Low Fares on the High Seas

Pleasure cruises were once reserved for people with plenty of money and plenty of time. No longer. The success of The Love Boat on TV helped stir demand for ocean voyages, and cruise companies are enlarging their fleets. Since 1981 the industry has launched seven new ships, bringing the number of luxury liners serving the U.S. to about 75. In addition, many vessels have been rebuilt to increase their capacity. This expansion has set off a fierce competition for passengers, driving down the price of a brief cruise to within the means of most pocketbooks.

Crown Cruises offers a one-day excursion from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico, for only $75. From New York City, Fantasy Cruises has a four-night trip to Bermuda for $395 and a one-night "cruise to nowhere" that goes out into the Atlantic and back for $85. To attract a broad clientele, Fantasy advertises its voyages on posters on New York subway cars. Other companies feature special cruises to suit individual tastes, including trips with wine-tasting sessions, film festivals, exercise classes and bridge tournaments. In January, Cunard Line will offer a Trivial Pursuit cruise from New York City to the Caribbean aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2.