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12 Cheap Summer Cruises for 2023
Nothing says summer like hitting the beach and getting some sun and water. And what better way to get to the beach during the summer than with a cruise?
With a cruise, not only can you travel in style to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but you can also sample several different places while having your room, board, and entertainment taken care of on the ship.
The best news is that the cost of a cruise can be considerably cheaper than the cost of airfare and hotel at a Caribbean resort. Meanwhile, cruises are much less of a hassle to book than having to search and put together a trip on your own.
That said, there’s no doubt that the summer is one of the more expensive times to set sail. With kids out of school and vacations on everyone’s mind, higher demand leads to higher prices. The good news is there are still deals out there — including many cruises under $300 per person .
Below, we’ve rounded up a sampling of the cheapest summer cruises for 2023. But before listings those cruises, here are some pointers on finding cheap trips of your own during this time of year.
How to Find Cheap Summer Cruises
Searching for your own deal on a cruise, in addition to what we’ve found below? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Sail Late in the Summer for the Best Fares As you’ll see below, the cheapest summer cruises are in August, and more specifically, late August. In general, the closer you can sail to September, the less you’ll pay for your cruise. And if you can wait until early September to take your summer cruise, you’ll get the best of both worlds — the cheapest prices while still having warm weather and water nearly everywhere in North America.
Why are cruises so much cheaper later in August? The late season sees a drop-off in demand for family vacations as many people have already done their travel for the season and are looking at the start of the back-to-school season.
Keep Trips Short for Lower Fares You’ll notice that cruises longer than five days aren’t heavily mentioned in our list below. Don’t think this means there aren’t deals available on longer trips. In fact, just like with shorter cruises there are some great deals — especially later in the summer season.
However, if you want to pay the absolutely lowest amount for a cruise, then it makes sense to stick with shorter trips. Sailings of 3-5 days can be found for less than $300, with even more options for under $500 per person. Longer trips, which mean more nights, more food, and more entertainment, are obviously more expensive on a total basis.
It Helps to Be Flexible With Ports There are summer cruise deals all around the country, as you’ll see below. But if you are closest to Florida, you’ll have an advantage of being able to sail from several different ports including Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, and Miami.
In a different part of the country? Most people have a port within a few hours drive, if not closer. However, if you are able to travel to other ports for better deals, then you stand the best chance of getting a cheap summer cruise.
Older Ships Usually Mean Lower Fares It’s not written in stone, but in general the lower-priced cruises will be on the older ships. Since there is often more demand for sailing on the newer ships, cruise lines can charge a premium on the cruises.
Older ships still give you a similar experience (although not quite the same) at a price that can be considerably less expensive if you’re hunting for a deal.
Search Across Multiple Websites at Once Head to the cruise line’s website and you’ll get the prices… for that cruise line. Instead, to find the best deals we like to use sites like AvoyaTravel.com or Orbitz . These sites search all the cruise lines at once, giving you a chance to find deals that you might not find on a cruise line’s website.
Cheap 2023 Summer Cruises
Note: Prices listed are per person for cruise fare only, in an interior cabin. Cruise lines typically charge double occupancy, plus there are taxes and port fees. Keep in mind that prices will vary and may not be the same as what’s listed below when you read this article.
4-Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami (MSC) Date: August 28, 2023 Price: $159 per person
MSC only departs a few ports including Miami and Port Canaveral, making it not as well-known as some other lines. However, it offers some of the least expensive fares that you will find. Case in point, this trip departs in August from Miami to Nassau, Ocean Cay (MSC’s private island), and Key West. All told, it comes in at just $159 per person or roughly $40 per night before taxes and fees.
4-Night Mexico Cruise from Long Beach (Carnival) Date: August 28, 2023 Price: $274 per person
As a rule of thumb, if you can find a trip for under $100 per night during the summer, then you’ve likely found a good deal. This trip costs just $70 per night if you take a late August departure . Sailing from Long Beach, the trip takes you to Mexico on a four-night journey aboard the Carnival Radiance. There are other dates available earlier in the summer that still come in under $100 per night, but this is the cheapest date we found.
