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SPEND SPRING BREAK ON A PRIVATE ISLAND WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Published on February 8, 2020

If you’re a college student, you know spring break is the first big hurrah before your long-awaited summer vacation — and the first opportunity of the year to set out on an unforgettable weeklong vacation. In many places, temperatures are finally warm enough to ditch long sleeves and pants, and opt for t-shirts and shorts instead. And vacation destinations around the world are gearing up to welcome seasonal travelers with all kinds of amazing experiences. Hotspots like Cabo in Mexico and Miami in South Florida frequently top lists for the most popular spring break destinations, but if you’re looking for an all-out private island experience unlike any other, it doesn’t get better than a spring break cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Royal Caribbean. Take it from a vacation expert — nothing beats a visit to this thrill-filled island paradise. Here’s why.

IT’S TOTALLY EXCLUSIVE TO ROYAL CARIBBEAN GUESTS

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean, which means that the only way to get there is on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Forget super-packed beaches and long lines at bars and restaurants, which is what you’ll find at most other vacation destinations during spring break. Because Perfect Day at CocoCay is exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests, overcrowding is never a problem. In fact, the island offers lots of free loungers and umbrellas at all of its beaches and inland attractions, so you won’t have to waste time searching for an available spot. There are plenty of bars scattered throughout the island as well, including the Floating Bar, which you can easily wade to from the shore, and a swim-up bar that’s always buzzing inside a massive freshwater lagoon — more on that later.

YOU CAN GET YOUR FILL OF BUCKET LIST THRILLS

There aren’t many island destinations out there that also have a full-fledged waterpark with record-breaking slides — but Perfect Day at CocoCay does, and it’s one of the things that make it an epic spring break vacation spot. The private island is home to Thrill Waterpark , which encompasses thirteen crazy-fun waterslides, an obstacle course, and the largest wave pool in the Caribbean. If you’re really brave, you can take on Daredevil’s Peak. Standing 135 feet high, it’s the tallest waterslide in North America. If you’re not into heights and speed is more your cup of tea, try one of the many racer slides, like Splash Speedway, which has four lanes so you can challenge your besties. Or the Manta Raycers, twin open-flume slides that let two friends go head-to-head on a mad dash to the finish line. If you’re visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay with a group of thrill-seekers, you might want to consider booking a private cabana at Thrill Waterpark. Not only does a cabana reservation here cover park admission for up to eight guests — it also comes with dedicated attendant service so that you never have to leave the action.

Epic slides and rides at Thrill Waterpark aren’t the only attractions you’ll find at this private island escape. You can check a helium balloon ride off your bucket list here, too. Up, Up and Away gently lifts guests up to 450 feet into the sky, yielding awe-inspiring views of the island and the turquoise waters that surround it. And there’s also a 1,600-foot-long zip line ride that carries you right over the harbor fountain. The best part? You can experience all the thrills for yourself in just one day, because the attractions are so close to each other (this is an exclusive private island destination, remember?).

IT’S HOME TO THE CARIBBEAN’S COOLEST PARTY SPOT

Another reason why spring break cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay make for unforgettable experiences is because the party scene you’ll find onshore is second to none. If you’re looking for a party, Oasis Lagoon is the place to be. The largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, it’s another one of Perfect Day at CocoCay’s record-setting attractions — and the ultimate turn-up spot. It’s not unusual for conga lines to form spontaneously here and snake their way around the massive lagoon’s swim-up islands and coves. A team of talented bartenders keep the piña coladas, Bahama Mamas and Coco Locos coming strong at the swim-up bar, and a DJ makes sure the soundtrack is loaded with all your favorite jams — in fact, take a dip beneath the surface of the pool and you’ll find there’s even a secret mix of tunes pulsing through the underwater speakers. When you need a break from all the excitement, you can float on over to any of the lagoon’s three swim-up islands and coves. Each has its own unique vibe and in-water loungers where you can kick back and bask in the sunshine, Coco Loco in hand.

