Mexico cruise: $399 for 7 nights on Holland America

If you’ve missed out on a vacation this year, your ship may have come in: Holland America Line is offering seven-night, round-trip cruises from San Diego to Mexico starting at $399 per person, with a nice mix of days at sea and stops at resort towns.

The deal: The low price is per person, plus tax, based on double occupancy. Ports of call include Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The Oosterdam, which carries nearly 2,000 passengers, spends about three days at sea on this itinerary.

When: Sailings leave Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. Dates are coming up fast and availability is limited, so if you’re interested, call soon.

Tested: I found this deal on Avoya Travel, which is affiliated with American Express Travel. Although you cannot book this deal online, when you call, you’ll be asked for a discount code (9017) that is displayed on the website.

I found availability for the Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 sailings and was told that only about six cabins remained on each cruise at the sale rate. With tax, the total came to $475 each (about $68 per day) or $950 for the cabin. The agent also e-mailed me a breakdown of costs and dates.

Note that the U.S. State Department has issued warnings about traveling to Mexico in light of ongoing drug-related violence. It urges “common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur....” Cruise ships have not been targeted in the attacks. “Mexico’s violence: a 12-point update for travelers” explains what the government’s warnings mean and which places are unsafe.

Contact: Avoya Travel/American Express Travel, (877) 330-0570