12 Cheap Cruises Under $500 Per Person
Cruising is often considered to be one of the most cost-effective vacation options available. You are free to spend any amount of money you like, yes (including tens of thousands of dollars on the fanciest rooms, if you feel so inclined). On the other hand, there is another end of the spectrum where you can obtain a fantastic vacation for very little money.
You’ll find a dozen vacations on that list that will take you to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world for less than three dollars per person. However, despite the popularity of those cruises, most people can only afford to go on a cruise for a few days at a time on a budget of that size.
As a result, we broadened our search and came up with this list of cruises that cost less than $500. Your range of options will significantly broaden if you are willing to spend an additional several hundred dollars per person. The fact that you can afford many cruises that are at least a week long is probably the best news.
The cruises that are listed here are not necessarily the least expensive ones that are available. Instead, we have highlighted a number of vacations that can be taken for less than $500 and are either exceptional or exceptional values for a variety of reasons. This includes a trip aboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world, and some of the cheapest trips aboard a newer ship that we’ve seen.
The prices shown below are accurate as of the time this article was written but are subject to change. Before taxes and fees for the port, each and every fare is calculated on a per-person basis for inside cabins.
Cruise with Carnival for 6 Nights in the Caribbean, Departing From Miami
22 October, 2023 is the date.
Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel are some of the ports that the Carnival Horizon will visit.
Price: $369
During this trip that departs from Miami, you will have the opportunity to sail to Mexico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Oh, and did we also mention that it will take place on the Carnival Horizon, which is one of the newest ships in the cruise line‘s fleet?
You got that right. A fantastic trip onboard one of the cruise line’s newest ships can be had for less than $400 per person (for an internal stateroom), and it will take you all over the world. The vast majority of the time, the charges on the newest ships are significantly higher because of the increased demand from passengers.
Cruise with Carnival for 6 Nights in the Caribbean, Departing From Tampa
Date: December 3, 2023
Cozumel, Belize City, and Costa Maya are some of the ports that the Carnival Pride will visit.
Price: $409
This list is not intended to be of the cruises that are currently available for the lowest possible price. Instead, it is a compilation of reasonably priced cruises that visit a variety of ports and destinations. If you wish to depart from the port of Tampa, then this cruise, despite the fact that it is not the most affordable option you will find, is an excellent deal for you.
Cozumel, Belize City, and Costa Maya are three fantastic ports in the Caribbean that you will visit in December while you are on this six-night cruise. Right before the hectic pace of the holidays begins, this is an excellent time to kick back and unwind.
Norwegian Cruise Line will provide a five-night trip to Mexico departing from Los Angeles.
October 31st, 2023 is the date.
Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada are the ports of call for the Norwegian Bliss.
Price: $497
This cruise might not be the best offer in terms of the total cost, given that you can sail for a longer period of time on other cruise lines for a lower total cost. NCL is well-known for its practise of charging a premium, particularly on its more recent ships.
This vacation is a short getaway from Los Angeles, and it’s going to take place on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Before making your way back to Los Angeles, you will make a stop in Cabo San Lucas as well as Ensenada. The voyage will be taken on Norwegian Bliss, one of the line’s most recent ships, which was constructed in 2018.
Royal Caribbean is offering a 7-Night Caribbean Cruise Departing From Galveston.
The date will be October 15th, 2023.
Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel are some of the ports that the Allure of the Seas will visit.
Price: $441
Historically speaking, Royal Caribbean charges a somewhat higher rate per person than its primary competitor, Carnival. In spite of this, there are still good offers to be had. In this instance, it will take place on board one of the most massive cruise ships afloat in the world.
This journey onboard the Allure of the Seas departs from Galveston, which is close to Houston, and lasts for seven nights. The cost per person is only $441. You will make stops in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, three of the most popular ports along the route.
The Oasis-class ships, of which the Allure of the Seas is a member, hold the title of the world’s largest cruise ships. They are able to provide an experience that is unlike any other type of ships that can be found anywhere on the planet because of their massive size. And cruisers departing from Houston, which is a relatively close drive away, will find that all of these locations are easily accessible by car.
MSC Cruises presents a 7-Night Bahamas and Mexico Cruise Departing From Port Canaveral.
Date: September 17, 2023
Ocean Cay, Costa Maya, and Cozumel are some of the ports where the MSC Seaside calls home.
Price: $399
It’s possible that many cruisers from the United States have never heard of MSC, even though the company has a significant presence in Europe. However, if you are searching for discounts, they are a wonderful cruise company to consider considering because they offer a lot of voyages from Florida that are on the cheaper side.
