WHEN I ask my friends how much they think a week-long, round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico will be, all guesses are upwards of £3,000.
So their jaws drop when I reveal that my sailing is just £215 for seven days at a last-minute price – that’s just £30 a night (a sum that might not even get you three margaritas in London).
Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Mexican Riviera itinerary includes three sun-drenched, taco-packed port stops plus accommodation, food and entertainment.
Of course, it doesn’t come with flights so Brits will have to splash out on those to get to LA first.
But why is a holiday on the Norwegian Bliss so cheap?
Firstly, sailing on older ships is an easy way to secure lower fares.
Norwegian Bliss was built in 2018 and, although refurbished in 2025, doesn’t quite have the sparkling modernity of its newer siblings.
The 4,010-guest vessel (it’s the largest in the NCL fleet) has a darker, more
traditional feel to it.
You won’t find any swanky technology like wearable keys or iPads in your room, nor any robots, sports courts or high-diving shows either.
Instead, daily entertainment is classic cruising with a lime-splash of retro.
Think balloon twisting workshops, fruit and vegetable carving demos, Pictionary, and all manner of game shows that even the lure of Cabo San
Lucas’ iconic beaches can’t tempt some guests away from.
But crucially, they’re all free – as are the comedy acts, dance classes, live music, glow parties, musical theatre and more.
I can’t believe it when a Mr Sexy Legs contest starts up by the pool – have I time-travelled to the early noughties?
But it’s hugely popular and I can’t pull my eyes away as a parade of (far
from youthful but deeply confident) men strut, squat, kick and lunge before ‘judges’.
It’s anything but sexy, though – no matter how hard the R&B vocals of Pony by Ginuwine try.
It’s not all cheesy activities. NCL’s standout attraction onboard is Bliss Speedway, a two-level go-karting race track on the top deck, complete with hairpin bends and high-up views.
I take a zoom around at sunset (£11 for 10 minutes) and blame the distractingly peachy pretty sky on how bad my driving is; Lewis Hamilton can safely keep his job.
Waterslides, meanwhile, deliver thrills gratis. I try the Aqua Racer water slide, whooshing past bright lights and chirpy colours as though I’m being flushed through a Skittles factory, before braving the Ocean Loops drop slide (and I mean braving – multiple people get stuck while I queue).
For a different kind of liquid courage, NCL’s bargain drink package gets rave reviews during my Pacific voyage.
Currently, on seven to eight-day cruises, you can upgrade from just £119
per person and get unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, wines, draft beer and soft drinks (as well as three speciality dining experiences, Wi-Fi and excursion credits).
That’s just £17 a day – so perhaps its no surprise I see a couple brandishing a pint and a Prosecco between them at 8.15am.
The biggest explanations for the cantina-cheap fare on my Mexican Riviera cruise, though?
The price dropped as the departure date approached, and it applied to an Inside Cabin (which means no windows in your room).
What’s more, the holiday took place during shoulder season which was before the Christmas holidays.
This is when cruise lines slash prices to fill up cabins.
So if you want to find your own bargain break, remember to find older cruise ships and last-minute sailings to save the most pennies.
Other bargain deals currently include a five-night sailing on Norwegian Jade for £225pp, with stops in Mexico.
And we’ve rounded some purse pleasing cruises you can lock in for under £500 without having to hop on a plane from the UK.
Cruises Under £500 From The UK
Ambassador Cruise Line has no-fly deals from Bristol and Tilbury for as little as £455p.
Covering France, Spain, Ireland and festive markets, all have free drinks packages and up to 25 per cent off.
P&O Cruises offers short breaks from Southampton.
This includes a 5-night adult-only sailing and a 4-night Amsterdam stay from £479pp.
See www.pocruises.com.
Cunard’s Queen Anne and Queen Mary 2 have short hops to Hamburg, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam.
Start from £169pp, they come with £30 off. Or there is a seven-night transatlantic to New York from £499pp with extra onboard credit.
See www.cunard.com.
MSC Cruises has seven-night sailings from Southampton to Northern Europe, Iberia and Fjords sailings from Southampton from £399pp with up to 30 per cent off and extra loyalty savings.
See msccruises.co.uk
Marella Cruises runs a 2-night adults-only all-inclusive Canaries break from £349pp with flights and savings up to £328.
For more see https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/deals/all-inclusive-cruises
Royal Caribbean’s 5-night Hamburg & Bruges trip from Southampton starts from £449pp with Black Friday fare and upgrade reductions.
For more see https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/cruises
Cruises Under £500 (Fly-Cruises)
Princess Cruises offers Alaska, Caribbean and Med fly-cruises from £198–£499pp with up to £600 off or added onboard credit.
For more see https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/
Celebrity Cruises features Western Caribbean, Pacific Coastal and Southern Caribbean sailings from £349–£406pp with up to 75% off the second guest and up to £500 instant savings.
For more see https://www.celebritycruises.com/gb/cruises
Celestyal Cruises has Greek Islands short breaks from £379pp, Arabian Gulf trips from £239pp and Desert Days itineraries from £459pp with reduced lead fares and inclusive perks.
For more see https://celestyal.com/gb
For more on cruises, here are our favourites for cruises 2026 – with hidden speakeasies, West End shows and 24-hour restaurants.
And here are the five of the best January cruise deals – from discounts and upgrades to bargain drink packages.