YOU CAN CHILL IF YOU WANT TO

Not everybody wants to spend their spring break partying and living it up. For some, the ultimate spring break vacation is more about disconnecting and recharging — and that’s perfectly fine, too. Perfect Day at CocoCay is all about variety, which is why Royal Caribbean made sure to include plenty of options when reimagining their exclusive island destination. If all you want to do during your spring break is unwind and turn up the tropical vibes, head to Chill Island . True to its name, this gorgeous and serene stretch of white sandy beach is the ultimate chill zone, complete with hammocks, plenty of comfy lounge chairs and daybeds, and even private cabanas you can rent for you and your squad. Steps away, Chill Grill serves up all your favorite beach day foods, like juicy burgers, crisp fresh salads, amazing BBQ, and decadent desserts. There’s even a snorkel shack where you can rent equipment to explore the coral clusters that dot the surrounding waters. If you’re craving a drink, wade out to the famous floating bar, bobbing gently on calm turquoise waves just a short distance away from the shoreline.

YOU CAN ALSO GET IN THE GAME

If you’re more about water sports and activities, South Beach is your go-to. While it’s just as beautiful as its neighbor, Chill Island, this beach is all about staying active. Challenge your squad to a game of volleyball or beachside basketball. Like everywhere else on the island, you’ll find tons of complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, plus daybeds and cabanas you can reserve for a little more privacy. And a nearby Snack Shack makes it easy and convenient to fuel up on great bites in between activities. What’s more, South Beach is home to three different bars — the eponymous South Beach Bar, the Sandtrap Bar and the floating bar, so your favorite beers and tropical drinks are never far.

There you have it — the ultimate spring break getaway that offers something for every kind of guest. Whether you come for the beautiful beaches and island vibes, the adrenaline-amping rides, or the bass-pumping revelry, Perfect Day at CocoCay should be number one on your list of epic spring break vacation option. Your ticket to paradise is a spring break cruise with Royal Caribbean, which offers just as many thrills and game changing ways to chill as the island itself — but that’s a whole other story.

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College Party Cruise 2025: Week 1

Dates: march 3, 2025 - march 7, 2025, ship: celebrity silhouette.

College Party Cruise 2025: Week 2

Dates: march 10, 2025 - march 14, 2025.

College Party Cruise 2025: Week 3

Dates: march 17, 2025 - march 21, 2025.

Your Reservations

Best spring break cruises for college students and families

Step aside, Disney World and Daytona Beach, Florida. Spring break cruises are attracting both families and college students for memorable vacations in March and April because they offer easy planning, an array of price points and compelling attractions both on board and off.

College students can follow the party to ships laden with bars and late-night entertainment. On short, affordable Bahamas cruises, beachy private islands welcome stress-shedding coeds with waterside bars, shoreside DJs, sandy sports and even amusement parks.

Cruising is so popular that travel agencies run hosted group trips during the biggest spring break weeks to make it easier for college students to book sailings and meet fellow partiers.

Families can spend their week off from school enjoying waterslides, ropes courses, roller coasters, miniature golf and go-karts — all found on cruise ship top decks. Instead of a week at Disney, a short spring break sailing on Disney Cruise Line combined with a park adventure lets families combine beach days with amusement rides.

However, there are some key policies the under-21 crowd needs to know before planning spring break at sea. Below, we outline what you need to know about these March and April sailings and highlight the best spring break cruises for college students and families.

For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Spring break cruises: What to expect

Spring break cruises take place during the typically slower shoulder-season travel months of March and April. However, spring break travel has become so popular that Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico cruises during peak school holiday weeks are often more expensive and more crowded than surrounding weeks.

Families should know that the shorter cruises take on more of a party atmosphere, so stick to the longer sailings, which will be filled with school-age children.

Older or childless couples will probably want to avoid all the weeklong or shorter warm-weather sailings out of U.S. home ports if they're seeking a quiet getaway.

Cruise lines also have policies that might surprise the 18- to 20-year-old crowd hoping to let loose on their college vacation. Here are some key things to know.

