Luxury Cruising Editorial

Looking for the cheapest possible cruise in 2026?   I compiled a list of the lowest starting prices for inside cabins across seven major cruise lines, factoring in most fees, port taxes, and gratuities to give you a clearer picture of the cost.

This list shows the single lowest priced cruise for four different sailing durations for each cruise line.

Think of this as your starting point, your roadmap to finding an affordable cruise.

Whether you’re after a quick three-day escape or a longer voyage, I’ve got the details. From Carnival to Disney, and everything in between, we’re laying out the budget-friendly possibilities.

Now, a crucial heads-up: these prices are snapshots in time. Cruise pricing is notoriously fluid. It’s like trying to catch a wave – it’s constantly changing.

So, while I did my best to provide the most accurate information available, the prices you see here might not be exactly the same when you go to book.  Think of this as your first step towards planning an amazing cruise.  It might even give you some inspiration.  Just in compiling this information I found a few cruises that I’m considering booking already.

As a reminder, prices do include taxes and fees and are mostly for interior cabins.

Carnival Cruise Line: Cheapest cruises in 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:  

• Ship: Carnival Glory
• Date and duration: 12/4/26, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Canaveral, Celebration Key, Port Canaveral
• Cost: Starting at $594 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Carnival Elation
• Date and duration: 1/5/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Jacksonville, Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Jacksonville
• Cost: Starting at $707 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Carnival Liberty
• Date and duration: 1/18/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: New Orleans, Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, New Orleans
• Cost: Starting at $1,233 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Carnival Magic
• Date and duration: 1/24/26, 8-day cruise
• Itinerary: Miami, Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Miami
• Cost: Starting at $1,288 per person

Celebrity Cruises: Cheapest cruises in 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Celebrity Reflection
• Date and duration: 2/20/26, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Key West, Bimini, Port Everglades
• Cost: Starting at $598 per person

 Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Celebrity Summit
• Date and duration: 1/10/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Nassau, Bimini, Port Everglades
• Cost: Starting at $891 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Celebrity Summit
• Date and duration: 5/8/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Anchorage
• Cost: Starting at $1,347 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Celebrity Infinity
• Date and duration: 8/15/26, 8-day cruise
• Itinerary: Athens, Rhodes, Ephesus, Santorini, Mykonos, Thessaloniki, Athens
• Cost: Starting at $1,615 per person

Disney Cruise Line: Cheapest cruises in 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Disney Wonder
• Date and duration: 5/4/25, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: San Diego, Esenada, San Diego
• Cost: Starting at $1,495 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Disney Magic
• Date and duration: 1/11/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Galveston, Cozumel, Progreso, Galveston
• Cost: Starting at $2,113 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Disney Magic
• Date and duration: 9/10/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Skagway, Vancouver
• Cost: Starting at $2,605 per perrson

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Disney Dream
• Date and duration: 5/2/26, 14-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Malaga (Spain), Barcelona, Seville, Cartagena, Azores, Barcelona
• Cost: Starting at $4,622 per person

Holland America Line: Cheapest cruises in 2026

 Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Zaandam
• Date and duration: 5/2/26, 4-day cruise
• Itinerary: San Diego, Catalina Island, Vancouver
• Cost: Starting at $472 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Koningsdam
• Date and duration: 4/27/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver
• Cost: Starting at $1,018 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Eurodam
• Date and duration: 1/4/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Nassau, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Half Moon Cay, Port Everglades
• Cost: Starting at $1,350 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Oosterdam
• Date and duration: 4/8/26, 14-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Azores, Maderia, Gibraltar, Barcelona
• Cost: Starting at $1,942 per person

MSC Cruises: Cheapest cruises in 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: MSC Virtuosa
• Date and duration: 4/17/26, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: Hamburg, Paris, London
• Cost: Starting at $230 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: MSC Grandiosa
• Date and duration: 1/18/26, 6-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay, Puerto Plata, Nassau, Port Canaveral
• Cost: Starting at $655 per person

Cheapest 7- day cruise:

• Ship: MSC Meraviglia
• Date and duration: 1/18/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: New York, Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay, Nassau, New York
• Cost: Starting at $594 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: MSC Poesia
• Date and duration: 2/13/26
• Itinerary: London, Lisbon, Seville, Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, Malta
• Cost: Starting at $1,491 per person

