Cruise lines tend to handout promotions by extending cruise specials and offering early-booking incentives before redeploying a vessel.
This means that if you are on the lookout for fantastic cruise deals, you need to keep your eyes peeled for such opportunities.
The Cheapest Cruise Fares
When planning a vacation at sea, it would be best to talk to a travel agent. That’s because they can help find special cruise deals. This includes finding affordable fares in popular destinations.
But that also means that you have to be quick in grabbing the opportunity. Otherwise, you might miss the change for a vacation of a lifetime.
That said, we narrowed down the essential details you need to know when finding the best cruise specials:
Alaskan Cruise Special
Travel agents tell us that Alaska has some surprisingly cheap fares. And 2020 is a good year to consider an Alaskan cruise. That’s because there’s been a significant increase in capacity in that destination.
Also, new ships that usually attract higher price points are getting priced aggressively.
This might explain why you can sail on Norwegian Joy for as low as $799 for a seven-night, round trip Seattle cruise.
Adding to that, Alaska cruise pricing is 5 to 10 percent cheaper than in 2019. A great indicator would be Princess Glacier Bay’s price drop for its seven-night cruise.
You get to enjoy an exquisite accommodation at sea for as low as $ 83 per night, paired with sumptuous food and entertainment.
Caribbean Cruise Special
The Caribbean cruises also have some cheap fares this year. The pricing is lower compared to previous years!
The best part? New ships took maiden voyage late last year, increasing the location’s tourist capacity.
Moreover, the three-year-old Symphony of the Seas offers an $85 per night deal.
But for the best bargains, you might want to check out MSC Cruises. They offer a seven-night Caribbean cruise for as low as $309 per person (before taxes).
Transatlantic Deals
Transatlantic crossings are always a fantastic deal for those looking for a longer and affordable voyage.
This is true for non-mainstream lines as well, like the luxurious Windstar Cruises. In fact, they have a 15-day crossing aboard the elegant Wind Star from St. Maarten to Lisbon, starting at $1,199 per person.
Cruise Liners That Offers the Best Cruise Special
Although there is an ongoing debate on which cruise line offers the best deal, there is no denying that each boasts value-added offerings.
Royal Caribbean currently has the best value. It is one of the prominent lines that usually hide away from shy-value offers and focuses on price points.
For an affordable price, you get to enjoy onboard amenities, entertainment, and activities. The only downside is the beverages are excluded from the package.
The same thing goes for specialty dining. However, you will receive good service and entertainment while onboard.
Meanwhile, you can score special cruise deals from Celebrity Summit and Norwegian Spirit. That’s because these old vessels recently received massive refurbishments.
This means you can get more affordable deals aboard these vessels than newer ones in the same fleet. Moreover, these deals come with added perks.
For instance, Princess’ “Best Sale Ever” comes with beverage packages, Wi-Fi, and other gratuities. And you do not have to pay a hefty sum to enjoy all these!
Aside from being able to save some money, special cruise deals mean that you do not have to worry about what they will spend out of pocket. That’s because most of the perks are included in your fare.
The result? Stress-free vacation and a few grand in your bank account.
Cruise Specials Itineraries
Popular destinations remain the same throughout the years. Here are some of them:
The Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Private Islands
The Caribbean continues to be a hot destination, especially for families looking for an exciting summer vacation
Yet, many people are looking for private island destinations. If you are one of them, it would be best to check Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.
These lines have spent money refurbishing and developing these exclusive beaches. In fact, Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay is becoming the line’s trademark. Hence, it is not surprising if passengers would want to experience that perfect day, too.
Meanwhile, the popularity of private island destinations also means an increased interest in short cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
When Virgin debuted, its ship sailed short cruises to Key West and Mexico from Miami. It also included a stop at its exclusive private beach club in Bimini.
Shorter itineraries also paved the way for old vessels like Majesty of the Seas to be available in the market. Thus, the plethora of ship options and port attractions are catching the attention of many travelers.
Mexico
Mexico cruises from home ports on the West Coast see a bump in popularity. Thanks to Carnival Panorama and some new itineraries cruising to that region.
Most cruisers sailing these routes are locals. They also tend to cater to passengers who were exploring the West Coast.
That’s because some of them are combining the voyage with a trip to Disneyland, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.
Exotic Islands
If you are looking for a luxurious expedition, river cruises are still popular.
For one, it allows cruise lines to offer new itineraries. Second, it will enable passengers to tick off a lot of destinations on their travel bucket list.
Luxury ships usually sail to Turkey, Greenland, Iceland, and the Galapagos. Country-intensive cruises that focus on exploring a single destination in-depth are also popular among travelers.
Alaska
Alaska is always a popular destination. Thanks to new and better vessels that offer superb value for money.
While market demand usually pushes cruise fares up, the construction of bigger ships for Alaskan cruises means that there is a steady supply of voyages. Hence, prices remain low.
This means that you will always score special cruise deals to Alaska.
For those who have a flexible travel schedule, setting sail in the near-future can offer some of the most rock-bottom pricing.
This is true if you want to go to the Caribbean. That’s because all the major lines have voyaged to this location. This allows you to spend more time enjoying the journey for less money.
Nonetheless, you can find week-long Caribbean voyages for under $300 per person on Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean around March.
Also, Carnival and MSC Cruises are giving out some incredible prices on short and long itineraries. The adventure starts from various U.S. homeports and sailing to the Caribbean or the Bahamas. These special cruise deals are ideal if you are looking for a weekend escapade.
For those looking for something more exotic, you can score Royal Caribbean’s weeklong voyage to Dubai for less than $200.