european carnival cruise 2023

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Carnival Family Cruising

Carnival Europe cruises from $574*

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Carnival Cruise Line Europe Cruises

Cruise to Europe with Carnival Cruise Lines for a vacation filled with interesting people, delicious cuisine, and a whole lot of culture. Discover castles, palaces, and a rich history that has influenced Europe’s current culture. Learn dances to new and intriguing music, culinary techniques from the world’s finest chefs, and inspire yourself with fine art. Become a wine connoisseur in Bordeaux or a race car enthusiast in Monaco. When you cruise to Europe with Carnival Cruise Lines, you’ll find yourself wishing for a permanent European residence.

Things to Do on an Europe Cruise with Carnival Cruise Line

Countries like Greece, Italy, Croatia Spain and France are filled with culture, passion and unbelievable food. Explore ancient ruins in the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey, marvel at Renaissance-era artwork in Florence, walk through the streets of Old Town in Dubrovnik and more. Experience there rich traditions on a Carnival cruise to Europe, where new discoveries greet you at every Old World port along the way. Featured below are just a handful of our most recommended things to do when cruising to Europe with Carnival Cruise Lines:

• Old Town Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik, Croatia) Wander the streets of the ancient medieval city of Dubrovnik to see some of the city’s best gems up close, including Dubrovnik Cathedral, the 13th-century city walls, the Franciscan Monastery and the Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If your travels have you feeling exhausted, head to one of Dubrovnik’s many picturesque beaches to recharge.  

• Treasures of Pompeii (Naples, Italy) Travel back in time with a trip to Pompeii, a 1st-century city buried by the powerful eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This natural disaster has left archeologists – and you – with very well-preserved artifacts and a stunning depiction of what life was like during the first century in Italy.  

• Natural Wonders and Spanish Royalty (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) Enjoy some fun in the sun at this popular summer vacation destination for Spain’s royalty. You’ll find top-notch beaches, golden cliffs and beautiful coastlines to appease your natural side, and downtown Palma is full of historic museums, buzzing plazas and dazzling cathedrals, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria.  

• Roman Wonders (Rome, Italy) No trip to the Mediterranean is complete without a tour of Rome and Vatican City. Imagine the roaring crowds as your stare at the ruins of the Colosseum, flip a lucky coin into the Trevi Fountain and crane your neck to take in Michelangelo’s world-renowned Sistine Chapel artwork.  

• Explore Marseilles and Provence (Marseilles, France) The grand city of Marseilles offers plenty of sites for Carnival cruisers, including the Chateau d’If island prison made famous by Alexandre Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo. Marseilles also serves as a popular gateway to Provence and some of the country’s most beautiful countryside, often the inspiration for artists like Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh and Cezanne.  

• Sicilian for a Day (Sicily, Italy) Here’s an offer you can’t refuse – a day tour of Sicily and the surrounding regions popularized by The Godfather. Head to towering Mount Etna for a hike around the snow-capped volcano, enjoy the charming bells of the Messina Cathedral or go for a leisurely stroll through the city’s Middle Ages architecture.  

Top 10 Carnival Cruise Line Europe Cruises

• Carnival Legend Carnival Journeys - Transatlantic Cruise Departing From Baltimore, Maryland (Apr 2024)
• Carnival Glory Carnival Journeys - 14 Day Transatlantic Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Apr 2024)
• Carnival Pride Carnival Journeys - Greenland & Canada Departing From Baltimore, Maryland (May 2024 - Aug 2025)
• Carnival Legend 8-day Mediterranean Cruise Departing From Barcelona, Spain (May 2024)
• Carnival Legend 9-day Spain Portugal & France Cruise Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Jun 2024)
• Carnival Legend 12 Day Iceland & British Isles Cruise Departing From Dover (London), England (Jun 2024 - Jul 2024)
• Carnival Legend 9 Day Britsh Isles Cruise Departing From Dover (London), England (Jun 2024 - Aug 2024)
• Carnival Legend 9-day Spain Portugal & France Cruise Departing From Dover (London), England (Aug 2024)
• Carnival Legend 10-day Greek Isles Turkey & Italy Cruise Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024)
• Carnival Legend Carnival Journeys - 15 Day Transatlantic Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Oct 2024)

Carnival Cruise Line Europe Departure Ports

Learn more about your potential departure ports for a European cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines. Your Carnival Cruise Lines Europe cruise could embark from any of the following cities:

Explore Baltimore’s rich history and culture as you visit the local neighborhoods which are home to important world changing events. 

