Cheap cruise ticket

It's going to cost you plenty to pay for your croissants, Bordeaux and Prada, what with the current low status of the dollar against the Euro. But at least getting to Europe is still a bargain this winter.

Air France Holidays has a getaway to Paris package for Valentine's Day (with a Feb. 11 departure) priced at only $524 including air fare and three nights' hotel accommodations. They also throw in airport transfers, continental breakfast each day and a Seine river cruise including lunch.

For reservations, call 800-2FRANCE or go to www.airfranceholidays.com.

Travel firm Tourcrafters is serving up inexpensive Opera in Italy packages to Venice, Rome, Naples or Florence.

A sample Venice package, priced from $559, includes three nights' accommodations at a three-star hotel. You also get a daily breakfast buffet and an opera ticket ($100 value) to a performance at the recently reopened La Fenice theater.

The Rome package, with four nights at a three-star hotel, is priced from $649 and includes a ticket ($66 value) to an opera performance at either the Rome Opera House or Nazionale Theatre.

The lowest prices are available until March 15. Call 800-482-5995 or go to www.tourcrafters.com for more information.

The dollar isn't faring too well against the British pound either (the exchange rate at press time was $1 equals 0.53 pounds).

Still, book a British Airways vacation package and you should have money leftover for proper tea or shepherd's pie and a pint.

B.A.'s Marriott Theatre package, available through February (you have to book by Feb. 16), includes your flights, three nights at the four-star London Marriott Maida Vale with full breakfast daily, and a ticket to a West End show (options include the musicals "Phantom of the Opera," "Mamma Mia," "Chicago," "Lion King" and "We Will Rock You").

The package is priced at $495 per person. A $30 surcharge applies to weekend stays. For reservations, call 877-428-2228 or go to www.ba.com.

The above packages do not include taxes and airport fees.