4-Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami (Carnival) Date: August 28, 2023 Price: $204 per person
As we mentioned, sailing in late summer is key to finding low fares. Sailing from Miami is also helpful because with so many ships sailing from there, it’s easier to find deals. This trip leaves in the late summer from Miami and costs only $204 for four nights . That’s dirt-cheap. It leaves aboard the Carnival Conquest with stops in Key West and Cozumel, before returning home. If you’re looking for one last hurrah before the fall, this is among your cheapest options.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise from Miami (Carnival) Date: August 21, 2023 Price: $254 per person
How abundant are the deals from Miami in August? Just like above, this trip departs on the Carnival Conquest. The only difference is that it’s a little bit more expensive ( still just $254 ), leaves a few days earlier and heads to Half Moon Cay (Carnival’s island) and Nassau. The good news is that if this trip doesn’t fit your schedule, there are a number of options available, although they are a little more expensive.
5-Night Bahamas Cruise from Tampa (Royal Caribbean) Date: August 12, 2023 Price: $410 per person
No destination in The Bahamas is quite like Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay. Complete with beach clubs, a water park, an enormous pool, and tons of open beaches, no other private island really compares. This trip can take you there with a great value.
Departing Tampa aboard Serenade of the Seas, the cruise takes you first to Key West (always a popular port) before heading over to CocoCay to spend the day . On either side of your stop there, you’ll have a day at sea to enjoy the ship.
All that is for just $410 for a five-day cruise, or about $80 per day.
5-Night Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral (Carnival) Date: August 28, 2023 Price: $304 per person
For a five-night cruise, this price of just over $300 per person comes out to about $60 in cruise fare per day. That’s a good deal if you can sail in the late summer. The cruise aboard Carnival Freedom departs Port Canaveral heading over to Amber Cove and then Grand Turk — two desirable destinations.
How good a deal is it? The same cruise during the peak of July costs $574, or nearly twice as much.
5-Night Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans (Carnival) Date: August 21, 2023 Price: $309 per person
So far, the bulk of the cruises we have covered have all been three and four-night trips. This cruise is a five-night departure from New Orleans aboard the Carnival Valor for just $309 per night . You’ll have stops in Cozumel and Progreso before heading back to the New Orleans. If you can’t sail on August 21, the trip runs regularly throughout the summer, although you should expect to pay a little more for taking your cruise during the height of the summer season.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise from Galveston (Royal Caribbean) Date: August 17, 2023 Price: $290 per person
You don’t have to sail from Florida to find cheap summer cruises. This trip aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas leaves in mid-August and costs less than $300 per person . For that price you set sail for four nights, headed to Cozumel. On each side of the port day you’ll have a day at sea to hang out by the pool and enjoy the warm weather. If you can’t make this trip, there are many more throughout the season, but just know they will be more expensive.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral (Carnival) Date: August 21, 2023 Price: $284 per person
Port Canaveral — located about 45 minutes from Orlando — has quietly become one of the busiest cruise ports in America. Sail from there in late August on this cruise and you’ll pay under $300 per person. It’s a four-night trip aboard the Carnival Liberty, headed over to Nassau and the Princess Cays, along with some time at sea. Best of all, the price is only $284 in mid-August and you can sail for even cheaper later in the month.
7-Night Caribbean Cruise from Tampa (Royal Caribbean) Date: August 19, 2023 Price: $381 per person
It shouldn’t be a surprise that shorter cruises take up most spots on our list. That’s because the shorter the cruise, typically the lower the price. Still, we found this deal for a departure in mid-August that gives you a week-long cruise for under $400 per person.
Set sail from Tampa aboard Grandeur of the Seas for just $381 . During the trip you’ll head to Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, and Costa Maya (Mexico) — all for less than $55 a night per person.
7-Night Bahamas Cruise from New York (MSC) Date: July 2, 2023 Price: $449 per person
One of the final cruises on our cheap summer cruise list is a 7-night trip aboard the MSC Meraviglia. This trip departs New York during early July — the peak of the cruise season in North America. From there, it heads to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Ocean Cay. At just $449 per person, it’s among the cheapest week-long cruises that you’ll find .
