If you’re looking for the cheapest cruise lines to enjoy a budget-friendly getaway, Carnival Cruise Line tends to be the most affordable option, with fares as low as $100 per person for a short three-night cruise.
With that said, cruise prices always depend on a number of factors, including the itinerary, season, cabin type, the specifics of your package, and the type of ship you are traveling on, but if you plan right, there are plenty of ways to find a fantastic cruise vacation without breaking the bank.
In This Article:
Top Budget-Friendly Cruise Lines
I’m going to explain the factors that impact the cost of a cruise vacation, as well as a few tips you can use to save a few bucks when you’re booking, but let’s start by going over some of the best budget-friendly cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Line
While prices can vary, I like to think of Carnival as the go-to cruise line for cheap cruise deals. Don’t get me wrong, there are some expensive cruise packages you can book through Carnival that offer a luxurious travel experience, but they also offer some of the lowest prices in the industry, especially for short-duration trips.
Beyond their competitive pricing and frequent discounts, the ships in Carnival’s fleet are also known for their fun atmosphere, wide range of family-friendly activities, and flexible booking options.
An average 3-to-4-night cruise with Carnival will cost about $100 to $200 per person per night, but it’s also possible to book a 7-night Carnival cruise for as little as $400.
So, why is Carnival so cheap? It all comes down to the massive size of their fleet. With 27 cruise ships running non-stop throughout the year, they have huge availability, which helps them keep fares low.
Plus, Carnival has a focus on shorter-duration voyages. This helps them reduce operating costs, which are savings that they can then pass on to customers.
The company also embraces its budget-friendly reputation, offering low-cost, basic cabins and other no-frills travel options that lower the average cruise fare costs.
If you’re looking for the best prices, book your vacation for the shoulder season each year, which is almost always between late September and early November. Since Carnival has so many short-duration voyages in the 2-to-4-day range, you can also score some really good last-minute cruise deals.
While you can always upgrade, a low-cost base fare usually includes basic meals, entertainment, and pool access. However, extras, such as specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and drink packages, will cost extra.
Carnival also charges extra for some amenities, which is another way It helps keep basic costs low for most of its guests. It has a reputation for nickel-and-diming passengers with extra fees, like charging for shuttle services; however, this is also part of the reason why costs are so low.
Margaritaville at Sea
Another one of the cheapest cruise lines out there, Margaritaville at Seas, offers quite a few low-cost cruise packages that are perfect for those wanting a quick escape from Florida. Once owned by Carnival Corporation, it’s now an independent cruise line that offers cruises from Florida to the Bahamas and select Caribbean destinations.
The average cost for a basic two-night cruise is just over $120 per night, but you can book for as low as $99 per person per night. So, for those looking for a low-cost, short-duration getaway, it can be one of the cheapest options available.
Costs are kept low because they offer short-duration itineraries with fewer inclusions than you typically get. There’s also a focus on party-style cruising, which won’t surprise anyone who has ever visited a Margaritaville Restaurant.
Rather than outfitting their ships with an abundance of complimentary entertainment amenities, you’ll notice the focus is on paid bars and restaurants.
I’ve also found that they really try to push passengers to pay for upgrades, like the “License to Chill Package,” which is a $399 bracelet that gives you 10 alcoholic drinks, dinner at a specialty restaurant, a spa credit, and a bathrobe. Even little upgrades, like access to the “Faster Chill” priority check-in counter, will run you $99.
You’re not getting a lot for your money, and the pushiness for these upgrades can be annoying, but this is how they keep fare costs to a minimum. Beyond upgrades, even mandatory fees for all guests, like gratuity charges, seem to climb year after year.
Still, if you’re looking for the cheapest deals, I recommend booking midweek voyages, especially during the off-peak months, like September. As for what’s included, you get basic dining, entertainment, and pool access, but the fees for anything extra can certainly add up.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is not strictly a budget-friendly cruise line, but it does offer some really great packages at affordable prices, especially for those heading to Europe or the Caribbean during the shoulder months. MSC also offers many promotional events, which can help you save money on otherwise pricey voyages.
