8 cheapest spring break cruises

Pool deck fun on Celebrity ship

It’s time to start locking in those spring break plans! It will be here before you know it, and there’s no better time to book a cruise than right now.

You might be wondering why now is the best time to book a cruise for 2023? Well, that’s because it’s wave season – the time when cruise lines have some of their biggest sales of the year.

While you might assume that cruises will be more expensive in March to April because of spring breaker, this time is actually shoulder season for many popular destinations. Since summer is considered the busiest travel time of the year, you can snag some pretty fantastic cruise deals.

Sun tanning on deck

Here’s a list of 10 of the cheapest spring break cruises we could find.

1.  Spain and Portugal Cruise, 2-night sailing

Where: Departing from Lisbon (Portugal), sailing to Malaga (Spain), including a stop in Seville (Spain)

Dates: March 31, 2023- April 2, 2023

Price: $99 per person

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Ship: Norwegian Sun

NCL Sun

When searching for the cheapest spring break cruises, this incredibly cheap 2-night sailing was the first option that popped up through Norwegian Cruise Line. If you’re already studying abroad in Europe or looking to add a little pizazz to your European spring break trip, consider taking this 2-night sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line. Airfare to Europe in March is much cheaper than fares you’ll pay in peak summer – and you can enjoy some cooler weather.

For this cheap spring break cruise, you’ll embark on a short 2-night sailing from Lisbon, Portugal to Malaga, Spain. This cruise has one stop in Seville, Spain as well. These are cities rich in culture with incredible beaches to enjoy as well. Although this itinerary is short, the total price of this cruise is easily less than you would pay for a hotel for two nights. Don’t forget, this includes the price of transportation, food and accommodations onboard. You’ll also get access to all of Norwegian Sky’s onboard amenities and entertainment.

2. Catalina and Ensenada Cruise, 4-night sailing

Where: Departs from Los Angeles (California) with stops in Catalina Island (California) and Ensenada (Mexico)

Dates: March 27, 2023 or April 3, 2023 or April 24, 2023

Price: $300 – $390 per person

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Ship: Navigator of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas in Labadee

For those living on the West Coast, this 4-night itinerary on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas is an excellent option for a quick and cheap getaway.

In fact, this is a cruise that I did back in high school for spring break with my family! For many years, Royal Caribbean did not offer regular sailings from the West Coast, but this has since changed with Navigator of the Seas becoming regularly deployed to California.

Mexico is a popular destination for spring breakers, so this itinerary is sure to be a popular choice for many.

This itinerary also includes one sea day after embarking from Los Angeles, allowing you to enjoy Navigator of the Seas and all of the ship’s onboard amenities, thrills and offerings. With multiple dates to choose from, this is a great itinerary for spring break.

3. Western Caribbean Cruise, 4-night sailing

Where: Departing from Miami, Florida with stops in Key West (Florida) and Cozumel (Mexico)

Dates: March 27, 2023 – March 31, 2023

Price: $294 per person

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Ship: Carnival Conquest

Heading to the Sunshine State of Florida is the quintessential way to celebrate spring break!

If you’re looking for cheap cruises, Carnival Cruise Line is going to be your best bet for the multiple sailings throughout March and April. Carnival is known for having the most fun ships at sea, so you are sure to have a wild time for spring break if you choose to sail onboard one of their cruise ships.

Back in college, I actually did this same itinerary for my own spring break cruise!

During this 4-night sailing, you will visit Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico. You’ll also enjoy one sea day, which Carnival has coined as Fun Day at Sea. We love to use sea days to kick back, relax and enjoy a poolside cocktail.

Carnival Cruise Line also has tons of nightclubs, bars and lounges; so, even while you’re onboard, you can still have a great time.

4. Western Caribbean Cruise, 5-night sailing

Where: Departing from Tampa (Florida), sailing to Mahogany Bay (Honduras) and Cozumel (Mexico)

Dates: March 25, 2023 – March 30, 2023

Price: $414 per person

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Ship: Carnival Paradise

If you’re wanting to visit Central Florida, you could consider taking this cheap cruise from Tampa.