7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver (Holland America) Date: June 7, 2023 Price: $429 per person
Think of summer cruising, and you likely picture the warm Caribbean. But summer is also the Alaskan cruising season. The best deals are the early (May) or late (September) part of the season, but we found this deal in June.
This cruise departs Vancouver for a 7-day trip to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ketchikan. That’s a great lineup of ports giving you plenty to do and see while visiting one of the most remote parts of the planet… for a price that can’t be beat.
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When is the best time too enjoy college students on summer break? What months, what cruises and cruise lines
So you want to cruise with college students? We’d look for short trips on the major cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian). June and July should be good months for more college students to sail.
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11 Tips Cruise Lines DON’T Want You to Know (But They Aren’t Against the Rules)
Cruise anxiety these facts may calm your biggest fears, revealed: the most expensive carnival cruise you can buy (and cheapest, too), hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).
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The 2023 Summer Cruise Deals You Don't Want to Miss
Summertime is practically synonymous with cruising. And while conventional wisdom says that peak season usually means higher fares, you can still find some great value with summer cruise deals .
From Alaska to the Mediterranean, cruise lines are offering alluring summer deals in 2023. And while these deals are live during the summer months, they typically apply to travel well beyond the warmest season of the year. In fact, some of these offers will allow you to book travel well into 2024. Check out our list of summer cruise deals below so you can plan your next vacation today.
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American queen voyages' summer cruise deal: save up to $4,000 + $200 onboard credits, aurora expeditions' summer cruise deal: book antarctica voyage and save 50% on 10-day patagonia trek, azamara's summer cruise deal: 3 free nights + up to $600 onboard credit, celestyal summer cruise deal: free suite upgrades, lindblad expeditions summer cruise deal: 25% off category 1 cabins, margaritaville at sea summer cruise deal: 40% off cruise rates, princess cruises summer cruise deal: fares from $399 + 3rd and 4th guests sail free, star clippers summer cruise deal: complimentary excursions and wi-fi, uncruise summer cruise deal: up to 20% early booking savings, viking summer cruise deal: $25 deposits, plus free airfare and special fares.
The Summer Deal: American Queen Voyages Great Ameri-cation summer cruise deal can bring savings of up to $4,000 with free category stateroom or suite upgrades. Additionally, cruisers can get $200 in onboard credits per stateroom.
Eligible American Queen Cruises: American Queen Voyages' summer cruise deal is applicable to select 2023 and 2024 sailings.
Good to know: American Queen Voyages' summer cruise deal applies to new bookings only. Mention code 'Summer' when booking. Offer expires on August 31, 2023.
American Queen Voyages' Summer Cruise Deal: Save up to $3,000 per Stateroom Plus Onboard Credit
The Summer Deal: American Queen Voyages "Holiday Sailabration" offer comes early for holiday sailings. Cruisers can save up to $3,000 per stateroom, including $600 air credit, as well as $200 in "Your Choice" onboard credit per guest.
Eligible American Queen Cruises: American Queen Voyages' Holiday Sailabration is applicable to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's themed voyages aboard American Empress, American Queen and American Countess.
Good to know: American Queen Voyages' Holiday Sailabration deal applies to new bookings only. Offer expires on October 31, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Aurora Expeditions' is offering savings of 50% off on select 10-day Patagonia treks for travelers who book and pay a deposit on select 2023-24 Antarctica voyages by September 30th, 2023. Additionally, cruisers can save up to 25% on several 2023-24 Aurora voyages that are also booked and deposited by September 30th, 2023.
Eligible Aurora Expeditions Cruises: Aurora Expeditions' summer cruise deal is applicable to select 2023 and 2024 Antarctica sailings. The 25% off deal is applicable to select voyages departing from Nov. 2023 to Feb. 2024.
Good to know: Aurora Expeditions' summer cruise deal applies to new bookings only. Expires on September 30, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Azamara's Summer Deal includes 3 free nights (a deduction of the cruise fare equivalent to the costs of 3 nights) plus up to $600 in free onboard credit, for select voyages booked between July 1 and September 6, 2023.
Eligible Azamara Cruises: Azamara's summer deal is applicable to select sailings departing between October 27, 2023 and April 3, 2024.
