What's so special about cut-rate cruising of the waters off Alaska and Europe? It's a matter of location and popularity. Given the glut of cruise ships, it'll be easy this spring and summer to find off-season, one-week sailings of the familiar Caribbean for $599 per person--and even less. To do that, you have only to contact the cruise consolidators and discount brokers listed in previous issues of Budget Travel or advertised in this one.

But what if you want to cruise the far more heavily desired summer locations of Alaska and Europe? To achieve savings in the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Baltic, or in the waters off Juneau, Sitka, and Skagway, we've turned to nine prominent sources of cruise discounts and asked them to offer up--for our valued readers--the few ships and the limited dates on which they can bring you guaranteed low prices and quality amenities, as described in their own words. And that's what they've done. The numbers to call, or the Web sites to access, accompany each statement; prices do not include airfare to and from the embarkation port.

Europe

Mediterranean Shipping Cruises' Melody
Nominated by Sheri Langer, president, Cruise Away (800/225-7447)
Departures: May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8; Sept. 16, 23, 30; Oct. 7, 14 Itinerary (7 nights): Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma de Majorca, Barcelona, Marseilles, Genoa

Cruise Away has inside cabins for $699 per person, double occupancy (all departures), plus airfare and $99 in port charges.

"The Melody's itinerary is unbeatable this summer, and the ship itself is really delightful. It's an older ship, built in 1982, but it was updated five years ago and has a comfortable, modern feel. And because it carries only 1,076 passengers, there's a good sense of intimacy on board. Rooms are nice-sized, and I really like the food, but the overwhelmingly positive feedback we get from our customers comes down to the warm, genial Italian crew."

Celebrity's Galaxy
Nominated by Steven Gelfuso, owner/president, Cruise Brothers (800/827-7779)
Departures: May 19; June 2, 16, 30; July 14
Itinerary (14 nights): Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Gdansk, Rostock, Copenhagen, Amsterdam (July 14 sailing: Amsterdam, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Visby, Riga, Gdynia, Rostock, Copenhagen, Oslo, Amsterdam)

Cruise Brothers has inside cabins for $1,499 per person, double occupancy, for all departure dates, including port charges, but plus airfare.

"I love cruising in this part of the world--the waters and the landscapes are just so beautiful--and Celebrity has put together a really terrific itinerary. As experienced cruisers know, the food service on this line is legendary, and the Galaxy lives up to its billing. It's also one of the newest and most elegant ships Celebrity has; it was built in 1996 and carries 1,870. If you could compare a cruise ship to a hotel chain, I'd liken the Galaxy to staying in a Four Seasons hotel--at a little bit over $100 a day at the height of the season including port charges, this is a remarkable price."

Holland America Lines' Noordam
Nominated by David Lampe, director of the cruise division, Cheap Tickets (888/878-7487)
Departures: June 10, 20, 30
Itinerary (10 nights): Copenhagen, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Kalmar, Warnemunde, Copenhagen

Cheap Tickets has inside cabins starting at $1,475 per person, double occupancy (all dates), plus airfare and $190 in port charges.

"Though one of the older ships on the water (in service since 1982), this 1,214-passenger liner is one of the most pleasant ships going--it seems as if Holland America wants to make up for the Noordam's relative age by outfitting her with one of the most attentive crews you'll find anywhere. Again, Holland America cabins are significantly larger than average and prettily turned out. Food is good (if rarely great), but always maintains a more than acceptable standard. All in all, it's always one of the better values afloat."

Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Dream
Nominated by Larry Fishkin, president, Leisure Link International (888/801-8808)
Departures: June 5, July 11
Itinerary (12 days): London, Dover, Copenhagen, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Kalmar, Warnemunde, Copenhagen, London

Leisure Link has inside cabins starting at $1,649 (June 5) and $1,749 (July 11) per person, double occupancy, plus airfare and approximately $260 in port charges.

