Cruise companies have resumed operations with the expectation of clear sailing ahead for 2024; it’s a better time than ever to catch a cruise deal. If you’ve been staying away the past couple of years, cruise operators are trying to win back your business. Cruise companies employ many tactics to maximize profit per customer. Be sure to compare cruise operators and sort price “low to high” for the best pricing available.
For the last couple of years, most cruise ships have been sitting docked and collecting dust, while cruise companies have scrambled to gain access to capital and emergency loans to stay afloat. With the sun on the horizon, the cruise industry is relaunching, and its offering some very attractive pricing, even free drinks and WiFi, to lure customers back to the seas.
3-Night Brisbane To Sydney
The relaxing journey is across the beautiful Sapphire Coast, a stretch of coastline in southeastern Australia known for its stunning scenery and pristine beaches. The ship is a truly massive vessel, measuring over 1,000 feet in length and weighing over 140,000 tons. With 19 decks, it can accommodate over 3,500 passengers and features a wide variety of amenities and activities, including multiple swimming pools, a casino, a fitness center, and numerous dining and entertainment options. Prices start at $369USD pp (~AU$543) “per person” plus fees for 3 nights, and 4 nights from $479 USD (~$704 AUD) per person. There are also 2-night options starting at $269 USD/pp (~$295 AUD) and 1 night from $169 USD/pp (~$248 AUD).
4-Day Tasmania Seacation
This roundtrip cruise from Sydney travels to Hobart, Tasmania, spending two other nights at sea. The Royal Princess has a breathtaking piazza-style Atrium and beautiful views from its glass-floor. Adults-only areas, water shows, and delicious dining are among the amenities, and it is the most popular cruise ship according to Cruise Critic. Right now this four night journey starts at $528 USD/pp (~$776AUD) based on double occupancy, while 11 night options going to New Caledonia and Vanuatu starts at just $1,336 USD (~$1,963 AUD)
Mediterranean Cruises
Costa Cruises has multiple 8-night cruise options from $617 USD pp (~$915 AUD). Leaving from either Barcelona or Savona Italy, these “Mediterranean Sale” cruises travel to Marseilles in France, Barcelona in Spain, as well as Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands and Palermo in at Italy’s Sicilian tip. Enjoy the famed architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, whose Sagrada Familia Catholic church is still under construction nearly 100 years after the architect’s death. You can also see the beautiful south of France in Marseille, famed for delicious seafood and the novel “La Gloire de Mon Père. You’ll also have access to fitness facilities, pools, hot tubs, and sports courts. 3-night options from Costa Cruises start at $303 USD/pp (~$449 AUD) for interior rooms and 4 nights at $397 USD/pp (~$589 AUD), with stops in Marseille, Italy, and Spain.
4 Nights To Auckland
Sail for 4 nights from Sydney to Auckland stopping at Bay of Islands, New Zealand along the way. It promises a delightful getaway experience to explore the scenic beauty and serene waters of Australia and New Zealand. The ship is equipped with luxurious amenities, including a swimming pool, spa, fitness center, and many restaurants and bars. A fun fact about the Coral Princess is that it was the first ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to have an outdoor movie theater, and it features a unique and immersive Movies Under the Stars experience where guests can enjoy blockbuster movies, concerts, and sporting events on a giant screen under the open sky. 4 night options from Sydney to Auckland are priced from $506USD/pp (~$743 AUD)
7-Days Alaska Glacier Tour
This 7 day cruise will lead you directly from beautiful British Columbia Territory to numerous ports in Alaska, starting at $781 USD/pp (~$1148 AUD). Alaska’s glaciers have molded its environment for millions of years, with valleys, mountains, and fjords as their beautiful product. Princess makes it easier than ever to see these natural beauties, stopping at ports in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway along the way. Princess cruises also has options from $799 USD (~$1,174 AUD).
Asia Cruise Options
This 3 night cruise sails from Singapore to Malaysia and back, encompassing not one but two former British colonies in one cruise. Starting at $353/pp USD ($519 AUD), visit one of the World’s most multi-cultural nations, with deep Malay, Indian, and Arabic history. Lush rainforest flora await at the Singapore Botanic Garden. Penang, Malaysia is a UNESCO World heritage site for its historical status as a trade port. Other cruises out of Asia include the Best of Jeju from Royal Caribbean. From $381 USD/pp, you will travel from Shanghai, China to the island of Jeju, Korea and back, one of the World’s most eccentric island paradises.
3-4 Night Caribbean Getaways
These 3 Night Getaway Cruises are sure not to break the bank. MSC Cruises has a no-frills “cruise only” option starting at $186 USD/pp (~$274 AUD) out of Miami to the Bahamas and back for 3 nights; longer 4-night versions start at $259 USD/pp (~$384 AUD). Carnival Cruise options start at $314 USD/pp (~$465 AUD) plus fees, stopping at Nassau Bahamas; there are also options from Royal Caribbean around the same price. Be sure to sort price “low to high” on each respective website to see the cheapest options. Royal Caribbean cruises go to Haiti from $346 USD/pp (~$508 AUD) and to the Western Caribbean for $385 USD/pp for four nights each, respectively. Three are longer versions for 5, 6, or 7 nights departing from places such as South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia. Lastly, you can cruise from Florida to the Bahamas on a famed Jimmy-Buffet Margaritaville for two starting at $125 USD/pp for three nights (~$184 AUD) and $149 USD/pp (~$219 AUD) for four nights. Tropical looking Nassau lies on the island of New Providence, with neighboring Paradise Island. A popular cruise-ship stop, it is known for its beaches and coral reefs. It retains many of its colorful British colonial buildings.
In Conclusion
With such attractive pricing on cruises, you really can’t go wrong. All of the major cruise operators have implemented generous policies on rescheduling and cancellation (be sure to check their fine print) in order to assuage customer’s concerns regarding booking now. With new health & safety protocols for your peace of mind and elevated standards of sanitation and cleanliness, you can rest easy.
Right now many cruise operators are offering free drinks, WiFi, and gratuities. Some operators are offering free excursions, free specialty dining, and free kids, while other operators are offering discounted airfare packages. There are also a host of cruise lines, companies, and cruise websites that offer cruises for seniors (with varying age qualifications), given the popularity of cruising amongst older people. This all makes for a rare opportunity to get back out there and enjoy your holiday while keeping more money in your pocket.