Sparklers and savings: These July 4th cruise deals are worthy of a few fireworks
Get ready for some red, white and "oooh" this Independence Day. Several cruise lines are offering discounts on sailings, as well as added perks like flights and transfers, drink packages, Wi-Fi and shore excursions.
If summer has you yearning for a getaway, put down that hot dog, climb out of the pool and book a cruise this holiday weekend. You can snag savings and value-added perks with these brands' Fourth of July cruise deals.
Azamara Cruises
From July 1-14, members of Azamara Circle, Azamara Cruises' loyalty club, can enjoy 20% off cruise fares for select sailings. That's double the discount members usually receive during the line's Quarterly Savings Sales, which normally offer only 10% off.
Passengers can also combine the discount with the line's other current promotions. The promotions offer things like three free nights and up to $600 in onboard credit, as well as discounts for solo cruisers and travelers who book back-to-back voyages.
Celebrity Cruises
If there were ever a deal that screamed "Bring a friend," it would be this one. Passengers booking select Celebrity cruises will save 75% on the second cruise fare when sharing a cabin. You can also earn up to $850 in onboard credit per room (based on quad occupancy), depending on voyage length.
Ignore the countdown clock on the website — we have confirmation from the line that this offer will run through July 6. It applies to nonrefundable fares only for cruises of three nights or longer, excluding Galapagos sailings departing through April 30, 2025.
Holland America
As part of Holland America's new Unforgettable Journeys deal, cruisers who book by July 31 will receive free basic Wi-Fi and drink packages, plus deposits that have been reduced by 50%. Crew gratuities are also included.
The promotion is valid for select sailings of more than three days, departing between fall 2023 and spring 2024.
Hurtigruten Expeditions
Now through July 16, Hurtigruten is running the Summer Sail — what it's touting as its "biggest sale of the year." Passengers can save 10% when they book a sailing to destinations like the Galapagos, Antarctica and the Canary Islands
This promotion is good for select cruises in 2023 and 2024.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises' July 4th sale is extending free basic Wi-Fi (one device per person, two devices per cabin) and drink packages to passengers who book a cruise through July 4. As part of the deal, passengers will also receive up to $400 in onboard credit based on cruise length and accommodation type booked.
Fittingly, cruisers can combine this offer with military, healthcare and civil service worker discounts.
Oceania Cruises
Beginning July 1 and running through Oct. 1, Oceania Cruises is running a Simply More deal that will provide cruisers with free round-trip airfare, airport transfers and beverage packages. Also included are shore excursion credits up to $1,600, depending on itinerary length.
This promo is valid on bookings for voyages departing Oct. 1 or later.
Princess Cruises
In addition to its standard affordable fares (the line has hundreds of sailings available for less than $100 per night), Princess Cruises is featuring a few extras this Independence Day. Score up to $200 in onboard credit per cabin, based on stateroom type, and enjoy a reduced deposit of just $100 per person.
You can also snag up to an additional 40% discount on select cruise fares. Be sure to book between July 1 and 5 for voyages departing between July 26, 2023, and Dec. 4, 2024.
Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:
- Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
- Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
- What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
- What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
- What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
- What is the Jones Act, and how does it affect cruise ships?
- What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
- What's a cruise cabin guarantee, and will it save you money?
- What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.