x
Best for: Value hunters
Why: Carnival is the line for "everycruiser," appealing to a broad spectrum of vacationers who share one common trait: They all want a super-fun escape without going bankrupt. The combination of Carnival's sizable fleet (25+ ships), emphasis on popular destinations (Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico) and dedication to accessible three- to seven-night itineraries translates to low prices and frequent deals. Cruises typically start around a reasonable $80 per person, per night, and can be nabbed for lower still with promotional fares. Carnival keeps its cabins simple, with plenty of standard insides and outsides, and does not go overboard with fee-extra venues onboard (access to specialty dining venues like Guy's Burger Joint, Serenity adults-only retreats and Punchliner Comedy Club shows, for instance, are all free of charge). For the best budget rates, avoid holiday periods (especially school vacations).
Runner-up: With 14 ships, including 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic and 4,200-passenger Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line has space to fill. There are regularly last-minute deals, some as low as $50 or $75 per person, per night. The ships also offer numerous free activities -- including fabulous Broadway shows and live music and comedy -- and a variety of complimentary dining venues. Plus, the line regularly runs promotions that allow passengers to include one or more free perks with their sailing, like beverage packages or specialty dining credits. And Norwegian Sky -- sailing to the Bahamas, as well as Cuba (as of June 2017) -- is the sole ship in the mainstream cruise market to offer free unlimited premium beverages with the upfront cruise fare.
http://bobby.mycruisemasters.com
