25 Great Cruise Deals for 2020 Under $100 a Night

The coming year is shaping up to be an exciting one for cruise lovers. Along with constantly improving technology and unique experiences that can be had only on cruise ships, there's an increasing variety of ports and destinations. It's still possible to cruise without spending a fortune, too, and in a way that avoids the worst crowds: Look for trips taking place during the so-called shoulder months, the tail end of winter through early spring, as well as late fall — when kids have gone back to school and families are not as likely to be sailing. Don't try to book a getaway to the Caribbean from June through August, when everyone else be out there, and avoid spring break too.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 20 Under-the-Radar Beaches Below the Equator

Departure: Jan. 12
Starting Price: $779 (About $78 per night)
Start the new year by spending 10 days exploring some of the most popular and attractive ports in Mexico. The Grand Princess departs from San Francisco and enjoys three days at sea before pulling into Puerto Vallarta, after which it moves on to Manzanillo, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. En route back to San Francisco there be another two days at sea to enjoy the amenities aboard the Grand Princess, once the world's largest and most expensive cruise ship.

Departure: Feb. 7
Starting Price: $199 (About $40 per night)
It's hard to beat the price on this budget-friendly Bahamas getaway. A five-night cruise aboard the Norwegian Sky, the trip begins and ends in Miami and includes port visits in Key West; Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas; Grand Bahama Island; and Nassau, before heading home. The Norwegian Sky's onboard amenities include swimming pools, numerous hot tubs, a casino, spa, fitness center, and more.

Departure: Feb. 8
Starting Price: $344 (About $49 per night)
Spend two days in Puerto Rico as part of this itinerary, which also includes visits to St. Thomas and Nassau. There's two days at sea as part of the journey, which begins and ends in Miami. Aboard the MSC Seaside, cruisers find theaters, an adventure trail, multiple pools, the multi-story Forest Aquaventure Park (which includes four water slides), two clubs for teens, a spa, and even bowling.

Related: 30 Things You Didn't Know About Puerto Rico

Departure: Feb. 27
Starting Price: $1,044 (About $70 per night)
A rare budget-friendly cruise to Hawaii, the Star Princess sails from Los Angeles to Honolulu; Kauai; Maui; and Hilo. On the way back, the ship ports for a day in Ensenada, Mexico. The majority of this itinerary however, is spent at sea. There be nine sail days with no port visits — plenty of time to catch up on reading, relax by the pool, or visit the spa. The Star Princess underwent renovations in 2012 and includes a full-service spa, fitness center, specialty dining, and movies under the stars.

Departure: March 1
Starting Price: $699 (About $70 per night)
A round-trip Panama Canal journey from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this 10-night cruise includes visits to a unique variety of destinations including Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Cartagena, Colombia; Cristobal, Panama; Limon, Costa Rica; and Grand Cayman. The itinerary includes a partial transit of the Panama Canal. The 900-stateroom Caribbean Princess offers a variety of amenities for the days spent sailing, including a kids' club, Lotus spa and fitness area; and an adults-only sanctuary.

Departure: March 2
Starting Price: $299 (About $43 per night)
A notable bargain at just $43 per night, this MSC Armonia trip sails from Miami to visit such ports as Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve. Remodeled in 2014, the Armonia is noted for its Italian design and offers Mediterranean dining options, a casino, spa, and 600-seat theater.

Departure: March 1
Starting Price: $732 (About $61 per night)
Looking for an alternative and slightly more budget-friendly way to get to Europe? One-way transatlantic cruises are an intriguing option. Royal Caribbean takes passengers on a 12-night journey that includes a stop in Malaga, Spain, before wrapping up the sailing in Barcelona. Ten days of this cruise are spent at sea, making this is an option aimed at those seeking primarily rest and relaxation. The journey takes place on the Allure of the Seas, a ship that debuted in 2010 and is one of the largest in the world. The ship includes a variety of "neighborhoods" such as Central Park, the Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, the Pool and Sports Zone, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone.

