These days, how much can $500 get you? You may be able to get a few domestic round-trip plane tickets, depending on the season. Alternatively, you may reserve a two-night stay at a moderate hotel or buy four passes to a top-notch amusement park. $500 will hardly get you a nice supper and a Broadway show in certain places.

While we acknowledge that cruises can indeed be expensive, it's worth noting that the cost can vary significantly. However, when you compare the expenses of a cruise to those of a similar land-based vacation, the value of cruising becomes apparent.

Tthese cruises may not be the lowest on the market, they are nonetheless exceptional or one-of-a-kind offers under $500. They include cruises on some of the biggest cruise ships in the world and incredibly cheap journeys on newer ships.

6-day Western Caribbean From Tampa, FL

Locations: Tampa -- Key West -- Montego Bay -- Grand Cayman -- Tampa

Price: $469

While Miami and Fort Lauderdale typically receive the most attention when discussing seaside cities in Florida, Tampa offers its own charm along the state's stunning western coast. Positioned alongside the serene, emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this vibrant metropolitan destination has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years. With numerous attractions and activities to explore, Tampa provides a delightful pre-cruise getaway that promises to captivate visitors for several days.

Activities

  • Discover the unique Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg.
  • Have fun collecting shells on the beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete as the sun goes down.
  • Take a walk through Key West's Old Town, where you'll see historic 19th-century buildings.
  • Make a visit to the southernmost point of the United States.
  • Relax and unwind on the beautiful white sands of Seven Mile Beach.
  • Explore the shops, cafes, and museums of George Town, Grand Cayman.
  • Enjoy some downtime on a lovely beach surrounded by palm trees.

5-day Eastern Caribbean From Miami, FL

Locations: Miami -- Nassau -- Half Moon Cay -- Grand Turk -- Miami

Price: $309

Are you imagining a trip to an island? 

Miami is referred regarded as the world's cruise capital because of its proximity to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. More than just handy, though; be ready for your Miami cruise with all of the city's action-packed attractions, like Little Havana, which hums to an island beat, and party-ready South Beach and Coral Gables' Mediterranean vibe.

Activities

  • Enjoy the lively nightlife along Ocean Drive.
  • Explore the South Beach Art Deco district's stunning architecture.
  • Browse quirky crafts at the straw market.
  • Swim with dolphins and snap a "dolphin kiss" pose on a private island.
  • Enjoy horseback riding and splashing around in the island's beautiful surroundings.
  • Experience a lesson on swimming with gentle stingrays.

5-Night Mexico Cruise From Los Angeles On Norwegian

Locations: Los Angeles -- Cabo San Lucas -- Ensenada -- Puerto Vallarta -- Los Angeles

Price: $449

This journey is a brief break from Los Angeles to the Pacific coast of Mexico. You will stop at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada before heading to Los Angeles. The voyage is on the Norwegian Bliss, one of the line's younger ships, which was built in 2018.

4-Day The Bahamas from Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL

Locations: Port Canaveral (Orlando) -- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas -- Nassau, Bahamas -- Port Canaveral (Orlando)

Price: $249

For American cruisers unfamiliar with MSC, a major player in Europe, they offer an appealing choice for low-cost voyages, particularly from Florida. Departing from Port Canaveral, close to Orlando, this cruise sets course for MSC's exclusive retreat, Ocean Cay, then ventures southwest to the Yucatan, with port calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, before journeying back home.

Activities

  • Experience the colonial and Georgian architecture of the city while dining, shopping, and enjoying entertainment on busy Bay Street.
  • Relax with a spa treatment by the sparkling waves on the beach.
  • Visit the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
  • Visit outdoor food court to indulge your palate with regional American and distinct Bahamian flavors.
  • For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, rent scuba gear and head offshore to explore the varied ecology of restored coral reefs.

7-Night Bermuda - New York sailing on the Norwegian Getaway

Locations: Brooklyn, New York -- Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda -- Brooklyn, New York

Price: $479

Departing from the vibrant city of New York, you'll set sail for the picturesque island of Bermuda. You can explore Bermuda's beautiful beaches, quaint towns, and extensive history throughout the course of your days. This voyage provides the ideal balance of adventure, leisure, and life-changing moments.

Activities

  • Experience the iconic Statue of Liberty overlooking the New York Harbor from Liberty Island.
  • Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art, home to an extensive collection spanning millennia, including artifacts dating back over 5,000 years.
  • Marvel at the historic Town Hall on King’s Square, once a site of British-era public punishment, now a symbol of the island's history.
  • Discover the haunting beauty of St. George’s Unfinished Church, its roofless structure reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral, surrounded by lush green grass.

5-day Western Caribbean From New Orleans, LA

Locations: New Orleans --Cozumel -- Progreso, Yucatán -- New Orleans

Price: $489

It's simple to lose yourself in New Orleans' enchantment. This vibrant, lively city is a terrific place to start any vacation, with its stately Creole-style architecture, top-notch culinary scene, and spontaneous parades. Plan to spend a few days touring the French Quarter of New Orleans, which is well-known for its nightlife, jazz clubs, street performers, and distinctive balconied architecture, if you are cruising from the city.

Activities

  • Savor, sip, and enjoy the vibrant French Quarter.
  • Witness mansions in the Garden District rising out of lush landscapes.
  • Cruise to Cozumel and explore the Great Mesoamerican Reef through scuba diving.
  • At Chankanaab National Park, have a leisurely day to go snorkeling with beautiful fish.
  • Explore Mérida, a city built during the Spanish colonial era.
  • Take a tour of Chichen Itza, one of the world's seven wonders.

6-day Eastern Caribbean From Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL

Locations: Port Canaveral -- Half Moon Cay --Grand Turk -- Amber Cove -- Port Canaveral

Price: $429

The trip starts at Port Canaveral, which is close to Orlando, Florida. Travelers arriving from Orlando International Airport or other surrounding transit points can easily reach the port. The six-day cruise consists of a combination of days at sea and port excursions to explore the various locations included in the itinerary. The Eastern Caribbean will be one of the cruise's many destinations. 

Activities

  • Walk along the lively Cocoa Beach boardwalk prior to departing from Port Canaveral for your cruise.
  • Experience thrilling encounters with exotic animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom park.
  • Explore the historic Cockburn Town and its old salt pans on a guided tour. 
  • Embark on an exhilarating ATV Adventure tour through the unexplored backcountry of the Dominican Republic.

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