What's the Deal?

The week's best travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea and air.

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LAND

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· Spend three nights at the all-inclusive Almond Beach Village in Barbados starting at $488 per person double; usual three-night rate starts at $912. The "3-Night Sampler" promo applies to stays through June 30; book by May 30. Info: 800-4-ALMOND, http://www.almondresorts.com/ . Request code ALMVSPRG.

· The Elkin Creek Guest Ranch, a 28,000-acre working ranch in British Columbia 's Chilcotin region, has a discounted "May Branding and Turnout" package May 18-22. Cost for the four-night package , which includes lodging, meals, a full-day cattle drive and daily guided riding and hikes, is about $605 per person double. Usual cost for just three nights is $605. Info: 877-3-GO-WEST, http://www.adventurewestresorts.com/ .

· The Appalachian Mountain Club has a deal for seniors age 60 and older. Stay at the Highland Center in New Hampshire's White Mountains Sunday-Thursday through June 30 and pay $83 a night per person double for a private room, three meals a day, daily programs and use of outdoor gear, including boots, fleece jackets, backpacks and fly-fishing rods. Usual price starts at $144 per person. Mention the "Spring Senior Special" when booking at 603-466-2727. Info: http://www.outdoors.org/ .

SEA

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· American Canadian Caribbean Line has discounts of 15 to 20 percent on five cruise itineraries . For example, a seven-night Coast of Maine cruise aboard the 78-passenger Niagara Prince, previously priced from $1,320 per person double, starts at $1,056 for July 23, Aug. 10 and 29, and Sept. 7 departures (port charges are an extra $75). Info: 800-556-7450, http://www.smallships.us/ (request code SU06).

· Save up to 20 percent on September Panama Canal repositioning cruises aboard Holland America's Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Volendam. For example, an inside cabin on the 21-day Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., cruise, departing Sept. 30, now starts at $2,149 per person double (plus about $296 port taxes). Previous base price started at $2,599. Info: http://www.hollandamerica.com/ . Book at 877-SAIL-HAL and request promo LI.

· Seabourn is offering 50 percent savings on its 14-night "In the Wake of the Pilgrims " cruise , with prices starting at $4,998 per person double (plus $85 taxes). Passengers who book by May 1 also receive a free two-night stay in a superior room at the Royal Garden Hotel in London (value is about $633). The 208-passenger Seabourn Pride departs London Sept. 29 en route to Gloucester, Mass. Info: 800-929-9391, http://www.seabourn.com/ .

AIR

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· American has special Mother's Day fares . For U.S. and Canada travel, depart May 13 and return May 16 or 17. For travel to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, depart May 11 or 12 and return May 15 or 16. Round-trip fare from BWI to Montreal , for example, is $249 (plus $64 taxes); fare on other airlines starts at $409. Purchase by April 25 at http://www.aa.com/ or pay $10 more at 800-433-7300.

· Southwest has launched a systemwide sale for travel May 9-Sept 12. For example, fly from BWI to Los Angeles for $219 round trip, including taxes (fare starts at $314 on other airlines), or fly to Tampa for $139 round trip, including taxes ($202 on other airlines). Availability is limited. Book by May 11. Purchase at least 21 days in advance at http://www.southwest.com./

PACKAGE

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· Cheapcaribbean.com is offering a "Cabo San Lucas Super Surprise Special" for $764 per person double, plus a resort fee of about $100 per room. The deal includes round-trip air from Washington, seven nights' lodging and transfers. The catch? The tour operator chooses your accommodations from six Mexican resorts. Book by April 30 and travel on Saturdays by Dec. 16. Priced separately, air in July is about $532 and lodging averages about $215 a night, for a savings of more than $450 per person. Info: 800-915-BEACH, http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/ .

· Spirit Vacations (800-617-3325, http://www.spiritvacations.com/ ) is discounting its packages from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to Punta Cana , Dominican Republic, on flights departing May 9. The deal, which can be booked beginning tomorrow through April 28, starts at $589 per couple for two nights at the all-inclusive Occidental Grand Punta Cana, round-trip air from Fort Lauderdale, and transfers. Add round-trip flight from Washington to Fort Lauderdale, and the total price is about $997 per couple . Priced separately, the package would cost $1,200.

-- Carol Sottili

Prices were verified and available on Thursday afternoon when the Travel section went to press. However, deals sell out quickly and are not guaranteed to be available. Restrictions such as day of travel, blackout dates and advance-purchase requirements sometimes apply.

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