Last-minute cruise deals starting under $60, $40 and even $25 dollars per day

I had always thought that if you could get Cheap Cruises, Cheap Europe Cruises and Cheap Caribbean Cruises for under $100 per day, it was a decent price and dare I say, had come to be the standard way of measuring cruise rates (unless you were taking a luxe line). The way to look at it is, you’re not just getting the bed to sleep in, but also food and entertainment. Whether you’ve always loved or hated cruising in the past — now is the time to appreciate how low cruise prices are.

If you can pack your bags at the last-minute you’ll find cruises as low as $25-$60 per day, pre-tax.

CruiseOne/Cruises Inc is reporting 40 cruises under $40 per day. I thought I’d test this amazing deal for myself as well as have a look around at the market and see if anyone else was giving away their cruise trips at this low rate. Here’s what I found (but prices could change by the time you get there):

Cruises by Length:

> 19-Nt Voyage to South America - San Francisco to Santiago, on Norwegian Sun departing Nov. 4, 2008. Cost: $21/per day for an inside cabin, per person based on double occupancy, pre-tax. The total cost for two people was $1,165 after taxes, or $30.65/day. [CruiseOne]

> 7-Night Eastern Caribbean, Miami R/T, on Norwegian Dawn departing Nov. 15, 2008. Cost: $21 per day for an inside cabin, per person based on double occupancy, pre-tax. The total cost for two people was $922 after taxes, or $66/day. (Taxes and fees were $162 per person). [CruiseOne]

> 4-Night Bahamas, Miami R/T, on Norwegian Sky departing Nov. 10, 2008. Cost: $25 per day for an inside cabin, per person based on double occupancy, pre-tax. The total cost for two people was $425 after taxes, or $53/day. [Southwest]

STARTING UNDER $40/DAY

> 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise, Miami R/T, on Norwegian Pearl departing Nov. 16, 2008. Cost: $33 per day for an inside cabin, per person based on double occupancy, pre-tax. The total cost for two people was $828 after taxes, or $59/day. [Southwest]

STARTING UNDER $50/DAY

> 32-day South American Cruise, San Francisco to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Princess’ Star Princess departing Nov. 20, 2008. Cost: $43 per day for an inside cabin, per person based on double occupancy, pre-tax. [Vacations To Go 90-day Ticker]
STARTING UNDER $60/DAY

> 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise – Los Angeles R/T, on Vision of Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas departing Dec. 1, 2008. Cost: Starting at $54 per person, double occupancy, pre-tax. [Cruise Critic]

> 8-Day Mexican Riviera, San Diego R/T, on Carnival departing Nov. 12, 2008. Cost: $50 per day for an inside cabin, per person based on double occupancy, pre-tax. The total cost for two people was $1,091 after taxes, or $68 per day. [Carnival]

Caveat: Note that not all of the deals above have the final price. In some cases I would’ve had to call in to get the final price.

Tip: Los Angeles Times Travel editor Catharine Hamm recommends booking a cruise through an agent. Read: A travel agent can help you find the best cruise and the best deal