Late summer, fall cruises from Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego for vaccinated travelers

With the return of leisure travel, the CDC has lifted the no-sail order and once again avid cruisers are queuing up to set sail.

Earlier this summer, cruises returned to Mexico and the Caribbean and this month the popular Alaska cruise season has restarted in Seattle. As these early sailings fill up, it’s a great time to take advantage of current deals as you plan for late summer and autumn vacations.

Booking directly with a cruise line may yield perks for frequent cruisers, yet there are additional ways to save even if this is your family’s first voyage. Costco members benefit from package deals and cashback by way of a Costco Shop Card, while AAA members benefit from specialty dining perks and onboard spending credits.

Perhaps the most beneficial perks and discounts come by way of frequent flyer partner programs like the Alaska Airlines partnership with CruisesOnly and Delta’s SkyMiles Cruises. Booking a cruise with your frequent flyer number attached yields exclusive discounts, onboard perks and the opportunity to earn up to 10,000 bonus miles simply by booking with the airline partner.

As cruising resumes, it’s important to verify specific vaccination requirements with your preferred cruise line. For the most part, cruisers should be prepared to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to embarkation. Most cruise lines require guests bring aboard their original vaccination record.

Where will you set sail in the coming months? Read on to discover the best deals for late summer and fall cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Miracle sets sail to Alaska roundtrip from Seattle with visits to Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and scenic sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord. It’s free to join Carnival’s VIFP Club and new members receive up to 35% off cruise rates and up to $50 onboard credit.

Later this summer, new ship Carnival Panorama begins sailing roundtrip from Long Beach, California to the Mexican Riviera with port visits to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. Cruise rates start as low as $439 for this 7-day sailing.

For family winter getaways, sailings aboard the new Carnival Mardi Gras will appeal thanks to the first ever rollercoaster at sea. Caribbean itineraries on Mardi Gras embark from Port Canaveral with rates starting as low as $479 per person.

Celebrity Cruises

Delta frequent flyers will want to book their Celebrity Cruises vacation with SkyMiles Cruises to earn up to $200 onboard spending credit and up to 10,000 SkyMiles. Yet no matter how you book, Celebrity Cruises always includes drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities.

Celebrity Cruises sail Seattle to Alaska through October, yet it’s a great time to plan a Caribbean getaway this fall with 4-night cruises starting as low as $349 per person and 5-night sailings as low as $473 per person.

Disney Cruise Line

Alaska Airlines frequent flyers benefit from booking a Disney cruise with airline partner CruisesOnly, which provides up to 10,000 bonus miles on bookings and reduced rates for military members.

For quick getaways this fall, Disney sails roundtrip from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico for two nights on Disney Wonder. This December, the best Disney Cruise Line deals will be found sailing from Galveston, Texas to Key West, Florida, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line currently has a Have It All promotion where guests receive shore excursions, a drink package and specialty dining package, along with Wi-Fi included in the cruise fare.

Holland America has been sailing Alaska for more than 70 years and this summer’s Alaska season sets sail from Seattle starting July 24 and continuing through to October. Nieuw Amsterdam will set sail on 7-day cruises with visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point, along with scenic cruising into Glacier Bay. Cruise fares start as low as $729 per person.

For fall and winter getaways, take advantage of the Have It All promotion on roundtrip cruises from San Diego with a 7-day cruise along the Mexican Riviera. Cruise fares start at $849 per person.

MSC Cruises

Current MSC Cruises promotions include a balcony upgrade with the bonus of kids sailing for free. For sunshine escapes, MSC’s 3-night sailings to the Bahamas start as low as $129 per person, while 7-night sailings to the Caribbean start as low as $329 per person.

MSC Cruises booked with Alaska Airlines partner CruisesOnly benefit from a free drinks and free Wi-Fi promotion, along with earning a booking bonus of up to 10,000 miles.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Encore sets sail this summer to Alaska with roundtrip Seattle itineraries including visits to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Icy Strait Point. Though Alaska cruises are quickly selling out, there are a limited number of staterooms starting at just $550 per person.

For an all-inclusive vacation, Norwegian’s Free At Sea promotion includes open bar, specialty dining, excursions and Wi-Fi. Some cruise fares also qualify for free airfare for the second guest.

For autumn getaways, Norwegian Bliss will set sail roundtrip Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera with fares starting as low as $559 per person for a 7-day cruise.

Princess Cruise Lines

Current promotions at Princess Cruise Lines include a Princess Plus package, inclusive of a premium drink package, unlimited Wi-Fi and crew gratuities. There is also still time to take advantage of low fares on Seattle roundtrip sailings to Alaska this summer, with cruise fares aboard Majestic Princess starting as low as $689 per person for a 7-day cruise.

For fall 2021 cruise deals, 4-day west coast getaways from Los Angeles start as low as $259 per person aboard Grand Princess. Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, 4-day cruises visiting Turks & Caicos start as low as $339 per person this December.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean is celebrating the return to sailing from US ports with a promotion wherein the second guest receives 60% off. Plus, the shortest getaway cruises this summer, fall, and into 2022 start as low as $199 per person with Miami sailings to the Bahamas and Los Angeles sailings to Ensenada, Mexico.

For Alaska sailings roundtrip from Seattle this season, fares start at $599 per person. Ovation of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas will take guests on these 7-night sailings with itineraries including visits to Juneau and Sitka, and variations between Ketchikan or Skagway.