Royal Caribbean deal includes a room with a view

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

A room with a view

If you book Royal Caribbean’s “7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise” through eCruises.com by Feb. 28, you’ll get upgraded to a balcony room. Aboard Adventures of the Seas, you’ll glide over azure waters and disembark onto no fewer than five of the region’s most attractive islands.

Itinerary: San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Roseau, Dominica; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and back to San Juan.

Dates: Departs March 21. Book by Feb. 28 to get the free upgrade to a balcony stateroom.

Price: Starting at $594 (double occupancy), including travel insurance and port charges but not airfare or taxes

Info: eCruises.com, Danbury, Conn.; (800) 223-6868, www.ecruises.com

SUDAN

A trip to the past

Visit a land with more pyramids than Egypt during Voyages Jules Verne’s eight-day “Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs” itinerary. The journey through Sudan spans three deserts, crosses the Nile (during a sunrise cruise), stops into colorful markets, winds through ancient archaeological sites and temple ruins and heads past mountains of red sandstone and black basalt. Other highlights include seeing the Pyramids of Nuri, the tombs at El Kurru, the Royal Necropolis of Meroe, the ancient capital Omdurman, the 1st century Apedemak temple and meeting Bisharin nomads.

Itinerary: London to Khartoum, Karima, Meroe and back to London

Dates: Departures March 28 and April 12

Price: From $3,540, including round-trip airfare from London, departure taxes, transfers, hotel stays, most meals and the services of local guides. The rate does not include airfare to London, a visa fee of about $125, optional excursions, tips and certain taxes.

Info: Voyages Jules Verne, London; 011-44-845-166-7040, www.vjv.co.uk

ARIZONA

A hike and river ride

The “7-Day Motor Powered Trip” by Arizona River Runners kicks off with a 7 1/2 -mile hike from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim down to the Colorado River. From there, it’s a 138-mile adventure over the water (sometimes calm, sometimes white) with stops to examine spring wildflowers, hike to memorable overlooks, check out side canyons, find hidden waterfalls and marvel at Native American ruins.

Dates: April 8-14

Price: $1,695, including all river and hiking guidance, a 10% early season discount for trips launching before May 15 and transportation to and from nearby Peach Springs, Ariz. Pre- and post-trip transit to Las Vegas is available for $65.

Info: Arizona River Runners, Phoenix; (800) 477-7238, www.raftarizona.com

BRITAIN AND NORWAY

‘Viking Voyage’

Take in the spectacular fiords of Western Norway on this eight-day “Viking Voyage” aboard a small Fred. Olsen ocean cruiser. A highlight is seeing the stunning, 125-mile-long Sogne Fiord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opportunities to absorb Scandinavian culture, tour towns, view wildlife and hike.

Itinerary: Liverpool, England, to Bergen, Flam, Gudvangen, Olden, Alesund, Kirkwall and back to Liverpool.

Dates: Departs May 13

Price: From $1,319, including cruise taxes and port charges

Info: Borton Overseas, Minneapolis; (800) 843-0602, www.bortonoverseas.com

INDONESIA

A spiritual retreat

Amanjiwo, an Áman resort, hosts a spiritual retreat called the “Inward Journey of Borobudur” during which guests receive meditation instruction, healing guidance and personal counseling, all led by the well-respected Tibetan Buddhist teacher Khandro Thrinlay Chodon. The package also includes excursions to nearby Borobudur (said to be the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary), local villages and rivers, the 9th century Mendut Temple and other important monuments.

Dates: May 14-20.

Price: $1,950 for three nights; $3,900 for six nights, including Garden Suite accommodations, airport transfers, daily breakfast, group retreat activities, temple entrance fees and lunches in local villages. The rate does not include airfare, taxes or service charges.

Info: Amanjiwo, Central Java, Indonesia; (800) 477-9180, www.amanresorts.com

-- Avital Binshtock itinerary@latimes.com