24 Inexpensive Winter Cruises to Sunny Destinations

There's nothing like a sun-drenched getaway during the dead of winter to lift one's spirits — and cruises deliver days frolicking by pools between visits to tropical ports of call, and perhaps a little spa time squeezed in for good measure. You won't be the only one plotting such an escape from the snowdrifts, but it is still possible to score a bargain (particularly in early January). Here are more than two dozen winter cruises that are around $100 per night.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: The Most Beautiful Winter Escapes in the World 

Departure: Jan. 3
Starting Price: $189 ($63 per night)
Searching for a quick getaway? Look no further than Norwegian's three-night Bahamas escape from Miami, spending two days in port in the Bahamas — one day at Great Stirrup Cay and the next at Nassau. Think of it as a way to recover from holiday festivities and get recharged for a return to work.

Departure: Jan. 5
Starting Price: $529 (About $76 per night)
Norwegian Getaway departs from New Orleans to explore Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. A ship that debuted in 2014, the Getaway offers a variety of dining options, including Brazilian, French, and Italian, and staterooms designed with a modern boutique hotel aesthetic. Entertainment includes a Broadway-style performance of "Legally Blonde" and the Waterfront, a quarter-mile boardwalk lined by shops, bars, and restaurants.

Departure: Jan. 6
Starting Price: $199 ($28 per night)
The MSC Armonia delivers seven blissful nights exploring island after island, sailing from Miami and taking in such ports as Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Costa Maya, Mexico. There's a day at sea and in Ocean Cay, an MSC-exclusive island where activities include snorkeling, paddle boarding, and champagne cruises.

Related: Private Islands and Resorts Owned by Cruise Lines

Departure: Jan. 10
Starting Price: $159 ($32 per night)
Departing from Miami, spend five nights aboard the Norwegian Sky, a ship that was just remodeled and offers 11 dining options, eight bars, and a spa. The ports on this getaway include Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay. There's one day at sea to relax aboard the ship, but port hopping in the Bahamas brings opportunities to take part in eco-tours, swim with stingrays, snorkel, and more.

Related: 30 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Miami 

Departure: Jan. 11
Starting Price: $249 (About $36 per night)
This notable seven-night itinerary includes two full days in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as visits to Charlotte Amalie, in the Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; and Ocean Cay, in the MSC Marine Reserve. The cruise, which begins and ends in Miami, take place on the MSC Seaside, which debuted in 2017. Highlights include a 360-degree ocean level promenade, an amusement park, and an outdoor Aquapark.

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

Departure: Jan. 12
Starting Price: $249 (About $50 per night)
Norwegian take cruisers to the intriguing port of Harvest Caye in Belize, as well as to Costa Maya, Mexico. There are two days at sea as part of this five-night getaway aboard the Norwegian Pearl when guests can discover recently redesigned public spaces, an updated pool deck, and an expanded video arcade. There's a bowling alley, rock climbing walls, and a three-deck show lounge where live performances are staged.

Related: 25 Craziest Cruise Ship Amenities 

Departure: Jan. 20
Starting Price: $209 ($42 per night)
Carnival's take on the Western Caribbean itinerary includes such popular ports as Cozumel, Mexico, and the Yucatan. There's two days at sea aboard Carnival Fantasy, a ship that since going through an upgrade includes a variety of new restaurants and bars. The ship includes Carnival WaterWorks, a sprawling aqua park, and the Serenity adults-only retreat for those in search of a little quiet time. Staterooms on this ship have new carpeting, décor, and televisions.

Departure: Jan. 27
Starting Price: $254 ($51 per night)
Exploring another region of the Caribbean, the Carnival Sensation visits Grand Turk and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. One of the top attractions in Grand Turk is diving in a protected coral reef, while Amber Cove was created by Carnival's short-lived Fathom brand to provide cruisers an opportunity to volunteer and give back. These days the cove's attractions include bars, pools, shopping, and explorations of the nearby town of Puerto Plata.

Departure: Jan. 19
Starting Price: $379 (About $54 per night)
The ports of Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Isla de Roatan in Honduras are among the highlights of this seven-night cruise departing from Miami. There's a day at Ocean Cay, the MSC Marine Reserve, and two days at sea aboard the MSC Meraviglia. The ship, created to be the largest and most innovative from MSC, launched in 2017. Highlights onboard include panoramic public spaces, an indoor promenade, an amusement park, and new family staterooms.

Departure: Jan. 31
Starting Price: $377 (about $54 per night)
Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas sails from the alternative departure point of Baltimore, taking passengers on an exploration of the southern United States and then to the Caribbean. Ports of call on this eight-night journey include Charleston, South Carolina, and Orlando, Florida, as well as Cococay and Nassau, Bahamas. There's three days at sea to explore the ship, which has undergone several renovations since 2012. Amenities include an outdoor movie screen, new dining offerings, a Concierge Club, casino, shopping boutiques, and a full-service spa.

Departure: Jan. 26
Starting Price: $459 ($66 per night)
Begin and end your cruise with a few days exploring Puerto Rico on this sailing that departs and wraps up in San Juan. The seven-night Southern Caribbean getaway features explorations of some of the prettiest ports in the Caribbean, such as St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten. Entertainment onboard the Carnival Fascination includes a casino, full-service spa, mini-golf, and Camp Carnival for the kids.

