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Warm Caribbean sailings — with a twist

With the peak Caribbean cruise season almost here, it’s the perfect time to book a sun-drenched sailing at a discount.
Image: Norwegian Gem
The giant passenger liner "Norwegian Gem" moors in Eemshaven, Netherlands, earlier this fall. If you want to explore the exotic Southern Caribbean shores this January, book the reduced 11-nighter on the vessel. Read on for details.David Hecker / AFP - Getty Images file
/ Source: ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL

Book by: ASAP
Travel by: Fall 2008

The deal
With the peak Caribbean cruise season almost here, it’s the perfect time to book a sun-drenched sailing at a discount. We suggest you skip the same old run-of-the-mill itineraries and go for a voyage with a fresh new twist. We have three ideally priced options if you want to head off the beaten Caribbean path. Each of these splendid cruises calls at lesser-visited island destinations, with rates as low as $469 for a weeklong exotic Western Caribbean sailing aboard “Carnival Legend.”

Exotic Southern Caribbean on ‘Norwegian Gem’
To explore the exotic Southern Caribbean shores this January, book the reduced 11-nighter on one of the newest ships afloat, “Norwegian Gem.” With the deal we found, you can enjoy discounts of 32 percent off the brochure price. The January 5 departure is on sale for $1,279 in an inside cabin ($1,479 for oceanview). You’ll hit high seas from New York, en route visiting St Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, and Tortola. Add in four entire days at sea and you’re in for a real cruise treat aboard “Norwegian Gem,” which just made her inaugural sailing in October 2007.

Offbeat Western Caribbean on ‘Carnival Legend’
You can reap early-bird savings of 72 percent off rack rates by booking an exotic Western Caribbean cruise aboard “Carnival Legend.” The ship may not depart at this low price until September 2008 but the savings make the long wait worth it. The regular price for this weeklong journey is listed at $1,669 for inside cabin lodging but this deal reduces it to just $469 ($589 for oceanview; $689 for balcony). The ship departs roundtrip from Tampa and stops at Grand Cayman, Mexico, Belize, and the Bay Islands in Honduras. There are also two days at sea aboard well-equipped “Carnival Legend.”

Disney cruise with a twist next fall for less
We also spotted a terrific early-bird bargain departing Florida next October aboard “Disney Magic.” Priced at just $1,059 in an inside cabin, this special seven-night Western Caribbean cruise with a visit to Mexico’s Costa Maya reflects a discount of 43 percent. It sets sail from Florida’s Port Canaveral on September 16, visiting Disney’s private Caribbean island of Castaway Cay for two days as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. The route also covers two entire days at sea. For sea vistas from your own oceanview cabin, you can dish out the affordable $1,154.

The dollars
See details above.

The catch
The latter two cruises involve a long wait before you hit high seas.

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