Sherman's Travel

Discounts on group travel are typically only available to parties of 10 or more, but unless you’re going to Cancun for Spring Break or you’re a B-List celebrity, this can be a difficult task to wrangle. That’s why Holland America’s 9-night cruise through the Gulf of California is such a great deal. Starting from $599 (originally $1,099) per person for the first two passengers and $199 each for the third and fourth (that averages out to only $399 per person), this bargain totals a savings of $2800!
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Summer rates on Caribbean cruises have begun to decline now that fall is within reach. If you can push off that vacation a bit longer, you’ll save a bundle on island-hopping cruises and can put that cash towards a deluxe cabin upgrade.Our editors have uncovered an autumn itinerary aboard Holland America’s latest upscale ship, the ms Eurodam, with balcony staterooms priced for less than the cost of interior cabins on similar summer voyages. Most balcony cabins on a 7-night cruise are priced well over $1,000 – especially on a newer vessel – but with this offer you can experience a taste of luxury from just $699.

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For cruisers looking for a more upscale experience at an affordable price, try Holland America. Although well known for its Alaskan voyages, the cruise line gets rave reviews for its itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Central America. By sailing out of Tampa, Holland America’s ships visit unique ports of call in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. Our editors have tracked down a 7-night sailing in an oceanview cabin with two embarkation dates to choose from starting from as little as $474.

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Cruisers looking to hit the high seas with their ship’s hull pointed south of the border can officially dust off those sombreros. Thanks to the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) downgrade from a “Travel Alert” to a “Travel Health Precaution” for Mexico, concerning the swine flu (or the H1N1 strain), Carnival and Royal Caribbean (in partnership with Celebrity) cruise lines have just announced that they’re soon to resume their Mexican itineraries. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sailings to Mexico are now slated to start up again on May 24, while Carnival will head back to the region in mid-June.

While flu cases in Mexico have been, for the most part, reported in areas of inland Mexico (especially Mexico City), far away from the popular ports of calls, most mainstream cruise lines cancelled or modified at least one of their Mexican-inclusive itineraries in response to the outbreak. Holland America and Disney have since resumed their regular itineraries as of early May, though Princess will hold off until the summer season to dive back into its turf there. Norwegian has no scheduled itineraries in the region until September.

Each cruise line is taking steps to assure guests that precautions against swine flu are being taken, including screening passengers for flu-like symptoms and carrying anti-viral medications on board.

If you’d like to be your own swine flu sleuth, visit the CDC’s H1N1 section of their website for precaution updates, and the best personal preventative measures you can take.