12 Dirt-Cheap Cruises for 2024 Starting at $169
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These prices include all port fees and taxes, and the gratuities that you’d be expected to pay. Of course, that doesn’t mean that every MSC cruise is going to be cheaper than cruises from other cruise lines. There are a huge host of factors that go into deciding the price of a cruise, including the month that you cruise, the duration, location and more. I regularly take cruises that cost around $50 or £40 per night, and I love nothing more than to find cheap deals and share them with the people on my email list. These costs were compared solely on the cruise fare, which does include complimentary dining venues as well as most of the onboard activities and entertainment.
top cruise destinations
Another smart way to save is by being flexible with your departure ports; sometimes, driving or flying a short distance to a different port can significantly lower the cost of your cruise. Also, consider booking an interior cabin since they are usually cheaper than ocean-view or balcony rooms, which can greatly reduce your overall spending. So, to help in your search for cruise deals, we've come up with three categories for penny pinchers -- budget cruise lines, budget itineraries and budget seasons. You don't necessarily need to sail with a dedicated budget cruise line to find rock-bottom rates, but you need to know which itineraries and cruising seasons traditionally have the lowest prices. With savvy strategies, you can even find extremely affordable sailings on more upscale cruise lines, as well as the mainstream ships.
$2,799 pp — 8nt Luxe Greece & Turkey Suite: exclusive $400 back, $200 OBC + free drinks, tips & Wifi
Princess sails across the world and offers plenty of discounts throughout the year. Celebrity Cruises is a mid-tier line known for its top-notch service, elegant accommodations, and high-end dining. It has a fleet of 16 ships and offers voyages to destinations all around the globe. While it’s designed with adults in mind, you’ll find plenty of amenities and activities that cater to all ages. The cheapest cruise line is MSC Cruises, with their cheapest cruise starting at only $80 per person. Additionally, MSC’s cheapest 7 night cruise starts at only $269 per person.
Holland America Line
Many times you can call and get some help with the lower fare in the form of a refund or onboard credit for the difference. It doesn’t always work, but for the little time it takes, it is definitely worth the effort. Older ships still have plenty to offer and can be an amazing time, but they just aren’t quite on the same level.
MSC Cruises
(Cuba cruises will be a bit pricier, but still excellent value.) Just be prepared for a party atmosphere to prevail onboard, as shorter itineraries also tend to attract a younger crowd. If you're celebrating a special occasion — such as a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon — on board, the cruise line or your travel agent can find ways to fete you, including by upgrading your cabin. Additionally, you can rack up points for perks that might eventually include free or discounted upgrades. For instance, if you reach the top Diamond status with Carnival Cruise Line's Very Important Fun Person loyalty program, you get a one-time free cabin upgrade. A cabin guarantee, which basically means you're assured to get a cabin in the category specified -- or better -- means you can't choose your exact stateroom. Just about every agent and agency -- including Cruise.com (@cruisecom and Best Travel Deals (@cruisedealsbtd -- is tweeting its best cruise deals.
There’s nothing wrong with booking through a third-party, but it does add another layer to the process. If there is a cancellation or price change, we like knowing that we can contact the cruise line directly. Norwegian Cruise Line is another cruise line that offers many complimentary amenities to its guests, including fitness centers, waterparks, and an arcade. Firstly, Royal Caribbean has a variety of ever-changing itineraries to choose from. On the ships themselves, there is an abundance of activities for kids and adults alike, from waterparks and FlowRiders to cocktail bars and casinos. While not quite mega-ships, the Bahamas Paradise ships, which carry 1,500 to 1,700 passengers, sit very much in mainstream cruise ship territory.
Night Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise May 13, 2024 $448
Suffice to say, it’s all a little different than the usual hidden features on cruise ships. You might start to see a trend that many of the cheapest cruises on our list have a common feature of departing from Florida and heading over on a short trip to the Bahamas. As with some other cheap cruises on our list, this trip sails an older ship. However, when you do that you are limiting your search only to trips on that company’s cruises. Unless you’re an avid fan of one cruise line, this isn’t the best way to plan your voyage, since it gives you only a small sliver of what’s out there. While the cheapest prices are unlikely to be found on the newest ships in the fleet like Arvia and Iona, the older ships are still well-maintained and offer a great experience.
How much does a cheap cruise cost?
Cruising has come a long way, and now, rather than cookie-cutter ships and itineraries, the best cruise lines are offering options that appeal to a wide variety of travelers. There are mega ships that can hold almost 7,000 guests, and small ships geared toward a couple hundred guests or less. There are even expedition ships that allow you to get up close and personal with nature. Costa Cruises, an Italian-based line, primarily offers cruises around the Mediterranean, though you might also find some headed to the Caribbean. What makes Costa stand out is its low prices all year round, making it a budget-friendly option for many travelers. While you might not find as many onboard amenities and activities compared to other lines, there’s still a good variety to keep most guests entertained.
As the Icon of the Seas Launches, Some Passengers Prefer Smaller, Older, Cheaper Cruises - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal
As the Icon of the Seas Launches, Some Passengers Prefer Smaller, Older, Cheaper Cruises - WSJ.
Posted: Wed, 17 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Royal Caribbean
Everything You Should Know About the $49 ‘Standby’ Cruise Fare - Condé Nast Traveler
Everything You Should Know About the $49 ‘Standby’ Cruise Fare.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 17:46:18 GMT [source]
The first step to making sure you get the best deals is to join the cruise line’s email list. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive regular updates on all the latest offers, like deals by destination, kids sail free promotions and flash sales. If you can be flexible when it comes to your travel dates, you’ll have your pick of unbeatable savings. Popular vacation dates — like the holidays, spring break, summer vacation and week long cruises — sometimes see the highest prices (though you might get lucky with a seasonal sale).
You'll spend little time in your cabin, so it makes sense to pay less for the trip while you get your money's worth of food, entertainment and onboard amenities like the pool and nightclub. Of course, everything is more expensive these days, leaving some travelers to wonder if there are still affordable cruises available to meet their vacation budgets. Thankfully, that answer is yes, and there are several brands that still provide exceptional value aboard their floating cities. Many are among the best cruise lines, and some are even frequent cruisers’ favorite cruises. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that living on a cruise ship can be cheaper than a mortgage, in case you decide you never want to return from your vacation.
Put on a big smile, be super friendly and ask if there is any chance a better cabin is available. If they don't offer you an upgrade for free, you might suggest you are willing to pay a small fee. To try your luck, you'll want to ask about an upgrade at guest services. Since the crew there will spend embarkation day fielding many questions and complaints from grumpy, travel-weary cruisers, your best bet may be to head to your assigned cabin.
I’ve looked at some of the cheapest cruise lines in the world, checked their cheapest cruises, and worked out which is the lowest-priced – and some other interesting stats too. Beyond the pure cruise fare price, other factors can affect your total vacation cost and are worth a second thought when figuring out the cheapest cruise vacation. Holland America is also owned by Carnival Corporation and offers some attractive cruise fares. Their lowest Caribbean cruise is a 5 day Eastern Caribbean cruise, priced well at $222 onboard Nieuw Amsterdam. A note about NCL, while their overall cruise price is not the lowest, they have ongoing promotions with numerous perks, including free drinks, wi-fi, specialty dining, and credit toward excursions.
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