Editors' Travel Deal Review

Early-bird savings off five-star cruises, from $1799

High life on high seas at seriously reduced cost

By ShermansTravel Staff

June 17, 2008 02:41 pm EDT

Book By:  ASAP

Travel By:  February 2009

How about treating yourself to a truly classy Caribbean cruise? Now you can, with the threesome of terrific early-bird sailings we found. These sunny voyages depart on various dates from November through February 2009, all aboard five-star ships. Prices start as low as $1799 and mark-downs go as high as 48%. Book now and then wait a few months to hit high seas in high style!

Caribbean aboard Seven Seas Navigator
For a Caribbean sailing aboard one of top-rated ships afloat, look no further than the early-bird CruisesOnly special we found. In January 2009, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Navigator sets sail from Fort Lauderdale, on a seven-night circuit of Eastern Caribbean islands. This voyage is now on sale for only $2920! In fact, book a suite on this five-star ocean liner and you will be saving 48% off the brochure price. En route, the ship calls at Princess Cays, the cruise line’s private island; San Juan in Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Grand Turk Island. Two days at sea are also covered in the itinerary.

Sail the Caribbean on Seabourn Legend
Our second favorite cruise special comes courtesy of Orbitz, at a discount of 40%. The exclusive Seabourn Legend hits high seas next February on an eight-night Caribbean odyssey from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Thomas for $3298! The all-suite ship visits the following: Grand Turk Island; St. John on US Virgin Islands; Gustavia on St. Barths; Marigot on Saint Martin; Virgin Gorda; and Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. It also covers two days at sea aboard Seabourn Legend of which CruiseCritic.com writes, “with an abundance of public space and so few (and quiet) fellow passengers, cruising on the Legend is more like sailing on your own personal yacht with several friends.”

Southern Caribbean aboard Wind Surf
We also spotted a Vacation Outlet cruise special for seven-night Southern Caribbean sailings next fall and winter (Nov 30, Dec 14 and Jan 11) aboard high-ranked Wind Surf. These weeklong voyages are now priced at a very low $1799 in an oceanview stateroom. The ship ventures roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados, making stops at several off-the-beaten-path islands along the way. Those include Tobago, Grenada, Grenadines, and Dominica. You’ll sail aboard Wind Surf, described by CruiseCritic.com as “one of the world's most distinctive cruise ship” with “a casual, free-spirited yacht-like atmosphere”. Later departures go up in price to a hefty $2249!

The rates above are listed per person, based on double occupancy. The cost covers onboard accommodations, meals and entertainment, as well as port charges. You’ll just have to dish out extra for government taxes and fees, as well as any shore excursions you may decide to take.

Onboard extras come with quite a price tag aboard five-star ships.

For the Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing, check out www.cruisesonly.com or call 1-800-CRUISES and mention ShermansTravel.

For the Seabourn cruise, go to www.orbitz.com or call 1-888-656-8184 and mention ShermansTravel.

For the Windstar voyage, visit www.vacationoutlet.com or call 1-800-TAKEOFF and mention ShermansTravel.