Good to know: Azamara's summer cruise deal applies to new bookings only. Offer expires on September 6, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Celestyal's 'Suite Dreams' 2023 summer deal includes a free suite upgrade on select sailings aboard the cruise line's newest ship, Celestyal Journey. The one category upgrade applies to select suites on sailings ranging from 7 nights to 19 nights.
Eligible Celestyal Cruises: Celestyal's summer deal is applicable to select October, November and December 2023 sailings on Celestyal Journey .
Good to know: Celestyal's summer cruise deal applies to new bookings only. Offer expires on August 31, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Lindblad Expeditions is offering savings on end-of-the-year cruises. Travelers can save 25% off on any Category 1 cabin, including solo cabins, when paying for the cruise in full at the time of booking.
Eligible Lindblad Expedition Cruises: Lindblad Expeditions' summer cruise deal is applicable to a variety of sailings to destinations like Galapagos, Japan, the Amazon, Indonesia, Antarctica, Egypt and New Zealand.
Good to know: Lindblad Expeditions' summer cruise deal is valid on new bookings only. Offer ends on September 15, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Margaritaville at Sea 'Summer Escape' cruise deal offers 40% off cruise rates for all passengers.
Eligible Margaritaville at Sea Cruises: Margaritaville at Sea's summer cruise deal is applicable to 3-day Bahamas cruises between June 6 and December 31, 2023.
Good to know: Margaritaville at Sea's summer cruise deal is valid on new bookings only. Select blackout dates apply.
Margaritaville at Sea Summer Cruise Deal: Cruises for Two as Low as $99
The Summer Deal: Margaritaville at Sea flash sale cruise deal offers cruises for two to Grand Bahama Island for as low as $99 for an interior cabin.
Eligible Margaritaville at Sea Cruises: Margaritaville at Sea's summer cruise deal is applicable to 3-day Bahamas cruises through April 29, 2024.
Good to know: Margaritaville at Sea's summer cruise deal is valid on new bookings only. Offer expires September 5, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Princess Cruises 'Score for '24' summer cruise deal unveils top savings on 2024 cruises, including prices as low as $399 for a 7-day Caribbean trip. Additionally, 3rd and 4th guests can sail for free on select voyages.
Eligible Princess Cruises: Princess Cruises' summer cruise deal is applicable to the line's 2024 itineraries, including cruises to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii and more.
Good to know: Valid on new bookings only. The '3rd and 4th guest sail free' offer excludes deposit, taxes, fees & port expenses. Offer ends September 25th, 2023.
The Summer Deal: Star Clippers summer cruise deal offers travelers two complimentary shore excursions and three hours of complimentary Wi-Fi onboard on select 2023 and 2024 holiday sailings.
Eligible Star Clippers Cruises: Star Clippers' summer cruise deal is applicable to 2023 or 2024 Christmas or New Year's sailings, including voyages to Central America and the Caribbean.
Good to know: Star Clippers' summer cruise deal is valid on new bookings only and available to residents of North, Central and South America only. Offer expires October 31, 2023.
The Summer Cruise Deal: UnCruise Adventures' 'Holidays in July' summer cruise deal gives travelers 10% early booking savings on all cabin levels for select 2024 voyages. The offer can translate into savings that range from $720 to $2,980 per cabin. Additionally, cruisers who pay their final balance in full with cash on or before Oct. 31, 2023, will receive an additional 10% early final payment savings
Eligible UnCruise Adventures Cruises: Uncruise Adventures' summer cruise deal is applicable to 2024 voyages to Alaska or the Canadian Coastal & Olympic Peninsula.
Good to know: Available for new bookings only. Offer ends October 31, 2023.
The 4th of July Deal: Viking's 25th Anniversary Sale brings a summer cruise deal that offers travelers the chance to book in July with a $25 deposit, and to enjoy free airfare and special fares on voyages booked by July 31.
Eligible Viking Cruises: Viking's 25th Anniversary Sale in July is applicable to the line's river, ocean and expedition cruises sailing in 2023 and 2024.
Good to know: Available for new bookings only. Offer ends August 31, 2023.
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