Sunday, March 31, 2024

Cruise Deals: Best Discount Cruises & Packages

best budget cruise lines

We considered prices; the number of ships in each fleet; the flexibility to serve specific traveler types, such as families and singles; and the types of itineraries offered by each company. With a fleet of three ships, Virgin Voyages offers itineraries from two to 14 nights. As for destinations, Virgin has itineraries along the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific and even a 14-day transatlantic journey from Barcelona to Miami. Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation. The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake.

Best for Customer Satisfaction: Disney

You'll visit Catskill, home to the Hudson River School Art Trail and the Olana Historic Site, or explore more actively at the Hudson River Skywalk and Kaaterskill Falls. In Albany, founded in 1609, you can tour the newly renovated New York State Capitol building, built in the late 1800s; you can also visit the New York State Museum, which dates to 1836. Perhaps more so than the accommodation grade, the cabin location can significantly impact your cruise experience. Here’s how to select the best cruise ship cabin for your needs, whether you're seeking breathtaking views, peace and quiet, convenience, or the best value. Ships are filled with stylish, adult-oriented bars promising a hopping scene late into the night as well as hipster venues like a colorful karaoke lounge.

AMAZING SEASONAL CRUISE DEALS

best budget cruise lines

Kids receive the royal treatment with high-quality kids clubs and onboard attractions like the 765-foot-long AquaDuck water coaster. Plus, they have plenty of opportunities for photo ops with their favorite Disney characters. The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise. If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m.

Cruise Deals

When booking a budget cruise, travelers should also be aware of any additional fees that may be charged. Some budget cruises may charge extra for certain amenities or activities, so it is important to read the fine print before booking. Holland America Line has been cruising both popular and less-traveled ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, South America, the Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand and Asia for 150 years. It has a fleet of 11 classic ships and does more than 500 sailings a year, visiting all seven continents. The rock-bottom rate award at this point goes to Carnival, where we've seen four-night cruises for $179 per person ($45 a night) on Carnival Victory, which launched in 2000. Fleetmates Carnival Inspiration (1996) and Imagination (1995) have four-night Mexico cruises for the same price.

Its ships cater to travelers looking for an entertaining, exciting getaway — with an emphasis on pools, waterslides, mini-golf and karaoke, plus comedy shows, casino games and nightclubs for adults. Before booking any cruise, it’s a good idea to compare the cost of your room and planned amenities. Celebrity Cruises most likely won’t be the cheapest upfront option, but your fare can include drinks, surf WiFi and tips. More affordable cruise lines may end up costing more if you end up spending a lot of money once you’re aboard. There are plenty of ways to get more bang for your buck when you sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Every ship in the fleet offers a range of delicious complimentary dining options, but you can dig into even more crave-worthy flavor by purchasing a Specialty Dining Package for less ahead of your cruise.

Norwegian Jade

However, it is important to note that some budget cruises may have fewer options than more expensive cruises. For example, look to sailings off season, such as the Western Mediterranean in November or Alaska in May, or short two-, three- or four-night cruises that will work out cheaper and save your hard-earned cash. Repositioning cruises -- trans-ocean cruises -- are a good shout as they typically sail from Europe to the Caribbean, or vice versa, at the end of a season, offering longer sailings at discounted fares. While travel credit cards offer some trip protection, we suggest you check out our list of best cruise travel insurance, as these plans are geared specifically for cruise trips. No matter which line you're interested in, you'll pay more to travel in Europe's high season, June through August. Shoulder season can bring bargains; it's also a time when many cruise lines reduce (or cut altogether) the dreaded single supplement.

What Are the Most Affordable Cheapest Cruise Lines?

When putting this list together, we looked at published high season rates for 2018 and 2019, excluding airfare and special promotions, with a cutoff point of $350 per person per night. Several cruise lines likely sail from your desired initial port or docks in the destinations you want to see. Instead of only looking at the initial price, also consider any amenity and excursion credits you might receive. Comparing the ship’s age and onboard activities is also worth a look as newer vessels tend to offer a better experience regardless of the cruise line. Fares can be a few dollars cheaper than Royal Caribbean and other carriers. It’s possible to get basic fares for less than $200, but you may need to pay for more onboard amenities.

