Affordable Luxury

You've probably heard the phrase "Champagne taste on a beer budget" before.  But for those not accustomed to having a peek at the five-star lines webpages - we're talking Crystal, Regent and Silversea, here - you might want to.

Photo Courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent, for example, is running a promotion for 2010 bookings made up to and including September 30th that not only offers the usual reductions in cruise fare, but also includes up free roundtrip airfare and free shore excursions.  When you put that together with the fact that Regent also includes all gratuities, soft drinks, bottled water, wine, spirits, coffee and tea in its cruise fares, the deal starts sounding better and better.

In fact, a 2010 Europe voyage with Regent - on one of their intimate, all suite ships, may actually end up costing you less than a comparable voyage with a mainstream line.  Obviously, the total up-front cost with Regent will be more - but, when you consider the cost of round-trip airfare from North America to most European destinations, coupled with the average amount of money spent in gratuities and beverages, not to mention shore excursions - it could actually ending up being one of the best deals this season.

If this piques your interest (as it has mine!), have a look at Regent's 2010 Early Booking Program here.