The past few years were challenging for the cruise industry, but things are finally turning around. Cruise companies are now resuming operations with the expectation of clear sailing ahead, and it’s a great time to catch a killer deal on a cruise. If you’ve been staying away, cruise ships want you back, and have proverbial open arms to incentivize you aboard. Be sure to sort cruise operator websites “low to high” for the best prices.
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 Tropics and the Mediterranean.
7-Night European Cruises
Costa Cruises has multiple 7-night cruise options in Europe from £359 GBP/pp. Mediterranean options leave 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.” Costa also 7-night options to Norway to see the fjords, similarly starting at £729/pp. Leaving Copenhagen, you will see the Norwegian Sea, the Baltic Sea, and stop in Germany on the way back.
Cruises From Southampton
For £319/pp for four nights based on double occupancy, voyage round-trip from Southampton to Cherbourg, France and Bruges, Belgium. 4 night options from Southampton to Cork, Ireland and back also exist, starting at £349/pp for four nights also based on double occupancy. Lastly, 5 night options from Southampton travel to both the Netherlands, Cork, and back starting at £449/pp. Costa Cruises also offers a cruise from Southampton, stopping in Rotterdam, and arriving in Kiel, Germany, from 179€/pp (~£152 GBP) on their French website.
2-4 Night Mediterranean Cruise
You can journey south for a relaxing holiday in the Mediterranean off picturesque south of France and Italy from numerous cruise operators. From Barcelona to Valencia, Spain, MSC’s Mediterranean cruise options have inside staterooms starting at $299 USD/per person for three nights on their American site (~£234 GBP). Costa Cruises also offers budget-friendly options, sailing from Marseille to Savona, Italy, and back, for £169/pp. 4-days from Savona to Barcelona start at £229/pp, and 5 days at £249/pp; various routes work in different stops in Italy, France, and Spain at roughly the same price. One week cruises stopping in Italy, France, and Spain start at 369 quid per person. There is ample entertainment with featured shows, discos and clubs, lounges and bars. You’ll also have access to fitness facilities, pools, hot tubs, and sports courts.
13-Day Transatlantic Cruise
Spend 13 days traversing the Atlantic from Miami, South Florida to Europe. Take in extensive entertainment options onboard like shows, comedy clubs, lounges, and bars. Pools, spas, and fitness facilities are also available for all guests. Enjoy unlimited open bar, specialty dining, free wifi, and excursions. The most shocking part about this nearly two week cruise is the price of entry, starting at £526 GBP/pp.
3-Night Bahamas Cruise
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 (~£142) out of Miami to the Bahamas and back for 3 nights; longer 4-night versions start at $285 USD/pp (~£217). Carnival Cruise options start at $299 USD/pp plus fees (~£228), 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 $345 USD/pp (~£264) and to the Western Caribbean for $349 USD/pp (~£266) 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 $75 USD/pp for two nights (~£59), $125/pp (~£96) for three nights, and $149/pp (~£114) for four nights.
Sydney Seacations
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 $388 USD/pp (~£303) based on double occupancy, while 11 night options going to New Caledonia and Vanuatu starts at just $922 USD (~£720).
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 $643 USD/pp (~£502). 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 (~£609).
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.
With the end in sight, book a cruise before prices head back to normal, and get your holiday off right and proper.