Cheap Weekend Cruises

Why You Need a Weekend Getaway

When most travelers think of a cruise, they think of a luxurious vacation that takes months to plan and will be the highlight of their rare vacation time. Cheap weekend cruises can be great options for spontaneous fun, however, and are the perfect escape to celebrate a graduation, enjoy a bachelor or bachelorette party, add a little romance into a relationship, or just to play hooky from work for a couple of days. Whatever the cause, getting away without getting into debt will be a great stress reliever and can create many fun memories to cherish long after the weekend is over.

Making a Cruise Cheap

The least expensive weekend cruises may cost as little as $150 per person, but passengers need to be aware of many additional fees that can make that fabulous deal suddenly much pricier. To keep a cruise at its cheapest, consider these tips:

• Choose a short itinerary for the lowest price.
• Choose a departure port that won’t require air travel – and its extra fees – to reach.
• Opt for a less expensive interior cruise ship cabin to maximize discounts.
• Plan the getaway with several friends and share a room, therefore splitting the fare cost for a lower per-person rate.
• Avoid expensive extras on board, such as professional photos, gambling, or excessive alcohol.
• Arrange shore excursions with the help of a map and a guide book instead of a more expensive prearranged tour.

For additional tips on keeping a weekend cruise budget-friendly, check out these articles: Discount Cruises, Discount Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Discounts, and Managing Money on a Cruise Ship.

Making the Most of Cheap Weekend Cruises

Make a cheap cruise an even better value by making the most of the getaway. First, choose an itinerary and departure port in southern Florida, southern California, or along the Gulf of Mexico so less time during the voyage is spend cruising the open seas instead of visiting exciting cruise destinations. Consider adding a package before or after the cruise to explore the local culture with minimal hassle, and be sure to join in the numerous on board cruise activities such as contests, tours, shows, and other events to meet new friends and enjoy the jovial vacation atmosphere.

Popular Ports of Call

The most popular destinations for weekend cruises are ones that are close to departure ports but still offer a wide range of fun activities passengers can enjoy. Depending on the specific itinerary, options may include:

• Key West: While still a U.S. port, this visitor-friendly island is famous for its many bars, regional cuisine, and fun tropical flair.

Nassau is a popular weekend port.

• Nassau: The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau offers great attractions including casinos, shopping, botanical gardens, and a variety of water sports.
• Freeport: Slightly less popular than Nassau, this large city in the Bahamas still offers a range of attractive activities with Bahamian hospitality.
• Cozumel: This small island off the Yucatan Peninsula is a microcosm of Mexican vitality and energy with its many restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions.
• Ensenada: One of the most northerly ports along the Mexican Riviera, Ensenada gives cruise passengers an intimate glimpse of Mexican culture and history as well as the fun of authentic shopping and dining.
• Private Islands: Many cruise lines offer private island ports of call, particularly in the Bahamas. In these ports, passengers can enjoy a range of activities suitable for the whole family.

Finding Cheap Weekend Sailings

There are several ways to find cheap weekend cruises. First, be prepared to comparison shop between different cruise travel agents and online cruise brokers to find the best deal. Websites offering great weekend rates include:

• Smarter Travel
• Cruise Wiser
• Cheaptickets Cruises
• Cruise Network

Sailing in the off season is more likely to produce lower rates, as well as choosing smaller, older ships that may have fewer amenities on board. While that may seem like a poor choice for a getaway, passengers should note that on a short weekend sailing, even small ships offer a great number of activities and options for those few days.

Cheap weekend cruises can be a fun way to enjoy life without adding debt to the stress a weekend getaway should be erasing. With a bit of planning and a sense of adventure, a great weekend vacation can be just a short cruise away.