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Dover (London), England

Dover, with its striking white cliffs, is one of the most popular gateways to England. Take in the area’s natural beauty or head to nearby London to see more of England’s most popular attractions.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city.

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Big Easy is one of the world’s most fascinating cities and a melting pot of culture, food and music.

The seafood is fresh, the sun is shining and there’s a whole lot to do, so get out there and explore the city before, during and after your cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Photo Gallery for Carnival Cruise Line Europe Cruises

Browse our photo gallery of Europe cruising photos from Carnival Cruise Lines. Keep in mind, this is just a sample of the sights waiting for you on a Carnival Cruise Lines European cruise vacation.

Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy

Chateau d'If prison near Marseilles, France

Red rooftops in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Sunset over Messina, Italy

Ruins of Pompeii, Italy

Santa Maria Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Tuscany Landscape

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Carnival Miracle Back in Europe, 100 New Sailings Added

Andrea Santillan

• October 18, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line just opened up a slew of cruises for 2025. This includes Carnival Miracle back in Europe, sailings that depart from New Orleans, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Miami, and 100 cruises that will visit Celebration Key, the cruise line’s new and exclusive resort in the Bahamas.

Carnival Miracle Back in Europe

Departing from Dover, UK, the Carnival Miracle will offer nine-, 12-, and 15-day cruises. Areas of exploration include the British Isles, France, Portugal, Spain, Iceland, The Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland. 

When it repositions from Dover to Civitavecchia in Italy, the ship will embark on a 15-day sailing to visit popular destinations in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and France.

From Civitavecchia, Carnival Miracle will stop at port cities in Greece, Turkey, and Italy during 8- to 14-day cruises. The stops listed are Mykonos and Piraeus in Greece, Naples in Italy , Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey, and Messina in Sicily. 

It will close its 2025 European summer season with a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise to the Azores, Spain, Italy, The Bahamas, and Cartagena.

After touring Europe, Carnival Miracle will reposition and homeport from Tampa, offering 6-, 7-, and 8-day cruises until 2026. From there, the vessel will offer cruises to Isla Roatan and Mahogany Bay in Honduras, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Montego Bay in Jamaica, Cozumel in Mexico, and more.

100 US Sailings Will Stop at Celebration Key

One hundred cruises are scheduled to visit Celebration Key in 2025 —just in time for its grand summer opening. 18 Carnival ships will sail from 9 US homeports, bringing the resort’s total number of port visits up to 500. 

Carnival Paradise, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Magic, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Vista, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Valor offer 4- to 16-day sailings with various Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

They will leave from ports across Tampa, Miami, and New Orleans.

Since only select cruises aboard these ships will visit Celebration Key , it’s best to double-check the stops of the cruise you’re interested in.

READ: Carnival Adds Fourth Cruise Ship to Texas

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• Carnival Cruise Lines

Europe 2023

By EmmasNana , September 26, 2021 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Does anyone have an idea when itineraries will open up for Europe in 2023? 

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SNJCruisers

Carnival will be cruising in Europe between May and October in 2022 with the Pride.  Carnival does not want to cannibalize too much of their other corporation's cruise lines that are based in Europe so that's why they only base 1 ship there during the high summer season for about 5 months.

Aida (Germany), Costa (Italy) and P&O (UK) have the economy lines covered.  While US based Princess and Holland America offer upgraded sailings.  If you must sail on a US based line, I would compare things with Princess.  They offer Princess plus for 40 per day for their sailings.  After factoring out the 15.50 that you would normally pay for tips, for an extra 25.50 per day, you get their drinks package as well as wifi.  Extreme value when you compare what Carnival charges for their wifi and Cheers.

11 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said: Carnival will be cruising in Europe between May and October in 2022 with the Pride.  Carnival does not want to cannibalize too much of their other corporation's cruise lines that are based in Europe so that's why they only base 1 ship there during the high summer season for about 5 months. Aida (Germany), Costa (Italy) and P&O (UK) have the economy lines covered.  While US based Princess and Holland America offer upgraded sailings.  If you must sail on a US based line, I would compare things with Princess.  They offer Princess plus for 40 per day for their sailings.  After factoring out the 15.50 that you would normally pay for tips, for an extra 25.50 per day, you get their drinks package as well as wifi.  Extreme value when you compare what Carnival charges for their wifi and Cheers.

