Cunard cruise sale offers discounts, free upgrades to honor all things royal

Britain’s royals have much to celebrate these days. There’s the royal wedding on Friday -- the first such celebration since Prince Charles married Diana Spencer in 1981. And last week, Queen Elizabeth II turned 85 (though she won’t publicly party until June 11). Now commoners too have something to celebrate, as Cunard Line toasts both events with a sale on selected fall cruises aboard its royal-named fleet.

The deal: The Royal Celebration Sale offers discounts and free upgrades on selected transatlantic crossings as well as cruises of the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Canada and the U.S., the Canary Islands and the Caribbean. Check the Cunard website for dates and itineraries.

When: The sale ends Friday.

Tested: I went online to check availability and selected a seven-day transatlantic crossing from New York to Southhampton, England, on the Queen Mary 2 leaving Sept. 5. I found inside cabins available for the sale price of $945 per person, based on double occupancy. I called Cunard to learn that the same cabin’s regular price is $1,495 per person.

But the real deal on this cruise is on upgraded cabins. I found a stateroom with a balcony -- one that usually costs $2,345 per person -- for the same $945 per person sale price. (Prices cited don’t include tax and fees.)

Contact: Cunard Line, (800) 728-6273, or contact a travel agent.