"Nine years old, this midsized vessel (1,754 passengers) offers a good introduction for first-timers--cabins are smartly laid-out and adequate in size, the quality of dining is consistently good if not epicurean, the basic activities are all on hand, and amenities such as its fitness center and children's programs are all professionally run. As full fares for these European cruises generally start in the $3,500 range, these prices represent considerable savings."

Alaska

Holland America Lines' Ryndam
Nominated by Pat Webb, president, GalaxSea Cruises and Tours (800/662-5450)
Departures: May 11; June 1, 8, 15
Itinerary (7 nights): Vancouver, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay

GalaxSea has cabins starting at $642 (May 11), $842 (June 1), and $909 (June 8, 15) per person, double occupancy, plus airfare and port charges of approximately $172.

"A cozy ship holding 1,266 passengers, the Ryndam is notable for its impressive decor (including a lovely collection of antique pieces). It is an old-fashioned luxury liner that belies its intimate size--compared with the 3,200-passenger behemoths coming out these days. Cuisine is quite good, and plentiful even by cruise ship standards. Holland America's exemplary service, commodious cabins, and mature clientele can all be found on this vessel."

Celebrity Cruises' Mercury
Nominated by Don Walker, vice president of channel marketing, Cruises Only (800/895-3771)
Departures: May 18, 25
Itinerary (7 days): Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, Valdez, Seward

Cruises Only has inside cabins starting at $749 (May 18) and $799 (May 25) per person, double occupancy, including port charges, but plus airfare.

"It seems as if this 1,870-cabin ship has been around for ages (such is the dizzying pace of construction), but in fact it has only been in service since 1997. Like other Celebrity vessels, the focal point of the Mercury is its food service, with not only fine cuisine in its dining rooms and nice touches such as a martini bar, but also 24-hour room service. Staterooms are relatively spacious and definitely well designed, and public areas are stylish. This ship also does a good job keeping children well occupied."

Holland America Lines' Statendam
Nominated by Duke Butler, president, Spur Of the Moment Cruises (800/343-1991)
Departures: May 6, 13, 20, 27
Itinerary (7 days): Vancouver, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay

Spur of the Moment has inside cabins starting at $799 (May 6 and 13), $899 (May 20), and $999 (May 27) per person, double occupancy, including port charges, but plus airfare.

"One of four more-or-less identical vessels launched by Holland America in 1992, the Statendam (capacity: 1,266) is an intimate ship distinguished by this cruise line's unsurpassable service. The food generally exceeds the quality you'd expect at this price, and cabins are very spacious. This ship does tend to attract an older crowd--families might want to consider other options. However, if quiet and elegance are what attract you most, the Statendam is a solid choice."

Royal Caribbean Lines' Rhapsody of the Seas
Nominated by Tara Rogers, vice president, public relations, WorldWide Cruises (800/882-9000)
Departures: May 25; June 1, 8
Itinerary (7 nights): Vancouver, Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier

World Wide has inside cabins starting at $649 per person, double occupancy, not including port charges, government fees, or airfare.

"At a 2,000-passenger capacity, this is close in size to the brand new megacruisers, and with only four years of service under its belt, it's one of the newest as well. (Hence, among other amenities, there's a cyber-lounge.) Don't expect the world's largest staterooms, but they're of adequate size. The level of cuisine is fine if unspectacular, but the entertainment is significantly better than average--and so are the children's programs."

Carnival Cruises' Carnival Spirit
Nominated by Dan Livergood, senior director of cruise center operations, Travelbyus (800/657-2602, ask for Anna)
Departure: July 25
Itinerary (7 nights): Anchorage, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver

Travelbyus has inside cabins for $1,271 per person, double occupancy, including port charges and complimentary shore excursions in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, but plus airfare.

"This is a brand new ship, highly desired, and one that isn't normally available at that price level for a peak-season departure. When you consider that not only port charges but free shore excursions are included in our rate, you'll understand the purchasing power of Travelbyus, a membership group of 2,200 travel agencies, one of which will be assigned to handle your booking when you call."