Finding deals on Europe cruises

A slumping economy, foundering housing market and fears of a recession have many of us pinching pennies and looking for bargains, especially in Europe where the U.S. dollar has lost nearly 40 percent of its value in the last five years alone.

Bill Kraus, president and CEO of cruiseclubofamerica.com, said, "There appears to be a glut of ads offering onboard and shore-excursion credits as well as prepaid gratuities as a booking incentives. There also are more air-inclusive promotions being offered to Europe by various cruise lines as a means of combating the higher cost of airfare ..."

"It is almost shocking," said travel agent Jean Simpson Mallory of Hartford, Conn., "to put in print the offer of $399 ($479 including port charges) on a seven-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship, the Gem." The ship sails round-trip from Barcelona, Spain, stopping in Valletta, Malta; Naples, Civitavecchia and Livorno in Italy, and Villefranche, France. The special offer is available only on cruises that depart Oct. 25, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.

Azamara Cruises, according to Mallory, "is offering unheard-of shipboard credits of up to $800 per stateroom on its European 'Premiere Event."' The offer is applicable to all sailings and itineraries, she notes.

The Yachts of Seabourn adds its own brand of discount for the well-heeled: two-for-one offers on business-class air plus a 40-percent savings on many Europe sailings. On the luxe line's 13-night trans-Atlantic from Ft Lauderdale to Lisbon, Portugal, fares aboard the Seabourn Pride start at $2,998 — half the regular rate — plus a shipboard credit and a complimentary shore event. Celebrity Cruises promotes a discounted 14-night trans-Atlantic on Nov. 29, sailing from Barcelona visiting Malaga, Spain; Madeira, Portugal; Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Palma in the Canary Islands and St. Maarten, ending in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Outside cabin fares begin at $999 including a port charge of $229.

MSC Cruises is offering "Suite Deals" on select seven-night Europe sailings on Sinfonia departing from Civitavecchia, Italy, through May 25 that amount to savings of 60 percent off brochure rates. For example, a suite on Sinfonia's April 13, seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary is $1,599 per adult double occupancy, plus an additional $71.50 per person for government fees/taxes and a fuel surcharge. The ship calls at Genoa, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Valencia, Spain; Valletta, Malta, and Tunis, Tunisia.

Cruiseclubofamerica's Kraus offers several top bargain picks. Fares below are per person, double occupancy and include port charges. Prices and availability are subject to change. For specific rates and fares, contact a travel agent or the cruise line.

Suite fares start at $4,925, including round-trip airfare, for Regent Seven Seas' seven-night cruise aboard the Navigator from Athens to Monte Carlo on June 7.

Fares for an inside cabin on Cunard's June 8, 24-night, Mediterranean cruise on the Queen Mary 2, including round-trip from New York City, begin at $4,759. Plus this bonus: $150 onboard stateroom credit.

Crystal's seven-night, Athens to Venice aboard Crystal Serenity on June 6 offers ocean-view staterooms for $3,225.

Inside cabin prices start at $1,599 for Princess Cruises' 12-night, Barcelona-to-Venice cruise on Emerald Princess on May 24. These low fares also include two windfalls: Free upgrades where available and an onboard stateroom credit.

Royal Caribbean's 12-night "Best of Italy & Mediterranean" cruise, round-trip from Barcelona on Brilliance of the Seas, departing Oct. 20, has inside staterooms going for as low as $1,449, including a $200 discount booklet and an onboard stateroom credit.