Cunard Offers Double Upgrades

Cunard (www.cunard.com) is giving passengers who make new bookings on some of its summer European cruises free double upgrades. That means you can, for example, pay the price for an inside cabin and get a cabin with an obstructed balcony. (I'm not sure what an obstructed balcony is exactly, but at least it is an outside cabin.)

That means a 14 day cruise of the Greek Isles and Turkey can cost as little as $2399 per person, with said obstructed balcony. Not inexpensive, but considering that the rate includes your transportation, lodging and meals, not that expensive either, about $170 per day per person.

These double upgrades are also available on some cruises to Northern Europe, but the prices are a little higher. For instance, a 14 day Baltic cruise with stops in Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Warnemunde, Copenhagen and Kristianstad Starts at $3199. A 13 day voyage around the British Isles starts at $2699.

Cruises leave from Southampton, England. You will need to budget also for the cost of excursions, and air fare to the port. Cruises are a great way to see a lot of places comfortably, and often at moderate cost. Being on the ship is almost a vacation in itself, and Cunard ships are among the best, in my experience.