$499 for an 8-Day Getaway Cruise to the Med - No Joke

In this crazy economy, there are still travel bargains to be had and this is one of our favorites. If you are not too fussy, you can join a very comfortable Mediterranean cruise aboard an MSC ship and pay just $499 per person for 8 nights.

In this crazy economy, there are still travel bargains to be had and this is one of our favorites. If you are not too fussy, you can join a very comfortable Mediterranean cruise aboard an MSC ship and pay just $499 per person for 8 nights. Plus, kids 11 and under cruise free on all European cruises when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults.

We can't even live in our New York apartment and cook supper for that price!

Sail 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-night Mediterranean cruises to some of Europe’s most historic locales and remarkable landscapes and experience the destinations while enjoying the European and Italian ambiance of MSC cruises, reviewed by FTF sailors.

Here are some featured itineraries with sale prices, from their collection of Golden Odysseys Mediterranean cruises. Of course, we hope you realize that these rates do not include international airfare to the port of embarkation.

MSC Magnifica: 8-night, Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Venice, calling in Bari, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; Katakolon, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia; February 28 and March 8; rates from $499 per person plus $58.80 in GFTs (taxes)

MSC Splendida: 11-night, Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome) or Genoa, calling in Barcelona, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; S. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Funchal, Portugal; and Malaga, Spain; February 5 and 6; rates from $889 per person plus $47 or $55.90 in GFTs, respectively. Other available dates include March 9 and 10, 2011.

MSC Splendida: 11-night, Eastern Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa or Civitavecchia (Rome), calling in Katakolon, Greece; Heraklion, Greece; Marmarmis, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; Piraeus, Greece; and Palermo, Italy; February 16 and 17; rates from $889 per person plus $44.25 or $33.30 in GFTs, respectively

MSC Splendida: 9-night, Eastern Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa or Civitavecchia (Rome), calling in Katakolon, Greece; Heraklion, Greece; Alexandria, Egypt; and Piraeus, Greece; February 27 and 28; rates from $599 per person plus $36.85 or $27.09 in GFTs, respectively

MSC Fantasia: 11-night, Western Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Genoa, calling in Barcelona, Spain; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; Funchal, Portugal; S. Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Arrecife de Lanzarote, Spain; Malaga, Spain; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; March 3 and 25; rates from $599 per person plus $63.40 in GFTs.

In addition to experiencing Europe the European way, guests onboard MSC Cruises will also enjoy a family-friendly vacation, with nightly entertainment, access to a spa, and activities, facilities and menus designed with the youngsters in mind. Don't forget that kids 11 and under cruise free, too. And this line's international cuisine (with an emphasis on Italian of course) is often commended.

For more information about MSC Cruises’ Golden Odysseys this winter, visit MSCCruisesUSA or a local travel professional.