Mexico deal: $1,995 for 10-day cruise on Crystal Symphony, plus $500 shipboard credit

The luxury Crystal Cruises line is cutting prices for a 10-day round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico, with fares starting at $1,995 per person, and throwing in a $500 shipboard credit too.

The deal: The Crystal Symphony will leave from Los Angeles and stop in San Diego and the Mexican villages of La Paz and Loreto before visiting the resort towns of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Passengers can take yoga, tai chi classes and more aboard the cruise, which has the theme “Mind, Body, Spirit.”

Cabins start at $1,995 per person, plus tax and fees, for an outside stateroom with large windows. The cost is based on double occupancy. The $500-per-person credit can be used toward excursions, spa services, wine and other drinks and gift shop purchases.

When: Good for the sailing that departs Los Angeles on March 31 and returns April 10.

Tested: The brochure rate for this cruise starts at $7,160 per person, plus taxes and fees, so this deal offers great savings. You can’t book this cruise online, but you can reserve it by calling the cruise line or a travel agent.

I called Crystal Cruises directly and was connected with a travel agent who answered my questions, put two staterooms on hold at the lowest rate and e-mailed a detailed estimate within an hour. Final cost: $2,330 per person ($4,660 for two), including taxes and fees.

Why so low?

In a news release, Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president for sales and marketing, said, “The Mexican destinations we’re visiting are really very welcoming to tourists, but negative publicity in other parts of Mexico have hurt tourism for the whole country.”

For the U.S. State Department’s advice on visiting Mexico, see its website for travelers.

Contact: Crystal Cruises, (888) 799-4625, or call a travel agent.