Worth Reading: Why Are MSC Cruises So Cheap?
Prices for a 3- to 4-night cruise range from $200 to $300 per person, with 7-night cruises starting at around $500. Again, this is not the cheapest option, but it is still a good value, especially if you can score some discounted package deals they offer during Wave Season and other sale events.
With six tiers available through their MSC Voyages Club, one of the best ways to save money with MSC Cruises is to stay loyal to them. For repeat customers and families, they offer all kinds of free room upgrade promotions and onboard discounts on things like drinks packages and excursions. With that said, the top way to find lower fares is to book your trip during the shoulder season, which is pretty standard for most cruise lines.
With MSC, basic meals, select beverages, and access to most entertainment venues and amenities are included, but additional costs for gratuities and specialty dining establishments should be factored into your budget. If you really want to keep prices low, just stick to the basics.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Like MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) isn’t exactly known for being the most affordable cruise line, but it does offer some really appealing promotional events throughout the year that can really bring down costs.
While average costs for a basic 3-to-4-night cruise package tend to run between $250 and $400, 7-night cruises can be booked for as little as $500, so it’s possible to secure a lower per-night rate.
Again, the reason why NCL lands on my list of the most budget-friendly cruise lines is all of their promotions. One of the best is their free 3rd and 4th guests promotion, which allows two additional guests to sail free or for just $99 if they stay in the same stateroom.
Not only does this make travel more affordable for families, but friend groups can split the cost of two tickets four ways. If you regularly check their website, you’ll see they also have promotions, including gratuities, along with five free meals at specialty dining establishments.
For active and retired teachers, they also offer a really competitive discount through their Giving Joy Campaign.
NCL also tends to offer some outstanding deals during their Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales. While joining their Latitudes Rewards Program can also help you score some huge discounts on future voyages, as well as shipboard credits and steep reductions on their Unlimited Open Bar Package.
Another thing I really like about cruising with Norwegian is the fact that a lot is included with even the most basic fare. From snack restaurants to a nice variety of entertainment venues and amenities, you don’t have to splurge to get a lot out of an NCL voyage.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is one of the world’s most popular cruise lines. While most people associate them with their record-breaking mega-ships and incredible family-friendly amenities, you can still find cheap cruises through Royal Caribbean if you know how and when to book.
Still, even without timing when you buy and apply discounts, average costs for 3-to-4-night cruises start at around $270, while 7-night cruises average out between $500 and $700, so they certainly aren’t prohibitively expensive to those on a budget.
Part of the reason it’s possible to book a cheap cruise through Royal Caribbean is the immense size of their fleet and the high passenger capacities of their enormous Icon-class and Oasis-class vessels.
Since their ships are designed to carry so many passengers, you can usually score a massive discount with early bookings, as well as checking out last-minute deals. Royal Caribbean tries to ensure its ships are fully loaded with passengers, so it rewards early bookers with cheaper fares.
On the other hand, if you wait a few weeks before one of their ships sets sail, they’ll usually offer any remaining spaces at lower prices.
Outside of those early and last-minute deals, the best prices are usually offered in January, February, and September, so it’s always a good idea to check prices during these months if you’re shopping around for cruise packages and want to experience travel on one of their activity-packed mega-ships.
This brings us nicely to one of my main reasons for booking through Royal Caribbean—there is so much to do on their ships! There are plenty of included activities and amenities on most of their ships, and even if you only eat at the included restaurants, you still get plenty of variety.
Personally, I don’t mind paying a little bit extra for a Royal Caribbean cruise because you do get so much bang for your buck.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Cruise?
It sounds fairly obvious, but different cruise lines cater to different budgets. Where luxury cruise lines, like Regent Seven Seas and Cunard Cruise Line cater to those with higher budgets, more affordable cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line, have more of a focus on family-friendly travel and offering budget-friendly getaways.
If you’re looking to keep costs low, keep an eye on packages through the cruise lines I highlighted above, as those are generally the cheapest in my experience.