Yes, I saw the 2022 sailings but I don't want to go until 2023.  Unfortunately it needs to be carnival. I ended up with well over $10,000 in gift cards when my daughters and grand kids could not go in September. 

2 minutes ago, EmmasNana said: Yes, I saw the 2022 sailings but I don't want to go until 2023.  Unfortunately it needs to be carnival. I ended up with well over $10,000 in gift cards when my daughters and grand kids could not go in September. 

Does it have to be Europe?  I would look into either of the Excel ships, the Mardi Gras or the Celebration. A B2B on either of them would be nice and reasonably priced in late August if needed to be over the summer.  Or, you could possibly do the inaugural of Excel 3, which is rumored to be in November of 2023, but the kids would have to be removed from school. 

3 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said: Does it have to be Europe?  I would look into either of the Excel ships, the Mardi Gras or the Celebration. A B2B on either of them would be nice and reasonably priced in late August if needed to be over the summer.  Or, you could possibly do the inaugural of Excel 3, which is rumored to be in November of 2023, but the kids would have to be removed from school. 

Yes, we missed out on our 2020 Greek and Mediterranean cruise on RCI. I would rather go when I hope things will be more normal. The kids wont be going anymore, so will just be myself and my husband. We have a journey cruise booked for 2022.

We have discovered that we didn't actually miss cruising as much as we thought and that we don't want to keep going to the same ports over and over and over. 

We also don't want to cruise again until masks and the other mandates are over. 

At this point, itinerary is most important. I don't really care for the ships that have wrap around board walks. They block the view of the ocean when sitting on your balcony.

Since the kids are not involved, I would book the inaugural on the Excel 3.

2 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said: Since the kids are not involved, I would book the inaugural on the Excel 3.

It would depend on the itinerary. I need to check out the ship. We do not need a bunch of bells and whistles. 

2 minutes ago, EmmasNana said: It would depend on the itinerary. I need to check out the ship. We do not need a bunch of bells and whistles. 

Here is a link to the best review I have read about the Mardi Gras.  Even though you may not need a bunch of bells and whistles, this ship is truly a game changer for Carnival.  I have cruised on Carnival 20 times over 35 years, but I currently have 4 booked on the Mardi Gras and 1 on the Celebration, it's sister ship debuting next year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukVBEpaf2U&t=3s

Below is a link to the deckplans

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/Carnival-Mardi-Gras

Something on the hump or an ocean suite should do the trick for you.  Good luck

16 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said: Here is a link to the best review I have read about the Mardi Gras.  Even though you may not need a bunch of bells and whistles, this ship is truly a game changer for Carnival.  I have cruised on Carnival 20 times over 35 years, but I currently have 4 booked on the Mardi Gras and 1 on the Celebration, it's sister ship debuting next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukVBEpaf2U&t=3s   Below is a link to the deckplans https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/Carnival-Mardi-Gras   Something on the hump or an ocean suite should do the trick for you.  Good luck  

I will check it out.

crewsweeper

Carnival usually sails in Europe from May through October.  You may have to wait until 2022 before they release the dates for 2023.  They may not yet have those set up.  But keep checking their website or even these boards for release dates.

23 minutes ago, crewsweeper said: Carnival usually sails in Europe from May through October.  You may have to wait until 2022 before they release the dates for 2023.  They may not yet have those set up.  But keep checking their website or even these boards for release dates.

Yeah, I was hoping to be able to use the funds from a May cruise that was canceled and gives me $600 OBC. I think those Carnival canceled cruises still have to be booked by Dec. 2021 and used by Sept. 2023.

The Pride is listed in several port schedules for 2023. They released 2022 in January 2021 but when they released the now cancelled 2021 season it was November 2019. So could be anytime late this year to early next.

2 minutes ago, trvlgirlmq said: The Pride is listed in several port schedules for 2023. They released 2022 in January 2021 but when they released the now cancelled 2021 season it was November 2019. So could be anytime late this year to early next.

Thanks for that info. I will just have to keep an eye out. 

John Heald has posted Europe 2023 on his page.  Not online to book just yet.

Bookings now open on the Pride.  Transatlantic eastbound is 14 days departing on 4/23/23, with the Transatlantic westbound  on 10/28/23.  In between, there are seven 9 day trips, three 10 day trips and six 12 day trips, covering all of Europe and the Med.

