If you have children approaching college age, you know how difficult it can be to choose the right college.

Apparently, the good people at Amtrak understand this as well, and are offering free travel to high school juniors and seniors to visit college campuses through Nov. 22. Ah, but there is a catch … students must be accompanied by a full-fare paying parent of guardian.

To take advantage of this offer, simply complete a campus visit form, which can be found at http://www.amtrakguestrewards.com, and a discount code will be emailed to you.

And in other Amtrak news, the company is offering up to a 25-pecent discount when Guest Rewards members book a combination rail-and-cruise package through Dec. 31, 2005.

Members who book a cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines or America West Steamboat Company will receive 25 percent off Amtrak rail fare and sleeping car accommodations during off-peak travel periods (promotion code V570) or 15 percent during peak travel periods (promotion code V571).

Members cruising with Windjammer Cruises will receive 20 percent off their Amtrak travel during off-peak travel periods (promotion code V572) or 10 percent off Amtrak travel during peak travel periods.

Amtrak’s peak travel season falls between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For more information, visit http://www.amtrakguestrewards.com.

And finally, Guest Rewards members who book their Amtrak travel online through Dec. 15 and complete travel before Feb. 28, 2005, will receive a 10-percent discount.