Summer cruise prices "ridiculously low"

mercedes · May 21, 2009

How good are the cruise deals this summer?

Some people in the industry, like Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Kevin Sheehan, say prices are “ridiculously low”.

We asked some travel agents to send us some examples of what they thought were the top summer deals this year.

And some of the prices they are advertising would seem too good to be true in any other economy. Especially in Alaska and Europe, where until this year, demand was so high cruise lines were able to get their best premiums.

Now, it’s where consumers can find some of the best deals.

CruiseOne is offering a seven-night Holland American Line cruise from Seward, Alaska starting at $349.

America's Vacation Center (AVC) is advertising seven-night Alaska cruises starting at $399 on both Holland and Princess Cruises, and a seven-night Celebrity cruise out of Seward on June 5 that starts at $449 - with a free coupon book for onboard spending.

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president of sales, said Royal’s seven-night Alaska cruise on the Radiance of the Seas, starting at $499 in July, would cost “more than double” a year ago.

Also this summer, the airfare to Europe could set you back more than seven days at sea.

For $599, AVC has a seven-night cruise out of Barcelona on Norwegian Gem’s August 30th departure.

Brad Tolkin, president of CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., said that the deals get better the higher you go.

“The discounts on the premium and luxury lines is double on a percentage basis than what it is on the mega ships,” he said.

For example, CruiseOne is offering a twelve-night Scandinavia/Russia cruise from $1,499 on Azamara Cruises in July.