Cruises are taking a bit of a hit in reputation thanks to news of the Hantavirus outbreak on a transatlantic cruise from Argentina to Cape Verde.
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However, as a travel writer, I view cruise outbreaks as a catchy headline—similar to aviation accidents. They capture our attention because they paint a telling picture of what could go wrong. But travel has innate risks, no matter if you’re road-tripping to a well-known spot or jet-setting to the other side of the planet.
Here’s my point: Don’t let news of cruise outbreaks dissuade you from booking a cruise. We tend to see the most high-profile accidents, which don’t paint the whole picture of what it’s like to go on cruises.
(If you want to dive deep into cruise safety, US News has a solid breakdown that includes data from the Cruise Lines International Association, aka CLIA, which is responsible for logging annual incidents.)
Here’s the other catch for Americans. With skyrocketing flights and rising lodging costs, cruises remain one of the most accessible ways to hit the open seas and explore the world.
If you’re feeling the pinch in terms of travel budgeting, here’s a list of solid MSC Cruises that you can still book this summer. They cover popular regions and are available for short or long excursions, giving you the freedom to pick and choose routes for your budget and vacation days.
Important note: The options listed below run between June and September 2026. When you click on a cruise, you’ll see the dates listed on the right side of your screen under the price per person.
Click on the dates, and you’ll see a dropdown with all available dates for that route and ship—including at-a-glance prices for each. Some are cheaper based on the season. Hurricane season runs from June to mid-October. September is usually its peak.
MSC Cruises to book for a last-minute summer getaway: Caribbean & Alaska
4 Nights – The Bahamas
- Ship: MSC Seaside
- Departs from: Round-trip to/from Miami
- Ports of call: Nassau, Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
- Highlights: A stopover at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and the chance to visit Blue Lagoon Island during port in Nassau. Because you’ll spend Days 3 & 4 at Ocean Cay, you should be ready for plenty of downtime in the sun. There’s also plenty of Bahamian flair to appreciate on the small island.
7 Nights Western Caribbean & Bahamas
- Ship: MSC World America
- Departs from: Round-trip to/from Miami
- Ports of call: Miami, USA,Isla de Roatán, Honduras, Costa Maya, Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
- Highlights: If you enjoy the open sea, you’ll appreciate the two days at sea on this cruise. Aside from that, the ports of call in Isla de Roatan and Costa Maya are highly picturesque. The latter even gives you the chance to learn about Honduras’s unique Caribbean-influenced Garifuna culture. The former also has an excursion to explore Mayan ruins, if history piques your interest.
7 Nights Eastern Caribbean & Bahamas
- Ship: MSC World America
- Departs from: Round-trip to/from Miami
- Ports of call: Miami, USA,Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
- Highlights: If you’ve been saving up to visit Puerto Rico, you’ll enjoy the day in San Juan, its historic capital city. There, you can take on excursions like visiting the city’s historic castles or kayaking through bioluminescent bays. In Puerto Plata, you’ll be spoiled by nature, which you can explore via snorkeling, hiking, and waterfall adventures.
14 Nights Eastern & Western Caribbean
- Ship: MSC World America
- Departs from: Round-trip to/from Miami
- Ports of call: Miami, USA,Isla de Roatán, Honduras, Costa Maya, Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Highlights: If you were struggling to pick between the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean adventures—there’s no need. You can bundle both routes with the 14-night MSC Cruise, which is hosted on the same vessel.
7 Nights Alaska
- Ship: MSC Seaside
- Departs from: Round-trip to/from Seattle
- Ports of call: Seattle, Washington, Ketchikan, Alaska, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, USA, Juneau, Alaska, Icy Strait Point, Alaska, and Victoria, Canada
- Highlights: You can explore the charming, historic town of Ketchikan, along with the gorgeous gardens and laidback pace in Victoria Island, Canada. Between these visits, you get to explore some of Alaska’s most rugged locations, including Icy Straight Point and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
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