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Carnival Corp. Releases 2023 Sustainability Report

• April 10, 2024

Carnival Corporation has released its 14th annual sustainability report detailing meaningful progress in its six sustainability focus areas, including toward its highest-priority goals supporting climate action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting a circular economy model to reduce waste.

The company said achieved several 2030 environmental goals well in advance and is tracking ahead of schedule on a number of other key targets, including GHG intensity reductions. Details are outlined in the full report, titled “Sustainable from Ship to Shore,” and available on the company’s website at www.CarnivalSustainability.com .

“Thanks to our 160,000 remarkable team members who show up every day with passion and dedication, 2023 was a year of significant accomplishments across the board,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO and chief climate officer for Carnival Corporation. “We achieved record-breaking financial performance, welcomed three stunning new ships, expanded our global presence to over 800 incredible destinations and communities, and delivered unforgettable happiness to 12.5 million guests by providing them with extraordinary cruise vacations.\

Added Weinstein: “We also demonstrated our continued commitment to leading the way in making cruising more sustainable, marked by amazing progress toward reaching – and in many cases, exceeding – our vital 2030 environmental performance targets. Since we’re so aggressively tracking toward all our 2030 sustainability goals, we’re evaluating new interim targets along our pursuit of net zero GHG emissions by 2050.”

Highlights;

• GHG Intensity: Tracking toward its 2030 goal four years ahead of schedule, the company formally committed to reducing its GHG intensity by at least 20% by 2026 (versus 2019 levels; measured on a lower berth capacity basis). The company expects this performance to put it ahead of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 carbon intensity reduction timeline.
• Shore Power: Surpassing its 2030 goal in 2023 – seven years early – the company now leads the industry with 64% of its fleet shore power-capable, meaning it has twice as many ships able to “plug in” than there are ports equipped to provide shore power. The company is now working closely with port authorities worldwide to foster increased adoption of this important technology.
• Particulate Matter: Recording a 68% reduction in absolute particulate matter emissions (versus the 2015 baseline), the company continued accelerating well beyond its 2030 goal to reduce particulate matter emissions by 50%.
• Food Waste: Achieving a 38% reduction in food waste per person (versus the 2019 baseline), the company came within two percentage points of reaching its 2025 goal to reduce food waste by 40% and continues efforts toward achieving its 50% food reduction goal by 2030.
• Single-Use Items: As of 2023, the company had cut down enormously on single-use items and plastics, eliminating ~500 million single-use items from the fleet by the end of last year (compared to 2018) – outpacing its 2030 50% reduction goal, which it initially surpassed in 2021, nine years early.
• Advanced Waste Water Treatment Systems: Finishing the year just a few points shy of its 2030 goal to outfit 75% of its fleet capacity with AWWTS, in 2023, the company had completed installation of systems covering 70% of the company’s fleet capacity, purifying even more water used onboard to municipal-water quality before releasing it back to nature.

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7 Most Affordable Cruise Lines That’ll Make Your Cruising Dreams Come True

Posted: October 2, 2023 | Last updated: October 2, 2023

The cheapest cruise lines

Cruising is often described as the ultimate relaxing vacation. You only unpack once, yet you wake up in a new country or island every morning. You also never have to worry about where to eat, there are nonstop activities onboard that keep everyone entertained—and most everything is included in the price. So you don't have to worry much about overspending once you're on board if you book on one of the most affordable cruise lines.

Of course, everything is more expensive these days, leaving some travelers to wonder if there are still affordable cruises available to meet their vacation budgets. Thankfully, that answer is yes, and there are several brands that still provide exceptional value aboard their floating cities. Many are among the best cruise lines , and some are even frequent cruisers' favorite cruises . In fact, you might be surprised to learn that living on a cruise ship can be cheaper than a mortgage , in case you decide you never want to return from your vacation.

So follow these cruise tips for how to save money on a cruise by booking the most affordable cruise lines. You may even be able to sneak in an extra vacation this year with all your savings. Here's what to pack for a cruise .

How much does a cheap cruise cost?

Cheap cruises usually range in price from $40 to $100 per night per person. To put that deal in perspective, imagine having your accommodations, food and entertainment covered for roughly $50 a day on a traditional land-based trip—you'd be hard-pressed to stay within that budget just for your meals. It's truly impressive that these all-inclusive cruises can charge so little.

But before you get too excited over these low prices, don't forget to factor in the cost of the extras when calculating your total expenses—that's one of the secrets cruise lines won't tell you . Things like drinks, shore excursions, gratuities, spa treatments, specialty dining, airfare, photos, taxes and port fees aren't included and can add up quickly.

