3 nights From Miami
Bahamas weekend
Royal Caribbean
from $299 pp
Check dates Format guide
Prices checked: August 2026
Weekend Cruises
Weekend cruises are 2 to 4 night sailings built around Friday departures: Bahamas loops from Florida ports, Baja runs from Long Beach, and Cozumel quickies from Galveston and New Orleans. Fares run $249 to $600 per person, and the format is the cheapest total-cost vacation in American travel.
Live deal board
3 nights From Long Beach
Baja weekend
Carnival Cruise Line
from $359 pp
Check dates 4 nights From Galveston
Cozumel long weekend
Carnival Cruise Line
from $289 pp
Check dates 3 nights From Miami
Ocean Cay weekend
MSC Cruises
from $279 pp
Check datesThe weekend cruise map
| Your region | Port | The weekend run | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | Miami or Port Canaveral | 3 nights, Nassau plus a private island | $249 |
| Texas and the South | Galveston or New Orleans | 4 nights to Cozumel | $289 |
| Southern California | Long Beach | 3 nights, Catalina and Ensenada | $359 |
| Northeast | New York or Bayonne | Rare 2 to 4 night specials, mostly holiday weekends | $329 |
Doing the weekend right
- Friday boarding cutoffs are unforgiving: arrive at the port city Thursday night or by noon Friday, traffic has ended more weekends than weather.
- Per night these are the priciest fares in cruising; per weekend they still beat two hotel nights plus meals almost everywhere.
- Interiors are the move: at 60 waking hours aboard, the balcony premium buys little.
- The same ships run Monday-to-Friday 4 night versions 20 to 30 percent cheaper if your schedule flexes.
- These sailings are where lines dump unsold cabins late: our last minute page is effectively a weekend cruise feed most of the year.
Talk to a cruise expert
The best rate is usually not online
Our cruise desk sees agent-only pricing, cancellation returns and unpublished promotions across every major line. Two minutes on the phone regularly beats an hour of tab comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a weekend cruise cost all-in?
For two adults: $600 to $900 including taxes, fees and gratuities on the budget lines, before drinks and excursions. Prices checked: August 2026.
Do I need a passport for a weekend cruise?
No, every mainstream weekend route is closed-loop: birth certificate plus photo ID works for US citizens. See our passport guide for the fine print.
Which weekend cruise is best for a bachelorette or birthday group?
Miami 3-nighters for nightlife energy, Galveston 4-nighters for value, Virgin Voyages' 4 night adults-only runs when the group budget stretches. Group cabins booked together unlock rates the public site never shows: call us.
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Get today's best price on weekend cruises
Tell us your dates and nearest port. A cruise specialist replies with real availability and any unpublished rates, usually within the hour during desk hours.