Tested : You can review a detailed itinerary, check out cabin categories on the 150-passenger ship and review pricing online, but reservations can be made only by calling Viking or a travel agent.

I spoke with a reservation agent, who found availability for the Dec. 19 cruise at the $1,256 rate. He also was careful to point out that this cabin, Category E, is uber small — just 120 feet, with the equivalent of twin beds. I’m always out to get the best price and figure I have the run of the ship to spread out, so for me close quarters isn’t a deal breaker. By comparison, regular brochure rates for this cruise start at $2,399 — not quite twice the price but nearly so.

The agent also quoted me an all-inclusive L.A.-Paris round-trip airfare of $995 per person, booked through Viking, that included taxes and fees plus transport from the airport to the ship on both ends of the trip. I did a cursory online check of round-trip airfares, which change constantly, and found them running about $1,100 to $1,200 per person for the same time period, not including ground transportation.

Source: Los Angeles Times (blog)