Departure: March 15
Starting Price: $1,699 (About $94 per night)
A one-way cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Argentina, this itinerary includes Caribbean and South America ports of call ranging from Bridgetown, Barbados, to French Guiana, three stops in Brazil, and one in Uruguay. There are numerous days at sea aboard the Koningsdam, a ship launched in 2016 that was designed to include fluid curves, graceful lines, and light-filled spaces. Amenities include a Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine and a digital workshop with Microsoft experts providing 50-minute lessons on topics such as photo editing. There's also duty-free shopping and a Greenhouse Spa & Salon.

Departure: March 23
Starting Price: $1,078 (About $98 per night)
This Southern Caribbean trip sailing from Fort Lauderdale includes such notable, sun-drenched ports as Ponce, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Castries, St. Lucia; St. George's, Grenada; Bridgetown, Barbados; and St. Johns, Antigua. During sailing days entertainment options aboard the Serenade of the Seas range from the Tropical Theatre, a three-level live performance space, to a casino, swimming pools, mini-golf, and rock-climbing wall. There's also duty-free shopping, mini-golf, and a fitness center.

Departure: April 6
Starting Price: $1,069 (About $71 per night)
This 15-night itinerary takes passengers from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles, with highlights in between including a full transit of the Panama Canal, as well as visits in Fuerte Amador, Panama; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua; Huatulco, Mexico; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The journey is aboard the Coral Princess, which includes an adults-only retreat, movies under the stars, casino gambling, and four swimming pools.

Departure: April 20
Starting Price: $509 (About $73 per night)
A budget-friendly Alaska cruise can be challenging to find; a one-way cruise might be the answer. Carnival offers a seven-night Alaska sailing that departs from Vancouver, British Columbia, and concludes in Seattle. In between, the Carnival Spirit stops at Tracy Arm Fjord (actually two fjords, each more than 30 miles long), and visits Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, Alaska. The itinerary includes two relaxing days at sea.

Departure: April 30
Starting Price: $720 (About $65 per night)
Spring brings a variety of repositioning cruises — one-way sails that let cruise lines move ships to a different port for an upcoming season — that includes this one to Hawaii, offering a budget-friendly way to visit a normally pricey destination. Norwegian offers an 11-night repositioning itinerary that departs from Honolulu and take in a long list of Hawaiian ports including Kahului; Hilo; Lahaina; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and Kona. This lengthy itinerary includes five nights at sea before concluding the journey in Vancouver, Canada.

Departure: May 11
Starting Price: $618 (About $88 per night)
Royal Caribbean's Best of Bermuda cruise spends a full five days in port, a rare treat. The Empress of the Seas dock for three days at Bermuda's historic St. George, a UNESCO world heritage site, and two days at the island's capital of Hamilton. The cruise begins and ends in New Jersey and includes two days at sea to enjoy ship amenities.

Departure: July 9
Starting Price: $877 (About $97 per night)
After departing Baltimore, spend nine nights aboard the Grandeur of the Seas, stopping to explore Bermuda for two days and spend another two days in port in the Bahamas. This itinerary includes four days at sea to relax and enjoy ship amenities that include a casino, spa, fitness center, and the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program.

Departure: Sept. 3
Starting Price: $680 (About $76 per night)
There's no better time to explore New England and Canada than early fall. Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas departs from Baltimore and visits Boston; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; and sails on to Canada, stopping in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia before returning to Baltimore. The itinerary includes three days at sea. Amenities on the ship, which underwent renovations in 2012, include movies under the stars, new dining venues, a casino, a rock-climbing wall, and more.

Departure: Sept. 6
Starting Price: $474 (About $68 per night)
From the alternative departure point of Galveston, Texas, the Carnival Freedom visits such notable ports as Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. This budget-friendly, seven-night cruise includes three days at sea. The Carnival Freedom recently underwent renovations and now includes a Dr. Seuss Bookville family reading area, a Guy Fieri-branded Guy's Burger Joint, and a Camp Ocean children's offering. Additional shipboard highlights include a Twister waterslide, casino, and an adults-only retreat area.

