Mediterranean cruises from $1,749/person

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

Next year, explore beautiful Mediterranean cities from Barcelona, Spain, to Athens, Greece, and Alexandria, Egypt.

OnlineVacationCenter.com offers an incredible rate of $1,749 per person for two-week vacation packages that include round-trip airfare, a two-night hotel stay and a 12-night cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade (based on interior cabin).

The package is valid on select 2010 departure dates: Jan. 3, 24; Feb. 14; and select dates in November and December.

The hotel stay is pre-cruise at the 4-star Hotel Barcelona Center Hotel with breakfast. Also included are all transfers (port to hotel, hotel to ship, ship to airport).

The Norwegian Jade visits Rome; Athens; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria and Valletta, Malta before returning to Barcelona.

Ready to set sail in Europe? Visit Travelzoo for the booking link.

Note: A comprehensive review of the Jade and this Mediterranean itinerary, with valuable tips, can be found at CruiseDiva.com .

Close-to-home cruise deal

If you're seeking a true budget deal for a cruise a bit closer to home, consider a pre-holiday sailing in mid-November on the Caribbean Princess.

Cruises.com prices the 7-night, Nov. 15 sailing from just $469 per person, double (inside cabin).

This "Classic Southern Caribbean" cruise departs San Juan, Puerto Rico and calls at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and the islands of Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados before returning to San Juan.

Other rates are from $519 for an ocean view cabin; from $629 balcony cabin and from $799 for a suite. Airfare is not included.

The 116,000-ton Caribbean Princess (built in 2004; refurbished 2009) was specially designed for Caribbean cruising with four pools, a links putting green and golf simulator, a multi-purpose sports court and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Other ship highlights include the Lotus Spa, three show lounges, Movies Under the Stars and the Skywalkers Nightclub, suspended 16 decks above the sea.

Multiple dining rooms include a trattoria, a hamburger grill, a poolside pizzeria, an ice cream bar, a 24-hour buffet and bistro and 24-hour room service for meals and snacks. Guests can also dine with the ship's chef at The Chef's Table.

A huge youth center offers indoor and outdoor play areas, a kids-only splash pool and Off Limits teen center. Adults can escape to relax at an adults-only retreat, the Sanctuary.

Both AirTran and Delta offer frequent daily nonstop flight service from Atlanta to San Juan at rates from $119 each way. This rate is valid any day of the week (based on availability) and through early summer of 2010. There are no blackout dates on this rate and an advance notice of travel is not required.