Looking for new cruise deals we pass right by those that offer a discount on a price that was lower last week and probably will be again once the ‘sale’ is over.  We skip those with highly restrictive terms that sound good up front but can come back to bite buyers later.  Instead, we look for value; not so much what we pay but what we get in return.  Via a variety of sources, we found a few exceptional offers, changes to existing programs and more that offer real value and are worthy of consideration.

Carnival CHEERS! Price Reduced
Using Carnival Cruise Lines‘ CHEERS! beverage program, cruise travelers can enjoy a wide variety of wine, beer and spirits (including cocktails and frozen drinks), along with sodas and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails throughout the voyage at one convenient flat rate plus a 15% gratuity added on at the time of purchase of the program.

Effective with cruise departures 8/08/14 and onward, prices have been reduced.  Formerly $49.50 per person per day, pricing is now based on cruise length as follows:

• 3 day cruise: $55.00 per day plus 15% gratuity
• 4 day cruise: $45.00 per day plus 15% gratuity
• 5 day and 6 day cruise: $42.50 per day plus 15% gratuity
• 7 day and longer cruise: $37.50 per day plus 15% gratuity  (the obvious winner here)

Carnival Solo Cruise Travelers Catch A Break 
Those who travel by themselves commonly pay twice the per-person price that two people pay in the exact same stateroom. When you hear talk of the ‘single supplement”, that’s what they are referring to.  Occasionally, cruise lines will reduce the price for solos during the discount phase of the booking cycle; that period of time close to sailing when occasional discounts occur like Senior Discounts, Resident Discounts, Military Discounts and more.

Huge announcement (in the world of singles) from Carnival:Single occupancy rates on all sailings are now 150% of the per person double-occupancy fare.

Effective August 1st, all applicable single occupancy bookings made under any available rate code were charged 150% of the cruise fare when booking an interior, ocean view, and balcony stateroom on qualifying sailings.

 

First-ever Seabourn Food & Wine CruiseSaveur magazine recently named Seabourn the “Best Culinary Cruise Line.” Now you can join an elite team of Seabourn’s top food & wine experts on a connoisseur’s cruise of the revered culinary along the coast of the Mediterranean.

Sailing on Seabourn Sojourn Monte Carlo to Rome, we will be on board for the Oct. 30, 2014 sailing, highlighted by:

• Expanded optional shore excursions to local wineries in ports of call
• Demonstrations and guest menus by Celebrity chefs from France and Italy
• Expanded Shopping with the Chef adventures in Provence, Tuscany and Sicily
• Daily tastings of local foods and wines on board
• Local ingredients and regional flavors featured throughout the voyage
• Festive deck events and gala luncheons

Value?  This 11-Day Best of the Riviera Food & Wine all inclusive luxury cruise starts at $4,999 per person for a balcony suite.

 

Royal Caribbean Buy One-Get One Half Off Holiday Offer
Having the best time at the best time of the year is at the top of everyone’s holiday wish list. And that’s just what you get when you book a Royal Caribbean International holiday cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

Through September 15, when the first guest pays full fare, the second guest sails for 50% off.  Offer available on 3 – 8 Night Bahamas and Caribbean sailings between December 15 – 31, 2014

 

Royal Caribbean Shipping Julia Series
This has little to do with $value but a whole lot to do with getting the most out of your cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean International continues to grow their partnership with Awesomeness TV with a new series. Shipping Julia. a six-episode scripted series inspired by Romeo and Juliet, shot on Allure of the Seas. The series follows 17 year-old Julia, who goes on a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation with her family after a bad breakup.  Check out the first episode here: