Growing up, my family and I would cruise occasionally, sometimes taking two trips a year, but as my love for cruising has grown, I've started to sail much more often. Last year, my travels reached an all-time high, as I embarked on 11 cruises to places like the Bahamas, Alaska, and Europe.
I've found that cruising doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, I think it's one of the most affordable ways to travel, especially when you consider how much is included in the price.
Not only that but I love how convenient cruise ship travel is. I don't have to worry about researching restaurants, planning daily itineraries, or hauling my luggage through multiple airports.
With careful planning, I've been able to cruise frequently without sacrificing quality. I keep my costs low by booking early, working with a travel agent, and taking advantage of credit card points. I've also learned how to make the most of onboard credit and loyalty programs.
While I splurged on a few cruises in 2024, I also planned a surprising number of affordable trips, including a last-minute cruise on one of the world's largest cruise ships.
Started off the year with a 4-night cruise aboard Carnival Conquest
After sailing on Carnival Celebration and Vista, I was curious about why Carnival's Conquest Class ships remain so popular. Costing just $408.65 per person (or $817.30 total) for 4 nights, I didn't hesitate to book a quick getaway to the Bahamas with my friend.
Our inside cabin was cozy and relatively updated considering Conquest's age. For example, the nightstands were outfitted with lamps that had built-in USB ports, making charging our phones easier than ever.
Though I missed having a window, I don't mind saving money on my stateroom on certain itineraries. Having cruised to the Bahamas 8 times in the past two years, a front-row view isn't a priority when I'm mostly concerned with the ship's amenities.
Speaking of the ship, Carnival Conquest definitely showed its age with the darker tones. Newer vessels I've sailed on, including Carnival Celebration, are much brighter and modern in their design. The airy and contemporary spaces on Celebration differed from the classic cruise ship vibe on Conquest with its darker wood vanishes and compact lounges.
Still, the entertainment team brought the fun. There was non-stop action on our short cruise to Nassau and Half Moon Cay. Whether we partied into the late evening hours in the ship's club or enjoyed a production show in the theater, there wasn't much downtime onboard.
For the price, I was also satisfied with the dining options. From three-course meals in the Main Dining Room to casual poolside bites at Guy's Burger Joint, my stomach was kept happy during my cheap cruise aboard Carnival Conquest.
My friend and I even splurged on a meal at The Point Steakhouse. There's no way I could get a comparable meal on land for $59 including a tip. From rich and creamy lobster bisque to a perfectly seared filet mignon and decadent macaroni and cheese, the entire meal was a highlight of our time on Carnival Conquest.
I've also dined at Chops Grille recently on Royal Caribbean ships, and I'd argue that Carnival's steakhouse offers a similar experience at a more competitive price.
For about $102 per night, I felt as though I got my money's worth on Conquest with the upbeat atmosphere and tasty food. Even though the ship wasn't as new as other vessels in the fleet, it provided everything necessary for a quick and memorable getaway.
Read more: How to get the best Carnival cruise deals
Jumped at the opportunity to cruise to Alaska for less than $140 per night
It's possible to go on an Alaskan cruise on a budget. In May, I paid just $947.15 for a 7-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas. It was my first time visiting The Last Frontier, so I eagerly booked my cruise 10 months in advance with a travel agent who helped secure such a great rate. It helped that we went during the shoulder season, as rates during July and August can soar to over $1,100 per person for inside cabins on Quantum Class ships.
Because my dad and I paid less than $150 per person, per night, we splurged on specialty dining and excursions. However, these expenses were optional, and those looking to visit Alaska for as little as possible could easily stick to the ship's complimentary restaurants and plan their own excursions, rather than booking directly with the cruise line.
Certain itineraries aren't as ship-focused as others, and I'd argue that if you're cruising to Alaska, picking the perfect itinerary over the newest, flashiest ship is more important. For my first visit, the roundtrip cruise from Seattle gave me a glimpse at the Inside Passage's beauty, visiting cities like Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point.
Next time, I'd be interested in what a one-way cruise offers, even if on an older ship. Because these sailings depart as far north as Whittier and Seward, they offer the chance to see more scenery.
Plus, because they usually end in Vancouver, they can bypass the stop in Victoria, British Columbia. The Passenger Vessel Services Act requires that cruise ships visit a foreign port when departing from U.S. ports of call.
Still, we enjoyed our time onboard. The namesake Quantum Class ship features innovations not found on other Royal Caribbean ships, including the indoor SeaPlex, North Star observation capsule, and skydiving simulator. Because of our port-intensive itinerary, we had less time to appreciate the ship's amenities than on a Caribbean cruise.
As such, we didn't spend time in the SeaPlex. We were also disappointed to learn that the North Star capsule was broken during our sailing. However, we suited up for the skydiving simulator for the complimentary one-minute flight on a port day.
Because Quantum was launched in 2014, the ship feels much more modern than other vessels in Royal's fleet. One area where the age is particularly noticeable is the cabin. For the price, we opted for a Virtual Balcony stateroom. While I did miss having a traditional balcony, especially on a scenic cruise like this one, it was hard to resist the value of an inside cabin.
Additionally, because Alaska cruises have so many opportunities for incidental spending, a cheaper fare made more sense for what we wanted to get out of the experience.
Read more: 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
Ended my 2024 travels with a cheap last-minute cruise on Allure of the Seas
After booking a not-so-cheap 3-night cruise on Disney Magic, I assumed my 2024 travels were over for the year. However, I was browsing Royal Caribbean's "Going, Going, Gone" sale and found an affordable cruise on Allure of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, for $417.18 per person in an inside cabin.
Allure is one of my favorite ships because of the fond memories I have onboard, including a Christmas cruise with my family and an 8-night voyage to the Southern Caribbean with one of my closest friends from college. Unlike my previous sailings, I'd never cruised on an Oasis Class ship on a short trip to the Bahamas.
I had cruised on Oasis Class ships 6 times before and had never felt like one week was enough. With all the entertainment, dining, and activities, it takes time to experience everything these mega-ships offer. Even with the last-minute deal, I was worried that I'd feel ripped off paying for a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas.
However, the ship's size and amenities made the short getaway a great value.
From the AquaTheater show to the nightly live music, zip-line, and delicious meals in the Main Dining Room, there was no shortage of things to do. Paying just around $104 per person, per night, it's hard to argue that we didn't get our money's worth.
In fact, I actually ended my vacation feeling more well-rested than longer cruises on massive ships. Oasis Class ships are exciting, but because there's so much to experience, they can feel tiring after a week onboard!
Because we had limited time onboard, I didn't mind staying in an interior cabin. The stateroom was appointed with everything you'd expect on a Royal Caribbean ship, including a comfortable bed, storage, television, mini-fridge, and ensuite bathroom. We rarely spent time in the cabin except when sleeping or freshening up before dinner.
Allure is set to undergo a major renovation in early 2025, and while that means there will be even more to see and do, she'll lose the "OG" Oasis Class feeling that I love so much. For example, the Boardwalk will soon be obstructed by the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and the classy Champagne Bar will become the lively Pesky Parrot Bar.
Other new features include a redesigned pool deck, three new restaurants, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, a brand-new Ultimate Panoramic suite, and more.
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.