Age restrictions on bookings

Many popular cruise lines do not let travelers under the age of 21 book a cruise without a "chaperone" who is 21 or older. On Carnival Cruise Line , the responsible adult needs to be at least 25. This can present problems for a group of 20-year-olds who want to sail together. You'll need to bring along — gulp — a parent or at least an older friend.

Drinking age

Regardless of the drinking age in the islands, the minimum age to drink on many cruise ships sailing from the U.S. is 21. That's even true on MSC Cruises , a European company, on its sailings from U.S. ports. The only line we found among the popular spring break cruise lines with a drinking age of 18 or older is Margaritaville at Sea .

You also are not allowed to bring your own booze on board, whether you're of age or not.

Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide

Beverage packages

For the 21 and over college crowd, beverage packages can be an affordable option if you plan on drinking a lot on board. Be aware, however, that some lines limit the number of drinks you can order at one time or on one day. In most cases, everyone sharing a cabin must purchase a drink package if one person does; you cannot share a package among friends or buy drinks for friends if you have a beverage package and they do not.

Smoking, drugs and bad behavior

Cruise lines have strict policies when it comes to smoking on board , and they include vaping and cigars in their policies. You can only smoke in designated areas of each ship, never in your cabin or private balcony. Breaking these rules can lead to $500 fines or even getting kicked off the ship.

You could also get into serious trouble if you try to smuggle drugs or marijuana on board . If you're caught, you could be prevented from embarking the ship or forcefully disembarked mid-cruise . You'd then be on your own to get home, and the cruise line will not refund the costs of your missed cruise.

And, yes, cruise ships do have jails , called brigs, on board. Your ship's security officers do not tolerate fighting and other bad behavior and will detain anyone who is out of line on board.

Parents looking at a week's vacation at sea with the kids will be thrilled to know that the onboard kids clubs are complimentary from morning until about 10 or 11 p.m. at night.

However, with so many kids on board during these holiday weeks, you might find that lines are long to check kids in and out, or that activities might have to move to other areas of the ship if the dedicated youth spaces get too packed.

Related: Best kid-friendly cruises: The 7 best cruise ships for kids

Spring break party cruises

For spring breakers who want to travel and party with hundreds of other college-age kids, look for travel agencies that run hosted spring break cruises during the most popular spring vacation weeks.

For example, College Party Cruise hand-picks the most fun cruise ships for the college crowd, books cabins to sell to as many as 1,000-plus 20-somethings and offers special events and discounts at bars in port to group members. You can have fun with your college besties, but you can also meet like-minded young adults from around the country and make new friends on your cruise.

Travel agencies like CPC make the planning easier because they bundle taxes and gratuities into your upfront cost and take the work out of picking the right ship and destination. Most cruises are short trips out of Florida. (Note: Even with these charter sailings, you must have one person in your cabin who is 21 or older.)

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

Best college spring break cruises

Royal caribbean.

CPC often charters Royal Caribbean ships for its college spring break cruises because they're huge, filled with thrilling attractions like rock climbing walls and surf simulators, and offer plenty of bars, nightlife venues and onboard entertainment for young adults.

Spring breakers should consider three- or four-night cruises to the Bahamas from Florida ports on the line's megaships, such as Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. You'll definitely want a stop at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay , with its water park, zip line and adults-only beach.

West Coasters might prefer three- to four-night cruises from California to Ensenada, Mexico, on Navigator of the Seas. Or, try a four- or five-night cruise from Galveston, Texas, on Mariner of the Seas to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. We hear the margaritas are great.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival's "Fun Ships" are known for their themed bars, abundant and included casual dining (Guy Fieri's burgers and Shaq's fried chicken sandwiches, anyone?) and pool deck fun and games. College students will feel right at home in this casual atmosphere, especially when trip costs won't threaten to add to their student debt.

Three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas or four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans, Galveston and various ports in Florida are ideal for college spring breakers, as they often include visits to cruise line private islands, various Bahamian ports, Mexico or Key West, Florida.

If you're out west for school, Carnival's three- and four-night Baja Mexico cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island, California, will provide the same amount of fun in the sun.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries

The only potential downfall? Carnival requires guests under the age of 21 to travel with someone aged 25 or older.

Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville at Sea offers quick and cheap two-night cruises between Palm Beach, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas. Even better for spring breakers is that the drinking age is 18-plus while at sea and in the Bahamas, and guests need only be 18 to book a cruise (though you must be 21 or older if you wish to lengthen your trip with a cruise-and-stay package featuring a hotel stay in the Bahamas).

In 2025, the cruise line will add three- to five-night cruises to its roster, with a second ship based out of Tampa.

The Jimmy Buffett-themed ship knows that it's always "5 o'clock somewhere," perhaps at its 5 o'Clock Somewhere bar. Between beach breaks on Grand Bahama Island and beer breaks on board, don't miss the "Tales from Margaritaville" show, based on Buffett's book and featuring his greatest-hit songs.

Virgin Voyages

This relatively new cruise line will surely be a hit with spring breakers for one important reason: No kids are allowed. Virgin Voyages ' ships require guests to be 18 or older to sail, and programming has decidedly adult themes. You can get a tattoo on board , attend a drag show and get a little naughty at late-night pool parties.

Cruise fares aren't always the cheapest, but they include meals in all restaurants (which serve everything from Korean barbecue to Mexican tacos), plus Wi-Fi (an often pricey perk on other lines), nonalcoholic drinks (coffee, soda, juice), gratuities for the crew and fun and fabulous group fitness classes . You only have to worry about your bar bill.

To keep costs down, book a Social Insider cabin that sleeps four. Space is tight, but you're only in your cabin to shower and sleep.

Look for four- and five-night cruises on Virgin's Scarlet Lady to destinations like the line's private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini, Key West, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Always a rebel, Virgin only recommends that one person in your group be 21 or older; anyone can book a cruise as long as they're 18 when the ship sets sail. The drinking age on board reflects that of the destination (it's 18-plus in international waters), so choose your itinerary carefully.

MSC Cruises

Skip the expensive spring break trip to Europe and instead take a quick Bahamas cruise with an international flair on MSC Cruises' MSC Divina, MSC Magnifica or MSC Seashore. The ships offer three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay, MSC's private island , and attract a multinational, multilingual crowd. Also, MSC's fares are consistently affordable relative to other cruise lines.

There is not much to do on Ocean Cay other than soak up some sun on your choice of beaches, enjoy refreshing drinks at beachside bars and snack on burgers and french fries at beach shacks and barbecues around the island — the perfect way to decompress after a stressful semester. In Nassau, you could get your snorkel on or simply park yourself at Señor Frog's for the day. We recommend ordering some local conch fritters to help soak up all the alcohol you consume.

Back on board, MSC has some of the best pizza at sea, plus sushi and tacos if you feel like a splurge. Do an onboard bar crawl to find your favorite, or try out all the arcade and virtual reality experiences, including a Formula One race car simulator. If your epic spring break moves you to sing, know that MSC offers karaoke in myriad languages.

Best spring break cruises for families

Disney cruise line.

Whether you're going for a weeklong Caribbean cruise on Disney Magic or Disney Fantasy or a short Bahamas cruise on the new Disney Wish followed by half a week at Disney World, families know Disney will deliver an amazing spring break vacation.

And the options aren't just convenient to East Coasters. The line sails ships from Galveston, New Orleans and San Diego for family vacations to Mexico.

Disney Cruise Line's ships go above and beyond, with cabins designed for families to share, restaurants that double as entertainment venues so no one is ever antsy at dinner and, of course, plenty of opportunities to interact with your favorite Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters.

Families can splash in the pools together and zip down the water rides by day and then watch first-run Disney movies and the brand's famous musical shows together at night. While kids pilot the Millennium Falcon or attend Marvel Super Hero Academy in the ships' expansive kids club, parents can enjoy a night of fine dining at multiple adults-only restaurants or grab a drink at a "Star Wars"-themed bar.

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney cruise

Disney's Castaway Cay private island is a can't-miss port stop, with lots of beach day fun and an on-site barbecue buffet. And no matter where you sail in the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico, you know Disney will have shore excursions vetted specifically with families in mind.

