Don’t be blindsided by extra fees and expenses on your cruise. Read our guide and learn how much does a cruise cost, including drinks, packages, and activities.
A cruise holiday could be just the ticket when you’re looking to get away without all the fuss of buying airline tickets, hotels, transfers, and activities. In fact, cruising is so popular that over 13.7 million of us took a cruise from a US port in 2019. It’s often a one-stop shop for many travelers where you can book, sit back, and wait for your embarkation day.
A cruise vacation can be of great value as so much is often included in the cruise fare. You’ve got your accommodation, transport to each port, and meals sorted. To work out the real costs, however, you’ll need to dig a little deeper to figure out what else you’re getting for your money and what needs to be paid for on top of the base fare.
So, how much does a cruise cost exactly? Read on for our full guide on cruise expenses down to the drinks packages, shore excursions, and even gratuities as they can all add up during your cruise ship vacation.
How Much Does a Cruise Cost?
The average cruise cost is estimated to be $214.25 per person per day. That covers $152.12 for the base ticket price and $62.13 for onboard spending. Saying that, you can score a last-minute cruise on a budget cruise line like Carnival Cruise Line from approximately $50 per person per day or opt for an all-inclusive luxury experience for well over $1,000 per person per day with lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Cruise prices can vary widely but before getting into the nitty-gritty of what you can expect to pay, here’s a general guide to get you started.