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Save big with Memorial Day cruise deals from these 5 lines

May 26, 2023
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5 min read
Pride of America
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Amid this long weekend's sales, you can snag great bargains from a handful of lines that are running Memorial Day cruise deals.

When you book in the next few days, you'll receive discounts like 75% off a second guest and fares from as little as $60 per person per night, as well as extras like free Wi-Fi and onboard credit to spend on your sailing.

Here's a recap of what we're seeing.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex anchored off the coast of the Greek isles. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Through May 28, Celebrity Cruises is knocking as much as $800 off the price of each cabin and an additional 75% off the cost of a second passenger's nonrefundable cruise fare for each booking when two passengers share a room. Plus, depending on the length of the sailing, you could earn up to $850 per cabin in onboard credit.

All of Celebrity's advertised base fares include crew gratuities and basic Wi-Fi (no streaming) and beverage packages (drinks up to $10 each), so this deal is a way to squeeze even more value out of perks that are already baked in.

The offer is valid on cruises departing through April 30, 2025.

MSC Cruises

MSC Seascape cruise ship docked in Manhattan, NY.
MSC Seascape docked in Manhattan, New York. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Want free Wi-Fi and alcohol on your next MSC Cruises voyage? When you book a sailing with the line by May 29, you'll be entitled to complimentary basic Wi-Fi (no streaming) and an Easy Plus drink package that entitles you to one beverage per order, including beer, cocktails, spirits, wine, protein shakes, soda and bottled water valued at up to $10.

Additionally, the promotion earns passengers up to $400 per cabin in onboard credit, depending on the length of the cruise and the type of cabin booked. Note that the largest amount of onboard credit is awarded to suite and Yacht Club bookings of 10 nights or longer. However, Yacht Club bookings already come with free Wi-Fi and drink packages, so a Yacht Club booking under this deal will only net you onboard credit.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Prima docked in Iceland
Norwegian Prima docked in Iceland. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY

With a Norwegian Cruise Line reservation made through Memorial Day weekend, travelers will receive 70% off cruise fares for the second passenger in each cabin.

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Passengers can also enjoy the line's ongoing Free at Sea offerings, which include free alcohol (two drinks per order, up to $15 each), basic Wi-Fi (no streaming), specialty dining and shore excursion credits, free airfare for a second guest when booked through NCL and more for all cruisers.

Princess Cruises

Cruise ship Majestic Princess tied to the pier while docked in Los Angeles
Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess docked in Los Angeles' San Pedro port. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Looking to save some dough on a Princess Cruises sailing? Now through May 31, you can nab one of more than 60 voyages on sale from less than $60 per person per day. Itineraries include the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal.

Plus, deposits are currently reduced to just $100 per person, and depending on the cabin type booked, you'll earn up to $200 per cabin in onboard credit.

This offer is valid on cruises departing through Sept. 28, 2024.

Virgin Voyages

A gray cruise ship docked with a red aft that says "Virgin" in white letters
Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

If a Mediterranean cruise is on your list for this year, check out this offer from Virgin Voyages on sailings departing through October.

Book by May 31, and save 55% on fares for the second person in each cabin. Plus, you'll score up to $600 in beverage credits, depending on the cabin type you choose.

The line also includes free basic Wi-Fi and gratuities in its fares, and all restaurants are included in the price.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by DANNY LEHMAN/NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $6,000 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.