Deal alert: Windstar offers bargains on Northern Europe cruises

The luxury small-ship cruise line Windstar is offering two-for-one cruise fares, and two free hotel nights on all Northern Europe sailings booked by Dec. 29.

The line's Wind Surf, which just wrapped up an extensive renovation, will sail five different itineraries featured in the sale. They include Europe's West Coast, visiting France, Spain and Portugal; The British Isles; Gaelic Explorers visiting Scotland and Ireland and allowing a chance to play five world-famous golf courses; the Baltic, visiting Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia; and Scandinavia, sailing to Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

New shore excursions include truffle-making in Estonia; afternoon tea in a castle in England; and kayaking in Finland.

For information, visit WindstarCruises.com.

This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former Travel Editor of The Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.