While the college spring breakers gravitate toward Royal Caribbean's shorter cruises, families will want to book weeklong Caribbean and Bahamas trips on the line's largest ships at sea: Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas , Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas . Most of the ships sail from Florida ports, but Harmony of the Seas cruises from Galveston.

These megaships feature enormous kids clubs and teen hangouts where kids can make friends while parents get a much-needed break. They also have plenty of fun spots for families to play together, including waterslides, escape rooms, mini-golf, rock climbing walls and carousel rides. The whole family can enjoy shows that include Broadway musicals, ice skating performances, high-diving acrobatic events and parades down the central indoor promenade of each ship.

Plus, Royal Caribbean's two private destinations — Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti — offer a mix of gorgeous beaches and attractions, ranging from mountain coasters to water parks, perfect for families. The other ports give families the opportunity to teach the kids to snorkel or kayak, enjoy boat rides and aquariums, or spend even more time playing together on the beach.

Related: Labadee vs. CocoCay: Which Royal Caribbean beach is right for you?

Families on spring break should check out Carnival's newest Vista and Excel Class ships because they cater to families more than any other ships in the fleet. All have Family Harbor cabins that come in a variety of sizes and prices. These rooms are designed for families and come with access to an exclusive lounge with games, snacks and concierge assistance.

On your sea days, the entire family will have a blast racing down waterslides, splashing in watery playgrounds, trying thrill rides like an onboard roller coaster and a suspended cycling ride, testing their fear of heights on a ropes course and playing rounds of basketball, foosball and pingpong. Fuel up with nonstop pizza and soft-serve ice cream.

When kids head off to the kids, tween and teen lounges for video games, socializing and organized activities, parents can slip off to the spa or the adults-only Serenity sun deck.

For a week's vacation, families have lots of choices. Carnival Horizon, Carnival Vista, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras explore all over the Caribbean from Florida; Carnival Jubilee sails to the Western Caribbean from Galveston. Carnival Panorama offers West Coasters a cruise to Mexico from Long Beach, California. No matter where you go, you'll find plenty of beach time and water sports, plus active and cultural adventures ashore.

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL offers its share of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, but families looking for something different should consider the line for its weeklong Hawaii cruises aboard Pride of America.

Sailing weekly from Honolulu, the sailings hit all the top spots: the Big Island with access to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, an overnight visit to Maui where guests can catch a sunset or sunrise from atop Haleakala or go on whale watching excursions, and an overnight stop at Kauai to tour the stunning Waimea Canyon or cruise along the Napali Coast. That means you can see it all without packing and unpacking, changing hotels or figuring out transportation.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship

On board, the casual vibe means families don't have to worry about packing formalwear. Multiple dining venues offer the choice of when and where to eat; you won't find assigned tables or dining times here. Pride of America may not have the go-kart tracks and laser tag found on other Norwegian cruise ships, but you're really only using it as a floating home base for your Hawaiian exploration.

Bottom line

No matter which kind of spring break experience you're looking for, you'll find the perfect getaway at sea. College students can let loose with other young adults on easy and affordable trips, while parents can treat their kids to a memorable week of vacation.

Know the rules and prepare for crowds, and you'll be all set for a spring break that will make all your friends jealous.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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Travel Information Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

by CPC Team | Feb 25, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

UPDATED ON MARCH 13, 2020

Our College Party Cruise Week 3 Sailing on March 16th has been cancelled.

On March 13, 2020 at 4:30pm EST, Royal Caribbean announced that it is suspending cruising in the United States for 30 days. This means that  our CPC Week 3 cruise has been cancelled. 

We received the news at the same time the public did, so we do not have all details yet. We are in contact with Royal Caribbean but they have not released exact details for next steps or timing for Refunds/Future Cruise Credit for those that are affected by this unfortunate cancellation. We are also aware that Royal Caribbean has not sent out email notifications to guests regarding this cancellation. Please bear with us while we wait for more details from Royal Caribbean, which we expect by next week. We will contact all of the affected guests with a Refund or Future Cruise Credit plan by Tuesday March 17th.

