CRUISE ISSUE: FALL / WINTER : Pricing Themselves Back In

This fall it’s possible, if you or your travel agent are creative, to book some Carnival cruises at a rate of about four-passengers-for-one.

Or, on Holiday’s midweek Los Angeles-to-Ensenada run, pay $299 per person for two berths in one cabin, and have two more share the cabin free.

Or pay as low as $524 per person on Princess Cruises’ two-for-one, seven-night Caribbean voyage.

Why so cheap?

Until 1994, the cruise industry was on a roll, with passenger numbers showing an average growth rate of 8.6% per year since 1980, according to the Cruise Lines International Assn. (CLIA), a trade group representing the bulk of the cruise ship industry. But, according to CLIA figures, demand leveled off in the fall of 1994, then declined by 4.5% in the first quarter of 1995, and hasn’t yet recovered.

Add to that a glut of new ships and the result may be an early Christmas for cruise bargain-hunters. Cruise companies, feeling over-berthed and under-booked, are cutting published fares and offering various options and discounts to attract new customers or bring back old ones.

The over berthing may be temporary, however. In 1997, existing ships as well new ones will be required to meet stringent safety standards. For older ships this will require costly and time-consuming renovations for sprinkler systems and other safety improvements. If the vintage vessels can’t meet the standards, they will no longer be permitted to sail to or from U.S. ports. (The older ships may be resold to sail from Singapore, Greece and other ports with less stringent regulations.)

Meanwhile, here are some deals for fall and winter cruises. Bargain-hunters beware: All fares are subject to various conditions, including limited availability, cabin category and sailing dates. Also, most of the bargain rates are based on double occupancy, so single travelers won’t find deals until they find traveling companions.

Ensenada:

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Three- and four-day voyages round-trip from Los Angeles. “Breakthrough” rates start at $279 per person with third and fourth passengers in the same cabin traveling for $49 each--so three people could share a cabin on a four-night cruise and pay $203 each. (Regular prices range $579-$1,849 per person, double occupancy, with the third and fourth berths ranging $200-$260, depending on season and length of cruise.)

Carnival Cruise Line: Four-day midweek cruises on the Holiday, round trip from Los Angeles. First two passengers pay $299 apiece, with third and fourth passengers sharing the same cabin free. Holiday’s three-day cruises start at $249 per person, with third and fourth passengers sharing the same cabin free. (Regular published fares are $549-$1,329 per person, double occupancy, round-trip air fare included. Deduct $150 per person for cruise-only fares.)

Mexican Riviera:

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Seven-night cruise on Song of Norway, round-trip from Los Angeles. Discounted rate is $664 per person, double occupancy, plus third and fourth cabin occupants for $99 apiece in December. (The non-discounted price for this trip is $1,349 for first two, and $449 for third and fourth cabin occupants.

Caribbean:

Celebrity Cruises: Seven-night trips from Fort Lauderdale and San Juan. Bargain rate: From $699 for inside cabins and $949 for outside cabins per person. (Brochure rates are $1,325 and $1,645). On some ships there is also a half-off fare: $822.50 per person. West Coast air-fare add-on: $399 per person.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Seven-night trips on Song of America from San Juan to various Caribbean ports Rates: $949 apiece; round-trip air fare from LAX to San Juan included. (This is discounted from $1,699 per person, double occupancy.)

Royal Cruise Line: Seven days aboard the 212-passenger Queen Odyssey from Barbados and San Juan, January through March. Two-for-one rates start at $4,998. Air fare add-on from Los Angeles: $395. Also, on Nov. 15, the Crown Odyssey offers a 21-day Rome to San Juan transatlantic trip (it includes a number of Mediterranean and Caribbean ports). Rates range $3,634-$9,769, which represents 50% off.

Radisson Seven Seas: seven- and nine-night Radisson Diamond cruises sailing through the Panama Canal (touching various Caribbean ports). Rates start at $3,595 for the first person, 50% off for second passenger in the cabin. Add $200 per person for air fare from Los Angeles. Price includes two nights in a deluxe San Jose, Costa Rica, hotel and two shore excursions.

Star Clippers: Aboard the sailing ship Star Clipper, a four-night trip to the British Virgin Islands on Dec. 3, or a three-night sailing from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Dec. 4. Prices from $565 per person for four-night cruise, $375 for three-day cruise. Represents a $200 discount (outside cabins only). Air fare is extra.

Other destinations:

Costa Cruises: A 15-day transatlantic crossing on the Allegra, leaving Genoa for Miami, Nov. 16. Cost begins at $3,350 per person, double occupancy, for the cruise plus a six-day, pre-cruise land tour of Italy. ($200 air add-on from Los Angeles)

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises: Seven- to 14-day sailings visiting Vietnam, Borneo, Hong Kong, China and other Asian ports on the Song of Flower. Rates start at $4,445 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare. ($250-$2,050 off for early booking.) Radisson throws in an extra 25,000 frequent-flier miles on United Airline’s program. You will need to book your cruise through a travel agent, as most cruise lines will not accept individual bookings. However, you you can get more details about sailings, as well as brochures and other literature, by calling the lines at their toll-free numbers:

Carnival Cruise Lines, (800) 327-9501; Costa Cruises, (800) 462-6782; Norwegian Cruise Line, (800) 327-7030; Orient Lines, (800) 333-7300; Princess Cruises, (800) LOVEBOAT; Radisson Seven Seas, (800) 333-3333; Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, (800) 327-6700; Royal Cruise Line, (800) 622-0538; Star Clippers, (800) 442-0551.

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Slater and Basch travel as guests of the cruise lines. Cruise Views appears the first and third week of every month.