Cruising in Hurricane Season

Table Of Content

• Things to Know about Cruising During Hurricane Season
• What It Costs to Take a Disney Cruise
• Know The Cancellation Policy For Shore Excursions
• Sign Up for Special Offers
• So Is it a Bad Idea to Cruise During Hurricane Season?
• Is the Air on a Cruise Ship Safe?
• Tips for Cruising During Hurricane Season

As ships have gotten bigger, on average, they've also become more stable. It takes a lot to move a giant vessel like Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — at 236,857 tons, it's one of the world's largest cruise ships. Also note that to make any claim under a travel insurance policy related to a cruise marred by a hurricane or tropical storm, you have to have bought the policy before the storm formed and was officially named. You can also buy separate travel insurance just for the single trip that will provide reimbursement if you experience trip delays, cancellations or interruptions. These plans include a lot of fine print that limits the circumstances where they are valid, and they vary widely in what they offer. In the case of a shortened voyage, lines will typically offer a prorated refund for the lost days.

Things to Know about Cruising During Hurricane Season

Perhaps your ship will set sail a date later, or you'll skip a port or two. At the time of writing, the cheapest sailing in July 2024 starts at $849 per person for an interior room, and it's only 6-nights! If you could cruise in September, that exact same itinerary drops to $479 per person.

What It Costs to Take a Disney Cruise

One of the most critical safety measures is the captain’s decision-making process. Captains are trained to monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions about the ship’s route and itinerary. If a hurricane is predicted to be in the ship’s path, the captain may alter the course or cancel the trip. When planning a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season, choose your itinerary carefully. Some areas of the Caribbean are more prone to hurricanes than others, and it is important to avoid these areas during hurricane season.

Know The Cancellation Policy For Shore Excursions

Since Caribbean hurricanes are part of the Atlantic hurricane season, the Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. With that in mind, we've put together the things you'll need to know to book your vacation during hurricane season with confidence. Virgin Islands (a common port on Eastern Caribbean sailings), for instance, is likely to have little or no impact on a Western Caribbean or Southern Caribbean sailing happening at that time. Other times it can mean your cruise with three stops now only has two as a port of call is canceled due to a nearby storm.

Many families plan vacations to the Caribbean during the summer and early fall, including booking a cruise. Lower PricingHistorically, hurricane activity increases in August, and peaks in early September, then again in October. Statistically, we can avoid the lion’s share of trouble by not booking hurricane season cruises at all, and many travelers simply don’t. Cruise lines know that too and commonly offer lower pricing for that reason, along with the fact that kids are back in school which reduces the number of families available to sail anyway.

Safety Measures and Precautions

Cruising during hurricane season: What to know — and should you go? - The Points Guy

Cruising during hurricane season: What to know — and should you go?.

Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

While there’s not a lot you can do about this, being aware that it’s a possibility can help you formulate Plan B, if necessary. People choose cruises for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is choosing a cruise based on where the ship is going. Sailing around a storm might mean missing ports or stopping at ports in a different order than what was originally routed. If your cruise is canceled, it likely won’t be canceled until the last minute.

So Is it a Bad Idea to Cruise During Hurricane Season?

If the cruise line cancels your cruise completely, you can expect a full refund and cruise credits for your next booking. Attempt to reroute the ship where possible by changing the port-of-calls. If one of the ports is in the storm’s path, the cruise line will select a port that is not. Sometimes a port has to be removed from the itinerary, and a substitute port is not an option. Cruise ships may also simply replace one cruise port stop, or they may even switch up the order of the cruise port days.

Is the Air on a Cruise Ship Safe?

In fact, during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, one luxury cruise line had to extend an itinerary a full week to avoid danger in returning to dry land. For the most part, cruise lines will redirect their routes in the event a tropical storm or hurricane develops in the Caribbean ahead of them, so you won't likely encounter a storm if you've already set sail. If this does happen, though, the cruise line will issue a full refund of any port fees for skipped stops and a pro-rated refund if the trip has to be shortened by a day or more. Cruising during hurricane season is something thousands of cruisers do every year, and enjoy it!