Norwegian Cruise Line: Cheapest cruises in 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Norwegian Getaway
• Date and duration: 1/2/26, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: Miami, Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay, Miami
• Cost: Starting at $785 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Norwegian Bliss
• Date and duration: 4/19/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Los Angeles, Victoria, Vancouver
• Cost: Starting at $1,033 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Norwegian Bliss
• Date and duration: 2/8/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: Los Angeles, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles
• Cost: Starting at $1,001 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Norwegian Breakaway
• Date and duration: 1/4/26, 8-day cruise
• Itinerary: New York, Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau, New York
• Cost: Starting at $1,543 per person

Princess Cruises: Cheapest cruises of 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Ruby Princess
• Date and duration: 10/4/26, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Princess Cays, Port Everglades
• Cost: Starting at $756 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Emerald Princess
• Date and duration: 5/3/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Victoria, Vancouver
• Cost: Starting at $957 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Star Princess
• Date and duration: 12/12/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Princess Cays, Port Everglades
• Cost: Starting at $1,178 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Regal Princess
• Date and duration: 12/12/26, 8-day cruise
• Itinerary: Port Everglades, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Port Everglades
• Cost: Starting at $1,448 per person

Royal Caribbean: cheapest cruises of 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Quantum of the Seas
• Date and duration: 3/24/26, 3-day cruise
• Itinerary: Los Angeles, Ensenada, Los Angeles
• Cost: Starting at $412 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Quantum of the Seas
• Date and duration: 2/27/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles
• Cost: Starting at $642 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Jewel of the Seas
• Date and duration: 3/14/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: San Juan, St. Thomas, St, Maarten, St. Croix, Dominica, Barbados, San Juan
• Cost: Starting at $1,023 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Vision of the Seas
• Date and duration: 2/5/26, 8-day cruise
• Itinerary: Baltimore, Charleston, Port Canaveral, Freeport, Nassau, Baltimore
• Cost: Starting at $1,104 per person

Virgin Voyages: Cheapest cruises of 2026

Cheapest 3-4 day cruise:

• Ship: Resilient Lady
• Date and duration: 9/24/26, 4-day cruise
• Itinerary: Miami, Key West, Bimini, Miami
• Cost: Starting at $840 per person

Cheapest 5-6 day cruise:

• Ship: Resilient Lady
• Date and duration: 10/17/26, 5-day cruise
• Itinerary: Miami, Cozumel, Bimini, Miami
• Cost: Starting at $1,049 per person

Cheapest 7-day cruise:

• Ship: Resilient Lady
• Date and duration: 1/3/26, 7-day cruise
• Itinerary: Miami, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Bimini, Miami
• Cost: Starting at $1,400 per person

Cheapest 8-day plus cruise:

• Ship: Valiant Lady
• Date and duration: 4/25/25, 14-day cruise
• Itinerary: New York, Ponta Delgada, Maderia, Tangier, Malaga, Palma De Mallorca, Barcelona
• Cost: Starting at $1,400 per person

How can you make your cruise cabin more comfortable, feel more spacious, and a little more like home?  These stateroom tips will help get you started.

First time cruisers are always taken back by the size of their living space on a cruise ship.  After all, unless you booked a spacious suite you will only have a couple hundred square feet to call home.

This list of helpful advice will allow you to make the most of your cruise cabin and make it much more livable and enjoyable throughout your cruise.

You might feel like your cruise cabin is secondary to the actual cruise ship.  After all, you’re only going to use it for sleep, right?  But making that limited space in your stateroom work for you can make a huge difference after spending 7+ nights at sea.

These cruise cabin hacks will help make the best use of the cramped space and keep the most common issues from becoming a big deal.

Space-Saving Tricks

Making the most of the space in your cruise cabin is key.  You can’t add more square footage to your stateroom but you can make the space feel less cramped.

1. Use packing cubes and pack light

The packing process is key.  In a previous article on tips for packing light on a cruise we mention how popular packing cubes have become and how they can help save space during the packing process.

They are great for keeping your clothing and essentials organized and condensed.  But it’s also important to know what not to bring on a cruise.  Needless additional items only take up more precious space both in your luggage and your stateroom.

2. Utilize those drawers

Living out of a suitcase is not a great way to enjoy a vacation.  You will have a lot of drawer space around the cabin desk.  Make use of these drawers, which will help both organize your belongings and save space.  Just make sure to check every single drawer when it’s time to pack up at the end of the cruise.

3. Use a hanging toiletry bag

Cruise ship bathrooms are notorious for being tiny.  A toiletry bag can easily be hung from a towel wrack, clearing up any limited counter space.  These bags make packing easier as well so it’s a win-win.

4. Cruise ship laundry

Whether your ship has self-service laundry rooms or not, you can still consider having some laundry done while on board.  Especially for cruises of 10-nights or longer you will want to wash and reuse some clothes so you can cut down on the amount of clothing you have to bring along.

The previous link shows what cruise lines and cruise ships have launderettes, but every cruise line has some sort of laundry service for a fee as well.  And with loyalty perks some of these services can be free.

5. Use one of your suitcases as a hamper

Dirty clothes pile up quickly on a cruise.  Use one of your extra suitcases as a hamper that is kept under your bed.  There is usually plenty of space under your bed so you might as well utilize this space so things aren’t so cramped.

This works best if you have multiple suitcases and can use one of them for dirty clothes throughout the trip.  And when you get home you can just transfer everything right into the washing machine.

6. Look for extra spaces for storage

You might be surprised to find all kinds of extra places for storage in your stateroom after you start looking for it.  Whether it’s behind a mirror, inside a footstool, or on the side of a couch, cruise cabins are designed to maximize space, but it doesn’t do you any good if you don’t know it exists.

Suggested read: 35 genius cruise items on Amazon for under $15

Organization Hacks

Keeping your cruise cabin organized helps the whole vacation feel less cluttered.  It also makes it easier to find what you’re looking for when everything is in its proper place.   With the limited space available here are some organization tips to help keep your sanity.

Some of these items can be found on our post on genius cruise hacks you can buy on Amazon right now as well.

7. Pack an over the door shoe organizer

These hardly take up any room in your suitcase but can make your life a lot easier once in use in your cabin.  Many cruisers will use these over the door organizers for socks, underwear, and t-shirts, but you can also keep things like sunscreen, bug spray, and deodorant in individual pockets.   Everything stays out of the way and is easy to access.

8. Bring magnetic hooks and clips

Cruise cabin walls and ceilings are metal.  You can’t use tape in your stateroom but magnets are the perfect solution for keeping things organized.  I love to use magnetic hooks for hanging things like hats, hoodies, and lanyards.  And Magnetic clips can keep your daily planners, excursions tickets, or any other papers organized and keep them from cluttering up your stateroom desk.

9. Ask for extra hangers

All you need to do is ask your stateroom steward for some extra hangers and you will have plenty to use for the duration of the cruise.  Hangers are better for keeping wrinkles out of clothes and I will usually try to hang up all my clothes as soon as my stateroom is accessible.  I like to pack some wrinkle releaser so I can spray it on my shirts and let them hang in the closet.

10. Ask to have some things removed from the cabin

Is there a coffee table or stool that’s in your way in your cabin?  Many people don’t realize that they can have their cabin rearranged a little, and the cabin steward can remove any items that don’t work for their situation.  Instead of tripping over that moveable furniture item, you can have it taken out, which will also give you more space. 

Comfort Hacks

It might not be the same as your bedroom and living space back home, but with a few tweaks you can make that cruise cabin much more comfortable.

11. Keeping the AC on

Bring an old cruise card or any kind of card really.  You might want to keep the AC on when you’re stepping out of your cabin for a short period of time.  Most modern cruise ships shut off the lights automatically, including the AC when you remove the card from the card slot in the cabin.

I’ve had cabin stewards provide a card for me on some ships, when I didn’t even know if this little “trick” was frowned upon or not.

While I’m all for saving on energy, you will have to run the AC for a lot longer when you get back if it kicks off for a decent period of time.  You can set the AC at a moderate temperature and use a card in the slot to keep the room at a modest temperature.

If you’re going to be out all day, then it’s probably best you skip this point so you’re not wasting energy.

Side note: The AC will turn off if you leave the balcony door open on some ships, and that’s a good thing.

