If there is anything better than a cruise, it’s getting a great deal on that trip. And if you’re looking for a deal, then Carnival is one of your best options.
The cruise line is well-known for offering a lot of value, specifically with cruise fares that are generally lower than the competition. If you know what to look for, then you can hunt down trips that offer some ridiculously low pricing.
That’s why we searched Carnival’s schedule out more than a year from now to scout some of the most attractive deals in a variety of categories. From the least expensive cruises overall to great deals on cruise itineraries you don’t see every day, this list should give you a good idea of what sort of offers are out there.
How to Find Your Own Cruise Deal on Carnival
While we have a number of ideas below, if you want to find your own Carnival cruise deal then you can search Cruise Critic for deals here. To help narrow things down, we do have some suggestions on how to find the best offers.
Sail Older Ships
The biggest and newest ships get lots of buzz and publicity, but they also generally carry a higher price tag. That’s why if cost is a major factor for you, then look for cruises on older ships. Generally you can find similar cruises, but for less than taking a trip on the newest ship.
Sail When Kids Are in School
Below, you may notice that many of the best deals sail in the fall. That’s not a coincidence. If you search, you’ll find that there’s a correlation between cruise prices and the school year. Sail during the summer, Christmas holidays, or Spring Break, and fares will be higher than sailing times like the fall or winter.
Price Doesn’t Mean Value
One final thing to consider is that just because a price is low doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best value. In fact, we cover a number of cruises below that DON’T have the lowest prices. Yet, they are unique due to some characteristic of the trip that make them a compelling cruise.
Note: This article contains links to Cruise Critic. We earn commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Keep in mind that prices may vary from when this article was published.
Cheapest Overall Carnival Cruise for 2023
- Date: October 9, 2023
- Nights: 3
- Ship: Carnival Conquest
- Ports: Miami, Nassau
- Price: $194
If inexpensive is what you’re going for, as we go to press it doesn’t get any cheaper than this. The cruise aboard Carnival Conquest from Miami is only three days, helping keep the price low. An interior cabin on the October 9, 2023 sailing starts at just $194 per person.
The trip itself is as basic as it gets, going from Miami to Nassau and back. Still, if you want to take a cruise and not spend a lot of money, this is one of your best options. It’s also one of your best options if you’re wanting to let loose as the short trip and low cost should lead to a festive atmosphere. Learn more about this cruise here.
Cheapest Overall Carnival Cruise for 2024
- Date: September 30, 2024
- Nights: 4
- Ship: Carnival Conquest
- Ports: Miami, Half Moon Cay, Nassau
- Price: $179
When it comes to the least expensive cruise of 2024, you have several itineraries to choose from at $179 per person for an interior room, but they are all aboard the Carnival Conquest sailing from Miami. We chose this trip because it is four days with two port stops, including the Half Moon Cay private destination.
This particular cruise departs in late September, heading to The Bahamas. Other trips at this price point include a three-day cruise to Nassau, and a four-day cruise with stops at Princess Cays and Nassau. Learn more about this cruise here.
Most Interesting Itinerary
- Date: August 22, 2024
- Nights: 18
- Ship: Carnival Panorama
- Ports: Los Angeles, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Kushiro, Aomori, Yokohama
- Price: $2,069
If you want a cruise that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this trip fits the bill. In fact, it’s essentially two cruises in one. First, you’ll sail from LA to Alaska with three ports of call and sailing the Endicott Arm. We’re big fans of sailing Alaska and consider it a must-see.
But that’s only the first part of the cruise. From there, you’ll head to the Far East, crossing the international date line before three more ports of call in Japan. This includes Kushiro in the northern part of the country and Aomori, followed by Yokohama, just outside of Tokyo.
And in an unusual move for these sort of lengthy trips, the cruise is aboard Carnival Panorama — one of the newer ships in the fleet. Learn more about this cruise here.
Most Expensive Carnival Cruise of 2024
- Date: April 1, 2024
- Nights: 31
- Ship: Carnival Luminosa
- Ports: Brisbane, Guam, Okinawa, Yokohama, Seward, Juneau, Ketchikan, Seattle
- Price: $3,449
It makes sense that Carnival’s most expensive trip is also its longest, but on a per day basis it’s actually a decent deal considering the experience. This month-long cruise repositions from Australia to Seattle. It will feature lots of time at sea as you cross the Pacific but also feature stops in amazing places.
From Brisbane you’ll visit Guam, five different ports of call in Japan, crossing the date line, then a cruise through Alaska including stops in Seward, Juneau, and Ketchikan, before finishing up in Seattle.
The price tag is high — nearly $3,500 per person for an interior cabin. But on a per-day basis, that comes out to just a shade over $100. Learn more about this cruise here.