Again, Carnival Cruise Line has tons of different cheap cruises for spring breakers looking to enjoy a quick getaway. While Carnival Paradise is one of Carnival’s older ships, it’s been retrofitted with signature Carnival offerings like BlueIguana and Guy’s Burger Joint.

For this 5-night sailing, you will have two Fun Days at Sea to enjoy Carnival Conquest.

Carnival Cruise Line also has tons of nightclubs, bars and lounges; so, even while you’re onboard, you can still have a great time.

5. Dominican Republic & St. Thomas, 9-Night Caribbean Cruise

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) with stops in Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), San Juan (Puerto Rico), St. Maarten, St. Johns, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)

Dates: March 21, 2023 -March 30 , 2023 or April 8, 2023 – April 17, 2023

Price: $449- $549 per person

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Ship: Norwegian Sky

While shorter cruises will be inherently cheaper overall, you can still find cheap cruises that feature longer sailings with more port-intensive itineraries.

Norwegian Sky is an older and smaller ship in Norwegian’s fleet, but it was recently refurbished. During this 9-night sailing, you will have two sea days onboard the ship.

Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, located in the Bahamas where you can enjoy a plethora of complimentary amenities. During this port-intensive itinerary, you’ll also visit the wildly beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. Johns and St. Maarten. For ports with tons of history and culture, you’ll also enjoy San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

6. Transatlantic Spanish Cruise, 12-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) sailing to Barcelona (Spain) with stops in Malaga (Spain), Valencia (Spain)

Dates: March 9, 2023- March 21, 2023

Price: $447 per person

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Ship: Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas rear aerial dusk

Transatlantic and repositioning itineraries are excellent choices for those looking to snag a cheap cruise.

I found this incredible deal on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, which is one the biggest cruise ships in the world. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships are packed with tons of onboard amenities and thrills.

Although you’ll be onboard Symphony of the Seas for the majority of this sailing (it is a transatlantic cruise, of course!), you can still enjoy two port days in Spain. This transatlantic sailing docks in Malaga, Spain and Valencia, Spain at the end of the itinerary before ending in Barcelona, Spain.

7. Bahamas Cruise, 4-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) and sailing to Nassau (Bahamas) and Ocean Cay (MSC Marine Reserve)

Dates: April 10, 2023 – April 15, 2023

Price: $179 per person

Cruise Line: MSC

Ship: MSC Divina

New to the North American cruise market is European-based cruise line MSC – and they are offering some very cheap itineraries for 2023’s spring break season!

For this 4-night sailing to the Bahamas, you’ll enjoy two stops in the Bahamas, including Nassau and MSC’s private island, the MSC Marine Reserve. Additionally, you’ll have one day at sea to relax onboard MSC Divina.

For just $179 per person, this cheap cruise is a great choice for those looking to sail on a budget. MSC cruises is one of the more budget-friendly cruise lines due to offering tons of add-ons and frills to their pricing. If you want to sail for the dirt cheap fares, you still receive dining, entertainment, accommodations and transportation in the cost of your cruise fare.

8. Bahamas Cruise, 5-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Jacksonville (Florida) and visiting ports in Nassau (Bahamas) and Princess Cays (Bahamas)

Dates: April 17, 2023 – April 22, 2023

Price: $334 per person

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Ship: Carnival Elation

Our final cheap cruise for spring breakers has to be Carnival Cruise Line, as they are known for having the cheapest cruise fares in the industry.

Carnival Elation is offering a 5-night spring break sailing for $334 per person. You’ll enjoy stops in Nassau, Bahamas and Princess Cays, Bahamas. These are the perfect places for you to head to the beach. This means you have two Funs Days at Sea to relax onboard Carnival Elation and enjoy some of the cruise line’s signature amenities, like Sea day Brunch, Waterworks slides, and Spa Carnival.

Final Cheap Cruise Tips

As we mentioned, this is the best time to book your spring break cruise for 2023, as most cruise lines are having big promotions, sales and discounts. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, are even providing free onboard credit if you book during their wave season promotion.


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