Super SuperShuttle Savings

It's not always about cruises here; sometimes I'll pass along savings or information about other aspects of travel you may encounter in association with a cruise. Today you get information on one of those specials.

Just received an email from SuperShuttle offering $5 rides to/from your home, and double miles this summer! Book between now and September 15, and second through sixth passengers from the same address will be transported for just $5/person. And you'll get double miles on Delta, Frontier, Northwest, United or USAir! Nice deal!

Here's the fine print:

$5 additional passenger rides must be booked on same reservation as first passenger and from the same address. Limit to 6 additional passengers. Valid for residential service only between Jun 29 and Sep 15. Not valid with hotel fares or any other discount offers. Double airline miles apply only to online reservations and the airline membership number must be entered in the
appropriate field at the time of booking. Only one person may earn miles when 2 or more individuals are booked in one reservation. The name on the reservation must match the name on the airline mileage account to qualify for the offer.

This promotion is not valid in Miami, FL, Palm Beach, FL or Houston, TX.

So if you're planning on using a shuttle service this summer, and SuperShuttle serves your area, head over to http://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?content=SummerLift&GC=RIDES to take advantage of the savings!

Alaska Savings on Holland America

A number of factors have contributed to 2009 being the "Perfect Storm" for amazing prices in Alaska: lots of ships, lowered demand, high taxes and a market which has experienced a large number of new cruisers the past few years, making it a "mature" (rather than growing) destination. There have been many exceptional fares on all lines, and it's actually getting quite difficult to find inventory (especially balconies) for late summer sailings.

But cruises out of Vancouver are the exception. Most people sailing round-trip have been specifying Seattle to me, because of the lowered air costs. Because of this, it's very difficult to find inventory on Seattle round-trip sailings right now (though some does exist if you're not picky as to date or type of accommodation). But many sailings from Vancouver have much better availability, and fares to match.

The latest round of promotions comes from Holland America, for their Vancouver Round Trip sailings along with much less often discounted cruise tours! Up to 50% off selected sailings! Insides start at just $599, and balconies at $1,099, and cruisetours from $999 for a 14-night package!

Holland America Up to 50% off Alaska Cruises and Cruise Tours

Holland America, along with Princess, has been sailing in Alaska longer than any other of the large lines, and they do a great job at it. You'll find the average age on HAL ships in Alaska to be lower than it is in the Caribbean (surprise), mostly because of all the multi-generational families which come onboard. They have excellent naturalists, and good port times and itineraries. I highly recommend these sailings. I spent much of my youth growing up in Alaska, so am happy to help you navigate the options to find the right cruise for you.

Next year, there will be significantly fewer ships sailing the Alaska waters. I guarantee you will never see prices like this again with so many options. If you've been thinking about Alaska, STOP THINKING AND BOOK NOW!

Shhh - Carnival’s Pack & Go Promotions

Shhh, Carnival Cruise lines has just announced that they have a new set of last-minute, limited inventory clearance pricing for their ships, called their Pack & Go Fares. Why am I whispering about this? Because they're not permitted to be posted on any web site (including this one) and they cannot be searchable in fare search engines.

Operating much like the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Happy Hour specials, though not limited to sales only on a single day, these particularly low offers are for new bookings only, and existing bookings will not be able to receive these low rates. Updated weekly, these fares are extremely attractive. Of course, not all ships or sailings are included, just those which need a bit of help in selling out the last cabins.

What does that mean to you? If you are looking to cruise last minute (generally within about 2 months of sailing), and you like Carnival, when you call or email to ask about specials, be sure to ask me about Pack & Go fares as well.