This voyage will take passengers from Port Canaveral, which is located close to Orlando, to the cruise line’s private island, Ocean Cay. After then, it travels to the southwest to the Yucatan peninsula, where it makes stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel before heading back to its starting point.
Cruise on Celebrity for 6 Nights in the Caribbean, Departing From Fort Lauderdale
Date: December 3, 2023
The ship’s name was the Celebrity Reflection, and the ports of call were Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Bimini.
Price: $428
A luxury cruise line, Celebrity is a cut above mass-market cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean or Carnival in terms of service and amenities. To put it another way, there is typically an added cost associated with sailing the line. This trip will take you to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Bimini in The Bahamas. It will depart from Fort Lauderdale. At only $428, it is an affordable opportunity to have a taste of a higher-end cruise to see if it is something you would enjoy doing in the future.
Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean for 6 Nights in the Caribbean, Departing From Miami
Date: April 9, 2023
CocoCay, Grand Cayman, and Falmouth are some of the ports that the Explorer of the Seas will visit.
Price: $431
The total cost of this cruise, which includes sailing for six nights, is less than $450. Additionally, it includes a visit to CocoCay, a private island belonging to Royal Caribbean. The cruise line invested hundreds of millions of dollars to transform the island into a fully functional destination, complete with its very own waterpark.
From there, it travels to Grand Cayman and Falmouth in Jamaica before finally arriving back in Miami.
A 7-Night Carnival Cruise Departing From Port Canaveral Into the Caribbean
Date: December 2, 2023
Mardi Gras is the ship, and San Juan, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk are its ports of call.
Price: $539
This cruise has a price tag that is just a hair higher than the $500 mark, but it is one that we believe is much too wonderful of a value not to mention. This particular excursion is for a weeklong cruise on the Mardi Gras and costs $539 for an inside cabin for the duration of the trip. The ship in question belongs to Carnival’s Excel-class and features an entirely unique design in comparison to any other vessel in the company’s fleet. The ship also has the very first roller coaster to ever be installed on a ship.
You will travel to San Juan, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk in addition to the ship, which is sure to be one of the highlights of the trip.
5-Night Norwegian Cruise Departing From New York For the Caribbean
Date: November 10, 2023
The ship’s name is the Norwegian Escape, and its ports are in Bermuda at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Price: $442
When one thinks of cruising, New York City is probably not the first place that comes to mind. However, that port is a departure point for all of the major cruise lines. Because of the Bahamas’ relative isolation, journey times are typically more drawn out. However, we discovered that this voyage aboard the Norwegian Escape to Bermuda would only last for five days. That means a lot of time on the ship, but Escape is large and new enough to find plenty to do
Royal Caribbean is offering a 7-Night Caribbean Cruise Departing From Galveston.
Date: November 5, 2023
Ship: Harmony of the Seas | Ports: Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel,
Price: $471
This trip is a step up from a 7-night cruise, which is already a lot of fun in and of itself. This is due to the fact that it will take place on the Harmony of the Seas, which is one of the largest cruise ships afloat today. Because of its size, the ship provides guests with access to a unique experience that cannot be found on any other cruise ship. This contains features for adults on this type of ships such as the Flowrider standing wave, the Aqua Theater, and the enormous Solarium.
Passengers will make pit stops in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel during this time. Additionally, it departs in November, providing customers with the opportunity to avoid the beginning of winter at home and enjoy some sunshine before the winter vacations.
7-Night Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean Departing From New Orleans
Date: September 3, 2023
Carnival Glory is the name of the ship, and Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel are its ports of call.
Price: $469
There are low-cost cruises available from ports all around Florida, not just southern Florida. In the month of September, passengers on this Carnival Glory cruise will set sail from New Orleans. During the course of the voyage, you will make port calls in Montego Bay (Jamaica), Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, among other places. Because it takes place immediately after children go back to class, it is especially convenient for adults who do not have children.
Bonus Cruise:
7-Night MSC Cruise Departing From New York to the Caribbean
Date: February 4, 2024
The ship’s name is the MSC Meraviglia, and its ports of call are Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay, and Nassau.
Price: $299
The MSC Meraviglia, a relatively new ship that is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cruise liners available, will be our home for the duration of the final cruise on our itinerary. This cruise will take you from New York during the middle of winter and transport you to sunny Florida, as well as Ocean Cay, which is MSC’s private island, and Nassau. The voyage will last for one week. It is not necessary to spend a fortune in order to enjoy a weeklong vacation. We were able to find rates beginning at $299 per person to get away from the harsh winter.