We are just as saddened by the news as you are, which we received today, Friday, as we were sailing out today from Miami. We are on the ship this weekend and were supposed to get everything ready to welcome you on-board on Monday. We hope you can join us in the future.

We sincerely thank you for your patience as we work with Royal Caribbean on a plan to refund all of our guests. We will contact all of the affected guests by email with a timeline for refund processing and next steps on Tuesday March 17th.

The CPC Team

‘1000 Times Cleaner Than Campus’: Travel Companies Pushed Students to Party Despite Coronavirus

Emails obtained by The Daily Beast show one travel company refused to refund students and encouraged them to keep spring break reservations despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Emily Shugerman

Senior Reporter

Paul Morigi/Getty

Even as the novel coronavirus spread around the globe, travel companies specializing in raucous college Spring Breaks actively encouraged students to keep their reservations for boozy trips outside the country.

Nearly 50 students at the University of Texas at Austin tested positive for the virus this week , after returning from a vacation to Cabo San Lucas organized by travel company JusCollege. The company has been criticized for downplaying the risks of travel and refusing to give refunds. But it wasn’t the only one. 

Emails reviewed by The Daily Beast show College Party Cruise, a Miami-based travel company owned by Ignite Cruises, told students as recently as March 10 that there was “no reason to be panicked” about the coronavirus.

“We [the CPC staff] have been on the cruise since Monday 3/2 and will be onboard until 3/20,” College Party Cruise founder David Lazarus wrote to a student who requested a refund, citing concerns about coronavirus. “We would not be on the ship back-to-back if we did not think it was safe for us.”

Lazarus went on to state that Royal Caribbean, the third-party cruise operator, had mandatory screenings for every passenger onboard and that sanitization standards were “extremely high” even before the current crisis.

“The cruise ship is 1000 times cleaner than being on campus,” he continued. “When was the last time you saw someone on campus disinfect desks in classrooms, railings, or elevator buttons? You see this done on the cruise at least every half hour.”

He added that no refunds would be given “regardless of the reason,” but that Royal Caribbean’s latest coronavirus policy allowed travelers a “future cruise credit” to be used by the end of 2021.

Lazarus later told The Daily Beast that he had simply been conveying Royal Caribbean’s cancellation policy, which College Party Cruise had “no control” over.

“If Royal Caribbean does not provide refunds, there is nothing we can do as a travel agency,” he said.

“My clients appreciate our sincere emails and I do stand by my statement in regards to the safety on board at that time. We had over 1,000 guests sail on our March 9th cruise and they had the best Spring Break of their lives (their words, not mine),” he said, noting that Royal Caribbean had canceled cruises later in March “once COVID-19 did become a problem.”

Multiple employees were medically evacuated from Royal Caribbean cruise ships last week due to respiratory issues. At least one crew member aboard the Celebrity Infinity ship died, according to USA Today . The company would not confirm whether the illnesses and death were related to COVID-19. All Royal Caribbean ships have been docked until at least May 11.

The third week of College Party Cruise, slated to run March 16-20, was canceled due to the Royal Caribbean docking. Lazarus said all guests on the at trip were given either a 125 percent future cruise credit or a full refund. The Daily Beast also reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment.

Less than a month ago, however, representatives for College Party Cruises were advertising a “HUGE FLASH SALE” on the third week of cruises. “Haven’t booked yet because the price was high this is your chance!!” a representative wrote on a College Party Cruise Facebook page on 10 March. “6 days until sail! This is the lowest the prices have been in months!”

The company also continued to post photos from its recent cruises on social media, even as other travel companies went conspicuously dark. Its most recent Instagram post shows more than 50 scantily clad coeds crowding around a pool on the March 9-13 cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. 

“Week 2 = EPIC,” the company posted on Instagram two weeks ago, alongside video of students dancing in packed clubs, chugging from beer bongs, and huddling for photos. “We would not mind being quarantined with our week 2 friends 😈💃 Who’s ready to go back?⁣”

“If you’re going week 3 you better not fuckin cancel,” wrote one commenter on a post three weeks ago. “We’re here for a good time not a long time !!!!!”

