The archive

The Deal Desk Dispatch

Every issue, in full — the deal of the week, four more picked by hand, and one steal under $1,000. Twice a month. No email needed to read it, which is rather the point.

First issue in preparation Every other Thursday $2,500 giveaway →

Want it on Thursday instead?

Add your name and you’re on the list. One issue every other Thursday. One click unsubscribes.

$2,500 Dream Escape ·draw Thu, Nov 26

31 d 15 h 26 m

Enter free

Vacation Trip Deals

Deal Desk Dispatch · No. 1

Preview · not yet sent

What the deal desk is watching this week

6 deals · 1 under $1,000 · prices checked October 26, 2026. Rates move — the operator’s page always shows the live price.

Deal of the issue Holland America Line

7-Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise

Just a $99 deposit on select cruises

“Lock in 2026–2027 dates with a $99 deposit (≈ $250/night).”

$1,499+ 6 nights ≈ $250/night

See this deal

pick Avalon Waterways

8-Day Festive River Cruise

Experience holidays activities along the Danube

“Verified $1,500 operator-stated savings (24% below standard fare).”

$4,751+ 7 nights ≈ $679/night

See this deal

pick Marriott

2-Nt Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa

Daily $50 dining credit, daily wine tasting for 2

“Works out to ≈ $260/night across 2 nights with $50 dining credit.”

$519+ 2 nights ≈ $260/night

See this deal

pick Edible Destinations

7-Day Umbria & Tuscany Culinary Tour

Cooking classes, tours, 14 meals, more

“Lowest starting rate of any Italy & Malta tours & rail on the board.”

$1,999+ 7 days ≈ $286/day

See this deal

pick Holland America Line

7-Day Canada & New England Cruise

Includes Wi-Fi & crew appreciation gratuity

“Works out to ≈ $319/night across 6 nights with drinks included.”

$1,914+ 6 nights ≈ $319/night

See this deal

pick Indus Travels

Air & 9-Day Lisbon + Douro River Cruise

Spend 2 nights in a superior Lisbon hotel

“Lowest starting rate of any Spain & Portugal river cruise on the board.”

$2,099+ 8 nights ≈ $262/night

See this deal

You are reading the web view of the issue dated Preview · not yet sent. Prices are the operator’s published from-rates, usually per person, and change without notice. We may earn a commission when you book through our links — it never changes your price.

All issues

Newest first. The list only contains issues that actually went out — we would rather show one than invent a back catalogue.

No issue has gone out yet.

The first send is in preparation. When it goes out it will appear here in full, and this page will stay empty until then rather than listing a draft as though it were a back catalogue.

What lands in your inbox

Deal of the issue

One offer in full: the price, what it works out to per night, what is actually included, and the catch. If we cannot explain the maths, it does not run.

Four more, one per type

An ocean cruise, a river cruise, a tour and a hotel — so there is always something for the trip you are actually planning.

The steal

One offer under $1,000. It is usually the shortest-lived thing in the email and the first to sell out.

About the email

How often does it arrive?

Every other Thursday — twice a month. No daily blasts, and no “last chance” email the day after.

Why do some prices change?

Every price is the operator’s published from-rate at the moment we checked it. Operators move rates and inventory without telling us, so an archived issue is a snapshot, not an offer.

Can I read it without subscribing?

Yes — that is the point of this page. Every issue stays here in full. Subscribing just means you see it on Thursday instead of finding it later.

What is the giveaway in the emails?

One reader a month wins $2,500 in travel credit toward any trip on the board. Free to enter, no purchase necessary, and it is not a condition of subscribing.