Grand Circle extends discounts for 2009 cruises in Europe

[mercedes]

Add Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises to the list of companies adding or extending sales for 2009 voyages to jump start sagging bookings.

The small ship line says it is extending the deadline to book its recent offer of $800 to $1,800 discounts on river cruises in Europe to May 4. The unusual offer -- the line normally doesn't discount to such an extent -- initially was scheduled to expire later this month. It applies to cruises in Europe between May and November.

Grand Circle offers a wide range of river cruise itineraries on European rivers such as the Seine, Rhine and Danube on vessels that carry 46 to 164 passengers.

Some of the discounts the line is offering for upcoming cruises are quite steep. They range from up to $800 per cabin off a 13-day cruise on the Seine river from Paris to Normandy (prices start at $2,995 per person, including airfare) to up to $1,800 per cabin off a 16-day "Great Rivers of Europe" trip on the Rhine and Danube through Germany and Austria (prices start at $2,195 per person, including airfare).

For more information on the sale, visit Grand Circle's website, gct.com, or call at 800-248-3737.