What's so special
about cut-rate cruising of the waters off Alaska and Europe? It's
a matter of location and popularity. Given the glut of cruise
ships, it'll be easy this spring and summer to find off-season,
one-week sailings of the familiar Caribbean for $599 per
person--and even less. To do that, you have only to contact the
cruise consolidators and discount brokers listed in previous
issues of Budget Travel or advertised in this one.
But what if you
want to cruise the far more heavily desired summer locations of
Alaska and Europe? To achieve savings in the Mediterranean, the
North Sea, the Baltic, or in the waters off Juneau, Sitka, and
Skagway, we've turned to nine prominent sources of cruise
discounts and asked them to offer up--for our valued readers--the
few ships and the limited dates on which they can bring you
guaranteed low prices and quality amenities, as described in their
own words. And that's what they've done. The numbers to call, or
the Web sites to access, accompany each statement; prices do not
include airfare to and from the embarkation port.
Europe
Mediterranean
Shipping Cruises' Melody
Nominated by Sheri Langer, president, Cruise Away
(800/225-7447)
Departures: May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8;
Sept. 16, 23, 30; Oct. 7, 14 Itinerary (7 nights): Genoa,
Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma de Majorca, Barcelona, Marseilles,
Genoa
Cruise Away has
inside cabins for $699 per person, double occupancy (all
departures), plus airfare and $99 in port charges.
"The Melody's
itinerary is unbeatable this summer, and the ship itself is really
delightful. It's an older ship, built in 1982, but it was updated
five years ago and has a comfortable, modern feel. And because it
carries only 1,076 passengers, there's a good sense of intimacy on
board. Rooms are nice-sized, and I really like the food, but the
overwhelmingly positive feedback we get from our customers comes
down to the warm, genial Italian crew."
Celebrity's
Galaxy
Nominated by Steven Gelfuso, owner/president, Cruise Brothers
(800/827-7779)
Departures: May 19; June 2, 16, 30; July 14
Itinerary (14 nights): Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki,
St. Petersburg, Gdansk, Rostock, Copenhagen, Amsterdam (July 14
sailing: Amsterdam, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Visby,
Riga, Gdynia, Rostock, Copenhagen, Oslo, Amsterdam)
Cruise Brothers has
inside cabins for $1,499 per person, double occupancy, for all
departure dates, including port charges, but plus airfare.
"I love cruising in
this part of the world--the waters and the landscapes are just so
beautiful--and Celebrity has put together a really terrific
itinerary. As experienced cruisers know, the food service on this
line is legendary, and the Galaxy lives up to its billing.
It's also one of the newest and most elegant ships Celebrity has;
it was built in 1996 and carries 1,870. If you could compare a
cruise ship to a hotel chain, I'd liken the Galaxy to
staying in a Four Seasons hotel--at a little bit over $100 a day
at the height of the season including port charges, this is a
remarkable price."
Holland America
Lines' Noordam
Nominated by David Lampe, director of the cruise division,
Cheap Tickets (888/878-7487)
Departures: June 10, 20, 30
Itinerary (10 nights): Copenhagen, Tallinn, St. Petersburg,
Helsinki, Stockholm, Kalmar, Warnemunde, Copenhagen
Cheap Tickets has
inside cabins starting at $1,475 per person, double occupancy (all
dates), plus airfare and $190 in port charges.
"Though one of the
older ships on the water (in service since 1982), this
1,214-passenger liner is one of the most pleasant ships going--it
seems as if Holland America wants to make up for the Noordam's
relative age by outfitting her with one of the most attentive
crews you'll find anywhere. Again, Holland America cabins are
significantly larger than average and prettily turned out. Food is
good (if rarely great), but always maintains a more than
acceptable standard. All in all, it's always one of the better
values afloat."
Norwegian Cruise
Lines' Norwegian Dream
Nominated by Larry Fishkin, president, Leisure Link
International (888/801-8808)
Departures: June 5, July 11
Itinerary (12 days): London, Dover, Copenhagen, Tallinn, St.
Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Kalmar, Warnemunde, Copenhagen,
London
Leisure Link has
inside cabins starting at $1,649 (June 5) and $1,749 (July 11) per
person, double occupancy, plus airfare and approximately $260 in
port charges.