Finally, keep in mind that the best deals will always be for an inside cabin, which means you won't have a porthole (let alone a balcony) for natural light. The good news? You'll sleep like a baby in total darkness, especially during an afternoon nap.

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When is the cheapest time to book a cruise?

It's important to pay attention to the cheapest times to book a cruise if you want to save even more. Wave season, which is from January to March, is a promotional time of year when cruise lines run their most competitive sales. These sales are designed to encourage bookings for later in the year. You can also keep an eye on sites like MSC's Cruise Deals to find great prices.

There are great deals at other times of the year too. Generally speaking, the further in advance you book, the better prices you'll find. But the opposite is also true, because cruise lines will happily sell unused inventory at a significantly reduced rate in the form of last-minute deals. You'll need a flexible schedule to pull this off, and you may find airfare is too costly at that point.

Beyond wave season, planning far in advance or nabbing last-minute cruise deals, it's also wise to consider booking your cruises for the off-season. For instance, for the Caribbean and Mexico, that would mean summer sailings or during shoulder season (the month before and after high season—for example, in the case of Alaska, this would be in May or September). Just know that you are taking a bit of a risk with the weather during these off-peak times.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers sailings out of the U.S. (New York, Miami and Orlando) to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, New England and Canada. It also offers sailings to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa and more.

Cost: Cruises on MSC start as low as $129 per person.

Specials to watch for: MSC offers such limited-time specials as free drinks and Wi-Fi plus up to $200 onboard credit (which can be used to book extras like shore excursions or spa treatments).

Other savings to consider: You won't find an adults-only cruise here, however this cruise line does offer a Kids Sail Free program, which means that all children under 18 traveling in the same cabin as their parents travel free all year-round. Port taxes, registration costs, insurance, flights and transfers (where required) are excluded from the offer, but it still goes a long way toward making this one of the most affordable cruise lines.

Affordable cruises: We've seen a 6-night southern Caribbean cruise for as low as $219 total per person.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line —known as one of the most affordable cruise lines—was founded in 1972 and now carries millions of guests every year aboard its 24 ships. It sails to Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Greenland, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific.

Cost: Cruises on Carnival start as low as $169 per person.

Specials to watch for: Carnival celebrates dates like National Tourism Day with up to 40% off cruise rates, plus $50 onboard credits and reduced deposit rates from $50 per person. Other limited-time promotions include free cabin upgrades and "Early Saver" rates with price protection that provide peace of mind for early bookings.

Other savings to consider: One of the things that makes Carnival Cruise Lines even more affordable is that it has 14 home ports in the United States (Baltimore, Charleston, Galveston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Miami, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa), making it easier for Americans to drive to their ship and avoid booking pricey flights .

Affordable cruises: We've seen a 5-day Mexican Riviera cruise for as low as $234 per person.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The innovative brand is known for many firsts at sea, including an ice-skating rink, bumper cars, zip-line, rock climbing wall, robotic bartenders and the Flowrider surf simulator. Its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas , which is set to begin sailing in January 2024, will be the world's largest cruise ship.

Cost: Cruises on Royal Caribbean start as low as $172 per person.

Specials to watch for: Royal Caribbean occasionally offers promotions like "30% Off Every Guest" (provides 30% savings off the cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom), flash deals like "Up to $550 Off" (provides instant savings of up to $550 USD per stateroom) and "Kids Sail Free" promos, during which the third and fourth guests who are 12 years or younger are eligible for free cruise fare.

Other savings to consider: Royal Caribbean offers exclusive access to pre-cruise savings and discounts that won't be available once you're onboard for things like shore excursions, beverage packages, food packages and Wi-Fi packages.

Affordable cruises: We've seen a 6-night Pacific Coast cruise for $250 per person.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is a premium cruise line with award-winning itineraries around the globe, sailing to Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, South America, Japan, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, the South Pacific and the California Coast. It's an excellent choice for a couples cruise (they host a lot of weddings and vow renewals), but it's also family-friendly.

Cost: Hundreds of sailings on Princess are priced under $100 per day; 60 sailings under $60 per day.

Specials to watch for: Princess regularly offers promotions, such as a 40% savings and low $100 deposit specials.

Other savings to consider: Upgrade to the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages, which roll in the price of extras like Wi-Fi, drinks, gratuities and more for a savings of up to 66% vs. purchasing them separately.