12. Magnet hooks for privacy

If you’re cruising as a family and need a little extra privacy, those aforementioned magnetic hooks can come in handy.  Use them to hang a sheet from the ceiling and add some separation in the stateroom.  So, those magnetic hooks can serve multiple purposes.

13. Bring that pillow from home

Sometimes the right pillow can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and a morning of exhaustion.  Even though it takes up more room, it might be worth it to pack your favorite pillow, especially if you are a light sleeper.  

By the way, you can request a different pillow from your cabin steward as well and even a mattress topper, as most ships have a limited supply on board.  Do this on embarkation day before they all get taken.

14. Pack some tealights

Real candles are on the banned list of items you can’t bring on a cruise.  But if you want a romantic setting or just a relaxed vibe in your cabin, pack some LED tealights.  They flicker just like real candles and will last the length of the cruise.

15. Bring your own shampoo and body lotion

Don’t get me wrong.  Your cruise cabin will come with soap and shampoo in the bathroom.  But if you’re even a little picky about the products you use on your skin and in your hair, you might want to being your own.  Some cruise lines even tout that their shower products are versatile enough to be a soap, shampoo, and conditioner as an all-in-one, but many cruisers prefer their own products over the all-purpose ‘stuff’ found in the shower.

16. Bring some clothes pins or clips for the curtains

Who doesn’t love to sleep-in on a cruise, right?  Well those cabin curtains can let in a little too much light if your cabin is facing East in the morning.  Pack some clothes pins or towel clips which can also serve to keep the curtains drawn tight.

These clips are useful when cruising to Alaska or Norway when the sun is still out at 11pm as well.

 Food and Drink Hacks

17. Empty out your mini fridge

Ask your room steward to empty the mini fridge of beverages you don’t want, and use it to keep your own drinks nice and cool.  These drinks usually carry a heavy cost anyway and most drink packages don’t include the drinks in the stateroom fridge.  Since you’re usually allowed to bring a certain number of canned drinks on board you might as well use this in-cabin perk.

As cruise lines are always changing what beverages and how many you’re allowed to bring, always check the policy page before you show up at the terminal with your 12-pack.

You can also use the mini fridge for stashing some snacks you grabbed from the buffet up on the Lido deck.

18. Bring a collapsible water bottle

I love having a collapsible water bottle on a cruise.  It doesn’t take up much space in a suitcase and it can be used throughout the cruise.  I fill it up from the stateroom sink, and it comes in handy during shore excursions and tours.  You’ll save a few bucks having your own water and keep from getting sick if you’re worried about the water in a foreign port of call.

19. Take advantage of free room service

Most mainstream cruise lines now charge for room service.  But often they still provide a free continental breakfast at no extra cost.  You just need to take care of the gratuity.   You can still have a full breakfast later on, so why not take advantage of some room service to start your day!

Technology Tips

20. Bring an outlet adapter

With all the devices and electronics we rely on in our daily lives, a cruise ship cabin never seems to have enough outlets.  Even though many modern cruise ships have more USB and power outlets than older ships, you still might want to being an outlet extender.  Just make sure it does NOT have a surge-protector as these cause problems with a cruise ship’s electrical system.

I like to travel with a European travel adapter as well in some cases so I can make use of the 220 outlets.

* Royal Caribbean recently banned multi-plug adapters and will now only allow plugs with USB power connections.   So far, Carnival has stated that you’re still allowed to bring regular multi-plugs with the 110/120 volt connections.  This is another policy that is always in flux, so check with your cruise line before you pack that multi-plug adapter.

21. Sound machine

You can use an app on your cell phone for this or bring along a dedicated sound machine if that works best for you.  Cruise ship walls can seem very thin when you have a noisy neighbor, so a nice white noise could make the difference for a solid night’s sleep.  My personal preference is either brown noise or green noise.

In another recent update, Carnival has banned Bluetooth speakers, so don’t try to bring one as a sound machine.  Royal Caribbean has not officially banned these portable speakers yet, but there have been recent reports of these speakers being taken or passengers being asked to turn them off.

22. Pack a motion-sensing nightlight

With the light switch on the outside wall of a cruise cabin bathroom, having a nightlight that comes on when it senses motion can come in handy.  Otherwise, the light from the bathroom can interrupt the sleep of others in the cabin.  You can use this light in the bathroom itself or low enough on the floor so it doesn’t come on when you’re rolling over in bed.

23. Bring a fan

Whether it’s battery powered or plugged in, a fan can double as a sound machine as well.  Ventilation in a cruise cabin is often not too great, so you will want a little fan if this is a concern.   This is especially true if you have an interior cabin.  Some cruise lines have a few fans available on board that you can request.  Usually, they are pretty worn and in rough shape, but it’s worth asking for one if you need it.  Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Head, has mentioned most ships having a handful available for cruisers.

24. Having a portable charger

This will come in handy when off the ship, but you will want to keep it charged up in your stateroom.  On long days of shore excursions, the last thing you want is your phone on 2% when you are about to take some pictures or videos.  A portable power bank will help make sure you have plenty of juice for all your electronics when out for the day.  These things have been a lifesaver for me on several trips.

25. Noise-canceling headphones

Since Bluetooth speakers have been banned by some cruise lines and are intrusive to people around you anyway, packing some good headphones makes sense.  While you can usually find a quiet place on the ship to unwind for a while, you might want to listen to an audio book or your favorite music while you enjoy the views of the ocean on a sea day.

Final Thoughts

With a few tweaks you can make your cruise cabin the perfect home away from home.  But don’t feel like you have to bring all of the items listed above.  Do what works for you and follow some tips on packing light for your cruise so you can focus more on the actual vacation part.

Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas is finally getting Amplified. The cruise ship sailed to Cadiz, Spain yesterday for a more than $100 million renovation that will be completed in early April.

Allure of the Seas was originally scheduled to get Amplified several years ago, but the renovation ended up getting postponed due to the pandemic. 

Royal Caribbean called their major renovations “Amplifications” since they add a ton of new features to the ship. They began the program in 2018 with sister ship Oasis of the Seas getting remodeled in 2019.

Allure of the Seas will finally get the big features that were added to other Oasis class ships. This includes the cruise line’s iconic “The Ultimate Abyss”, a 10-story slide at the back of the ship.

A new waterpark will be added to the pool deck and there will be over 35 dining and drink venues once the renovation is completed.

The ship will also receive some new cabins, Royal Escape Room, Lime and Coconut and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

The escape room will be themed “Apollo 18: Lunar Landing” where you’ll have to look or clues and solve complex puzzles to land Apollo 18 on the moon before time runs out.

The Pesky Parrot that debuted on sister ship Utopia of the Seas will be added to Allure.

Fan favorite The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar is also being added to the cruise ship.

The pool deck will turn into a resort-style pool with a wider selection of seating and shade.

Above the bridge, two new Ultimate Panoramic Suites are being built that will have over 900 square feet of living space and panoramic views.

Allure of the Seas is scheduled to reenter service on April 11, 2025, a four-night roundtrip cruise from Barcelona.

The cruise ship will sail in the Mediterranean through October before repositioning to Port Everglades for six- to eight-night cruises to the Caribbean that will begin on November 8, 2025.

The eight-night cruises from Florida will visit the Eastern Caribbean (and CocoCay) with the six-night cruises visiting the Western Caribbean and Nassau. When the ship is in Nassau, guests will be able to book an excursion to the cruise line’s first Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island. (View Prices on Cruises on Allure of the Seas)

One of Carnival Corporation’s cruise lines is adding a new embarkation port in the Caribbean for cruises in late 2025 through early 2026.

Costa Cruises has announced that guests will be able to embark on Costa Fascinosa in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic starting in December 2025. This new embarkation option is for the ship’s Caribbean itineraries in 2025-2026.

The cruise ship will sail eight-night cruises in the Caribbean from Santo Domingo with port stops in Barbados, Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Most of the cruises will also visit the cruise line’s private, Catalina Island.

This is the fourth embarkation port in the Caribbean for the ship. Guests can also board the ship in the following ports:

• La Romana
• Guadeloupe
• Martinique

Costa Fascinosa will offer cruises in the Caribbean through March 2026.

Dario Rustico, general manager of North and South America for Costa Cruises, gave the following statement:

“We are excited to introduce the beautiful port of Santo Domingo as an embarkation option in the Caribbean with Costa Fascinosa, which will deliver a new, memorable experience for our guests.