Departure: Sept. 14
Starting Price: $589 (About $59 per night)
A budget friendly Panama Canal-bound sailing from Mobile, Alabama, includes a number of fun ports including Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. This round-trip itinerary includes five days at sea aboard Carnival Fantasy, a ship that was refurbished in 2016 and 2019. Highlights onboard include a WaterWorks aqua park, pool areas, several dining venues, and an adults-only retreat area.

Departure: Sept. 27
Starting Price: $394 (About $56 per night)
Flying first to San Juan, Puerto Rico, is yet another way to score a slightly cheaper cruise. Carnival Fascination departs from the island and explores a variety of well-regarded and picturesque ports including St. Thomas; St. Maarten; St. Kitts; St. Lucia; and Barbados before returning to Puerto Rico.

Departure: Oct. 10
Starting Price: $499 (About $71 per night)
This cruise departs from San Diego, a city at its loveliest in October. The seven-night itinerary includes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, all among the most popular ports along the Mexican Riviera. The Koningsdam, launched in 2016, includes a Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine and a digital workshop with Microsoft experts providing 50-minute lessons on topics such as photo editing.

Departure: Oct. 12
Starting Price: $599 (About $60 per night)
MSC's take on the popular fall foliage season cruise begins and ends in New York City and includes Halifax, Nova Scotia, Charlottetown, Canada, and two days in charming Quebec before heading home. The 10-night itinerary includes three days of pure sailing.

Departure: Nov. 3
Starting Price: $1,989 (About $80 per night)
If time is no issue, spend nearly a month exploring Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera. This 25-day sail departs from San Diego and spends two days each in Honolulu, Oahu, and Lahaina, Maui. After that it's on to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and Hilo, Hawaii, as well as Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico after several days at sea. This itinerary is offered aboard the Koningsdam, a ship launched in 2016.

Departure: Nov. 16
Starting Price: $269 (About $54 per night)
A quick, sun-filled getaway departing from New Orleans, the Carnival Valor explore Mexico's Cozumel and Yucatan. The five-night trip includes two days at sea. The Carnival Valor is aimed at those seeking an affordable vacation, but upgrades include a three-level, adults-only retreat area, an aqua park, and several bars and lounges, including a Guy's Burger Joint. The ship includes a casino, spa, fitness center, and swimming pools.

Departure: Dec. 3
Starting Price: $244 (About $61 per night)
Think of this cruise as a quick, pre-Christmas getaway. Taking a four-night Bahamas adventure from Fort Lauderdale, the Carnival Sunrise explores the sun- and sand-filled ports of Half Moon Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas. There's also a day at sea to lounge poolside and sip drinks aboard the Sunrise, a ship that recently underwent sweeping renovations. Key amenities include a Waterworks Aqua Park, Serenity adults-only retreat, and a Cloud 9 spa.

Departure: Dec. 10
Starting Price: $799 (About $80 per night)
Celebrate the end of 2020 by taking a 10-night sail exploring Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, and Puerto Vallarta. The capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is famous for its deep-sea fishing, while Loreto is a small town that earns raves from cruisers for its under-the-radar charm and friendly locals. Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta are two of the best-known ports along the Mexican Riviera; Cabo attracts vacationing jet-setters and celebrities, while Puerto Vallarta is a party city with abundant nightlife.

Departure: Dec. 11
Starting Price: $329 (About $47 per night)
On one last sun-filled getaway before 2020 fades into history, the MSC Armonia sails from Tampa, Florida, on a seven-night journey that includes Key West, Florida; Ocean Cay, Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico; and Progreso, Mexico. There are two days at sea as part of this cruise that offers the best of both worlds — a budget nightly rate and a variety of warm-weather ports.