As a torrent of new cruise ships has gushed forth from shipyards in Finland and Italy, there are now just too many ships for the available demand. And while the cruise lines initially denied it, they no longer do; top maritime execs have made public statements about how the surplus of berths and cabins has depressed their yields. Prices offered by discount-granting cruise brokers have never been this low, even in the high-season months for tropical cruising. And while everyone claims that prices will eventually firm, they haven't yet. Here are typical cruise bargains for January, February, and March of 2002, not including air fare to the embarkation port:

Two-Night Sailings

The winter's shortest and cheapest cruise--ideal for nervous, first-time cruisers anxious to limit the test--is a two-night sailing of the SS Ocean Breeze (decent dining, fitness facilities, casino, and live entertainment) from Port Everglades, Florida, to Nassau/Paradise Island, The Bahamas. Departures: every other day from January through March. Price: $149 per person, including port charges. Call Imperial Majesty Cruises at 800/511-5737 or 954/956-9505.

Three-Night Sailings

From Cruise Value Center (800/231-7447), three-night cruises out of Miami to Nassau and a private Bahamian island, on the big Norwegian Sea, sell for as low as an astonishing $199 (January 19), $219 (January 26 and February 2), or $288 (February 16 and 19), per person, double occupancy, inside cabins. Look for similar eye-openers from the same broker on the same ship for March. From Cruises Only (800/728-6560), three-night cruises on Carnival Cruise Line's Holiday (Fridays from Miami) and Carnival's Fantasy (Thursdays from Port Canaveral, Florida) start as low as $299 throughout January, February, and March.

Four-Night Sailings

And that enterprising Cruises Only (800/728-6560) will sell you a four-night cruise on Carnival's Imagination, sailing from Miami to Key West and then to Playa del Carmen/Cozumel in Mexico every other Thursday from January through March, for as little as $399 per person.

Five-Night Sailings

From GalaxSea Cruises and Tours (800/662-5450), a five-night sailing of the Norwegian Sea on January 10 from Miami to and from Key West, Pleasure Island, and Nassau, will cost an almost unbelievable $294 (less than $60 a day!). An even more stunning value (considering the ship) is offered by World Wide Cruises, Inc. (800/882-9000) for five nights on Holland America's elegant MS Westerdam, sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau, on January 14, February 25, March 18, and April 8, with prices starting at $449 including port charges.

Seven-Night Sailings

The weeklong cruise is, of course, the most numerous of all, and the cruise discounters we've named have plenty to offer. The top value? In a repeat of a remarkable bargain offered in the winter of 1999-2000, Leisure Link International (888/801-8808) asks as little as $399 to $499 per person on most Saturday departures from January through March, 2001, of the SS Norway (formerly the SS France), sailing from Miami to St. Maarten, St. John, St. Thomas, and a private island. Though the Norway eventually sells out at these rock-bottom rates, an immediate call by you might snare the bonanza.

Ten-Night and Eleven-Night Sailings

And you'll snare a bigger bargain on lengthier sails of the top-rated Zenith of Celebrity Cruises, sailing the Caribbean for ten nights on January 19, February 9, and March 2 and 23, for as little as $1,199 from World Wide Cruises, Inc., at 800/882-9000; or for 11 nights on January 8 and 29, February 19, and March 12, for $1,299. What other travel product brings you such glamour, entertainment, cuisine, and transportation for just over $100 a day? Vive le glut!