Hawaii 7-Night Cruise, $599

The Real Deal A seven-night cruise, including all meals and port charges, from $599--plus taxes of about $42.

When Nov. 26, 2007; add $70 for Dec. 15; $80 for Oct. 27, Nov. 24, Dec. 8, 17; $100 for Nov. 19, Dec. 3, 10; $120 for Oct. 22, 29, Dec. 1; $150 for Dec. 1; additional departure dates available through Dec. 31.

WISTFUL THINKING… View iconic images of the Hawaiian islands from the glory days of travel. • Launch the slide show

The Fine Print Meals, 24-hour room service, and nonalcoholic drinks like water, coffee, juices, and tea are included. Port charges are included, but government taxes are an additional $42.20 per person. Shore excursions are at an additional cost. Based on double occupancy; solo travelers pay twice the cost of the rate for whichever date they pick. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By No deadline; based on availability.

Contact American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.

Why It's a Deal The $599 rate breaks down to just about $86 per night for accommodations and meals. Consider, too, that a comparable seven-night cruise in Hawaii could easily start at $900.

Trip Details The Pride of Hawaii, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship with 1,233 staterooms--and amenities that include 12 restaurants, pools, shops, a library, and a video arcade--sets sail from Honolulu, Oahu. The lowest rate is based on an interior cabin, but upgrades are available to an ocean-view cabin, a cabin with a balcony, and a suite. If you are thinking of upgrading, one of the best deals is for the November 17 departure: a cabin with a balcony is only $999 per person (instead of as much as $2,099 for Christmas Eve).

From Honolulu, you'll sail to Hilo, on the Big Island, and then spend two days anchored at Kahului on Maui, followed by a day in Kona, back on the Big Island. The last part of the voyage brings you to Port Allen on Kauai for two days before you return to Honolulu.

You're free to explore as you please, or to purchase shore excursions at an additional cost directly from Norweigan Cruise Line. One of the most popular is a nearly five-hour excursion to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island for $49 per person. (You can read up beforehand by checking out our story, Dream Trips: Volcanoes National Park.)

You could easily tack on a hotel stay in Honolulu (or elsewhere) before or after the cruise. For tips on affordable, cute places to stay, consult our Honolulu Snap Guide.

Before you go, check the weather forecast at BudgetTravel.com.

Getting There Airfare is not included in the package price. A recent search on Kayak for travel to Honolulu in late October yielded these lowest round-trip fares: $311 from L.A. (US Airways), $346 from Seattle (United), $553 from Chicago (Delta), $632 from Houston (US Airways), $641 from New York City (multiple carriers), and $680 from Boston (multiple carriers).

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