Best Deal on a New Ship
- Date: September 7, 2024
- Nights: 7
- Ship: Carnival Jubilee
- Ports: Galveston, Mahogany Bay, Costa Maya, Cozumel
- Price: $599
If you want to sail the nicest, newest ships then you normally have to pony up some cash. As a rule of thumb, newer ships have higher price tags to sail. After all, there’s normally strong demand for a new ship.
But with Carnival, there are still opportunities to sail with a great deal. In this case, Carnival Jubilee (which debuts in late 2023) will sail from Galveston on September 7, 2024 on a 7-day cruise. You can get aboard this cruise for just $599 per person for an interior cabin.
The round trip cruise has stops in Mahogany Bay (Carnival’s private port in Roatan), Costa Maya, and Cozumel before returning home. There’s a lot to do on this ship, so being able to sail for a week will give you time to get it all done. Learn more about this cruise here.
Best Deal for an Alaskan Cruise
- Date: May 7, 2024
- Nights: 7
- Ship: Carnival Spirit
- Ports: Seattle, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria
- Price: $699
When it comes to cruises, trips to Alaska should be a bucket-list item. Given the remoteness and size of this part of the country, a cruise offers the best way to see the most in a relatively short period of time. However, these cruises are usually more expensive than similar length Caribbean trips.
We found this deal, however, that represents the least expensive Alaska cruise of 2024. Starting at $699 per person for an interior cabin, the cruise takes you from Seattle to Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria (Canada) before returning home. That’s a line-up of classic ports in this part of the country that shouldn’t be missed. Learn more about this cruise here.
Cheapest 7-Day Cruise of 2023
- Date: September 23, 2023
- Nights: 7
- Ship: Carnival Panorama
- Ports: Los Angeles, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas
- Price: $439
If you’re wanting a deal on a vacation this year, then check out this 7-day cruise from Los Angeles (technically Carnival sails from Long Beach). The cruise aboard Carnival Panorama is for seven nights and takes you to all the hotspots on the Pacific side of Mexico.
You’ll visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, and don’t forget days at sea to work on your tan. From LA it’s a classic itinerary that shouldn’t be missed. And while the price isn’t as cheap as the lowest fares of 2024, it’s still a strong deal. Learn more about this cruise here.
Cheapest 7-Day Cruise of 2024
- Date: September 8, 2024
- Nights: 7
- Ship: Carnival Magic
- Ports: Miami, San Juan, Amber Cove, Grand Turk
- Price: $369
If you want inexpensive but also want to cruise more than three or four nights, this is the least expensive 7-night cruise we found for all of 2024. The cruise aboard Carnival Magic departs Miami, headed to the eastern Caribbean.
From there you’ll have stops in San Juan, Amber Cove (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic), and Grand Turk, along with some time at sea just to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
At $369 for an interior cabin, that comes out to just about $50 per person, per day to sail on what is a great itinerary. Learn more about this cruise here.
Great Deal From Galveston
- Date: September 15, 2024
- Nights: 6
- Ship: Carnival Dream
- Ports: Galveston, Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel
- Price: $399
September is a great time for cruise deals as kids are back in school, meaning lower demand from families to sail. Meanwhile, the weather is still warm so you can enjoy getting some sun and water even before you reach the Caribbean.
In this case you can do just that on a 6-night cruise from Galveston. The trip aboard Carnival Dream stops in Costa Maya, Belize, and Cozumel. And the deal runs just $399 per person for an interior cabin, or about $65 per day. Learn more about this cruise here.
Great Deal From Port Canaveral
- Date: October 13, 2024
- Nights: 6
- Ship: Carnival Vista
- Ports: Port Canaveral, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove
- Price: $369
A great deal on a fall cruise is this trip that departs Port Canaveral in mid-October. Depart from the Orlando area and you’ll have stops at Half Moon Cay (Carnival’s private destination), Grand Turk, and Amber Cove.
And this trip won’t set you back much. An interior cabin starts at just $369 for nearly a week on the ship. Plus, it’s aboard Carnival Vista. This ship isn’t the newest, but was built just a few years ago as the start of the Vista class, Carnival’s second largest style of ship. That means it has all the latest features you’d expect on a Carnival ship. Learn more about this cruise here.
Great Deal From Jacksonville
- Date: November 2, 2024
- Nights: 5
- Ship: Carnival Elation
- Ports: Jacksonville, Nassau, Princess Cays
- Price: $209
Finding a cruise that’s under about $75 a night is a decent deal. Under $50 is (nearly) unheard of. This trip comes in at just around $40 per day.
For that price there are some trade-offs. First, it sails from Jacksonville which isn’t as busy a port as Miami or Port Canaveral. As well, it’s on Carnival Elation, which is one of the oldest ships in the fleet.
Even so, the price tag is too tempting to pass up. The cruise will take you south to Nassau and Princess Cays for literally the price of visiting a nice steakhouse for two. Learn more about this cruise here.
To search for more deals on a Carnival cruise, click here.