Sherman's Travel

Looking for a 2013 cruise adventure that won’t break the bank? Set sail into the New Year and save with one of these five budget-friendly cruise picks. Cruising from close-to-home cities to popular ports in Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and beyond, these great-value 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises all ring in from under $409/person – and one from as little as $199.

Just hurry up and book – prices are sure to spike soon, so don’t miss the boat on these priced-to-go sailings. Read more

MSC Cruises has announced an eye-catching new promotion, which offers complimentary stateroom upgrades on select 7-night Caribbean and European sailings. Pay for the lowest-cost interior cabins with this great-value “Move Up in the World” deal, and be bumped up to balcony cabins at no extra cost. What’s more, the offer can be redeemed for peak-season sailings, so there’s no need to sail during iffy-weather shoulder seasons in order to snag the freebie upgrade. Or, splurge for a full-price balcony suite, and be upgraded to the top-of-the-line butler suites in the line’s elite cruise line-within-a cruise line, the MSC Yacht Club, found on Fantasia-class ships. Read more

For you cruisers looking to ply the waters of the Med without putting your bank account in the red, your MSC Cruises ship has come in. The Italy-based cruise line has posted a Balcony Bonanza promotion for travelers who book select fall and winter Mediterranean sailings: Nab a balcony stateroom for the same rate as an inside stateroom (from $649 per person on an 8-night itinerary) or upgrade to a balcony superior stateroom for the same standard rate as a regular balcony cabin (from $849). Read more

Looking to rock the boat on your next cruise vacation? A series of rock-and-roll themed cruises have been announced through spring 2012 that are sure to make waves with music fans – read on for a selection of our five favorites, featuring some of the top headliners headed to sea:

Rombello
Headliners: Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti and Spearhead, G. Love & Special Sauce, Citizen Cope, and more
Sail Dates: September 29–October 3, 2011
Ship: Carnival Inspiration
Ports of Call: From Tampa to Cozumel, Mexico
Booking Details: www.rombello.com; rates from $499 Read more

Italian cruise line MSC Cruises has posted a limited time Independence Day sale on select sailings to the Caribbean and Canada/New England. Those who act by Friday (July 8th) can book select 4 to 14-night sailings on the 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia and nab low fares from just $299 (note the lowest advertised fares of $249 were already sold out during our attempted bookings). Plus, take advantage of bonus offers like shipboard credit ($50 for interior or oceanview cabins; $100 for balcony bookings) and up to a five category upgrade for balcony cabin reservations. Read more

Italian-based cruise line MSC Cruises has announced new 7-night sailings to exotic ports of the Arabian Sea this winter sailing season. Set sail aboard the MSC Lirica to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, as well as to Oman. What’s more, the company is offering guests who book their berths before July 31 a whopping 50 percent off rates for one guest per stateroom on these newly debuted itineraries. Rates for the full-paying passenger begin at $649, bringing the reduced rate for the second passenger to as low as $324.50 (before taxes and fees). That works out to as little as $46/night for the discounted fare. What’s more, kids 17 and under sail for just $99 apiece. Weekly departures are available from October 30 through March 4. www.msccruisesusa.com

See our Dubai Travel Guide and our Abu Dhabi Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, than use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on cruises and more.