They offer time before or after the cruise to enjoy the city's food, music and iconic architecture — plus the ease of a round-trip flight booking. Viking's seven-night New Orleans & Southern Charms itinerary focuses solely on ports in Louisiana and Mississippi, with an emphasis on historic architecture, Cajun culture and Civil War landmarks. Travelers can filter search results by destination, cruise line or departure port on various ships. This site offers cruises for every type of traveler, from budget to luxury, and every type of ship, from riverboats to mega-ships. This cruise line can be a good option for travelers of any age, whether traveling alone or with others. Children can enjoy a complimentary kids club with activities and snacks.

Alaska, from Seattle

If you’re lucky, finding tickets for under $150 per person per night is possible. Depending on when you look for tickets, you can find them for as little as $169 per person per night. Better yet, if you’re looking for a short cruise vacation to work with your budget, you can opt for one of their weekend cruises. We used an online cruise insurance marketplace to get a quote for a family of four (two adults and two kids) for a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas.

The best cruise lines offer promotions regularly, so keep an eye out for specials that match your budget. For travelers looking for an affordable way to see the world, budget cruise ships offer an excellent option. With a variety of amenities and itineraries to choose from, these ships provide a great value for those on a budget.

Carnival also offers super-short cruises, occasionally for under $100 per person, per night. 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. Choose from short, three- and four-night voyages to Santorini and Mykonos, to longer seven- and 10-night sailings that also include calls to Patmos, Rhodes, Crete (Heraklion), Athens (Lavrion) and Kusadasi in Turkey.

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(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. Ambassador sails from eight regional UK ports, from London Tilbury to Newcastle and Bristol, with traditional afternoon tea, a British pub and British-style entertainment onboard the two elegant ships. If you prefer P&O Cruises, for example, look at voyages on the line’s older ships over their new vessels or if you want to cruise with Royal Caribbean, try a short three-night cruise from Southampton.

10 Cheap Cruises Ranked By Their 2024 Prices - TheTravel

10 Cheap Cruises Ranked By Their 2024 Prices.

Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

However, to offset this drawback, drink prices are reasonable ($5-6 for a beer and $9 for basic cocktails), including the tip. American Cruise Line offers this itinerary on five ships from April to October 2024, 2025 and 2026. Three of the ships (American Song, American Jazz and American Harmony) are 180-passenger modern river ships launched from 2018 to 2020. American Pride is a 150-passenger paddlewheeler launched in 2012, and American West is a 110-passenger veteran paddlewheeler launched in 1995.

MSC is a European cruise line that offers itineraries in the Caribbean as well as to popular destinations in Europe like the Mediterranean and Norway. While cruising, you'll enjoy nightly entertainment that celebrates the region's musical heritage. American Cruise Lines offers this itinerary on four ships from April to October 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Chill out on a powder-white beach or go waterfall hunting in the jungle in the Dominican Republic. The 3,963-passenger ship is chock-full of restaurants, bars, nightlife spots and fantastic entertainment, including Broadway shows. With Norwegian's laid-back dining plan, solo travelers aren't locked into set dining times and table mates, so they can invite newly made friends to dinner at a time convenient to everyone.

Best Budget Cruises: The Lines & Ships to Snag a Deal

best budget cruise lines

Wi-Fi, tips and drinks — like cocktails, wine and specialty coffees — are included in most Celebrity cruise bookings, however the cheapest rates can be purchased without them. Right now, a four-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas is around $440 per person, including taxes, for an inside state room. An inside or interior cabin is usually the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship. These cabins are the cabins that line the interior hallways of the cruise ship and are usually the smallest. While space and storage in these cabins are limited, they’re a great option if affordability is your priority and you plan to spend more time enjoying the ship’s many amenities. Many Norwegian Cruise Line’s routes have competitive prices, so the odds of finding an affordable cruise are pretty good.

best budget cruise lines

Booking a cruise has never been easier with flexible payment methods and payment options.

This means avoiding peak travel times, such as summer months and holidays. By traveling during the off-season, you can often find lower prices and fewer crowds. When it comes to planning a budget cruise, there are several factors to consider. From choosing an affordable cruise line to finding the best budget itineraries, there are plenty of ways to save money while still enjoying a fantastic vacation. Carnival Cruise Line—known as one of the most affordable cruise lines—was founded in 1972 and now carries millions of guests every year aboard its 24 ships.

