Book by: ASAP
Travel by: Embark November 22 and November 30
The deal
As fall ends, the Mediterranean cruise season comes to a close and Caribbean sailings get under way full throttle. For those that act fast, there are a still a couple of straggler Mediterranean sailings that feature a nice mix of beach ports and historical sites on their itineraries — and offer rates of up to 78 percent off, to boot! These last-minute offers from Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International start from just $439 for interior cabins. So make the most of those leftover vacation days and book one of these low-cost cruises to Turkey, Greece, Croatia, and beyond (some itineraries even include exotic ports in Egypt and Morocco), before the last of the flock head south to settle down for winter in Caribbean waters.
Visit three continents in 12 days all for the low price of $439 — that’s an incredible 78 percent off brochure rates! Foodies will appreciate the Norwegian Jade and its 12 international restaurants with menus ranging from French to fusion fare. Departing from Barcelona on November 30, the first two stops on this Mediterranean voyage are classic Rome and Athens, followed by Izmir in Turkey, where you can relax in the therapeutic waters of the Balcova hot springs or tour the architecture that remains from Roman and Byzantine periods. At the next port in Alexandria, Egypt (also known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”) scope out one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the lighthouse on the island of Pharos. The final port of call on this journey is Valletta, Malta — much of the architecture inside this walled city is inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Combined with some fascinating museums, it’s an excellent way to finish out the cruise before journeying back to Barcelona. This offer from Cruise.com also includes up to $150 onboard spending credit.
Departing from Venice, the first stop on Royal Caribbean’s Splendor of the Seas is Dubrovnik in Croatia, which oozes charm in its historical sites and streets (including a medieval wall that encompasses the city). Next up is Santorini, Greece — if images of cliff-side homes overlooking the picturesque Aegean Sea come to mind when imagining Greece, that daydream is here in the ether on this picturesque island. Visitors can opt to unwind on black-sand beaches formed by the island’s active volcano or to bathe in a soothing hot spring. The next port of call is Tunis, the modern capital of Tunisia, which has recently seen a surge in tourism and was even included in our Top 10 Places to Go in 2008. The next port is Malaga, Spain, an area custom-tailored for passengers looking to spend a lazy day in the sun before the ship sails to Casablanca, Morocco. Although much has changed since the movie that bears its name, there is still a charm resting in Casablanca’s markets and peaceful mosques. The final disembarkation port on the voyage is Lisbon, Portugal. This ship sets sail on November 22; prices start at just $499 for interior cabins.
The dollars
All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Accommodations, meals, some beverages, entertainment, and port charges are covered in the cost. Government fees and taxes as well as off-boat expenditures are extra.
The catch
Good luck turning up the 10-plus days of vacation time you’ll need to embark on one of these bargain last-minute sailings.
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