Diana: You're listening to The Savvy Traveler. I'm Diana Nyad. It's time now for our Deal of the Week with Expert-In-Residence, Rudy Maxa. Hi, Rudy.

Rudy: Hi, Diana. How are you?

Diana: I'm ready to travel, Rudy. What have you got for us?

Rudy: First up: Pack your bags for a Caribbean cruise. You've heard me say that, generally speaking, there are two ways to save on cruises: buy way ahead; or buy at the last minute. Well, if you can travel in the next few weeks, you can save 60 percent, or more, on selected Carnival cruises in the Caribbean.

Diana: For example? Rudy: How about $479 per person, based on two people sailing together, for a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise on the Sensation, departing Tampa on May 12th? That includes port fees, but not government fees, which run about $30. By the way, it's an inside cabin price.

Diana: Still, that's about $70 per day, per person.

Rudy: Right, and there are a handful of other cruise deals Carnival is offering through Sears right now.

Diana: Sears? As in, "Come see the softer side"?

Rudy: Yup. You can get more than chainsaws at Sears these days. Call 866-588-2885 when you're ready to book. Now, let's say you're not the cruise type - maybe, London is more your cup of tea.

Diana: That's close to Paris, isn't it?

Rudy: Oh, stop it. Yes, it's a 3-hour Eurostar train ride away. Here's the deal. Until May 2nd, British Airways is having an airfare sale to London and 39 other European cities at prices starting at $378 round trip between New York and London.

Diana: And the fine print, please?

Rudy: You have to book online -- it's $20 more if you don't -- and it's for midweek travel. Taxes add another $90 or so, but a fare from the East Coast to London right now for less than $500 is darn good. And you can travel through June 15th. By the way, not to be outdone, Virgin Atlantic jumped in with almost-matching fares on Wednesday, after BA announced its sale.

Diana: Okay, let's wrap it up: Call Sears for last-minute Carnival cruise bargains, and British Airways by May 2nd for deals to Europe. Now, how about chainsaws, Rudy? Can you get me a good deal on a chainsaw?

Rudy: Can't help you there, Diana.

Diana: Okay. We'll have to settle for the travel bargains. Talk to you next week.

Savvy Resources: Call Sears for last-minute Carnival Cruise bargains: 866-588-2885 or 877-843-0345. Flight schedules and more detailed fares for British Airways' Europe sale are available from local travel agents, or by visiting the British Airways Web site: http://www.britishairways.com/summer2002. For Virgin Atlantic fares to London, click on: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com