You can currently snag a cruise deal to the Caribbean or Bahamas for as little as $38 to $50 a night!
Why are prices so cheap, you ask? Rates dropped in June after the Trump administration banned U.S. cruise ships from traveling to Cuba.
Although the cruise industry doesn’t openly talk about it, the ban resulted in cruise lines with empty cabins.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association, more than 800,000 bookings were affected. The good news for travelers is that there are amazing deals for vacationing at sea.
Cruise lines are slashing prices on their itineraries significantly in hopes of recuperating. You can also scoop up deals on 2020 cruises for $200 per person.
Denise Bialek, director of Priceline Cruises tells LA Times: “The cruise lines don’t want to sail with half-empty ships. So they remade their itineraries, choosing to visit different Caribbean islands other than Cuba.”
The new itineraries include shorter trips at a cheaper rate. Colleen McDaniel, editor of Cruise Critic says: “With a number of the redeployed ships sailing shorter itineraries, you’ll notice a lower overall cruise fare than say, a weeklong sailing. It certainly is a great time to book in the Caribbean.”
Some cruises have been reported as being hundreds of dollars less than their normal cost.
According to Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, average booking prices have dropped by 11% to 25% since early June.
Koreen McNutt, senior director with Expedia Cruise Ship Centers says: “If guests are looking to upgrade their experience to a suite, it’s a great time to book, with an average price drop of 15%.”
Bialek also mentions that “the Cuba travel ban was certainly an unexpected disruption, but it has created a market where cruises are less expensive than they’ve been in years. But it won’t last forever. I’m telling my friends and family to book quickly because time is of the essence.”
Get on these deals before it’s too late:
Carnival Liberty
Leaves Port Canaveral, Florida on November 18th on a four-night cruise in the Bahamas.
Starts at $47 a night per person.
Carnival’s Valor
Leaves New Orleans, Louisiana on October 21st on a five-night cruise of the Western Caribbean.
Starts at $46 a night per person.
Royal Caribbean’s Majesty Of The Seas
Leaves Fort Lauderdale, Flordia on December 9th on a five-night cruise of the Western Caribbean.
Starts at $38 a night per person.
Princess Cruises’ Island Princess
Leave Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 16th on a four-night cruise of Eastern Caribbean.
Starts at $62 a night per person.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway
Leaves Miami, Florida on September 15th on a seven-night cruise of Western Caribbean.
Starts at $61 a night per person.