I was going to point out how wrong fellow blogger Captain Greybeard was in predicting that cruise fares were going to rise next year, but I see he has beaten me to it.
How do I know he was wrong? Well although the cruise lines have just have reported some really strong results, look at the latest offers that have arrived this week. This doesn't smack of an industry thinking of putting up its prices.
Fred Olsen Cruise Line has raised its on-line discount from 5% to 10% for six 2011 cruises, listed below with the cruise numbers to help you find them. The offer is only valid for two weeks, until November 11. Click here to reach the website.
M1109: 14-night Canary Islands cruise on Braemar from Dover on April 30.
L1104: 14-night Baltic cruise on Balmoral from Southampton on May 13.
M1110: 14-night Western Med cruise on Braemar from Dover on May 14.
W1116: nine-night UK and Ireland cruise on Black Watch from Dover on September 25.
D1123: 15-night Canary Island cruise on Boudicca from Newcastle on October 16.
L1120: seven-night Northern Europe cruise on Balmoral from Southampton on November 10.
Royal Caribbean is giving away 10,000 free flights on selected 2011 Mediterranean cruises, saving an average £200 per person, provided you book between October 30 and December 20 2010.
The free flights, for cruises from Palma, Venice, Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Barcelona, will be given away on a first-come first-served basis so you'll need to get in quick. The offer applies whether you book through a travel agent or direct.
And for those who prefer a no-fly cruise, Royal is offering savings of up to £500 per cabin and free port car parking on selected Independence of the Seas departures.
Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea is offering business-class flight upgrades on eight 2011 Asian cruises from £599 per person one-way and giving away $250 per person on-board credit on many of the voyages. There are also Mediterranean and Northern Europe business-class flight upgrades from £249 per person return.
The airline says the offers are "capacity controlled", which basically means you need to book early.
**The best of the rest**
MSC Cruises is offering Caribbean cruises on MSC Poesia this winter from £399 per person for seven nights and £550 for two weeks. Need I say the prices are cruise-only? It means you'll also have the cost of a flight. Call 0844 561 1955 or visit the website for more information and to book.
Budget cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages has slashed £1,000 off its 35-night Christmas Caribbean cruise on Marco Polo departing Tilbury on December 6. It now costs from £1,799 per person for an inside - equal to £52 a night. An oceanview cabin costs from £2,299 per person. Call 0845 833 9798.
Cruise Thomas Cook has an eight-night cruise on the Danube with Viking River Cruises from £719 per person including flights. Departure is on November 28, sailing from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary. Call 0800 916 6070 or visit your nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places shop.
Virgin Holidays Cruises has a special offer on a 10-night holiday combining three nights in an all-inclusive resort in Barbados with a seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Victory departing January 30 2011. Prices start from £1,499 per person including flights and an inside cabin. To book, call 0871 781 9893 or visit the website.
Jane Archer
