I’ve mentioned before that booking a cruise vacation package is a good way to save money on your European vacation, and that even if you don’t consider yourself the cruise type it’s definitely worth considering – especially if the choice is between a European cruise and no European vacation at all. See? The Europe cruise is sounding better and better, isn’t it?

Princess Cruises has a 12-day Mediterranean cruise deal going on right now that starts at $1,197 per person for an interior room (based on double occupancy), and there are free upgrades available for balcony rooms or ocean view rooms. This price is for the cruise only, so you’d have to cover the airfare and any shore excursions, but it’s still a great deal – if for no other reason than all your on-board extras (including excursions) are paid for in U.S. dollars, so you don’t have to worry about the abysmal euro exchange rate.

Here are the details you’ll need to know about this Mediterranean Europe cruise deal, including the all-important coupon number:

• The itinerary includes stops in Barcelona, Marseille, Livorno, Naples, Venice, Athens, Mykonos, and Istanbul.
• This cruise deal is good on the departure dates of August 16, 2008 and August 28, 2008.
• Fuel supplement is included in the cruise fares quoted, but additional fees/taxes are not included.
• The coupon number for this deal is 657978974A.
• The page for the August 16 cruise is here, and the August 28 cruise is here.