"Nine years old,
this midsized vessel (1,754 passengers) offers a good introduction
for first-timers--cabins are smartly laid-out and adequate in
size, the quality of dining is consistently good if not epicurean,
the basic activities are all on hand, and amenities such as its
fitness center and children's programs are all professionally run.
As full fares for these European cruises generally start in the
$3,500 range, these prices represent considerable savings."
Alaska
Holland America
Lines' Ryndam
Nominated by Pat Webb, president, GalaxSea Cruises and Tours
(800/662-5450)
Departures: May 11; June 1, 8, 15
Itinerary (7 nights): Vancouver, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier
Bay
GalaxSea has cabins
starting at $642 (May 11), $842 (June 1), and $909 (June 8, 15)
per person, double occupancy, plus airfare and port charges of
approximately $172.
"A cozy ship
holding 1,266 passengers, the Ryndam is notable for its
impressive decor (including a lovely collection of antique
pieces). It is an old-fashioned luxury liner that belies its
intimate size--compared with the 3,200-passenger behemoths coming
out these days. Cuisine is quite good, and plentiful even by
cruise ship standards. Holland America's exemplary service,
commodious cabins, and mature clientele can all be found on this
vessel."
Celebrity
Cruises' Mercury
Nominated by Don Walker, vice president of channel marketing,
Cruises Only (800/895-3771)
Departures: May 18, 25
Itinerary (7 days): Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway,
Hubbard Glacier, Valdez, Seward
Cruises Only has
inside cabins starting at $749 (May 18) and $799 (May 25) per
person, double occupancy, including port charges, but plus
airfare.
"It seems as if
this 1,870-cabin ship has been around for ages (such is the
dizzying pace of construction), but in fact it has only been in
service since 1997. Like other Celebrity vessels, the focal point
of the Mercury is its food service, with not only fine
cuisine in its dining rooms and nice touches such as a martini
bar, but also 24-hour room service. Staterooms are relatively
spacious and definitely well designed, and public areas are
stylish. This ship also does a good job keeping children well
occupied."
Holland America
Lines' Statendam
Nominated by Duke Butler, president, Spur Of the Moment Cruises
(800/343-1991)
Departures: May 6, 13, 20, 27
Itinerary (7 days): Vancouver, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay
Spur of the Moment
has inside cabins starting at $799 (May 6 and 13), $899 (May 20),
and $999 (May 27) per person, double occupancy, including port
charges, but plus airfare.
"One of four
more-or-less identical vessels launched by Holland America in
1992, the Statendam (capacity: 1,266) is an intimate ship
distinguished by this cruise line's unsurpassable service. The
food generally exceeds the quality you'd expect at this price, and
cabins are very spacious. This ship does tend to attract an older
crowd--families might want to consider other options. However, if
quiet and elegance are what attract you most, the Statendam
is a solid choice."
Royal Caribbean
Lines' Rhapsody of the Seas
Nominated by Tara Rogers, vice president, public relations,
WorldWide Cruises (800/882-9000)
Departures: May 25; June 1, 8
Itinerary (7 nights): Vancouver, Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau,
Sitka, Hubbard Glacier
World Wide has
inside cabins starting at $649 per person, double occupancy, not
including port charges, government fees, or airfare.
"At a
2,000-passenger capacity, this is close in size to the brand new
megacruisers, and with only four years of service under its belt,
it's one of the newest as well. (Hence, among other amenities,
there's a cyber-lounge.) Don't expect the world's largest
staterooms, but they're of adequate size. The level of cuisine is
fine if unspectacular, but the entertainment is significantly
better than average--and so are the children's programs."
Carnival
Cruises' Carnival Spirit
Nominated by Dan Livergood, senior director of cruise center
operations, Travelbyus (800/657-2602, ask for Anna)
Departure: July 25
Itinerary (7 nights): Anchorage, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau,
Ketchikan, Vancouver
Travelbyus has
inside cabins for $1,271 per person, double occupancy, including
port charges and complimentary shore excursions in Juneau,
Skagway, and Ketchikan, but plus airfare.
"This is a brand
new ship, highly desired, and one that isn't normally available at
that price level for a peak-season departure. When you consider
that not only port charges but free shore excursions are included
in our rate, you'll understand the purchasing power of Travelbyus,
a membership group of 2,200 travel agencies, one of which will be
assigned to handle your booking when you call"
