Cruise lines, like hotels and airlines, have been slashing the prices of popular vacation packages left and right. We went on a mission to find some of the most affordable cruises on the market right now. Here are our favorites:
3-Night Bahamas Cruise on the Monarch Of The Sea from $169
Embark: Port Canaveral, Florida
Itinerary: Port Canaveral; Nassau, Bahamas; Coco Cay, Bahamas; Port Canaveral
Dates of travel: Various dates starting from November 13th, 2009 - January 8th, 2010.
Only have a few days to get away? Royal Caribbean’s three day cruise from Port Canaveral to Nassau and Coco Cay in the Bahamas means you can leave the office on Thursday and stroll through downtown Nassau on Saturday morning with an ice-cold Goombay Punch in hand. Because the ship generally leaves on Friday afternoon and returns to Port Canaveral on Monday morning, you won’t have to feel guilty about taking too many days off from work. Royal Caribbean’s exclusive stop at the private Coco Cay means that you get to spend an entire day at the beach on your long weekend. Although the ship dates back to 1991 and is one of the oldest vessels in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, it was completely refurbished in 2003 and now includes staples such as a rock climbing wall and a family-friendly pool area, as well as a sushi bar and Asian-fusion restaurant.
5-Day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Norwegian Dawn from $159
Embark: Miami, Florida
Itinerary: Miami; Grand Cayman; Cozumel; Miami
Dates of travel: November 15, 2009 and November 29, 2009
The dates for this special, last-minute deal from Norwegian Cruise Lines sandwich the hectic Thanksgiving holiday, one of the travel industry’s busiest seasons.
Nonetheless, this Sunday afternoon to Friday morning cruise from Miami may be a welcome chance to slip away to warmer latitudes before (or after) the holiday rush. The two scheduled ports of call, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, are both noted for their beaches, snorkeling, and diving. The less amphibious can take advantage of the high-end, duty free shopping in George Town, Grand Cayman just in time for the holidays. Onboard the Norwegian Dawn foodies will be in heaven, thanks to the cruise line's hallmark "Freestyle Cruising," which allows flexible dining options in the ship’s main dining areas. The assortment of onboard specialty eateries includes a traditional steakhouse, a tapas bar, two Asian-cuisine restaurants, and a classic French bistro. Options for relaxation include an indoor lap pool, the two-story Stardust Theater, where concerts and shows take place, and the El Dorado spa, where yoga and pilates classes are offered while the ship is at sea.
4-Day Mexican Baja Cruise on the Carnival Paradise from $189
Embark: Los Angeles, California
Itinerary: Los Angeles; Catalina Island, CA; Ensenada, Mexico; Los Angeles
Dates of travel: Various dates starting from November 16, 2009
An affordable four-day getaway to Catalina Island off the coast of California and the Baja Peninsula may be the perfect cure for a case of late autumn or early-winter blues. Catalina Island’s picturesque rocky bluffs, vintage California art deco architecture, and streets lined with parked golf carts are a world away from traffic-clogged Southern California. The island, which was once the home to a young Marilyn Monroe, is also known for its scenic waterfront in Avalon and the iconic Wrigley Casino, which was opened by the Wrigley family (yes, as in Wrigley's gum) in 1929. In addition to hitting up Ensenada’s cantinas, markets, surf-able beaches, and "La Bufadora" (the salt-water spouting sea geyser), passengers may want to try spotting schools of gray whales which migrate near the bustling Baja port between January and March. On the Carnival Paradise, the cruise line’s reputation as the "Fun Ship Fleet" is synonymous with a family-friendly pool deck, a funky, African-themed disco, and oodles of entertainment options, including comedy shows and nightly theatrical productions.
7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise on the Adventure of The Seas from $449
Embark: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Itinerary: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dates of travel: November 8 and December 6, 2009
The itinerary for this week-long sojourn on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas is packed with ports-of-call. In Barbados, visitors can spot monkeys in the tropical forests of Welchman Hall Gully National Park in the morning and then spend the afternoon strolling through the colorful British colonial architecture of downtown Bridgetown. Much to the delight of beach bums, the cruise docks in ports that are conveniently located near some of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean, including Antigua’s Half Moon Bay, Vigie beach in St Lucia, the Platinum Coast of Barbados, and the partially clothing-optional Orient Beach on St. Maarten. When not in port, families will find a selection of structured children activities such as Adventure Theater acting classes and an "Alphabet Scavenger Hunt," as well as a plethora of other recreation options on the cruise’s one scheduled day at sea. The Adventure of the Seas includes Royal Caribbean’s now-ubiquitous recreational badges of distinction like a massive indoor promenade, ice rink, an inline skating track, 9-holes of put-put, three pools, and a rock climbing wall.
7-Day Caribbean Cruise on the Costa Fortuna from $399
Embark: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Itinerary: Ft. Lauderdale, St. Thomas; San Juan; Grand Turk; Ft. Lauderdale
Dates of travel: January 10 and January 24, 2010
If your New Year's resolution for 2010 is to relax more often, a winter escape on the Costa Fortuna to the Eastern Caribbean may top your to-do list. Shopping, snorkeling with Technicolor tropical fish, and sunbathing are big cruise ship passenger draws in St. Thomas, the most popular of the U.S. Virgin Islands. From there, it's on to the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, where visitors can shop, dine at Spanish-Caribbean restaurants, and explore El Morro Fort, a landmark gem of Puerto Rico’s Spanish colonial history. The tiny, 6-mile island of Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos island chain is the last stop on the itinerary before heading back to Florida. Grand Turk is pleasantly simple, claiming little more than a beach, a lighthouse, and water sports as marquee attractions. The Costa Fortuna’s itinerary also includes three days at sea, which means you’ll have ample time to sit back poolside and become acquainted with your ship’s elegant Italian-steamship theme. Noted for its Mediterranean dishes, Costa’s gracious European-style service and chef-prepared cuisine means dining is an event-worthy occasion on the Fortuna.