JusCollege appears to have sent similar messages to some of the 178 University of Texas students who booked a trip through them to Cabo San Lucas on March 14-19.

In one email sent to students, and later shared online , the company stated that “our travel destinations remain among the safest and most enjoyable places in the world to visit right now.”

“We hope that you choose to enjoy your Spring Break with us—we’re currently in our 2nd week of Cabo and have had almost 5000 travelers, all with no issues,” the email continued. “Flights have been fully operational and we have had nearly 100% turn out. Our events are completely operational with zero impact from COVID-19 thus far.”

The company also continued with its existing cancellation plan, which did not allow for refunds of any kind within 90 days of the trip’s start date. Some students told local news station KVUE they chose to go on the trip because they did not want to lose their money. 

“It’s the most expensive trip I’ve personally ever gone on,” UT Austin sophomore Ross Fisher said. “It would have been made easier had they just simply offered to refund us and done the right thing.”

In a statement to The Daily Beast, a JusCollege spokesperson said Mexico was not under a federal travel advisory at the time the trip departed, and that customers were updated “in line with the changing U.S. government guidelines.” A message posted on the JusCollege website Saturday suggested some trips were being postponed until a later date.

The spokesperson added that JusCollege was working with airlines and hotels to get “the best possible outcome for our customers—whether that’s a credit or partial refund.”

“Our thoughts are with the students who are ill and the health-care providers and public-health officials who are working to mitigate the impact of COVID-19,” the spokesperson said.

At least one public official had harsh words for students who elected to travel during the pandemic.

“Quit being an ass,” Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen told local news station KXAN . “Get over yourselves. Whether you think this is an issue or not, it is. Whether you think it could affect you or not, it does. The reality of it is, if I’m a college kid who’s going to Spring Break in Mexico, you’re affecting a lot of people. Grow up.”

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In Tight Presidential Race, Voters Are Broadly Critical of Both Biden and Trump

About half of voters say that, if given the chance, they would replace both candidates on the ballot, table of contents.

• The state of the 2024 presidential race
• Other findings: Biden’s job approval ticks up, Trump’s election-related criminal charges
• Educational differences in candidate support
• What are 2020 voters’ preferences today?
• How Biden’s supporters view his personal traits
• How Trump’s supporters view his personal traits
• Views of Biden’s presidency and retrospective evaluations of Trump’s time in office
• Attention to the candidates
• Does it matter who wins?
• What if voters could change the presidential ballot?
• How important is it for the losing candidate to publicly acknowledge the winner?
• 4. Joe Biden’s approval ratings
• Acknowledgments
• The American Trends Panel survey methodology
• Validated voters

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand voters’ views on the 2024 presidential election, as well how the public views President Joe Biden. For this analysis, we surveyed 8,709 adults – including 7,166 registered voters – from April 8 to April 14, 2024. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for this report , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, American voters face a similar set of choices as they did four years ago – and many are not happy about it.

With the election still more than six months away, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that the presidential race is virtually tied : 49% of registered voters favor Donald Trump or lean toward voting for him, while 48% support or lean toward Joe Biden.

A defining characteristic of the contest is that voters overall have little confidence in either candidate across a range of key traits, including fitness for office, personal ethics and respect for democratic values.

Where Trump has the advantage: More than a third of voters say they are extremely or very confident that Trump has the physical fitness (36%) and mental fitness (38%) needed to do the job of president.

Far fewer say the same of Biden (15% are at least very confident in his physical fitness; 21% are extremely or very confident in his mental fitness). Majorities say they are not too or not at all confident in Biden’s physical and mental fitness.

Where Biden has the advantage: More voters are extremely or very confident in Biden (34%) than in Trump (26%) to act ethically in office. And while 38% say they are at least very confident in Biden to respect the country’s democratic values, fewer (34%) express that level of confidence in Trump. The survey was conducted before the start of Trump’s “hush money” trial in New York City .

