When looking to book a cruise vacation, affordability is often a top consideration for many travelers. With cruise lines ranging from budget-friendly to ultra-luxurious, finding the best value can be key to getting the most cruise for your money. This guide will examine some of the most affordable cruise lines based on factors like base pricing, inclusions, destinations, ship amenities, and more.
How is cruise affordability determined?
There are a few key factors that determine how affordable or budget-friendly a cruise line is:
- Base cruise fare – The starting price for a basic cruise before taxes, fees, and port charges.
- Inclusions – What amenities, activities, dining, etc. are included in the base fare.
- Destinations – Affordable cruise lines often travel to close-to-home or lower-cost ports.
- Ship amenities – Older, smaller ships with fewer amenities can offer lower pricing.
- Sales and specials – Look for cruise lines that offer frequent discounts and promotions.
- Onboard fees – Watch for extra charges like dining, photos, or service fees.
By evaluating these factors across various cruise lines, you can get an idea of which brands offer overall affordability and value.
What are the most affordable cruise lines?
Here are some of the best affordable cruise lines to consider:
Carnival Cruise Line
As one of the largest cruise lines in the world, Carnival offers some of the lowest base fares out there, starting from around $50 per person per night before taxes and fees. They offer tons of close-to-home itineraries with fun ships that have activities like waterslides, spas, comedy clubs and more. Most food, entertainment and activities are included. Watch for nickel and diming with extras or specialty dining fees.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean typically has competitive pricing with Carnival and other mass-market lines. Their fares start from around $100 per person per night. You’ll get lots of included food, entertainment, activities and great kids’ clubs. Like other lines, you may have charges for specialty restaurants or high-end excursions. Expect a more upscale experience than bare-bones lines.
MSC Cruises
This European line is aggressively expanding with affordable pricing to attract new cruisers. Interior rooms often start under $100 per person and include specialty dining, activities, entertainment and more. MSC’s Caribbean, Mediterranean and other itineraries offer a lot of value. Watch for extras or service fees added on.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian has innovative “Freestyle Cruising” with flexible dining options and no set meal times. While not the absolute cheapest, fares start around $125 per person per night with inclusions like entertainment, meals and activities. Perks like specialty dining, alcohol, excursions or Wi-Fi will cost extra.
Princess Cruises
Princess offers affordable cruises on contemporary ships sailing to coveted global destinations. Interior fares start from around $125 per person per night including dining, entertainment and more. Look for affordable repositioning or longer cruises. An affordable premium line for the amenities.
Costa Cruises
Costa provides very low pricing on European style cruises with fares from around $50 per person per night. They include meals at buffet and main dining but watch for extra fees almost everywhere else. Best for easy, low-budget European cruises.
Carnival Corporation’s Budget Brands
Carnival Corporation owns budget-friendly brands like AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line and others. Interior rooms typically run $100 or less per person per night with meals and basic amenities included. These offer ultra low-cost options.
What does pricing include on affordable cruise lines?
Here is an overview of what is typically included with base cruise pricing on affordable cruise lines:
| Amenity | Usually Included? |
|---|---|
| Accommodations/Room | Yes |
| Meals at Main Dining Rooms | Yes |
| Buffet Dining | Yes |
| Entertainment and Activities | Yes |
| Kids Clubs/Programs | Yes |
| Fitness Center Access | Yes |
| Pools, Hot Tubs, Water Slides | Yes |
| Port Fees and Taxes | Sometimes (may be separate) |
As you can see, the base cruise fare typically includes your room, standard dining options, entertainment, kids clubs, and use of most basic ship amenities. However, other items like specialty dining, alcohol, excursions, spa treatments, photos and more will be an additional cost.
What fees or extras may be added?
While base fares cover a lot of basics, most affordable cruise lines will charge extra fees for certain services and amenities beyond the standard offerings. Common extras to expect include:
- Service fees or gratuities – Daily or per cruise fees to cover service staff like housekeeping, dining waiters, etc.
- Specialty dining – Fee to dine at specialty restaurants beyond the main dining rooms.
- Beverage packages – Charge for unlimited soda, alcohol, etc.
- Excursions – Tours and activities in each port.
- Wi-Fi packages – Daily or weekly fees for internet access.
- Photos – Pay for professional photos around the ship.
- Room service – May have small fee for room service menu items.
- Spa treatments – Massages, facials and other spa services.
- Retail shopping – Duty-free shops and boutiques onboard.
While not required, these extras can quickly add up so it helps to budget or limit add-ons. Service fees in particular can tack on over $100+ per person for an average length cruise.
How can I find affordable cruise deals and promotions?
Beyond picking an inherently affordable cruise line, there are many ways to save and find deals:
- Sail during shoulder or off-peak seasons – Cruise prices are lowest in Fall and Spring.
- Book last minute deals – Score big discounts on unsold cabins close to sailing.
- Choose a repositioning cruise itinerary – Relocation cruises offer extra long voyages for less.
- Take advantage of sales and promotions – Look for deals like reduced deposits, onboard credits, companion fares, and more.
- Downgrade your room – Opt for an inside vs. oceanview vs. balcony room.
- Upgrade with an active military, veteran, senior or resident discount – Take advantage of discounts of 5-10% or more.
- Consider a shorter cruise – 3-5 night cruises are often much cheaper than 7 nights or longer.
Being flexible on timing and cruise length are good ways to grab lower fares. Signing up for cruise line emails can alert you to all the latest discounts and promotions as well.
What are the least expensive cruise destinations?
Cruise regions closer to major home ports like Florida and California are often most affordable. Some of the least expensive cruise destination regions include:
- Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida – 3-7 nights starting around $100 per person
- Mexico, California Coast from California – 3-5 nights from $150 per person
- Canada/New England from Northeast US – Budget Autumn cruises
- Eastern Mediterranean – Affordable Spring and Fall sailings
- Northern Europe and the Baltic – Value deals on open-jaw sailings
- Asia – Often a far but budget-friendly exotic destination
Repositioning cruises crossing the Atlantic or Pacific oceans often offer great value as well. Avoid pricey regions like Alaska, Australia and the South Pacific for the most affordable fares.
How can cruise ships impact affordability?
The size, style and amenities on a cruise ship can also impact how affordable the pricing is:
- Older, smaller ships – Midsize and classic ships with fewer amenities cost less to operate.
- Fewer alternative restaurants – Ships with only 1-2 upcharge dining options versus 5-10.
- Smaller entertainment and activity offerings – Less productions and programs to fund.
- Fewer high-end boutiques – Lower luxury retail onboard.
- No major attractions – Go-karts, skydiving simulators and other features add expense.
- Smaller casino and spa – Less revenue from these revenue centers.
Newer mega-ships tend to have far more complimentary offerings but also more specialty add-ons to drive revenue through extra charges which reduces overall affordability for guests.
What is the bottom line most affordable cruise line overall?
If reviewing all the above criteria, the most affordable and budget-friendly options for cruise lines include:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line (during sales)
These lines offer the lowest starting prices along with included meals, amenities, entertainment and activities. While other mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean may cost slightly more, they still represent excellent value for the experience and inclusions.
The best advice is to identify lines that offer the right balance of price, value, experience and itineraries that match your cruise vacation needs and expectations.
Conclusion
Finding an affordable cruise vacation is possible with the right cruise line, ship, destination and timing. Budget-friendly cruises offer value, convenience and fun at a reasonable price point. Be flexible, compare total pricing inclusions and look for deals to secure the most affordable cruise fares. With the right cruise line choice, you can discover the cruise experience you desire at a price you can afford.