The length and type of itinerary also play a significant role in determining the price. Unsurprisingly, shorter two and three-day voyages are far cheaper than a full week-long itinerary.
Where you go also impacts the cost of your trip, with remote, exotic, and specialized destinations, like cruising Alaska or the South Pacific, usually increasing fees drastically. On the other hand, more frequently traveled destinations, like the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera, usually cost a lot less.
Complex itineraries cost a lot more than going to places that depend on cruise tourism to support the local economy. The huge cruise ports in places like the Bahamas charge lower port fees or are even partially owned by the cruise lines, so they don’t cost the cruise lines as much to visit. These savings can be passed onto the passengers in the form of reduced fares.
Your cabin or suite type also impacts the cost of your cruise. Low-cost accommodations, like interior cabins, are almost always the most affordable, while suites and outward-facing cabins with balconies can double or even triple the cost of your fare.
Onboard purchases and upgrades, like drinks packages, Wi-Fi and streaming bundles, visiting specialty dining establishments, and booking excursions can also drive up the cost of your vacation.
Finally, when you book plays a huge role in determining costs. Traveling during peak seasons, like during the holidays or going to warm destinations during winter months, will almost always cost more than traveling outside of peak season.
Since the busy season varies depending on where you are visiting, it’s always a good idea to do your research. For example, cruise costs skyrocket during the summer months for Alaskan itineraries, while they’re much cheaper if you’re headed to the Caribbean during the summer.
How to Find the Best Cruise Deals
If you’re looking to keep costs low and score the best cruise deals, I’d recommend the following:
Book Early or Last-Minute
Some of the best deals are found 6–12 months in advance or by checking last-minute deals that you can book within 30 days of the sail date.
Check Discount Sites
Some websites, like Cruise Direct and Expedia, list cheap cruise deals because they bulk-purchase packages from the cruise lines. While this is not guaranteed, I find that checking these websites for last-minute deals can be much cheaper than booking through the cruise lines themselves.
Repositioning Cruises
These one-way cruises can be a great way to experience longer itineraries at a lower price. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to book your own way either to the embarkation or disembarkation point, which is a cost you should always consider.
Sign Up for Email Alerts
Lots of cruise lines offer special rates to loyalty club members and those on their email lists. Signing up for newsletters for several cruise lines can give you access to special offers before the general public has access to them.
Be Flexible with Travel Dates
This is probably my number one tip for saving money on a cruise. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you’ll have a way better chance of getting a great cruise at a lower price.
You can cut prices even more if you’re also flexible with your destinations and itinerary. If all you’re looking for is some fun and relaxation in the sun, what’s the difference between going to the Bahamas or visiting somewhere like Cozumel? Just book the lowest cost fare that offers the most.
Money-Saving Strategies While You’re Cruising
Saving money doesn’t stop after you have booked your fare. You can also really slash your expenses by cruising smart.
If you’re not a big drinker, I’d recommend skipping the drinks packages, as most of their value is getting alcoholic beverages for a set fee. Onboard Wi-Fi is also expensive with most cruise lines, so try to avoid it. Use your cruise as an opportunity to unplug and only use the free Wi-Fi available at ports and cafés.
I’d also recommend avoiding excursions or even planning your own. Rather than spend $250 for an ATV trip, why not spend an afternoon walking around a town or relaxing on a beach? Experience these unique locations on your terms. It can be just as fun, but you’ll slash your costs.
Read Also: Why I Cruise Year After Year – And Why You Will Too!
I’d also recommend keeping an eye on creeping extra fees. Gratuities, port fees, government taxes, and even cabin deposits can add up. Take advantage of everything included and have a budget in mind for onboard spending before setting sail.
Final Thoughts on the Cheapest Cruise Lines!
Finding a budget-friendly cruise is all about timing, flexibility, and knowing where to look. While cruising can certainly be an expensive hobby, finding an affordable cruise is still possible if you put in the effort.
With a little research and strategic booking, you can embark on an unforgettable cruise vacation that won’t break the bank.