Departure: Feb. 3
Starting Price: $264 ($66 per night)
Offering the alternative departure city of Galveston, Texas, instead of the usual Miami, Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas sails to Cozumel, Mexico. There's two days to relax aboard the ship, which includes such offerings as bungee trampolines, suspension bridges, an expanded pool area, and an outdoor movie screen.

Departure: Feb. 2
Starting Price: $589 (About $84 per night)
Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, the Regal Princess visits Princess Cay; St. Thomas; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The itinerary builds in three days at sea to relax aboard the Regal Princess, plenty of time to enjoy the ship's many dining options, upper deck pool just for adults, and movie screenings under the stars.

Departure: Feb. 8
Starting Price: $397 (About $57 per night)
On a Bahamas itinerary that includes a stop in Key West, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas departs from New Orleans and takes in Nassau and Cococay, Bahamas. This bargain seven-day getaway offers three days at sea with a variety of bars and lounges, a casino, and such amenities as a rock-climbing wall and the youth program Adventure Ocean.

Departure: Feb. 8
Starting Price: $397 (About $57 per night)
Expanding slightly on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary offerings, MSC take cruisers to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, and adds a stop in Nassau, Bahamas. The seven-night cruise takes place aboard MSC Seaside, a megaship class vessel on which entertainment options may feel endless — there's everything from bowling lanes, a ropes course, and zip lines to pools and even a rainforest-inspired water park with five slides. Oh, and there are 20 bars and nine restaurants.

Departure: Feb. 27
Starting Price: $1,044 (About $70 per night)
If you have 15 nights to spend exploring the beautiful islands of Hawaii, Princess Cruises offers an itinerary departing Los Angeles that includes Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, and Hilo. But the vast majority of the time is spent sailing — there's a full nine days at sea. Bring plenty of good books and plan to catch up on your rest, relaxation, and wellness agenda. The Star Princess amenities include Movies Under the Stars, a full-service spa, nightclub, library, video arcade, and more.

Departure: Feb. 28
Starting Price: $429 (About $61 per night)
If you don't mind jetting to Barbados first, this cruise offered by Carnival take passengers to such Southern Caribbean ports as San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas; St. Kitts; and St. Lucia. The cruise is aboard the Carnival Fascination, which includes a casino, mini-golf, waterslides, and full-service spa. There's a camp program for young travelers.

Departure: Feb. 29
Starting Price: $534 (About $76 per night)
The lovely Mexican Riviera is on the agenda for the Carnival Panorama after departure from Los Angeles. In addition to three days at sea, the itinerary includes port visits in Cabo San Lucas, one of the most popular Mexican Riviera destinations, as well as Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, other memorable choices. The Panorama, which debuted this year, is a mega-ship accommodating 3,960 passengers and a long list of entertainment and amenities, from a Cuban-inspired Havana Pool and Bar to an IMAX theater and a SkyRide that takes passengers 150 feet into the air. There's also a WaterWorks aqua park and a Thrill Theater.

Departure: March 2
Starting Price: $394 (About $79 per night)
Offering another departure option, the Carnival Sunshine sails from Charleston, South Carolina to visit Freeport and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. The five-night itinerary includes two days at sea. This ship notably underwent a $155 million expansion and retrofit in 2013. Its' amenities now include a three-deck adult-only retreat, as well as a WaterWorks aqua park.

Departure: March 7
Starting Price: $469 (About $67 per night)
Heading into March, prices start to creep up a bit as spring break vacations approach, but there are still a few deals to be had early in the month. That includes Princess' Mexican Riviera itinerary, visiting the most popular ports in the region: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.

Departure: March 7
Starting Price: $914 (About $57 per night)
This long cruise departing from San Francisco spends half a month exploring the islands of Hawaii and beyond. The experience begins with four days at sea aboard the Grand Princess before pulling into the first port, Hilo. After that it's on to Honolulu, Nawiliwili, and Lahaina. En route back to San Francisco, there's a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where it's often possible to see white sharks and colonies of elephant seals that migrate from Alaska.

Departure: March 7
Starting Price: $879 (About $73 per night)
This in-depth exploration of the Southern Caribbean departing from Baltimore includes a long list of port visits, among them San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; and finally, Basseterre, St. Kitts. There's a full six days at sea to relax aboard the Grandeur of the Seas, a ship refurbished in 2012. Amenities include an outdoor movie screen, casino, duty-free shopping, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Departure: March 16
Starting Price: $685 (About $69 per night)
A rare option to depart from New York, Norwegian take cruisers on a 10-day winter escape that includes such sunny destinations as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, Saint Kitts; St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; and St. Thomas, in the Virgin Islands, some of the most picturesque ports in the Caribbean. The cruise is on the Norwegian Gem, which includes a rock-climbing wall, a casino, and three-deck Stardust Theater.

Departure: March 29
Starting Price: $849 (About $85 per night)
A unique and intriguing itinerary, Holland America's Zuiderdam departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bound for the Panama Canal and along the way stops in a variety of fascinating ports. Highlights include Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Colon, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. The Zuiderdam cruises through the canal as well, and Gatun Lake.