“Thanks to this new opportunity to join a cruise from the port of their choice adds flexibility for Costa guests who will have more Caribbean options than ever.”

Costa Cruises will have two ships offering cruises in the Caribbean for the winter 2025-2026 season. Costa Pacifica will join Costa Fascinosa in the region offering eight- to 16-day itineraries.

The cruises will visit a combination of ports in the Dominican Republic, British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The itineraries are enriched with new “Sea Destinations”, a point of view to experience special moments on board that reveal most about the destinations visited during the cruise.

When the ship is in port, “Land Destinations” offer guests authentic experiences so they can make the most out of their time in port.

Carnival Cruise Line no longer calls Charleston, SC home for one of its ships.  After a contract between the cruise line and port expired, Carnival Sunshine moved to Norfolk, VA for year-round sailings.

But that doesn’t mean that cruise ships aren’t still using the South Carolina port, at least as a port of call.

In fact, 18 different cruise ships from 10 cruise lines will be visiting Charleston over the course of the rest of the year.

These cruise ships include the following:

• American Cruise Lines: American Liberty, American Independence, American Eagle, American Legend, American Star, American Glory
• Royal Caribbean: Vision of the Seas
• Viking Cruises: Viking Polaris, Viking Octantis
• Phoenix Reisen: Amera
• Oceania Cruises: Oceania Vista, Oceania Allura
• Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Silhouette
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: ms Europa 2
• Virgin Voyages: Brilliant Lady
• Azamara Cruises: Azamara Quest
• AIDA Cruises: AIDAdiva

Many of these ships will be visiting the port in the spring months and also late in 2025. 

Interestingly, for the months of June through September no cruise ships are currently on the schedule to visit Charleston.  The heat and humidity in this region during the summer months could be a contributing factor.

Some ships will stay overnight for an extended period of time, but some like Vision of the Seas, Amera, ms Europa 2, and Brilliant Lady, are scheduled for single-day visits as part of a longer itinerary.

Vision of the Seas, for instance, was just in Charleston on February 23, as part of an 8-day sailing out of Baltimore which also visited Port Canaveral, Freeport, and Nassau.

Brilliant Lady will be visiting Charleson in October as part of a 13-day sailing from Quebec, Canada to PortMiami.

Celebrity Silhouette is another notable cruise ship to visit the port.  In May of this year the 2,886-passenger vessel is scheduled to arrive in Charleston on May 11 as part of a 10-day Bermuda sailing that begins and ends at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey

American Cruise Line will make use of the port more than any other cruise line this year with over 50 visits to Charleston.  The cruise line operates smaller vessels that carry between 90 and 180 guests, leaving the smallest footprint in the southern port compared to other cruise lines.

In 2025, Charleston will also welcome Viking Cruises’ expedition vessels, the Viking Polaris on March 30th and October 4th, and the Viking Octantis on April 10th and October 11th.

Towards the end of 2025 (November and December), a greater variety of ships will be stopping by the South Carolina port, including visits from cruise lines such as AIDA Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The city’s port is still an important part of East Coast cruising.  While local residents no longer have to deal with heavy traffic on embarkation days from Carnival Sunshine sailings, Charleston still provides a convenient stopping point for ships in addition to being a great historical city to visit for tourists.

The very first Breakaway-class ship with Norwegian Cruise Line is getting an upgrade.

After arriving in Damen shipyard in Brest, France, the 2013-built Norwegian Breakaway is a week into its 3-week dry dock.  During this refurbishment process, the 4,000-passenger capacity vessel will not only receive basic maintenance, but a few upgrades and venue changes as well.

Dining Changes

One of the most noticeable changes will be the replacement of the Spiegel Tent with the Silver Screen Bistro. This new venue combines a relaxed atmosphere with a movie-going experience.  With oversized recliners and a menu of shareable dishes, some of the menu items will include selections from the popular Food Republic. It’s a clear move to create a more casual, entertainment-focused dining space.

One of the most noticeable changes will be the expansion of Cagney’s Steakhouse. By absorbing the space previously occupied by Moderno Churrascaria, Cagney’s is set to become a more prominent and presumably more luxurious dining destination. This expansion suggests a strong bet on the enduring popularity of classic steakhouse.