4-Day Western Caribbean on the Carnival Ecstasy from $329
Embark: Galveston, Texas
Itinerary: Galveston; Cozumel; Galveston
Dates of travel: Various dates starting from November 19, 2009
Sailing from Thursday to Monday, the Carnival Ecstasy leaves from its home port in Galveston, Texas and sails to the sunnier climes of laid-back Cozumel before returning to Texas. The cheapest rates tend to fall in November and January, just before the holiday rush and Spring Break. Cozumel's protected underwater habitat,El Parque Marino de Cozumel, is one of the world's most popular diving and snorkeling sites, thanks to its brilliant coral reefs and colorful fish. The Carnival Ecstasy’s four day cruises include two days at sea built into the itinerary, so there is plenty of time for the whole family to splash down the ship’s onboard waterslide, not to mention try their luck at the on-board casino or perfect that golf swing with the help of a professional golfer on the mini-golf course.
7-Day Western Caribbean on the Norwegian Spirit from $299
Embark: New Orleans, Louisiana
Itinerary: New Orleans; Costa Maya, Mexico; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; New Orleans
Dates of travel: November 29 and December 6, 2009
Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering a special low fare for cruises departing the Big Easy for Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize just after Thanksgiving. With ports of call like Costa Maya, Santo Tomas, and Belize City—all located near major ancient Mayan ruins—this weeklong cruise is a dream for an aspiring Indiana Jones. Save the beachcombing and snorkeling for Cozumel, the ship’s last scheduled port of call. The Norwegian Spirit’s outstanding features include jetted exercise pools, a separate water recreation area for children, and the Maharini's Lounge, a Bollywood-themed nightclub. Like other Norwegian ships, the Spirit indulges passenger’s appetites with nine specialty restaurants and flexible dining options.
7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise on the Mariner Of The Seas from $339
Embark: Los Angeles, California
Itinerary: Los Angeles; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mazatlan, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Los Angeles
Dates of travel: Various dates starting from November 29, 2009
Royal Caribbean’s weeklong getaway on Mexico’s Gold Coast is affordably priced from 339 dollars in November, with rates marginally increasing in January and jumping over the 500 dollar mark in February. The sailing in December happens to coincide with the start of Puerto Vallarta’s Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a 12-day religious and cultural celebration of the town’s founding. The Baja town of Mazatlan is known for its swathes of surf and sand. From January through March, keep an eye out from the decks of the ship for migrating whales or embark on a morning whale watching cruise from chic resort town of Cabo San Lucas. Like other Voyager-class vessels, the Mariner of the Seas is packed with family-oriented recreation, including an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, and mini golf course. For adults, head to the ship’s full-service, two-level spa with a thalassotherapy pool for relaxation and the ship’s wine bar, Vintages, for a pre-dinner glass of vino.
7-Day Alaska Cruise on the Diamond Princess from $449
Embark: Whittier, Alaska
Disembark: Vancouver, British Columbia
Itinerary: Whittier, AK; Skagway, AK; Juneau, AK; Ketchikan, AK; Vancouver, BC
Dates of travel: Various Dates starting from May 15, 2010
Witnessing Alaska’s dramatic glacial coastline and cerulean waters is a majestic experience from the deck of a cruise ship. Before the summer high season shifts into full swing, passengers can take advantage of fares starting as low as 499 dollars for a mid-May Alaska cruise from Princess Cruises. Unlike other Alaska cruises leaving from Seattle or Vancouver, the Diamond Princess departs from Whittier, Alaska (near Anchorage), and heads southeast through the spectacular scenery of Glacier Bay National Park before disembarking in Vancouver. The early season cruise means less crowds in bustling ports towns like Skagway, the historic hub of the Klondike Gold Rush, and Ketchikan, Alaska. The Diamond Princess features 740 balcony staterooms for taking in the panorama (though you'll pay dearly for the privilege—balcony staterooms go for 1,199 dollars), decadent gourmet dining options in four specialty eateries, and the exclusive Lotus Spa for pampering.
7-Day New England and Canada Cruise on the Carnival Glory from $439
Embark: New York, New York
Itinerary: New York; Boston, MA; Portland, ME; Saint John, NB, Canada; Halifax, NS, Canada; New York
Dates of travel: September 11, 18 and 25, October 9, 2010
It’s never too soon to begin planning ahead for next year’s fall getaway. Carnival’s low rates for its autumn 2010 cruises from New York to New England and Canada are perfect for passengers who want to experience a region known for lobster pots, "high tider" accents, and clam chowder. The Carnival Glory’s itinerary includes four ports of call in New England and Down East Canada, including Saint John, New Brunswick and picturesque Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is less than an hour's drive from the rugged, surf swept rocks of popular Peggy’s Cove.
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