Looking for a dirt-cheap cruise? What about spending less than $300 per person on cruise fare taking you to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world?
It may seem too good to be true, but it’s absolutely possible… as you’ll see below.
Before we get too far however, there’s a golden rule about cruise fares: Prices are cheapest when school is in session.
The reason is simple. When the kids are out of school — Spring Break, Christmas holidays, and summer — families have an easier time with being able to take time off to cruise. That leads to more demand for cabins. Just in general, even for those without kids, these are more popular times to vacation, and that means more demand.
When school is in session, however, it’s hard for families to find the time to set sail. As a result, cruise lines will lower prices to fill up rooms. That means you can find some great deals as you look for a trip in the early winter months or in the fall when school resumes.
(See: 10 Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise)
Below, we’ve rounded up a dozen of these deals, all with prices starting at below $300 per person for an interior room. As you see, most of them leave in the winter, with a few in the fall as classes resume.
We’ve included links to the deals themselves. Keep in mind that if the specific dates below don’t work for you, there are often similar cruises for similar prices around these times.
Note: The fares shown below are at the time of writing and subject to change. All fares are for interior cabins on a per person basis, before taxes and port fees.
4-Night Mexico Cruise From Los Angeles on Carnival
Date: November 10, 2025
Ship: Carnival Radiance | Ports: Catalina, Ensenada
Price: $219
Forget just a good deal, this cruise departing Long Beach is among the absolute cheapest in the entire country for a four-day cruise. For just $219 per person, you can set sail with port stops in Catalina and Ensenada. This specific trip departs November 10, and there are slightly other fares around this much available several times throughout the year. Learn more about this trip.
3-Night Caribbean Cruise From Port Canaveral on Carnival
Date: January 24, 2025
Ship: Carnival Glory | Ports: Nassau
Price: $194
When it comes to some of the absolute least-expensive cruises, then Carnival is a major player. The popular cruise line offers some great values. This includes this trip for just $194 per person for an interior room that departs Port Canaveral for three nights, heading over the Nassau. You’ll get to spend time in the Bahamian capital before having a day at sea to enjoy the ship and work on your tan. Learn more about this trip.
3-Night Caribbean Cruise From Miami on Carnival
Date: November 14, 2025
Ship: Carnival Conquest| Ports: Celebration Key
Price: $209
There are slightly less expensive 3-day cruises from Miami, but this one is special. That’s because it comes it at just $209 per person for an interior cabin, but it ports at Celebration Key. This spot is Carnival’s new private destination complete with more than a mile of beach, one of the largest pools anywhere, and tons of things to do. Best of all, it leaves over a weekend meaning you can sail without taking hardly any time off work. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise From Miami on Carnival
Date: January 20, 2025
Ship: Carnival Conquest | Ports: Half Moon Cay, Nassau
Price: $199
This cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest departs sunny Miami for Carnival’s private island Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas and Nassau. As well, you’ll get a day at sea to enjoy the things to do on the ship… or just work on your tan by the pool. For just $199, that’s a great deal. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale on Royal Caribbean
Date: April 13, 2026
Ship: Radiance of the Seas | Ports: CocoCay, Nassau
Price: $242
When it comes to private islands, right now there is CocoCay and then everything else. If you’re wanting to visit, this is the least expensive cruise with a call on CocoCay that we could find. For just $242 in cruise fare per person, not only do you get four days aboard the ship, but you get to visit the waterparks, beaches, and enormous pool on the island. There’s also a day at sea and a stop in Nassau. Learn more about this trip.
