A slumping economy, floundering housing market and fears of a recession have many of us pinching pennies and looking for bargains, especially in Europe, where the U.S. dollar has lost nearly 40 percent of its value in the last five years alone.

"Though the downturn of the U.S. dollar is a deterrent to sailing in Europe this year, the cruise lines are doing their very best to make it very worthwhile," says Jean Simpson Mallory, manager at White Travel Services in West Hartford, Conn.

According to Mallory, that means bargains abound for sailing over the bounding main.

Bill Kraus, president and CEO of cruiseclubofamerica.com, echoes these observations. "There appears to be a glut of ads offering onboard and shore-excursion credits as well as prepaid gratuities as a booking incentive," he says. "There also are more air-inclusive promotions being offered to Europe by various cruise lines as a means of combating the higher cost of airfare."

"It is almost shocking," Mallory says, "to put in print the offer of $399 ($479 including port charges) on a seven-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship, the Gem."

The ships sails roundtrip from Barcelona, stopping in Valletta, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno and Villefranche on cruises departing Oct. 25, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. Azamara Cruises, according to Mallory, "is offering unheard-of shipboard credits of up to $800 per stateroom on its European 'Premiere Event.'" The low fare is applicable to all sailings and itineraries, she notes.

The Yachts of Seabourn adds its own brand of discount for the well-heeled: two-for-one offers on business-class air plus a 40-percent savings on many Europe sailings. On the luxe line's 13-night trans-Atlantic from Ft Lauderdale to Lisbon, fares aboard the Seabourn Pride start at $2,998 — half the regular rate — plus a shipboard credit and a complimentary shore event, Mallory adds. Celebrity Cruises promotes a discounted 14-night trans-Atlantic on Nov. 29, sailing from Barcelona visiting Malaga, Madeira, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma and St. Maarten and ending in San Juan. Outside cabin fares begin at $999, including a port charge of $229.