Cruise news: 'Carnival Fantasy' dropping anchor in Charleston; Crystal offering deals

• The Carnival Fantasy will call Charleston, S.C., its home port year-round beginning in May. The 2,056-passenger Carnival Cruise Lines ship will make five-, six and seven-day voyages from South Carolina to the Bahamas and Key West.

• Crystal Cruises has announced a slew of deals for its 2010 season, including two-for-one pricing on its cruises in all categories and free airfare on cruises along Australia and New Zealand, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and New England and Canada. (Penthouse passengers receive free business-class air to Europe.) For example, a 12-day Crystal Symphony cruise from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, departing March 18, starts at $6,530 per person double; brochure rate was $13,060. Air from Washington Dulles or BWI is included, and taxes and port charges are an extra $305. In addition, the cruise line is offering a Birthday Bonus promotion, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. For the deal, book by Dec. 31 and sail on your birthday in 2010 to receive 50 percent off a second cruise taken before your 2011 birthday. Info: 888-799-4625, www.crystalcruises.com.