It's not too late to book a cruise for 2025. While cruise fares have increased over the last few years, you can still find a great deal by booking in advance, choosing less popular travel dates, or being open to last-minute deals.
Certain times of the year, such as the shoulder and off-seasons, see more competitive pricing due to less demand. For example, those looking to stretch their budget as far as possible will want to browse early spring or fall sail dates rather than the peak summer months.
Additionally, many lines offer promotions and discounts during the first few months of the year, known as Wave Season in the cruise industry. This can be a great time to save money on the cruise fare and score other perks, including onboard credit, free upgrades, discounted excursions, prepaid gratuities, and more.
Saving money on your cruise fare lets you splurge on extras like drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa treatments. Alternatively, if you're looking to cruise more often next year, finding the most affordable rates can help you spend more time on a ship and maximize your travel opportunities.
Avoid these worst times of the year to take a cruise in 2025 if you're looking for a deal.
Spring break
Cruise lines typically hike prices during spring break, as American families and students take advantage of their time off from school. However, spring break dates vary greatly depending on the region and school district. For example, New York City public schools are off April 14-18, whereas Texas' Dallas Independent School District is off March 10-14.
Carnival's website lists a 7-night cruise on Carnival Jubilee departing on April 12, 2025, starting at $854 per person for an inside cabin. The same itinerary to Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; and Costa Maya, Mexico, in Feb. 2025 costs $734 each.
Similarly, a 4-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas in April 2025 starts at $939 per person. While sailing on Royal Caribbean's newest ship isn't as affordable as choosing an older vessel, there are cheaper voyages later in the year, namely the Oct. 27, 2025, departure, which starts as low as $692 each.
To maximize savings, avoid the spring break months of March and April. Instead, consider booking during other parts of the year when prices are lower.
Read more: I took a spring break cruise on Carnival's smallest ship
Summer months
Like spring break, many families choose to travel during June, July, and August. While summer cruises are great for family vacations, they are more expensive due to the increased demand. Between the three months, July tends to see the highest prices, with early June and late August providing more affordable options, though still more expensive than shoulder and off-season pricing.
For example, the Aug. 17, 2025, 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas costs $1,098 per guest for an interior stateroom. While still expensive, the same itinerary in July starts at $1,229 each. The reasoning is that, first, many schools have resumed by mid-August, and second, the Atlantic hurricane season is nearing its peak.
According to the Weather Channel, July has accounted for 7% of all named storms since 1851, coming out to roughly one named storm per season. Compartively, 22% of an average season's storms occur during August.
That said, you'll find better deals during the peak of hurricane season due to the heightened risk of severe weather. Rest assured, though, if you book a cruise during September, October, or November, cruise lines are well-prepared to handle potential weather disruptions, as ships can easily adjust itineraries to avoid a storm's path if necessary.
In October 2024, for instance, at least 15 cruise ships altered their itineraries to steer clear of Hurricane Milton. In the case of Disney Wish's Oct. 11 sailing, the 3-night cruise was completely canceled, and all guests received a full refund and a 20% future cruise discount.
Do cheaper cruise fares during hurricane season outweigh the risks of sailing during those months? I think so, as long as you embrace a bit of unpredictability.
Read more: Here's What Happens If There's A Hurricane During Your Cruise
Taking a look at 2025 sailings on Carnival Elation, the smallest "FUN" ship in Carnival's fleet, the cheapest sailing in July starts at $611 per person for a 4-night cruise to The Bahamas. However, if you cruise in October, you could book a 5-night cruise for just $414 each.
Places like Alaska and the Mediterranean aren't impacted by the Atlantic hurricane season. However, because of demand, the priciest sailings are during the peak summer months. If possible, look for a departure at the beginning or end of the season.
The starting price of a 7-night Alaska cruise on Norwegian Encore in July 2025 is $1,741, with some dates as expensive as $2,031 per person for an inside cabin. Compartively, a weeklong voyage to The Last Frontier in early May is as low as $1,101 each.
Read more: 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
Long weekends
3-day weekends celebrating holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day are popular times for short cruises. However, these weekends see a surge in demand since less PTO is required, which leads to higher fares.
For example, Labor Day 2025 falls on Monday, Sept. 1. A 3-night sailing on Wonder of the Seas departing on Aug. 29 and returning on Sept. 1 costs $788 per person. Cruising later in the month, say on Sept. 26, will cost less, starting at around $577 each.
Similarly, a Memorial Day Weekend cruise on Carnival Conquest begins at $481 per person, whereas the sailing departing on May 2 costs just $354 each.
Read more: Guide to weekend cruises
Winter holidays
While there's something magical about cruising over Christmas with the ship decked out in festive decorations, it's not a cheap investment. The same goes for New Year's, although the latter tends to be more expensive than Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Cruise lines know that many families take advantage of the time off from school and work to enjoy a holiday getaway, so fares tend to increase during this time. Not only that but they can sell out in advance, meaning it's unlikely you'll find a last-minute deal, especially if you're eyeing a specific cabin category like a balcony.
Want to be the first to sail on the brand-new MSC World America over Christmas? Be prepared to shell out at least $1,095 per person for an inside cabin. The price increases to $1,385 each if you want a private verandah.
The same itinerary visiting Roatán, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and MSC's private island starts at $741 for a cruise the first week of December. In fact, you can take a 14-night voyage on MSC World America in December 2025 for $1,335 per person—less than what a balcony during the Christmas cruise costs!
The Dec. 27 New Year's cruise is the most expensive, starting at $1,391 per guest for a 7-night voyage to the Eastern Caribbean. A balcony stateroom will cost you a whopping $1,691 each.
Bottom line
Don't freak out if you haven't booked your 2025 family cruise yet—there's still time to find a deal! While certain periods like spring break, the summer months, long weekends, and winter holidays drive up prices, you can still save money by booking outside peak times.
The off-season and shoulder months are ideal for those who want to maximize their travel budget, as prices are more competitive since there's less demand for staterooms.
Also, look for promotions during Wave Season, and be proactive about booking as early as possible. Cruise prices often increase as the departure date nears, especially during peak travel periods like spring break.
Read more: How to save money on a cruise: 23 money-saving tips
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
