The Real Deal: A round-trip sail from Fort Lauderdale with stops in Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Philipsburg (St. Maarten), and Half Moon Cay (Bahamas); seven nights in an inside cabin aboard Holland America Line's 1,916-passenger Westerdam; all meals, water, tea, coffee, and juice; a $50 shipboard credit; and port charges (totaling about $150), from $699 per person — plus government taxes of $75.
When: March 21, 2010.
The fine print: Taxes are an additional $75 per person. Round-trip airport-hotel transfers are $34 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $350. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Cruises for Less, 888/212-7395, cruisesforless.com.
Why it's a deal: This cruise offer breaks down to about $111 a night and includes accommodations, all meals, a $50 shipboard credit, port charges, and all taxes.
More: Cabin upgrades start at an additional $100 per person for an ocean-view cabin; add $300 per person for a cabin with a balcony; add $900 per person for a suite. Optional shore excursions include a visit to the Arecibo Observatory with a cruise on Lago Dos Bocas ($96 per person) or a canopy tour ($138 per person) in Puerto Rico; and a Pirates of the Caribbean sailing tour ($69 per person) or scuba diving ($91 per person) on St. Maarten. Pre- or post-cruise nights in Fort Lauderdale start at $199 per room per night at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