Affordable cruises: Everyone dreams of booking the best Alaska cruise , and we've seen 7-night Alaska cruises for as low as $349 per person.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line 's fleet of 18 ships sails to 400 of the world's most desirable destinations—such as Asia, Africa, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Mexico, the Baltic, South America and more.

Cost: Cruises on Norwegian start as low as $249 per person.

Specials to watch for: NCL offers various deals throughout the year. One recent special was 70% off, plus free airfare for the second guest, plus the third and fourth guests sailed for free.

Other savings to consider: Part of what makes Norwegian one of the best and most affordable cruise lines is that all cruise offerings may be combined with the company's ongoing "Free at Sea" promotion, which includes unlimited open bar, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and excursions. (Want to find out more about hidden features on cruise ships  that you never knew existed?)

Affordable cruises: We've seen 7-day Alaska cruises for as low as $279 per person.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line has been cruising both popular and less-traveled ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, South America, the Panama Canal, Australia, New Zealand and Asia for 150 years. It has a fleet of 11 classic ships and does more than 500 sailings a year, visiting all seven continents.

Cost: Cruises on Holland start as low as $89 per person.

Specials to watch for: Having recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, Holland America has been offering 45% off cruise fares, up to $300 in onboard credit and reduced deposits of only $150. The brand typically offers other specials throughout the year.

Other savings to consider: For family cruise travelers , Holland America Line provides a Kids Cruise Free offer, allowing guests ages 18 and under to travel free to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean when booked as a third or fourth guest on select cruises. And when booked directly on Holland America Line's site, travelers can take advantage of the Have It All Cruise Package, which includes shore excursion credits, drink package, specialty dining and Wi-Fi.

Affordable cruises: We've seen 7-day Alaska cruises as low as $329 per person.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity has 15 award-winning ships that take guests to more than 300 destinations in 79 countries on all seven continents, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, Galapagos and Canada.

Cost: Cruises on Celebrity start as low as $288 per person.

Specials to watch for: Celebrity offers various specials, like a spring sale that takes 75% off a second guest's fare and saves up to $800 per stateroom with up to $800 to spend on board. Also look for promotions like Alaska weekend flash sales (second guest sails for free plus $250 onboard credit) and 20% off Galapagos vacations (round-trip airfare included).

Other savings to consider: Choose the all-inclusive options of prepackaged drinks, Wi-Fi and tips to save up to 45% on these individual items.

Affordable cruises: We've seen 7-night Alaska cruises for as low as $299 per person.

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Cruise Industry Sets New Passenger Record in 2023

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The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual State of the Cruise Industry report, revealing robust growth in the sector still recovering from pandemic impacts. In 2023, the passenger volume reached an record 31.7 million, marking a 7% increase over 2019 levels.

The report paints a promising picture for the industry hit hard by the pandemic, highlighting an 82% intent among consumers to embark on cruise vacations.

CLIA’s projections for cruise capacity from 2024 through 2028 indicate a 10% rise.

Despite the pandemic, the cruising sector managed to generate 90% of its 2019’s economic impact in 2022, despite passenger volumes being only 70% of those in 2019.

The report underscores the significant economic contribution of the cruise industry, which constitutes just 2% of global travel. In 2022 (the latest figures available), the industry generated $138 billion globally, supporting 1.2 million jobs worldwide and contributing $43 billion in wages.

The industry anticipates an even greater economic impact in 2023, with passenger numbers expected to increase by 50% compared to 2022.

Looking at the fleet size, CLIA-member cruise lines expect eight new ships to be delivered in 2024, which will push the ocean-going fleet to more than 300 ships for the first time. Between 2024 and 2028, the industry is set to welcome 35 new ships, representing 112,000 lower berths and an orderbook value of $30.8 billion.

The report also shed light on emerging trends in cruising. Over the past two years, 27% of cruise passengers were first-timers, a 12% increase from the previous year. Cruises have also become a popular choice for multi-generational travel, with over 30% of families cruising with at least two generations and 28% traveling with three to five generations.

Expedition cruises are becoming increasingly popular, with a 71% rise in passenger numbers from 2019 to 2023. Accessible tour excursions are also gaining traction, with 45% of passengers booking an accessible tour on their most recent cruise. Additionally, 73% of cruise travelers credited travel advisors with significantly influencing their decision to cruise.

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