Unfortunately, you're pretty much out of luck if your car is damaged in a port parking lot while you're at sea. Many passengers experienced this very thing during Superstorm Sandy when they returned to find their cars parked in Brooklyn and Bayonne had been flooded or otherwise damaged. It is the Chief Meteorologist’s job to keep a close eye on weather patterns and monitor any brewing storms that may affect a ship’s route. If a storm develops, the Chief and his team do everything in their power to avoid a ship being in harm’s way. One of the best parts about taking a cruise vacation is that you can easily head to better weather—think sun, sand and a cocktail in hand.

Is It Safe to Cruise During Hurricane Season? - Fodor's Travel

Is It Safe to Cruise During Hurricane Season?.

Posted: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

These changes may occur before embarkation day or while you’re sailing on your cruise. The Caribbean is a popular destination for cruises, but it is also one of the areas most impacted by hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November, with the peak season being from August to October. Cruising during hurricane season requires careful consideration of geographical factors. Since areas like the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico are more prone to hurricanes, it’s important to research your destination and choose a flexible cruise line for unexpected weather events. While my cruise only had a change in itinerary, other cruise ships had to remain out at sea longer because of the closure in Port Canaveral.

When a hurricane is expected to affect an island, or even the nautical route at sea, cruise ships often change up the itinerary. If a hurricane or even a severe tropical storm looks like it will affect any of your cruise ports, the most likely thing to happen is that the cruise line will make a decision to change the itinerary. Cruise lines can do things do keep away from the storms and hurricanes, such as change itineraries or even shorten, lengthen or even cancel a cruise altogether (which rarely happens). The reality is that cruise lines will not bring their passengers, their crew and even their ships into harm’s way.

So what happens when you do embark on time, but there’s a hurricane happening in the region? Most likely a hurricane will not impact your cruise, but you might incur an itinerary change if a hurricane is in the path of a port of call on your cruise itinerary. Start monitoring tropical storm and hurricane conditions a week before you leave. Be proactive if your cruise is in the likely path of a storm by contacting your travel agent or the cruise line directly in case contingency plans are necessary. Getting to your ship on time can feel stressful, especially when dealing with the unknowns of inclement weather.

When booking a cruise during hurricane season, purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellations and interruptions due to weather-related issues is also a good idea. Some cruise lines may also offer their own insurance policies that provide additional coverage. When planning a cruise during hurricane season, it is essential to keep an eye on the weather and to be prepared for the possibility of itinerary changes or cancellations. Cruise lines have contingency plans for dealing with storms, but it is always a good idea to have travel insurance and be flexible with your plans. Now that you know cruising during hurricane season is unlikely to ruin your vacation, you can begin to plan your cruise strategy.

Cruising during hurricane season: What to know and should you go?

Table Of Content

• The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)
• When is hurricane season for cruises?
• Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
• What happens if my flight is canceled and I can't get to the port because of the storm?
• Am I entitled to compensation if my itinerary is altered by a storm?

Cruise lines can simply change the itinerary, route, or departure port in order to avoid a storm instead of canceling a cruise. They can also just delay your trip so that it won’t be impacted by the hurricane in question. It is important to know how much money you can save if you're able to cruise during hurricane season. To compare, let's look at two sailings onboard Carnival Celebration, one of Carnival Cruise Line's newest ships. Cruise lines are aware that changes in the itinerary can also affect other travel aspects such as flights, rental cars, et cetera.

The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)

Jodi Grundig is a writer for our sister site Cruise.Blog (and she has her own blog at Family Travel Magazine) was on the Disney Wish when the sailing had to be extended by a couple days. It was supposed to be a 4-night cruise, but at the time of writing will end up being 6-nights. There were definitely some guests upset we would not be able to visit Roatan, and that's to be expected because no one wants to be disappointed. In speaking with crew members, a few shared anecdotally some guests actually question why the ship doesn't simply sail into the storm to make the scheduled port on time. Finally, make sure that you purchase the travel insurance as soon as possible, as to file any claims under a travel insurance policy, you have to have bought the policy before the storm was formed and named. If you purchase the policy afterward, you will not be entitled to any compensation.