5-Night Caribbean Cruise From Tampa on Carnival
Date: January 11, 2025
Ship: Carnival Paradise | Ports: Bimini, Nassau
Price: $309
This cruise comes in above the $300 per person mark but just barely. Given that it is for five days, we felt it was a deal worth including. Departing Tampa aboard Carnival Paradise, you’ll port in Bimini and Nassau. At just around $60 per person, per day for cruise fare, it’s tough to find a better price to visit The Bahamas. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Mexico Cruise From Tampa on Margaritaville
Date: February 17, 2025
Ship: MAS Islander | Ports: Progreso
Price: $299
Margaritaville at Sea is the Jimmy Buffett-themed cruise line. For years it had a single ship sailing two-night cruises to The Bahamas. Now, it has a second ship ported in Tampa that sails more traditional cruises, including this four-night trip that heads from Tampa to Progreso, Mexico. We found a rate right under $300 for this getaway and with a promotion that kids sail free. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise From Galveston on Royal Caribbean
Date: November 6, 2024
Ship: Mariner of the Seas | Ports: Cozumel
Price: $293
This trip aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas runs just $293 per person from Galveston for four days.
The sailing has a day at sea, followed by a stop in Cozumel before another day at sea on the return to Texas. That gives you lots of time to hang out by the pool and enjoy the sunshine while working on your tan, without breaking the bank. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Mexico Cruise From Los Angeles on Royal Caribbean
Date: February 10, 2025
Ship: Navigator of the Seas | Ports: Catalina, Ensenada
Price: $214
Quietly, Los Angeles has become a hotspot for cheap cruises. Case in point — this cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. It’s only $214, or just over $50 per person, per day.
With the cruise, you’ll depart LA with stops in Catalina and then Ensenada. And when it comes to things to do on the ship, it’s hard to beat Royal Caribbean. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and short getaway, it’s hard to beat this offering. Learn more about this trip.
5-Night Caribbean Cruise From Jacksonville on Carnival
Date: January 5, 2026
Ship: Carnival Elation | Ports: Nassau, Half Moon Cay
Price: $279
Five night trips under $300 are a gem to find, but Jacksonville offers a couple of options. This trip aboard the Carnival Elation leaves Florida with stops in Nassau and Half Moon Cay. It is aboard the older Carnival Elation, but if you’re someone that likes the slower pace of older ships (many do), this this could be a perfect fit. At just $279, it’s definitely worth a shot. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise From Miami on MSC
Date: December 1, 2025
Ship: MSC Seaside | Ports: Nassau, Ocean Cay
Price: $159
Want another option than Carnival or Royal Caribbean for inexpensive cruises? MSC is a major player in Europe, but has a smaller (but quickly growing) presence in North America. It also offers some pretty good deals. This trip is only $159 per person, which is absolutely dirt cheap. You’ll stop at Nassau and MSC’s private island Ocean Cay (a real stunner) before returning to Miami. Learn more about this trip.
7-Night Caribbean Cruise From New York on MSC
Date: November 2, 2025
Ship: MSC Meraviglia | Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Ocean Cay
Price: $329
We know that this list is supposed to be cruises under $300 per person, but this is a deal we had to share. For just $29 per person more than our self-imposed limit, you have cruise fare (of course taxes and fees are extra) for an interior cabin on this 7-night cruise. And for those in the northern U.S., this cruise leaves New York, giving you an option to cruise without having to pay extra for a flight. Along the way, you’ll stop in Florida (Port Canveral) and then Nassau and the private Ocean Cay. Learn more about this trip.
4-Night Caribbean Cruise From Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity
Date: December 4, 2025
Ship: Celebrity Summit | Ports: Key West, Bimini
Price: $248
Didn’t think you could afford an inexpensive cruise aboard a luxury line like Celebrity? Think again. This trip is surprisingly affordable for Celebrity, especially for a four-night cruise. The cruise will take you from Fort Lauderdale to Key West and Bimini in The Bahamas for just $248 per person.
There are some slightly less expensive trips aboard the cruise line, but they are shorter in duration. Learn more about this trip.
3-Night Caribbean Cruise From Port Canaveral on Norwegian
Date: January 6, 2026
Ship: Norwegian Breakaway | Ports: Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau
Price: $279
Are you a fan of NCL? The cruise line tends to be a little pricier on many routes, but we found this 3-night cruise from Port Canaveral starting at just $279 per person. Along the way, you’ll get to stop at the cruise line’s private Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau before returning home. For those looking for a quick getaway that won’t break the bank, this is hard to beat. Learn more about this trip.
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