What’s the Deal?

This week’s best travel bargains around the globe

Land

• Book five nights at the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on the Caribbean island of Nevis and get half off the cost of a second room, a total discount of more than 25 percent. With the Family Getaway package, four people in two rooms for five nights starts at $ 5,533 through May 31 (normally $ 7,511) and $ 5,035 from June through October (normally $ 6,847). Price includes daily breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner; island tour with picnic lunch; rain forest hike or catamaran cruise; airport transfers; and taxes and fees. Book and travel by Oct. 31. Info: 800-742-6008, www.nisbetplantation.com.

• Spend two consecutive weekend nights at any IHG hotel and receive a $ 75 prepaid MasterCard. The Vacation Pay promo is valid Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through Sept. 3. More than 4,500 hotels and all of the com…………… continues on Washington Post

Cruises have long been promoted as all-inclusive vacations, but the list of amenities that passengers must pay for is growing. However, cruise lines periodically offer bargains that include onboard credits, which can help offset that hot stone massage you want to splurge on. For example, on certain trans-Atlantic cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line in the fall, CruiseDeals.com is throwing in $ 150 in onboard spending money for things like spa treatments and specialty restaurants. (Rates on the new Norwegian Epic start at $ 749 a person for a 13-day cruise from Barcelona to Miami, or about $ 58 a day, when booked through CruiseDeals.)

– Michelle Higgins, New York Times News Service

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Florida Today

May 16, 2012 By: News Wire

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Celebrity Cruises‘ Celebrity Millenium is the fourth and final Millennium class ship to complete the line’s $ 140 million revitalization. The initiative was completed in less than two years, with each ship completeing the massive transformation over the course of only a three-week drydock.

Some of the Solstice class features added to the Millenium Class ships are Celebrity’s AquaClass category of staterooms with private verandas, specialty restaurant Blu, a Persian Garden and a Relaxation Room in the AquaSpa. The Celebrity exclusive restaurant Qsine, introduced on the Celebrity Eclipse in 2010 is now featured on the Celebrity Infinity, …………… continues on Travel Agent

In my last post, I highlighted several Mediterranean cruise deals, and Celebrity continues to offer them. However, the great deals are now extending across Europe, where prices are much better compared to other cruise regions. Weak European economies seem to be curbing demand, and this is good news for many cruisers. If you’ve ever wanted to tour Europe, this summer is shaping up to be a great time to do it.

Some of the best deals this week are below. (Note: These deals were valid as of our checking last night, but keep in mind that deals can change quickly.)

Cunard Queen Elizabeth

• 14-night Baltic/Scandinavia cruise from Southampton on June 5 is now offering ocean-view cabins for $ 2,217 (down from $ 4,195 last week), interior cabins for $ 1,997 (down from $ 3,495) and balcony cabins for $ 3,547 (down from $ 4,895).

Cunar…………… continues on Condé Nast Traveler

When Christine Rehak cancels her cruise after her husband’s death, she assumes her travel insurance will reimburse her vacation. But she’s wrong. Is she going to be stuck with a credit voucher she’ll never use?

Q: I am hoping you can help me get a refund for a cruise that my husband and I booked last June with Princess Cruises. Jim, my husband, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring.

At the time we booked the cruise, his doctors at the hospital were very optimistic about his prognosis. He visited the hospital on a monthly basis for checkups. He had finished his Chicago Tribune

– NZ trip upgrade

FREE balcony upgrades are available on a 14-night cruise through New Zealand with Royal Caribbean. The Voyager of the Seas round trip from Sydney departs November 24 visiting Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound and Melbourne. Prices start from $ 2099 a person, twin share, from Sydney; based on a balcony stateroom.

One of the largest cruise ships in the world, the Voyager of the Seas features a rock-climbing wall, basketball court, ice-skating rink, mini golf course, day spa and a spectacular three-storey din…………… continues on Herald Sun

Monday, May 14, 2012 6:00

Cruise Vanuatu

Cruiseabout has a 10-night cruise on the Pacific Pearl, departing Auckland and taking in Champagne Bay, Pentecoste Island, Vila and Mystery Island. Includes all main meals and entertainment, from $ 1869 a person, twin share. Also includes one AU$ 100 onboard credit per stateroom. Price subject to availability. Valid for sales until May 9 unless sold out prior. Cruise departs Auckland April 19, 2013. Airfares additional. Call 0800 221 100 or see www.cruiseabout.co.nz

Work Canada

For a working holiday in Canada, Student Flights has a Canada Powder package, including full-time work, a season lift pass, staff housing or housing assistance, step-by-step visa assistance, in-country orientation, bank account set-up assistance, arrival party and a walking tour of Vancouver from $ 795 a person. Price subject to availability. Airfares additional. Valid for sales until May 31, unless sold out prior. T…………… continues on The Bay of Plenty Times