Cheap cruise discount

CHEAP TRIPS; Cruise rates on discount for autumn, winter deals

Last fall, after Sept. 11, cruise prices hit rock bottom, as cruise lines tried to overcome travelers' fears by offering unprecedented discounts.

This year, with economic uncertainty, continued recovery from 9/ 11 and world conditions, cruise pricing continues to favor the consumer. And even though it's unlikely the prices will go as low as last year, there are plenty of deals out there, according to Tim Gallagher, Carnival spokesman.

The deals are not hard to find either. Just call your travel agent or check the cruise lines' Web sites, and you will discover plenty of offerings of one-week sailings for less than $500.

Carnival (www.carnival.com; 800-819-3902) for instance, has select departures of the Carnival Victory and smoke-free (no smoking is allowed onboard) Carnival Paradise, both from Miami, on seven-day western Caribbean itineraries, priced from only $479 double occupancy.

Carnival is not the only line with fabulous discounts. Royal Caribbean has several seven-day sailings priced from only $399.

Cruise the western Caribbean on the Enchantment of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on select dates in October, November and December. Also from $399, are sailings of Grandeur of the Seas on Nov. 2, 16 and 30, for a western Caribbean itinerary from New Orleans; and on Rhapsody of the Seas on a western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston, Texas, in October, November and December. For reservations, call 888-307-8413; or go to www.royalcaribbean.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line (www.ncl.com; 800-327-7030) is touting specials on its Web site, including seven-day southern Caribbean sailings from San Juan on the Norwegian Sky priced from $399, and seven-day eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami on the Norway, priced from only $279.

You also can find incredible last-minute fares at cruise-oriented Web sites.

At the Uniglobe site (www.uniglobe.com) recently, for instance, a seven-night cruise on the Norway, for a Sunday departure, was offered from only $249 a person.

Icruise.com had the Carnival Destiny from $319 for a seven-day southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan on Oct. 27; and seven-day sailings on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas in November priced from only $233 a person.

At Cruise411, I found Holland America cruises offered from $399 for one-week itineraries. And Cruise.com has Celebrity Cruises' Horizon priced from $459 for a seven-day western Caribbean sailing from Tampa, Fla., in December.

Be aware these low-end prices are for inside cabins (without windows), and are likely to sell out fast. The best bet to snag a great rate is to be flexible with your travel plans.

- $99 Ireland Fares: Aer Lingus has reduced its special Web fares for late fall and winter travel. Act fast and you can snag an online fare of $99 each way between Boston and Dublin or Shannon. The special fares are available for travel Nov. 15 to March 29 (holiday blackout dates apply), and need to be booked by Oct. 15. Visit www.aerlingus.com.