25 Great Cruise Deals for 2019 Under $100 a Night

Cruising continues to grow in popularity with each passing year. In response, the cruise lines continue to find ever more inventive ways to entertain their guests. But the increasing popularity and offerings, however, do not mean it's necessary to spend a fortune to experience a cruise vacation in 2019. To save some cash, remember to look for cruises taking place during the so-called shoulder months. In other words, don't try to book a getaway to the Caribbean from June through August when everyone wants to sail. And avoid spring break, too, while you're at it. Opt for the tail end of winter through early spring or late fall to escape the crowds and score a bargain. 

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Departure: Jan. 20
Starting price: $349 (About $52 per night)
Though this cruise requires flying to San Juan for departure, at $50 a night, Carnival's seven-night Southern Caribbean sailing is a notable bargain. It will take passengers to some of the region's most charming and notable ports including Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

Departure: Feb. 17
Starting price: $549 (about $78 per night)
Sailing from Miami, the Norwegian Getaway will take passengers to a variety of popular ports over the course of seven nights including Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico and Cozumel before heading home. The Norwegian Getaway, meanwhile, is a destination unto itself with its oceanfront promenade lined with restaurants and bars, Aqua Park, and three-story sports complex complete with rock wall.

Departure: Feb. 2
Starting price: $459 (about $66 per night)
Looking for an alternative departure port to get to the Caribbean? Carnival will sail from Galveston, Texas, and visit Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. The seven-night cruise includes three days at sea to explore the ship, Carnival Freedom, which features a variety of dining options, Camp Ocean for the kids, and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

Departure: Feb. 16
Starting price: $516 (About $74 per night)
Royal Caribbean is offering its own take on the Western Caribbean itinerary this winter with a seven-day sailing from Tampa, Florida. The cruise features stops in Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as a few days at sea. The Rhapsody of the Seas includes casinos, Broadway-style theater, a video arcade, and a teen center.

Departure: Feb. 24
Starting price: $299 (about $75 per night)
Another warm-weather option, Carnival will take cruisers to the Bahamas on a sun-drenched four-night getaway. The Carnival Liberty will dock in Nassau and Freeport. There will also be one day at sea to relax and enjoy ship amenities including a kids' club, two dining rooms, four pools, and 14,500-square-foot fitness center.

Departure: Feb. 23
Starting price: $793 (About $66 per night)
Have a little more time to spend frolicking in the Caribbean? Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas will spend 12 nights exploring ports ranging from Frederiksted, St. Croix to St. John's, Antigua and Castries, St. Lucia, among others. There will also be six full days at sea to catch up on reading, bask by the pool or visit the ship's Vitality Spa. The cruise departs from Baltimore, Maryland.

Departure: Feb. 14
Starting price: $547 (About $60 per night)
A unique itinerary from Royal Caribbean, the Grandeur of the Seas will sail from Baltimore and take passengers along the Southeastern United States, stopping in the popular destination of Charleston, South Carolina, and then Port Canaveral, Florida, before moving on to Coco Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas, and Miami on the way back to Maryland.

Departure: Feb. 24
Starting price: $1,673 (About $79 per night)
Want to explore the Caribbean in-depth? Holland America will spend 21 days port-hopping in the southern part of the region, starting from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and visiting such destinations as Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos, and Bonaire. Additional ports include Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Castries, St. Lucia, among many others.

Departure: Feb. 4
Starting price: $199 (About $50 per night)
The Catalina and Baja route along the West Coast almost always offers an affordable cruise option. This four-night itinerary from Carnival departs from Long Beach, California, and spends a day in Catalina and another day in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning home.

Departure: Feb. 9
Starting price: $459 (About $66 per night)
The Mexican Riviera is a wildly popular cruise itinerary. Carnival's take on this region will encompass Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The itinerary also includes three days at sea aboard the Carnival Splendor, a ship that first debuted in 2008. Amenities range from an adults-only Serenity area to the Seuss at Sea program for kids.

Departure: March 14
Starting price: $1,032 (About $64 per night)
Exploring South America is another budget-friendly option this spring with Princess Cruises. The 16-night cruise pulls into such ports as Valparaiso, Chile; Coquimbo, Chile; Pisco, Peru; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. There will also be an indulgent nine days at sea aboard the Star Princess where amenities range from a European-inspired Piazza to a Movies Under the Stars venue.

Departure: March 2
Starting price: $489 (About $69 per night)
While prices start to creep up in March due to spring break travelers, it's still possible to find a few bargain cruises to popular destinations for those who book early and travel in the beginning of the month. Carnival, for instance, will sail to the Mexican Riviera, exploring such ports as Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. There will be three days at sea as part of this itinerary aboard Carnival Splendor.