( Read more about voters’ views of Biden and Trump in Chapter 2. )

The new Center survey of 8,709 adults – including 7,166 registered voters – conducted April 8-14, 2024, finds large divides in voters’ candidate preference by age, education, and race and ethnicity. As was the case in 2020, younger voters and those with a four-year college degree are more likely to favor Biden than Trump.

Older voters and those with no college degree favor Trump by large margins.

Among racial and ethnic groups:

• White voters favor Trump (56%) over Biden (42%) by a wide margin.
• Roughly three-quarters of Black voters (77%) support Biden, while 18% back Trump.
• Hispanic voters are more evenly divided – 52% favor Biden, while 44% back Trump.
• Asian voters favor Biden (59%) over Trump (36%).

( Read more about voters’ candidate preferences in Chapter 1. )

Most voters who turned out in 2020 favor the same candidate in 2024. Among validated 2020 voters, overwhelming majorities of those who cast ballots for Biden (91%) and Trump (94%) support the same candidate this year. Registered voters who did not vote in 2020 are about evenly divided: 48% back Trump, while 46% support Biden.

A majority of voters say “it really matters who wins” the 2024 race. Today, 69% of voters say it really matters which candidate wins the presidential contest this November. This is somewhat smaller than the share who said this in April 2020 about that year’s election (74%). Nearly identical shares of Biden’s and Trump’s supporters say the outcome of the presidential race really matters.

About half of voters would replace both Biden and Trump on the 2024 ballot

Reflecting their dissatisfaction with the Biden-Trump matchup, nearly half of registered voters (49%) say that, if they had the ability to decide the major party candidates for the 2024 election, they would replace both Biden and Trump on the ballot .

Biden’s supporters are especially likely to say they would replace both candidates if they had the chance. Roughly six-in-ten (62%) express this view, compared with 35% of Trump supporters.

There also are stark age differences in these views: 66% of voters under 30 say they would replace both candidates if they had the chance, compared with 54% of those ages 30 to 49 and fewer than half (43%) of those 50 and older.

( Read more about voters’ feelings toward the upcoming election in Chapter 3. )

Evaluations of the Biden and Trump presidencies

• 42% of voters overall say Trump was a good or great president, while 11% say he was average. This is a modest improvement since March 2021, two months after he left office.
• 28% of voters say Biden is a good or great president, while 21% say he is average. These views are mostly on par with June 2020 assessments of the kind of president Biden would be – but today, a smaller share of voters say he is average.

( Read more about ratings of Biden’s and Trump’s presidencies in Chapter 1. )

• Biden’s approval among the general public: Today, Biden’s approval rating sits at 35% – roughly on par with his rating in January (33%). His job rating has climbed slightly among Democrats over that period, however. Today, 65% of Democrats approve of him – up 4 percentage points since January. ( Read more about Biden’s approval rating in Chapter 4. )
• Conceding the presidential election: A majority of voters say it is important that the losing candidate in November publicly acknowledge the winner as the legitimate president. But Trump’s supporters are far less likely than Biden’s to say it is very important (44% vs. 77%).  ( Read more about voters’ views on election concession in Chapter 3. )

Trump’s criminal charges related to the 2020 election

As Trump faces charges that he sought to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election, 45% of Americans say they think Trump’s actions broke the law. This compares with 38% who say his actions did not break the law – including 15% who say his actions were wrong but not illegal, and 23% who say he did nothing wrong. Nearly two-in-ten are not sure.

Democrats mostly say Trump broke the law; Republicans are more divided. An overwhelming majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (78%) say Trump’s actions in seeking to change the outcome of the 2020 election broke the law. 

Among Republicans and Republican leaners:

• 49% say Trump did nothing wrong.
• 21% say he did something wrong but did not break the law.
• 9% say Trump broke the law.
• 20% are not sure.

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Voters’ views of Trump and Biden differ sharply by religion

Changing partisan coalitions in a politically divided nation, about 1 in 4 americans have unfavorable views of both biden and trump, 2024 presidential primary season was one of the shortest in the modern political era, americans more upbeat on the economy; biden’s job rating remains very low, most popular, report materials.

• April 2024 Biden Job Approval Detailed Tables

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