Find that deal - Living Well Travel
Alicia VillarosaYou can surf discount-travel Web sites like expedia.com, travelocity.com or travelzoo.com, or log on to a cruise line's own site to check its unadvertised specials. Other good sites:
BERLITZBOOKS.COM OR (800) 432-6277 Berlitz publishes Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships, perhaps the most comprehensive guide on cruising available. It profiles more than 250 ships now sailing the high seas and previews liners preparing for maiden voyages. Each is rated by the Maritime Evaluations Group, an independent international agency. The guidebook is also available at most national bookstores.
CRUISECAFE.COM OR (800) 788-2545 Its specialty: discount cruises. The site posts an extensive list of bargains weekly. There's also a detailed FAQ page, maps, weather forecasts and a section that posts airport delays.
CRUISE4MILES.COM OR (888) 666-8120 The official cruise partner of United Airlines. You can redeem frequent-flier miles for cruises, sign up for weekly E-mails listing cruise deals and take advantage of special airfares when flying as part of a cruise package.
CRUISE411.COM OR (800) 553-7090 The company guarantees a discount on every cabin and lists all sorts of deals, including last-minute offers and upgrades. A "Cruise Buzz" section supplies the latest news for every major line.
CRUISEPAGE.COM OR (866) 469-4733 You'll find numerous search engines that let you browse cruise offerings based on your own criteria.
CRUISING.ORG The official site of the CLIA, it posts announcements about events. You can sign up for specials and do a side-by-side comparison of cruise vacations.
SOULOFAMERICA.COM This full-service Black travel site offers Soulful Cruises, which go to destinations associated with our roots in the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. Many of the sailings feature guest lecturers and provide networking opportunities.
UNIGLOBETRAVELDESIGNERS.COM OR (800) 966-6512 This Black-owned company has hot deals on CLIA-affiliated cruise lines as well as group specials like its Harambe (Swahili for "coming together") cruise in October 2004.
VACATIONSTOGO.COM OR (800) 383-4962 This comprehensive site lists cruise specials and amenities and rates ships using from one to five stars.
Alicia Villarosa is a freelance writer who lives in Brooklyn. Turn the page for the 411 on cruise operators.
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