The Best Cruise Line Deals For 2011

By Author: Colleen Turner
Total Articles: 3
Comment this article

A recent study by a global market research firm, TNS, has found that cruise passengers are more loyal to cruising than other consumers are with other products or services. Undoubtedly, a vacation onboard a cruise line is the ideal way to relax and de-stress. Cruise lines have come up with great discounts and packages that has helped them to stay afloat during the recession. Their strategy has worked well as 15 million people in 2010 (most of them being first time cruise vacationers) chose to take advantage of the best cruise line deals, and vacationed on a cruise liner. If you live in the Seattle area, there are several deals you can take advantage of.

This year, cruise liners have come up with even better cruise line deals. Outside of their enticing deals and attractive packages, destinations have been chosen with care. If you appreciate wildlife scenery and/or are a photography fan, Seattle Alaskan cruises are just the right thing for you. For cruisers who wish to get up close and personal with the Alaskan wildlife, Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess leaves on a 10 day sojourn in August. The package starts from $889 ...
... and ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and British Columbia.

Food and wine have always been an integral part of cruise vacations. Some cruise lines have decided to take this interest a little further with food and wine themed cruises. If you’re a wine enthusiast looking for wine cruises, set sail on Avalon’s “Tranquility” for a wine river cruise. As the ship cruises along the river Danube, learn the difference between an Austrian Gruner Veltliner and a German Riesling Spatlese. Distinguished wine authorities describe the various grape varieties and the qualities to look for in a good wine. You can also participate in a wine tasting excursion in Prague, or visit the legendary Austrian Wachau Wine Valley.

And for those looking to enjoy a laidback vacation on a small cruise ship, consider a river cruise aboard a Uniworld Boutique River cruise ship that sets sail from Amsterdam and travels to Bucharest sailing on the Rhine, Main and the Danube rivers with stops in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria. What’s even better is that you get you save up to $800 per couple on this voyage!

But if you’re looking for the best cruise prices in Seattle, there are several travel agencies that specialize in cruise travel and are well connected with cruise lines. When booking through a travel agency make sure that they are well established and affiliated with international associations like the CLIA. An affiliation with these associations is an indication that the travel agency follows industry set standards. If you are a first time vacationer, and apprehensive about traveling on a cruise ship, cruise travel experts can help you book the right cruise ship and the best cruise line deal.

Turner is an expert on cruise travel and has written several articles on Seattle river cruises and Seattle Alaskan cruises. She also helps people find the best cruise deals in Seattle.