Cruise News Update continued...

The good news: Cheap cruises to Mexico , or elsewhere weren’t be hard to find, just ask Alex Goldman.

“The value of a cruise vacation is undeniable, and just got better, considering the Cruise Super Sale offers are in addition to the special offers from the cruise line, such as on-board credits, upgrades and reduced rates,” said Alex Goldman, vice president of cruises for Travelocity.

“There’s a lot for cruisers to be excited about this year, from the record values to the convenience of growing home-port locations and new fleets of top-of-the-line ships,” said Goldman. “Meanwhile, the savings just keep getting better with the elimination of Travelocity cruise booking fees, giving consumers even more confidence to purchase travel.”

Despite a hard-hitting year to the travel industry, cruising has proven to be surprisingly resilient compared to other sectors, in part due to the unmatched value it offers consumers holding tight to their budgets. Making cruising even more irresistible, Visit Travelocity for Cruise Deals as it kicks off the 2010 wave season with a positive outlook and some of the most extensive discounts the industry has seen.

Cruise Sale - MEXICO

When we searched the Travelocity cruise sale on January 20th we found....

A bargain priced four-night Baja Mexico cruise on Carnival from $44 per person per night, sailing from Long Beach and visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico,  That's 4 nights, starting at $174 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy.

A five night Mexico cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas from $81 per person per night,. Sailing from San Diego, California; Ensenada, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego, California. That's 5 nights, starting at $404 per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy.

Your price could be even cheaper. At Travelocity you can take advantage of their Exclusive Resident Specials! Enjoy Reduced Rates on Select Sailings

Destination Tips:

Baja California Overview
Whether you choose a quick weekend getaway or a longer trip down the coast, Baja California cruises are a great introduction to Mexico. You'll find plenty of opportunities for relaxing and cutting loose at a cantina.

What to Expect: Laid back vibes on Catalina Island, wild nightlife in Ensenada, dolphins, beaches, tequila, vineyards, and sunny skies.
When to Go: The Baja peninsula is a year-round destination
What to Do: Snorkel off Catalina Island, go wine tasting in Ensenada, relax on a Cabo San Lucas beach, dance the night away in port towns.
Local Color: Walk a few blocks outside of the tourist center of Ensenada for a taste of a real Mexican town.
Don't Miss: La Bufadora, a blowhole near Ensenada where crashing waves send water spouting dozens of feet into the air.
Don't Forget: Keep an eye out for whales, especially during the winter migrating season.

Cruise Booking Tips:

When you search for a cruise sort results by price (low or high), cruise line, cruise destination, cruise length. And don't forget to check the ship reviews, rankings and rating.

Look for the cruise lines that offer BONUS extras such as FREE cabin upgrades, on-board spending credit, pre-paid gratuities and more.

When searching by destination, don’t forget to look for the Travelocity “exclusive offers” marked by an explanation mark and/or anchor.

We found a seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise on the Norwegian Star with Free Stateroom Upgrades, Up to $400 Onboard Credit,3rd/4th Guests Sail from $99, Reduced Deposits, and More”  Ports of Call: Los Angeles, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mazatlan, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Los Angeles, California.

Port Call of the Month: Acapulco

Check out what there is to see and do in Acapulco

Shopping: The Mercado Parazal (also known as the Mercado de Artesanias) is on Calle Velazquez de Leon downtown. Lined with stalls, this is a good place to find souvenirs. Power shopping (i.e. well-known boutiques) can be found in the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone) which runs along Costera Miguel Aleman.

Staying in Touch: Cybercafe (Costera Miguel Aleman 93).

Where You're Docked: Acapulco's cruise terminal.

Getting Around:Taxis are plentiful; definitely make sure you negotiate the cost of your ride before getting in.

What to See and Do: Cliff Diving. Acapulco's infamous cliff divers perform off La Quebrada. Performance times vary (check with your ship's shore excursion desk). You can watch from the public area on the beach or, more comfortably, head for Plaza Las Glorias/El Mirado (Quebrada 74) which overlooks the cove, and enjoy it with a margarita in hand.

Revolcadero Beach is a gorgeous stretch of white sand that fronts the Pacific rather than the bay (though currents can be strong). Great for beach-bumming and surfing.

For Active People: Check out Caleta and Caletilla beaches, which front the bay. Here you'll find Magico Mundo Marino (Caleta Beach, open daily from 9am - 7pm); it's an aquarium and water park offering water sports equipment for rent, restaurants, and a ferry to Roqueta Island.

Speaking of Roqueta Island, it's a laid back beach with a small zoo, places to eat, and a lighthouse; glass bottom boats leave every 15 minutes from Caletilla Beach.

Hotel Beaches: Some of the most fabulous beaches are in front of Acapulco's hotels. The swankiest area is Punta Diamante, which is on the Pacific; hotels there include the Acapulco Princess and the Quinta Real.

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Photo: Queen Victoria; Credit: Cunard Line