Ready to start planning your next getaway? Start exploring cruise deals now.

This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise. The best place to book a cruise will vary depending on what you're looking for out of the experience. Before you book, though, have a look at these credit cards that come with cruise benefits to sweeten the pot even more. Due to the costs and luxury travel experience, this cruise can be better for adult travelers. When you dine aboard a Regent cruise, you'll experience world-class chefs as well as sommeliers to pair your wine to your meal. Dining options include a variety of restaurants serving French cuisine, Pan-Asian dishes, Italian specialties, steak and more.

best US river cruises

While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. The liner also has many exciting itineraries to tropical and temperate climates with exciting onshore excursions. Their fares are competitively priced and are some of the cheapest fares starting as low as $225 per night. So how do you know whether or not a cruise deal is worth your hard-earned cash? Cruise Critic's Deal Score is a data-based tool that measures inclusions and extras with itinerary length and nightly fare discounts to help you understand how much of a deal you're actually getting.

If you’re booking a cruise vacation, you’ll find there are benefits to both strategies. Planning ahead is a great way to score big savings, as Royal Caribbean often runs early saver deals to guests booking well in advance. It’s also pretty safe to assume prices usually go up as availability goes down the closer you get to your sail date, so booking ahead is a surefire way to lock in a great rate. That said, booking a cruise at the last minute can also yield some unexpected savings — but only if the itinerary you’re interested in hasn’t sold out yet.

It's important to read reviews and compare ratings from multiple sources to get a well-rounded understanding of the ship's overall quality. From the beaches of Cabo San Lucas to the cultural attractions of Cozumel, there's something for everyone in Mexico. Many cruises also include stops in other Central American countries, such as Costa Rica and Panama. MSC Cruises offers sailings out of the U.S. (New York, Miami and Orlando) to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, New England and Canada. It also offers sailings to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa and more. Most luxury cruise lines allow kids, though they often don't cater to them the way the larger lines do.

When visiting ports of call, Viking itineraries feature the highest average hours in port per day, which gives travelers extra time to explore destinations and their unique attractions. Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships. This varied experience makes her a well-rounded and knowledgeable commentator on everything cruise-related. Repositioning cruises are another option for budget-conscious travelers.

8 Best Budget Cruise Lines For 2024 - TheTravel

8 Best Budget Cruise Lines For 2024.

Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Even little ones will find plenty of ways to play with spaces and activities designed for tots to tweens. One of the top reasons savvy travelers love cruising, though, is because of the incredible value it offers. With Royal Caribbean, your cruise fare includes access to most of the ship’s attractions, select dining venues and all of the entertainment onboard.

Viking, a cruise line based in Basel, Switzerland, is no stranger to accolades. News' luxury list last year too — despite Chairman Torstein Hagen indicating he isn't a fan of the word. U.S. News & World Report on Tuesday published its ranking of the "best" cruise lines of 2022. Marella Cruises is best suited for holidaymakers who don’t mind, or prefer, a fly holiday, since the Marella fleet is based in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Caribbean.

The Best Ways to Book a Cruise - NerdWallet

The Best Ways to Book a Cruise.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:01:35 GMT [source]

Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points. Delta Air Lines is another airline that allows members to earn airline miles when booking cruises through its portal.

If you’re keen to try Royal Caribbean, but you’re on a budget, the reality is you’re not going to find a cheap seven-night cruise on, say, Wonder of the Seas in the Caribbean. You will find cheaper cruises on Anthem of the Seas’ voyages from Southampton -- especially if you snag a cabin on the ship’s two-night jaunt to Paris. The line's destinations include the Canary Islands, & Madeira, Spain and Portugal, Norwegian fjords and British Isles, as well as some longer sailings to the Americas and Indian Ocean. Olsen also regularly offers fantastic value Northern Lights and Christmas markets cruises to Northern Europe as part of its no-fly programme.

Repeat cruisers may also like Carnival because they have the VIFP Club loyalty program. This program is free to join, and guests can receive exclusive deals and complimentary amenities on sailings. The first ships departing from the United States will depart in July 2021.

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