Sunday, February 29, 2004

Summer in the Mediterranean

Most cruise lines will offer at least a few Mediterranean cruises for what might be a banner year for the region.

Costa Cruise Lines, which specializes in the Mediterranean, will position eight out of nine ships in the Mediterranean this summer: The Costa Victoria and the Costa Mediterranea will be based in Civitavecchia, only an hour from Rome; the Costa Tropical, Atlantica, Romantica, Classica, Fortuna and Europa will be based in Savona (next to Genoa), Italy, operating out of the cruise line's new terminal, built in anticipation of a busy year.

First European Cruises' Azur will be home-ported in Venice; the European Star will cruise out of Barcelona and Genoa; the European Vision out of Genoa and Venice; and the Mistral out of Genoa.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' Diamond and the new Seven Seas Voyager will move around the Mediterranean quite a bit during the summer with cruises departing out of Barcelona, Rome, Istanbul, Venice, Athens and Monte Carlo.

Seabourn Cruise Line has three ships doing Mediterranean cruises. The Seabourn Pride will do 11- and 16-day cruises in April, May and June from Lisbon, Barcelona and Istanbul.

The Seabourn Spirit sails seven-day cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean from Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Venice and Alexandria. The Legend sails seven-day cruises from Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice and Rome.

Celebrity Cruises' Galaxy will be based in Civitavecchia, Italy, and the Millennium will cruise out of Barcelona and Venice. This is the first time the company has had two ships in the Mediterranean.

Cruise deals

At I-cruise.com, a Celebrity cruise to Bermuda starts at $636 per person double plus $216 in port charges and taxes. That's about $342 less than the rate the cruise line is advertising. The weeklong sailing on the Horizon departs Aug. 14 from Philadelphia. Info: 1-866-942-7847; www.icruise.com.

Cruise the Eastern Seaboard between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Savannah, Ga., aboard the Norwegian Crown with a deal from Cruise.com. The 14-day cruise, which sails April 4 roundtrip from Philadelphia, begins at $684 per person double plus $184 in port charges and taxes, a savings of about $408 per couple. Book online at www.cruise.com. Information: 1-800-300-4804.

Cruise Alaska's Inside Passage this summer on the sternwheeler Empress of the North and get free air from Seattle to Sitka, Alaska, plus substantial cruise discounts. The deal, which applies to select sailings, begins at $2,699 per person, double occupancy, for an eight-night cruise, plus $140 in port charges and taxes; usual brochure rate starts at $3,599. Free air is worth about $395 round trip. Info: 1-800-434-1232; www.americanweststeamboat.com.

Free flights

US Airways is the latest airline to offer a fly-three-get-one-free promotion. Buy three round-trip tickets at www.usairways.com and get a round-trip ticket to any of 200 destinations worldwide. The cheapest economy flights can't be used as qualifying flights. Register online; fly qualifying flights by June 15 and travel on the free ticket between Sept. 1, 2004, and June 15, 2005. Taxes are extra. Continental, United and Northwest have similar deals.

Hilton Head

Through June 4, the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island has rates starting at $158 a night for a two-bedroom villa on the resort's Ocean golf course that sleeps up to four. In addition, a six-night reservation brings a seventh night at no extra charge. The Sea Pines section of the island features three golf courses. Ask for the Lowcountry Loafing rate. Availability is limited, and reservations are required. Info: 1-843-785-3333 or www.seapines.com.

Grand Bahama Island

Pelican Bay at Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island is offering grand-opening rates on its 48 new suites. The 750-square-foot suites, all with water views and balconies or patios, are $1,200 a week through April 30; continental breakfast is included. Rates usually begin at $300 a night, for a total savings of $900. Taxes are an extra $14 per night per person. Reserve by March 15. Info: 1-800-600-9192; www.pelicanbayhotel.com.

Jamaica

The exclusive Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is giving a free night to guests who book three nights between March 9 and 31. Rates at the 45-room property begin at $440 per night for a balcony suite, including taxes. Info: 1-800-837-4608; www.jamaicainn.com.

Chicago shopping

If you love to shop, consider a trip to Chicago this spring. The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau is co-sponsoring hotel and shopping packages that include an overnight stay at one of the city's 12 downtown hotels, along with discounts from the city's four major shopping centers, 900 North Michigan Shops, Chicago Place, Water Tower Place and Westfield North Bridge.

"Shoppin' Chicago" packages are available March 5 through May 16 by calling 1-877-2244-2246 or visiting www.877chicago.com. Chicago's Magnificent Mile, from the Chicago River to Oak Street, just steps from Lake Michigan, is the top destination for shopping in Chicago; department stores in the area include Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field's, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, along with specialty stores and boutiques.

The packages begin at $119 and include an overnight stay at such hotels as the Marriott, the Hilton, the Hard Rock Hotel, the Holiday Inn and Le Meridien.

Passover skiing

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in British Columbia is offering a package combining Passover and skiing, two subjects that don't normally show up in the same sentence, no less the same resort.

The Jewish holiday, which begins at sundown on April 5, celebrates the exodus of Jews from ancient Egypt. The centerpiece of the holiday is a Seder, or meal, in which the story is told and traditional and symbolic foods are served.

The April 4 to 14 package offers Seder dinners, activities for children, cooking classes, lectures by Jewish scholars, and yes, ski programs. The package price of $3,768 per person includes three meals daily, lodging and the Passover program. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler was recently named the top ski resort in North America by the readers of the Conde Nast Traveler. For information, visit www.fairmont.com or call 1-604-938-8000.

-- Compiled by Kim Crow from wire reports

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