Ocean Blue is also undergoing a complete transformation, changing into Palomar. With this rebranding, cruisers can expect a refreshed atmosphere and, most likely, a revamped menu, perhaps focusing on a more contemporary seafood experience.

Outdoor and Activity Areas

Breakaway will also be getting Horizon Park, an outdoor area with 360-degree ocean views, mirroring a feature that has proven popular on newer Norwegian ships. This space is intended to be a social hub, with a stage for live music and entertainment.

Family-friendly additions include The Stadium, a new outdoor activity area. Those looking for a more exclusive “vibe” will find enhancements to the Vibe Beach Club and The Haven Sundeck, with expanded seating and cabanas.

General Maintenance

And of course, in addition to these upgrades and changes, the ship will be receiving some general maintenance as well.  With the ship being 12 years old, there are many general areas that will be spruced up, painted, and given a total refresh.  Both general areas and cabin will receive this general maintenance.

After Dry Dock

After its March dry dock, Norwegian Breakaway will start cruising the Mediterranean. The ship is currently scheduled to offer 9- to 11-night sailings in mid-March, visiting popular spots in Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and Croatia

Following its Mediterranean season, Norwegian Breakaway will make its way back across the Atlantic to North America. In late November, the ship will begin its winter season, sailing from New York. Passengers departing from the Big Apple will have the opportunity to escape the cold and sail warm-weather cruises to the Caribbean, Florida, and the Bahamas. 

Cruiseline.com has announced their 2025 Member Choice Awards and Royal Caribbean Group has the top 17 Best Overall Cruise Ships.

Cruiseline.com has more verified cruise reviews than any other website in the world.  They use data from real cruisers to determine the best cruise lines and ships for the year.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises were named #1 in eleven different categories that ranged from Best Mainstream Cruise Line to Best Cruise Line for Food and Dining.

Royal Caribbean Group was the big winner especially when it came to the Best Overall Cruise Ship in 2025. Here are the top 20 cruise ships in 2025 based on reviews from verified cruisers.

1. Icon of the Seas
2. Utopia of the Seas
3. Symphony of the Seas
4. Celebrity Beyond
5. Allure of the Seas
6. Celebrity Silhouette
7. Wonder of the Seas
8. Anthem of the Seas
9. Celebrity Ascent
10. Harmony of the Seas
11. Voyager of the Seas
12. Celebrity Edge
13. Independence of the Seas
14. Jewel of the Seas
15. Adventure of the Seas
16. Mariner of the Seas
17. Celebrity Apex
18. Carnival Jubilee
19. Carnival Spirit
20. Liberty of the Seas

Royal Caribbean was named #1 Best Mainstream Cruise Line, Best Cruise Line – Onboard Activities and Entertainment, Best Cruise Line – Service, Best Overall Cruise Ship (Icon of the Seas), Best New Cruise Ship of 2025 (Icon of the Seas), Best Cruise Ship – Food and Dining (Icon of the Seas), Best Cruise Ship – Service (Icon of the Seas), Best Cruise Ship – Staterooms (Icon of the Seas0) and Best Cruise Ship – Onboard Activities and Entertainment (Icon of the Seas).

Celebrity Cruises was named Best Cruise Line – Food and Dining and Best Cruise Line – Staterooms.

Other notable cruise lines that were named best were Viking and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Viking was named Best Premium Cruise Line and Best River Cruise Line. Regent took top honors for Best Luxury Cruise Line. 

Jamie Cash, Chief Operating Officer of Cruiseline.com, gave the following statement about this year’s awards:

“Congratulations to all the cruise lines, ships, and ports recognized in our 2025 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards. This is the tenth year we have presented these awards, which celebrate excellence in cruising and serve as thanks to community members who shared cruise feedback with us in the previous year.

“We appreciate all who took the time to share their vacation experiences and insights, enabling us to create these annual rankings. We extend our congratulations to Royal Caribbean for their outstanding performance in this year’s rankings, as well as to the other leading cruise lines, ships, and destinations, for earning exceptional ratings from reviewers.”

Cruiseline.com is owned by World Travel Holdings (WTH). WTH owns several large travel agencies so they can verify is a review was from an actual cruiser. To see the complete list of winners in the 2025 Member Choice Awards, you can visit Cruiseline.com.