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Hurricane and Tropical Storm to Cause Cruise Disruption.

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When is hurricane season for cruises?

If a hurricane does impact your cruise, it’s essential to have a backup plan for travel. Cruise ships have extensive emergency procedures in place in the event of an emergency. All passengers must participate in a safety drill at the beginning of the trip, which includes instructions on evacuating the ship in an emergency. Crew members are also trained to handle various emergencies, from medical emergencies to fires and floods. During my cruise, our ship went around Cuba, and by the time we made our way westward again, the ship stayed far enough away from Hurricane Ian to keep everything quite calm.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

They are exceptionally considerate by offering passengers free benefits such as Wi-Fi to make any necessary changes to travel plans in the event of shortened or extended trips. Cruise lines will sometimes make a decision to make a cruise shorter, or even longer by adding days, to avoid bringing a cruise ship into a storm. Princess has expertise, longevity and access to some of the best tools in the industry. Our team is constantly monitoring safety conditions for guests to make sure that you can cruise with comfort and peace of mind.

You won't get a refund if you cancel a cruise to avoid a storm

If attractively priced fall Caribbean cruises have piqued your interest, make sure you’re going into your vacation planning process fully informed with your eyes wide open. Fall is hurricane season in the Caribbean and South Florida, where many Caribbean cruises depart from. That’s why we personally let hurricane season have no effect in planning on when to take a cruise. There is a greater chance it could cause a change to the itinerary, but even that chance is small and impossible to know.

What happens if my flight is canceled and I can't get to the port because of the storm?

By keeping an eye on the weather forecasts, purchasing travel insurance, and understanding the procedures of the cruise line, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise vacation. Hurricane season is the time of the year when tropical storms and hurricanes are most likely to occur because of mild weather. So, if bad weather forces you to miss or reroute a flight, miss part of a cruise because of a travel delay or get stuck unexpectedly in a city overnight, you should be covered under a travel insurance plan. Cruise ships can typically "outrun" a hurricane -- storms tend to move about 8 to 10 knots, while ships can attain speeds of up to 22 knots and beyond. Passengers might experience rough seas as their ship skirts the edges of a storm. A good attitude is also important, as frustrations can run high when a Caribbean cruise turns into a Bahamas and Florida (or even a Canada and New England) cruise.

But, just because your ship may not feel the direct impacts of a hurricane doesn’t mean it can’t have an impact on your vacation. In fact, the most common impact hurricanes have on cruises are impacts to itineraries. Occasionally, a ship does get caught in a sudden thunderstorm, and the video and pictures can be dramatic. While cruise ships are some of the largest ocean-going vessels, they are still no match for the power of Mother Nature.

Am I entitled to compensation if my itinerary is altered by a storm?

To avoid remorse, my advice is to go into any hurricane-season booking assuming you will not be compensated for storm-caused itinerary changes and not be able to get a refund if you cancel the trip at the last minute. One problem that cruisers encounter in these (relatively rare) situations where a cruise line cancels a sailing due to a storm is that the cancellation usually comes at the last minute. That could leave you in limbo in the days leading up to your cruise, wondering whether your cruise is on or not. This happened in 2017 when some lines delayed departures out of Florida as Hurricane Irma approached. The lines that delayed departures allowed passengers to cancel for a refund in the form of a cruise credit. Alternatively, passengers could proceed with the shortened trips and receive a prorated refund for the missed days.

An Overview of EVERY Disney Cruise Line Restaurant

Just as important, you should purchase your travel insurance immediately after booking your cruise. Most insurance companies set time limits on purchasing policies that include hurricane coverage. Generally, you must have purchased a travel insurance policy before the hurricane is named in order to be covered. There are also travel insurance policies that require you to purchase within a certain timeframe (usually 14 to 21 days) of making your initial trip deposit.

The fine print in your cruise contract gives lines the right to substitute and/or eliminate ports if and when necessary. However, you may be entitled to refunds on prepaid port taxes or fees when ports are missed. Although the exact paths and initial development of individual hurricanes are hard to predict, the season is generally busiest between mid-August and mid-September.

