Does anyone know of a cheap cruise line?

Question

What are the least expensive cruise lines that are still nice and fancy? I want something all-inclusive, where I don't have to pay for each meal, etc.

I want to go to Alaska next year- do you have any advice or tips for me? Any cities that you think are must-sees? Are there any land excursions that are must-sees? Thanks for the tips!

Answer 1

if you want an all inclusive for as little as possible, then you probably need to go with carnival or royal caribbean.  i have been on both and they are both nice.  most of the other cruise lines seem to cost more.  i have never been to alaska, but would really like to go.  hope you enjoy your cruise!

Answer 2

If you've never taken a cruise before, you will be quite pleased with Carnival.  They have great food and entertainment with a lot of "bang for your buck".

Answer 3

what you may consider cheap and i consider cheap may be two different things.....but i will say this to keep expenses low, get a room on the lowest deck and one on the inside with no windows. that's usually the cheapest room and often times some booking agents will bump you up for free. you aren't going to be living in your room anyway so a view while you are sleeping isn't important. also, depending on when you plan to go...you can sometimes have a payment plan to stretch out the funds so it's not so hurtful to your spending account. going off season always helps. carnival is always food included. there is no limit. even in the nice formal dinners, order everything times 3. we didn't find this out until our second night, and the first night was steak and lobster :| . after that, we had five of everything. the only thing not covered was soda and alcoholic drinks. those were paid separately. and take plenty of pictures. the scenery is so beautiful.

Answer 4

On the NCL crusie line shops to Alaska, they are large and if you are willing to be on a low deck, with possiblely a porthole, or even more an inside room, the prices are relatively cheap.  If you go to their site and book early, the price will be lower and there is a chance you will be upgraged before the sailing date.  NO matter how cheap your room is, you have the same use of all facilities on the ship.

As to excursions, I would try to do things that are unique, such as climbing a glacier, kayaking, etc.  Go to the cruise lines web site and look around.

Answer 5

Try Desert Cruises, out of Phoenix, Arizona.

Answer 6

that's an oxy-moron "cheap cruiseship" :)

Answer 7

You can find awesome discounts here.  Even win a vacation at a ridiculous price by bidding.  You would be surprised.  You can even get a guarantee and insurance.  Check it out below.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2...

Good luck to you and happy travels!

Answer 8

Alaska cruises are not cheap, especially if you need to add airfare.  All the major cruise lines go to Alaska.  I think the cheapest is Carnival.  

Keep in mind that you'll get what you pay for.

Sorry, I've never been to Alaska, so I can't recommend any excursions.

Answer 9

from my experience carnival is usually the cheapest.the 2 carnival ships i have been on were both beautiful.carnival is all inclusive except for alcohol.i am soor but i have not been to alaska.

Answer 10

Hello:

Check out http://www.grab2travel.com

Go to Cruises section.

Also try to do SmartSearch, which will give you recommendation and click on individual buttons to perform search to compare rates. I like that place ..

Answer 11

http://booking.joystar.com/travel/cruise... in terms of price carnival is good

Answer 12

You are in luck! Expedia is having a 10th anniversary sale right now, and there are cruises for like $200.00. I just received an email yesterday about this sale.

www.expedia.com

You can find what you are looking for there.

Good luck!

Answer 13

I have done an Alaskan Cruise with Carnival and it was awesome. Fall seems to be fairly cheap. I always see 2 for 1 deals.

Answer 14

I think Carnival would be your best bet and I have included a link for you that includes an awesome ship.

http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?e...

As far as shore excurison I would say that Denali National park would be nice to visit. But I'm not sure if it's offered with this cruise. Best of luck!!

Answer 15

Carnival, definitely.  They are a great cruise line; everything is included.  If you're looking for a bit more upscale and fancy, then Royal Caribbean is for you.  They are cheap, yet fancier than Carnival.  But I think that Carnival is the best, since they have a great atmosphere.

Answer 16

All cruises are all inclusive. (except gratuity, alcohol, soft drinks, spa services)

All entertainment and food are included.

Major cruise lines are: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norweigian

Premium cruise lines are Princess, Disney, Celebrity, Holland American

Exclusive cruise lines are Seabourn, Crystal, and Radisson.  Some of the high end cruise lines even include alcohol in their all inclusive price.

Cheap cruises are found during the off season.  Off season varies, depending on the region. If you want to travel Caribbean, off season is from September to March.

Unfortunately there isn't any such off season for Alaska.  Cruise ships do not go to Alaska year round due to iceberg hazards.

During the winter, too many ice floats around the paths where the  ships cruise and it is much too dangerous plus it's cold so that people wouldn't want to go outside on the decks when it is that cold.

Alaskan cruises go during the late spring to late summer months.

They are not cheap and a lot of the cruises are one way. Either Seattle/Vancouver to Alaska.. or vice versa.  If you want cheapest fare, then look for the earliest or the latest in the season, you'll have better luck. Or there are some repositioning cruises that you can take. This is where cruise line moves a ship out of one region to another for summer or winter...  

There are very few round trip from Seattle or Vancouver to Alaska but you should be able to find some.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival has it so that no online resellers can sell cruises for less than what their own company website has listed.  But people like Expedia, Travelocity and other websites offer free upgrades and/or onboard credits, wines and things.

I am going on a cruise in November on Princess to the southern caribbeans and Expedia offered the same price as the company website, but offered free wine and $50 credit..  It takes some doing but you should search around to find the best offers from some travel websites. If you are last minute traveler and have the flexibility to do that then try vacationstogo.com

They have last minute deals that seems to be pretty good.

have fun in Alaska. I plan on going on that cruise in 2007.

Answer 17

Save your money and wait until you can afford something that is really "nice and fancy".  Cheap cruises are just that--cheap.  If you settle for a cheap cruise, you'll be missing half the fun.