Discovering Mini Cruises For A Holiday

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 offers to lure customers back to the Tropics and the Mediterranean.

Mexico 4-Nights

Multiple cruises from the West Coast of America travel to Mexico.  Starting at around $300 per person (“pp”), you will see the beautiful Pacific Ocean, as well as the charming town of Ensenada in Baja California Norte.  There are options from both Carnival (3-nights $289/pp) and Royal Caribbean (3-nights $286/pp). Princess also offers 4-day options headed to Mexico from Los Angeles starting at $548/pp with a stop in San Diego.

Florida Getaways to Bahamas

These 3 Night Getaway Cruises are sure not to break the bank; be sure to sort price “low to high” on each respective website to see the cheapest options.  MSC Cruises has a no-frills “cruise only” option starting at $199/pp (“per person”) out of Miami to the Bahamas and back for 3 nights; longer 4-night versions start at $289 USD/pp. 3-Night Carnival Cruise options start at $284/pp plus fees, stopping at Nassau Bahamas; there are also options from Royal Caribbean around the same price (Royal Caribbean also has last minute bookings). Royal Caribbean cruises also go to Haiti from $315 USD/pp and to the Western Caribbean for $352/pp for four nights each, respectively. There are longer versions for 5, 6, or 7 nights departing from places such as South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia. Lastly, for the cheapest deal on the market, you can cruise from Florida to the Bahamas on a famed Jimmy-Buffet Margaritaville for two starting at $75/pp for two nights, $150/pp for three nights, and $175/pp for four nights. Costco Travel last minute cruises start at $289 to Key West and Bahamas.

Mediterranean

Costa Cruises has multiple 8-night cruise options from $652.98/pp. 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-day options from Costa Cruises start at $303.14/pp for interior rooms and 4 days at $374.11/pp, with stops in Marseille, Italy, and Spain.

7-Days Alaska Glacier Tour

Some of the lowest pricing right now on Alaska cruises can also be had from Royal Caribbean, despite the non-tropical nature of the destination. This 5 or 7 day cruise will lead you directly from beautiful British Columbia Territory to numerous ports in Alaska, starting at $723/pp for 7 nights. Alaska’s glaciers have molded its environment for millions of years, with valleys, mountains, and fjords as their beautiful product. These cruises make it easier than ever to see these natural beauties, stopping at ports in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway along the way. Princess cruises also has 7-night options from $758/pp. 4-day Alaska sampler is $438/pp from Princess.

West Coast

Coastal cruises await to and from San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles and Vancouver, Canada. 2, 3, and 4 day options abound from various ports. Victoria in British Columbia is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. Known as the Garden City, it is a very popular tourist destination, with beautiful gardens and parliament buildings dating to the late 1800s. 6 day Pacific coast cruises from LA to Vancouver with stops in Wine Country start at $798/pp. 5 Day round trip from SF start at $718/pp. Pacific Coast mini cruises start as follows: 4-day LA/Vancouver $348/pp and the reverse for $378/pp, $388/pp with a stop at Victoria, LA/SF/Victoria/Vancouver 5-day $468/pp.

Sydney Seacations

Various roundtrip “Seacation” cruises travel to and from Sydney, Australia and Melbourne, Brisbane, Eden, and Newcastle. 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. Pricing is as follows: 2-day from $198/pp, 4-day from $338/pp from Brisbane to Sydney stopping at Newcastle, 3-day Sydney/Eden round trip from $358/pp, 4-day from $398/pp from Sydney to Melbourne stopping at Newcastle. Longer versions exist such as 7-day Queensland cruise with stops at various coastal beaches from $678/pp.

In Conclusion

Major cruise operators have implemented generous policies on rescheduling and cancellation (be sure to check their fine print) to ease customer concerns regarding the potential for cancellation. With new health & safety protocols and elevated standards of sanitation and cleanliness, you can have peace of mind about your cruise booking. Right now, many cruise operators are offering perks to lure back travelers, including free drinks, WiFi, and gratuities. 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 travel restrictions easing across the world and cruise companies resuming full operations, now is a great time to search for a great cruise deal while prices are low.