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New Tropical Storm Forms, Threatens Popular Caribbean Ports.

Posted: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

There’s simply no telling when or where a storm will pop up, nor which direction it may take. If you don’t want to sail at all during the season — which runs from June through November — you’re excluding literally half the year from your schedule. If you notice a storm pop up a few days before your cruise, keep a close eye on your email, so you don't miss any important information from your cruise line. It is also a great time to try a southern itinerary to destinations that rarely experience hurricanes, such as the ABC Islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire. We were nervous wrecks in the days leading up to the cruise, but we honestly had a great time (and have done more than 20 cruises since lol).

It’s important to check with the cruise line to see what compensation options are available. For one thing, the latter part of the hurricane season falls when most kids are back in school. You still have the tail-end of summer, meaning cruising out of ports like New York City in still-gorgeous weather but with fewer families. Given that many clans try to fit four or five people into a stateroom, the fewer families on any sailing, the lower the overall number of people aboard.

It’s important to remember that if there is an itinerary change, the cruise lines are doing this to keep everyone safe. If you’re thinking about cruising in hurricane season, there are a few things you should know before setting sail. While these storms occur throughout the world, you likely hear about them parading through the waters of the northern Atlantic — most often the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. But weather reports don’t always mean that you can’t still relax on board and get a taste of Caribbean culture.

During the cruise, we got information about what the storm was doing and how our ship was dealing with track changes. Cruise ships can sail faster than hurricanes can move, which gives them the ability to out run the changing path of any storm. Per the cruise contract that you agreed to when you booked the cruise, no compensation is required to be given if your itinerary changes. That means that if your cruise changes from an Eastern Caribbean cruise to a Western one, you will not be compensated for the change.

13 Tips for Finding Cheap Cruise Deals

Table Of Content

• Margaritaville at Sea
• Top 8 Cheapest Cruise Lines for Your Next Vacation
• top cruise destinations
• Comparing cruise prices across websites
• Tweet Your Way to Cheap Cruises

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. 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. Caribbean cruises might be the bread and butter of mass-market cruise lines, but they don't have the same prominence among the itineraries of the luxury lines.

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Margaritaville at Sea

If you’re sure of the cruise line you want to take, it makes your search a little easier because you’re just looking at one specific line. Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations. Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. In some cases, booking directly with the cruise line can be best because it eliminates a third party.

Top 8 Cheapest Cruise Lines for Your Next Vacation

While you can find some great deals on last-minute cruises, it’s not a guarantee. If you have any preference about your cabin type or location, you’ll want to book as early as possible to make sure you get exactly what you want. If you’re traveling with a group and want to book cabins that are next door to each other, you’ll also want to book ahead of time. However, if you’re super flexible and don’t care what type of cabin you’re in, where it’s located, or even what cruise you’re on, you can often find some good deals at the last minute.

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7 Black Friday cruise deals to book this year.

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top cruise destinations

On a seven-night Greece and Turkey cruise departing in June 2025, prices for these rooms start at $5,499 per person. Opt for the next suite level up — a 450-square-foot penthouse suite with a 93- to 103-square-foot balcony — and prices start at $9,299. That's an increase of $3,800, all for a suite you won't spend much time in on this port-intensive itinerary. Entry-level suites on the nicest ships are not the windowless closets you'll find on some of the mass-market ships. They're spacious cabins with either windows or private balconies and separate sleeping and sitting areas; many have nicely appointed, reasonably sized bathrooms and often walk-in or large closets.

Comparing cruise prices across websites

The lowest tier will be the cheapest, but you should expect to pay out of pocket for extras like drinks, certain restaurant meals and activities and excursions once you’re on board. Higher fare tiers include more amenities but are significantly more expensive. If you’re looking to save on your Celebrity Cruises vacation, the cruise line frequently offers promotions and discounts. These may include special pricing for early bookings, onboard credit, or package deals that bundle accommodations with airfare or excursions.