Departure: March 3
Starting price: $678 (About $97 per night)
Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas will sail the western Caribbean in early March, visiting Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. The seven-day getaway also includes three days at sea, plenty of time to experience some of the nine dining options and activities such as the Tidal Wave boomerang slide, surf simulator FlowRider, bumper cars, ice skating, and a rock-climbing wall.

Departure: March 30
Starting price: $331 (about $66 per night)
An even more pocketbook-friendly option, Royal Caribbean is offering a five-night itinerary at the end of March departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship visits Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico before returning to Florida.

Departure: March 7
Starting price: $324 (About $81 per night)
This brief escape will take passengers on a four-night trip to the Bahamas exploring Princess Cays (the cruise line's private island) and Nassau. Departing from Miami on Carnival Sensation, the itinerary also builds in one day at sea to relax poolside.

Departure: Sept. 5
Starting price: $749 (About $83 per night)
Come fall, cruise prices start to drop again for some itineraries, and there's no better time to explore Canada and New England. Departing from Baltimore, Royal Caribbean will take travelers to such popular cities as Boston; Portland, Maine; and the stunning port of Bar Harbor, Maine. The Grandeur of the Seas will also visit Canada's St. John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Departure: Sept. 23
Starting price: $184 (About $46 per night)
This notable bargain from Carnival will whisk cruisers away on a four-day trip to the Western Caribbean, visiting Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico. There will also be one day at sea aboard Carnival Victory, a ship that includes the brand's signature Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and for kids of all ages, a Twister Waterslide.

Departure: Sept. 9
Starting price: $284 (About $57 per night)
For those who have been itching to explore Cuba, one of the most popular destinations around, Carnival offers a budget-friendly option. The Carnival Sensation will take passengers to Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos and then on to Havana as part of a five-night cruise that also includes two days at sea.

Departure: Sept. 28
Starting price: $344 (About $69 per night)
Cuba is definitely a place where one could easily spend several days. Carnival's Key West & Havana Overnight itinerary offers cruisers a bit more time in this colorful destination. The ship will stay overnight in port in Havana, giving passengers two days to explore the fascinating Caribbean island nation capital. The cruise also stops in Key West, Florida, and includes a day at sea, all on the newly renovated Carnival Paradise.

Departure: Oct. 26
Starting price: $359 (About $71 per night)
The tail end of October can be a good time to sail to Bermuda for those hoping to score a deal. It's the end of the island's busy season and weather is still between 70 and 80 degrees. Though the most inexpensive cruises are going fast, Royal Caribbean is offering a five-night itinerary from Baltimore to the British island territory known for its pink-sand beaches. Grandeur of the Seas will spend two days in port at Bermuda's King's Wharf and two days at sea before returning to Maryland.

Departure: Oct. 7
Starting price: $754 (About $58 per night)
Searching for a more interesting way to get to Florida for the winter? Look no further than Royal Caribbean's Snowbird Migration cruise. The one-way sailing begins in Quebec City and travels down the East Coast stopping in a variety of ports including Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; St. John, New Brunswick; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Boston, ending in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Departure: Oct. 24
Starting price: $734 (About $81 per night)
Yet another fall cruise ideal for leaf peepers, Royal Caribbean will take passengers northbound from New Jersey to such ports of call as Boston; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick; and finally Halifax, Nova Scotia, before turning and heading back home.

Departure: Oct. 23
Starting price: $264 (About $53 per night)
Sailing from Jacksonville, Carnival's five-night Bahamas getaway will take passengers to Nassau, Bahamas, and Half Moon Cay, the cruise line's 2,400-acre island that serves as a private retreat for passengers on Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings. The island, just 2 percent of which has been developed, notably serves as a preserve for migratory birds.

Departure: Oct. 27
Starting price: $1,039 (About $74 per night)
Venture to the Caribbean and beyond on Carnival's 14-night Panama Canal Journey, which will begin in Galveston, Texas. This intriguing itinerary includes George Town, Grand Cayman; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; and then moves on to Cartagena, Colombia, and the Panama Canal, before stopping in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, and then heading back to Texas. There will also be six days at sea aboard the Carnival Freedom.

Departure: Nov. 4
Starting price: $449 (About $64 per night)
Wrap up 2019 with a memorable and budget-friendly Western Caribbean and Cuba trip with MSC Cruises. The MSC Armonia sails from Miami and visits Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will also spend two full days in Havana. The newly remodeled Armonia features a rock-climbing wall, tennis courts, a disco and a theater among its amenities.