This
Summer's Best Cruise Bargains
by Randolph Slater
|
From the most desirable spring/summer
sailings of Europe and Alaska, nine prominent cruise brokers have
selected their own best buys and confided them to us (we're
honored!) in their own words
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."
