Pick a Destination, Find a Good Deal

It may be easier than you think to book an affordable vacation this year. Air fares are still lower than last year, there’s a glut of cruise ships, European travel is slightly off and Caribbean prices are at their lowest in years.

Among recent developments: World Explorer Cruises will cut nearly $1,000 off its rates for selected inside cabins on an upcoming 14-day Alaskan cruise. For the June 11 departure, the line will charge $997.50 per person, double occupancy, for inside cabins that regularly go for $1,995. Add required gratuities of $10 per day and a government tax of $30.22, and you’ll pay $1,168.

The cruise will focus on Alaska’s birds. On board will be Robert Armstrong, author of “Birds of Alaska,” and Steve Zimmerman, president of Juneau’s Audubon Society. A May 28 sailing will take a more inclusive approach, with a geologist, an anthropologist, a biologist and a historian aboard to talk about the 49th state from their varied perspectives. Call (800) 854-3835, www.wecruise.com.

If you’re interested in relaxing on a beach, a new company called America’s Shuttle might have the answer. It has bought and reconditioned a B727-200 plane and offers air-and-land packages to the Caribbean and Latin America from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (It says it can arrange connecting flights from the West Coast.) Visitors stay at an Allegro Resort, an all-inclusive chain that operates more than 25 hotels worldwide. Each hotel offers a number of dining options yet never charges more for “specialty” restaurants (an invidious new practice at some all-inclusives).

Allegro’s “Caribbean Village” hotels focus on sports vacations; its Grand Village Playacar (near Playa del Carmen, Mexico) is in the middle of a golf course. Prices are lowest here, $419 per week, perhaps because it’s a couple of minutes from the beach. The price includes air fare from Fort Lauderdale, meals, drinks, activities, airport transfers and room.

For a resort directly on the sand, look into the Allegro Cozumel ($629 from Fort Lauderdale), a Polynesian-themed place with grass-thatched, oversized huts. It’s known for its diving opportunities, and it has two swimming pools, three bars and a kiddie pool. Call America’s Shuttle at (800) 338-6871, www.americasshuttle.co. These rates are in effect through June 30 and from Sept. 6 through Dec. 19.

Finally, travel to the Emerald Isle remains among the best prospects today, thanks to companies like Sceptre Tours. This Ireland specialist offers six-night fly-drive-and-stay packages throughout the summer for $1,179 per person, including air fare from California, six days’ manual-transmission car rental and vouchers for stays at farmhouse B&Bs; around Ireland. Vacationers can make up their itineraries as they go. Call (800) 221-0924, www.sceptretours.com.