For a longer budget cruise getaway, try cruising to Atlantic Canada in the fall. Budget Travel Magazine's online edition listed a seven-night, eight-day cruise leaving from New York City for $699 per person, plus $79 in port fees, in October 2010. The price includes all entertainment, meals and wine, which saves you even more money. With stops in Newfoundland, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, you are guaranteed to enjoy a good seafood meal on land and enjoy the changing fall colors in these historic spots.
MSC Cruises USA INC
6750 North Andrews Ave., Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-772-6262
877-665-4655
msccruises.com
Mark Twain described the classic luxury Mississippi river boats as "floating palaces." Choose the two-day, one-night Mississippi riverboat cruise on the Twilight if you are looking for an unusual and luxurious but cheap cruise getaway. The ornate Victorian architecture and décor of this classic steamboat is a departure from modern cruise ships. Your steamboat cruise starts in Cairo, Iowa, and ends in Dubuque, Ill. Along the way, you pass one of only two authentic Dutch windmills in operation in the United States. The cruise goes through Mississippi State Park and a river lock. You will likely see eagles, pelicans, egrets and blue herons. All meals and entertainment are included. September 2010 prices were $329 for double occupancy, $369 for single occupancy, $189 and $159 for children ages 10 to 14 and 3 to 9 respectively. Infants up to 35 months travel free. Preferred rates are available at The Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, Ill., for Twilight passengers.
River Cruises
406 Franklin St.
Scales Mound, IL 61075
800-331-1467
riverboattwilight.com
If your favorite part of cruising is being on the cruise ship, you should try a cruise to nowhere. The cruise ship goes out on the ocean, but doesn't stop on land until the end of the cruise. Forgoing the expense of shore excursions and the docking fees that your cruise company would have to pay can decrease the price of your trip. Carnival Cruises offers a three-day cruise to nowhere from Vancouver, British Columbia. Starting prices in September 2010 ranged from $179 per person for an inside room to $479 for a suite. You can have all the fun cruising on the Pacific Ocean, and maybe afford a better room than on a cruise with shore excursions.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
888-227-6482
carnival.com
American Express offers a simple online tool that lets you compare up to three cruises to get the best price for the date and place that you want to cruise. First, you select options such as location and cruise company. Next choose to select the options by price. Then click on the "compare" check box for up to three cruises. Finally, click on "compare." The site will show details of your three cruise choices side by side. The details include: location, number of days, cruise line, lowest price, ship name, itinerary, a short description and the starting price for inside, outside, balcony and suite cabins. Once you have selected your inexpensive cruise choice, you can send in your trip request from the same page as the comparison tool. American Express Travel will reply with the trip availability and suggestions.
American Express Travel
374 Park Ave.
New York City, NY 10022
800-999-2599
americanexpress.com
