Greece, Turkey & Egypt Cruise, $1,849

The Real Deal Round-trip airfare, transfers, most meals, one night's hotel accommodations, and seven nights aboard a cruise ship, from $1,849 per person—plus taxes and port charges of up to $382.

When Depart on Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 2008.

Church bells in Santorini, Greece (Bob Jacobson/Corbis) [enlarge photo]

Gateways New York City; add $43 for Miami, $54 for Denver, $146 for Houston, $159 for L.A., $215 for Seattle; additional cities are available.

The Fine Print Airline fuel surcharges (which can be as high as $240 per person), eight breakfasts, seven lunches, seven dinners, and all transfers are included. Taxes are an additional $114-$192. Port charges are an additional $190. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $525. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Greece or to take shore excursions in Egypt and Turkey. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By No deadline; based on availability.

Contact Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Why It's a Deal In a recent search on Kayak, the lowest round-trip fares between New York City and Athens we found for departures in late October start at $677 (Swiss International Air). For an additional $1,554 per person, including all taxes and port charges, Gate 1 will cover a night in Athens, a seven-night cruise, all transfers, and most meals. When compared to high-season prices, this fall package offers a discount of 40 to 60 percent.

Trip Details The package includes round-trip airfare on a British Airways or Alitalia airlines carrier and accommodations in Athens and aboard a cruise ship.

Once you arrive in Athens, you'll be transferred to the 241-room Oscar Hotels, a three-building property (the Oscar, the Oscar Annex, and the Oscar Inn) located less than a mile from the heart of Athens. You'll stay overnight in one of the properties, selected at random, before embarking on your cruise.

Depending on what time you arrive, you may be able to squeeze in some sightseeing in the Greek capital on your own. The Oscar is conveniently located across the street from the central rail and metro station, Larissa Station, so you can easily get to most attractions. The most famous include the National Archeological Museum; the Agora, Athens's ancient commercial and civic center; the Acropolis; and the Monastery of Daphni.

The ship will set sail at 2 p.m. on the following day. Your home for the next seven nights will be a two-bed inside cabin aboard the 483-cabin Cristal, which can accommodate up to 1,278 passengers. Passengers will have access to an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, a fitness center, a beauty salon, a casino, a dining room, four lounges, and three bars.

The first port of call is Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. You'll have from mid morning to early evening to tour the city on your own. You could marvel at the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, or put your haggling skills to use at the Grand Bazaar.