Most cruise lines quote their prices per person (with taxes and port fees being extra), so it is relatively easy to compare cruise fares using the search function on cruise line websites. When it comes to affordable cruise lines, Royal Caribbean may not always be the first choice. Their newest ships, like the Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, tend to come with high price tags. However, if you’re willing to sail on their older ships, like those from the Vision, Voyager, and Freedom classes, you can snag a good deal.

What cruise ports are on the east coast?

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. It sails midsized ships around the world, catering to a mature cruiser who loves live music, fine dining and a classic cruise experience. Windstar Cruises' hallmark is casual luxury, so the line lets guests choose how inclusive they want their fares to be. If you have to take out your wallet, it'll be for ultra-premium liquors, gourmet wine-paired meals in the Vintage room, cigars in the Connoisseur Club, spa treatments and shore excursions.

Celebrity Cruises aims to be the cruise line for Gen Xers, and its newest ships are filled with dining variety, resort-worthy bars and plenty of places to grab a seat and gab with your girls, guys or significant other. Innovative cabins let fresh air in without creating under-used outdoor space. On some cruise lines, the highest-priced suites come with so many amenities as to make those fares all-inclusive. Unfortunately, there’s no one site that always offers the best cruise deals. Most of the OTAs like CheapCaribbean.com, Cruises.com, or Priceline offer the same prices. The difference usually comes when you factor in extras like onboard credit or free gratuities.

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

While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. The cheapest months to go on a cruise vary by destination due to factors like weather and tourist seasons. For the Caribbean, September is often the least expensive month because it’s the peak of hurricane season.

This article will detail the most budget-friendly cruise lines, providing tips on securing the best bargains and promotions for each line. As a rule, interior, windowless cabins are the least expensive, while cabins with ocean-view balconies are the priciest. Additionally, larger cabins and extra perks like early boarding usually come at a higher cost. However, you should purchase your insurance immediately after booking your trip. First, this ensures coverage if your trip is canceled or you can’t travel.

A few cruise lines take a different approach to all-inclusive cruising and offer inclusions as booking promotions. Depending on the current offer, you are entitled to a slew of included amenities or your choice of only a few. Oceania Cruises sails smaller, upscale ships with a focus on fine dining and restaurant variety. It has recently made its cruise fares more inclusive with the introduction of Simply More pricing. Military cruise deals for active and retired members of the armed services are only one means of double dipping your deals.

We spent some time looking at cruise lines, along with a wide variety of itineraries, in search of the cheapest prices out there. But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card. Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites.

The 7 Most Affordable Cruise Lines of 2023, Ranked

Table Of Content

• Princess Cruises Teams Up to Offer Easy Transportation to Florida Ports
• Always Book Using Military, Senior or Residency Deals
• Ready to start planning your next getaway? Start exploring cruise deals now.
• How to choose the right cruise ship cabin

In Alaska, May and September are cheaper since they’re at the start and end of the cruising season, avoiding the busy and pricey summer months. For the Mediterranean, November through March is generally less expensive, outside the peak tourist season, although the weather can be cooler and less predictable. Nowadays, anyone can take a cruise, with various cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and MSC catering to families and providing excellent value for money. But the furry companion must perform specific tasks for its owner, such as guiding to assist in overcoming sight-impairment. 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.

Princess Cruises Teams Up to Offer Easy Transportation to Florida Ports

Breathe deep in the steam bath or sauna, freeze your you-know-what off in the Snow Grotto to wake up every cell (including those you never knew you had) and take a whirlpool, cold-water splash or plunge pool dip. Alternating hot and cold therapies invigorates your mind and body in the best ways. They come with upscale amenities, such as king-size beds rather than queens, and bathrooms with spacious glass-enclosed showers, heated bathroom floors and anti-fog mirrors. Luxury cruise line Crystal re-launched in 2023, bringing back an all-inclusive onboard experience on two vessels, the 606-passenger Crystal Symphony and 740-passenger Crystal Serenity.

