar policy, and multiple dining venues with open seating. And with only 382 guests onboard, you'll never have to wait in a long line for anything. The one-way itinerary takes you from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale, so you can find some R http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-eastern-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3857947&source=rss_cruise cruise Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:07:00 -0500 You have two pricing options for the seven-night Mediterranean cruise on Crystal Serenity, departing May 11, 2010. You can choose the cruise-only option for $2,720 or the cruise-plus-air option for $3,920. Either way, the rates are pricey but not too bad for a luxury line. The cruise sails from Rome to Athens, with stops in Greece, Italy and Turkey. Crystal Serenity gets high marks for its spa, sushi bar and enrichment programming. If you're looking for an action-packed trip to Europe with lots of pampering between sightseeing excursions, this might be the cruise for you. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-eastern-mediterranean-cruise.html?id=3851537&source=rss_cruise cruise Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:43:00 -0500 A Seabourn cruise under $2,000 is a pretty amazing deal. Get the most luxury value for your vacation dollar by booking a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Seabourn Legend. Fares start at $1,844 per person for a suite with a picture window, and include open bar, gourmet dining, all gratuities, Evening Under the Stars barbecue dinners or gala parties, Caviar in the Surf, and water sports from the ship's marina. Plus, you get a relaxing vacation to Mexico and Key West. If you've always wanted to upgrade to a luxury cruise experience, now might be the time to try. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-western-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3851536&source=rss_cruise cruise Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:11:00 -0500 Oceania's Regatta is offering a new spin on the typical Mexican Riviera itinerary. In addition to the usual stops in Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, the ship is also calling in Guaymas and Topolobampo and overnighting in Cabo San Lucas. Fares start at $2,199 per person for an outside cabin or $2,999 per person for a balcony stateroom -- an excellent rate for Oceania, especially for these cabin categories. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/10-night-mexican-riviera-cruise.html?id=3478345&source=rss_cruise cruise Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:54:00 -0500 If you're celebrating an important milestone, such as a wedding anniversary or a big birthday, or are planning a reunion-style family vacation, consider the savings with Crystal Cruises' Family Memories Program. For every six guests who book and pay in full on select 2009/2010 cruises, pre-paid gratuities, shipboard credits, group photos, and more will be provided by the line. For a group of 10 full-fare, full-payment guests, you'll receive the perks stated above, plus one free berth! Plus, kids 17 years and yonger sail free as third passengers in the staterooms. Make it a family affair with Crystal, and enjoy this luxury ship sailing to exotic destinations with the ones you love most. Applicable destinations include Eastern and Western Caribbean, South America and a repositioning cruise from Miami to San Diego. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/crystal-cruises-family-savings-program-for-pax.html?id=3848255&source=rss_cruise cruise Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:07:00 -0500 Explore the Caribbean with the whole family on a winter or springtime cruise with Holland America Line. You can add third or fourth passengers to your stateroom for free or a reduced fare. Reduced rates for third and fourth guests are offered on select sailings and vary by sailing, plus no deposit is required. With your choice of Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean itineraries sailing in the months of December, Janurary, February, March and even April, it's never been easier to plan a cruise for the whole family. Fares start from $649 per person. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/caribbean-cruises-3rd-4th-pax-free-reduced-fares.html?id=3848257&source=rss_cruise cruise Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:06:00 -0500 The world's newest contender for biggest-ship-ever, the 220,000-ton, 5,400-passenger http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-cc-group-cruise-on-oasis-of-the-seas.html?id=2755397&source=rss_cruise cruise Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:04:00 -0500 Need to get away soon? There's still space available on the December 12 sailing of Norwegian Pearl, a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise out of Miami. The whole family can enjoy bowling and rock climbing onboard, or trying out all of Norwegian Pearl's many restaurants -- from French cuisine to sushi and Italian. Onshore, hit the beach in Great Stirrup Cay or the shops in St. Thomas. Fares start at $399 per person ($57 a night) for an inside or outside cabin. Book select cabin categories, and you may be eligible for up to $750 in onboard credit or a free coupon book. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-eastern-caribbean-cruise-bonus.html?id=3841312&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:38:00 -0500 Bring the romance back into your life by enjoying a Valentine's Day cruise with your sweetheart. Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas will be sailing a six-night Western Caribbean cruise, departing from Fort Lauderdale on February 14. Create new memories with your loved one as you try surfing and rock climbing, watch an ice skating show or parade, and enjoy romantic dinners at a steakhouse, Italian trattoria and 1950's-style diner -- all onboard. Fares start at $599 per person for an inside cabin. Book a balcony cabin or higher (excluding Category X) and get free prepaid gratuities or up to $750 in onboard credit per cabin. Select inside and outside staterooms may also qualify for special perks. The price isn't the cheapest we've seen on Caribbean cruises, but it's a reasonable price for such an amenity-laden ship. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/6-night-western-caribbean-cruise-bonus.html?id=3841311&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:54:00 -0500 If Alaska has always been on your dream cruise list, start watching for booking specials now! Holland America's Statendam sails an Inside Passage itinerary from Vancouver to Seward departing on May 16, 2010, and prices start at just $479 per person -- or $68 per night. Enjoy the popular ports of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in the comfort of a mid-size ship, and get ready to scout out the perfect place onboard for glacier cruising in Glacier Bay and College Fjord. Plus, book with Cruise.com and receive a complimentary lunch for two at Pinnacle Grill onboard. Sailings in the heart of the region's cruise season are sure to be more expensive, so take advantage of early-bird savings with this bargain and explore the great state of Alaska in 2010. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-alaska-cruise.html?id=3841310&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:29:00 -0500 Here are two great (albeit last-minute) cruise deals for Hawaii before fares skyrocket for the rest of the winter and spring. If you can squeeze in a week-long sailing before the holidays, then jump on NCL's Pride of America departing November 21 (this cruise sails over Thanksgiving) or December 5 roundtrip from Honolulu -- fares for the former start at just $499 per person, and for the latter, $699 per person. Book with Cruise.com and receive up to $800 in savings in the form of an onboard cruise certificates. Regardless of which date you choose, you'll have overnight visits in both Maui and Kauai, and have the opportunity to enjoy the Hawaiian Islands by cruise ship for less than $100 per night! http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-hawaii-cruise.html?id=3841313&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:57:00 -0500 These Caribbean sailings between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays might be just the break you need, and they start from $169 per person -- or only $56 per night. Sail round trip from flashy Miami aboard Norwegian Sky for a three-night cruise to the Bahamas. Choose from three different departure dates: November 27 or December 4 or 11, to begin your mini-break filled with casual Freestyle Cruising and fun! Ports of call include Nassau -- where a peek at the magnificent digs at Atlantis is a good choice -- and Great Stirrup Cay, the line's private island destination. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/3-night-bahamas-cruise.html?id=3841314&source=rss_cruise cruise Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:48:00 -0500 Ignore the sticker shock -- a Silversea cruise for under $400 a night is actually a good deal. On your seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Silver Cloud, you'll enjoy accommodations in a 240-square-foot suite with a picture window, champagne on arrival and as often as you'd like, and multiple dining venues with open seating. And with only 296 guests onboard, you'll never have to wait in a long line for anything. The itinerary is jam-packed with ports and only one sea day, so be prepared to sightsee and explore -- or simply find a beach for a lazy day. Fares start at $2738 per person. http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/7-night-eastern-caribbean-cruise.html?id=3827144&source=rss_cruise cruise Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:38:00 -0500