Always Book Using Military, Senior or Residency Deals

Here are the five most affordable luxury cruises we could find so you can save a little bit when you sail in style. The best way to reduce the cost of your cruise is to be proactive when planning. While last-minute deals exist, relying on them may cause you to spend way more if you don’t get lucky and miss the best cruise deal. This is especially true if you plan on spending most of your time at the ports or elsewhere on the ship. Royal Caribbean is an option for the cheapest cruise lines because you get a lot of bang for your buck. While a cruise can be an expensive luxury vacation, it doesn’t have to be.

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

(Prices vary by ship, itinerary and sail date.) These fares cover a Classic Drinks Package and Celebrity's Basic Wi-Fi plan. The fares used to cover crew gratuities, but that perk has been phased out. Cabins on its older ships are compact yet cozy, with a modern look, but you won't spend much time in them.

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How to choose the right cruise ship cabin

The best deals on Royal Caribbean are usually found on their Caribbean cruises. One popular promotion is the “Kids Sail Free” offer, where children under 12 can cruise for free when sharing a cabin with two paying adults. Additionally, Royal Caribbean often runs sales offering discounts on the second guest in a cabin, sometimes up to 50% off, making it more affordable for couples or friends traveling together. Celebrity Cruises is a mid-tier line known for its top-notch service, elegant accommodations, and high-end dining.

The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. 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. We only evaluated major lines with trips that depart from the United States – hence, we excluded such companies as Virgin Voyages, Cunard, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. Themed cruises are cruises where a part of the trip is based on a theme or special interest such as Broadway shows, music, media or even crafts like knitting. Some themes are cruise-wide, while others are group itineraries with exclusive activities.

That's because the line prioritizes getting you to multiple ports and spending as much time as possible on land, with longer stays and evenings ashore. If you book the biggest onboard suites, you are privy to even more freebies, such as valet laundry, unlimited premium Wi-Fi (for faster speed than the included plan) and dinner for two in the fabulous La Dame restaurant. Relax on thermal loungers, awaken the senses in showers delivering aromatherapy and multiple jets, take meditation classes, and work out in the gym and yoga and Pilates studio.

Staterooms are also family friendly, with storage that’s designed to accommodate multiple guests. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. 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. The additional cost is $49 per person, per day, for adults and $29 for children; solo adult travelers pay $42 per person. Upgrade to the All-Included fare, and you'll pay more but get more inclusions.

The 17 Best Websites To Book Cruises at the Cheapest Prices

Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The Alaska cruise season begins in late April or May and runs through September and occasionally October. These travel dates are often nonstarters for families who wait for the summer school break to take their vacations. Even travelers not bound by school schedules sometimes shy away from these cruises because of the imperfect weather conditions.

Its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas, which is set to begin sailing in January 2024, will be the world’s largest cruise ship. 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. It sails to Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Cruisers are drawn to the destinations, whether they're checking exotic ports off their bucket list or love spending time on the beach.

MSC Cruises is one of the cheapest cruise lines if you want to take a 7-day sailing to the Caribbean. If you want one-and-done pricing, passengers can choose All-Inclusive Fares for an additional $89 per person per day. Four cruise lines cover more costs in their cruise fares than the average line, but not as many things as the truly all-inclusive lines. Because agents often book in bulk and work directly with the lines, they have access to deals that normal cruisers don't. Cruise lines will offer their top agencies special discounts that the agents can't promote on their websites, so even if you see a good deal online, it's best to talk to a real person and ask for the best fare. Past passengers can also take advantage of special discount cruises throughout the year or be entitled to book new itineraries before the public can, often turning your cruise dreams into affordable cruise deals.

Norwegian offers group members a choice of complimentary amenities beyond its Free at Sea promotion, such as extra onboard credit or a cocktail party for the group. In addition, bundling multiple vacation elements together can help you save on individual costs. Luxury and river lines sometimes offer promotions that will include economy-class airfare, or a pre-cruise hotel stay at the price of your upscale cruise. If you have a very specific cruise itinerary and ship in mind, we recommend booking early. The choicest digs on popular new ships will sell quickly, pushing fares higher the longer you wait. It’s free and you’re signed up automatically if you have booked with Cruises.com at least once before.