Cruise prices per person range from roughly $75 to $500+ per night, depending on the ship size, destination, season, and how far in advance you book
The per-person cost you see advertised is almost never the final price you pay. That base fare covers your cabin and onboard meals, but not gratuities, drinks outside your package, excursions at ports, or taxes and fees — which typically add 20 to 40 percent to the advertised rate. A cruise advertised at $400 per person per night often costs closer to $550 to $600 per person once everything is included.
The biggest variable is when you book. Booking 6 to 12 months ahead usually costs less than booking within 3 months of departure. Last-minute deals exist, but they are unpredictable and often appear only on less popular sailing dates or older ships. Booking during wave season — January through March — often brings the lowest fares of the year, though this varies by cruise line.
Key Takeaways
- Base fares range from $75 to $500+ per person per night, but taxes, fees, and gratuities typically add another 20 to 40 percent to that price.
- The same cruise can cost 30 to 50 percent less if you book 6 to 12 months ahead instead of 4 to 8 weeks before departure.
- Smaller ships and repositioning cruises (longer voyages between regions) often have lower per-night costs than large Caribbean cruises during peak season.
- Drinks, excursions, and specialty dining are not included in the base fare and can easily add $200 to $400 per person for a week-long cruise.
How destination and season affect the price
Caribbean cruises from Florida ports are the most common and usually the cheapest, starting around $75 to $150 per person per night on older or smaller ships during off-season months like September and October. The same itinerary in December or during spring break can jump to $250 to $400 per person per night.
Alaska cruises typically cost $150 to $350 per person per night because the season is shorter (May through September) and demand is concentrated. Mediterranean and European cruises run $200 to $500+ per person per night because they require longer voyages and appeal to a different market. Repositioning cruises — when a ship moves from one region to another, usually lasting 10 to 16 days — often have the lowest per-night rates because cruise lines are moving the ship rather than selling a destination, sometimes as low as $50 to $100 per person per night.
What is and is not included in the base price
The advertised per-person fare includes your cabin, all meals in the main dining room and buffet, basic onboard entertainment, and access to most pools and fitness facilities. It does not include alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, room service, spa services, or most excursions at ports.
Gratuities — the automatic tip added to your bill — run about $15 to $16 per person per day on most cruise lines, totaling $105 to $112 for a week. Some cruise lines now include gratuities in the base fare, but most do not. Taxes and port fees are always added at checkout and typically range from $100 to $300 per person depending on the itinerary and departure port.
How ship size and cruise line affect pricing
Smaller ships (under 2,000 passengers) almost always cost more per person than mega-ships (4,000+ passengers) on the same route, sometimes 30 to 50 percent more. Mega-ships have lower per-person operating costs because they spread expenses across more passengers, so they can offer lower base fares. The trade-off is more crowded common areas and longer waits at buffets and elevators.
Luxury cruise lines like Regent, Seabourn, and Silversea charge $400 to $1,000+ per person per night and typically include drinks, gratuities, and some excursions. Budget-focused lines like Carnival often have the lowest advertised fares but charge more for add-ons. Mid-range lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney fall between these extremes in both price and what is included.
Comparing the real cost: base fare versus total per-person cost
| Scenario | Base Fare Per Night | Taxes & Fees | Gratuities (per night) | Estimated Total Per Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean, 7 nights, off-season | $100 | $20–30 | $15 | $135–145 |
| Caribbean, 7 nights, peak season | $300 | $30–40 | $15 | $345–355 |
| Alaska, 7 nights | $200 | $25–35 | $15 | $240–250 |
| Repositioning, 14 nights | $80 | $40–60 | $15 | $135–155 |
These totals still do not include drinks (unless you buy a beverage package at $50 to $80 per person per day), excursions ($100 to $400 per port), or specialty dining ($30 to $75 per meal). A family of four on a week-long Caribbean cruise advertised at $400 per person might pay $1,600 in base fares but $2,400 to $2,800 total once taxes, gratuities, and a few excursions are added.
When to book for the lowest per-person price
Wave season — January through March — typically offers the lowest fares because cruise lines are filling ships for the following year. Booking during this window can save 20 to 40 percent compared to booking in June or July. The second-best time is 6 to 12 months before your desired sailing date, when cruise lines release inventory at lower prices to fill cabins early.
Booking within 4 to 8 weeks of departure usually costs more because the ship is nearly full and cruise lines have less incentive to discount. Last-minute deals (2 to 4 weeks before departure) do happen, but they are rare and unpredictable — do not count on them. If you see a price you like, book it; waiting for a better deal often backfires.
Hidden costs that add up quickly
Beverage packages range from $50 to $80 per person per day and cover most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Without a package, a single cocktail costs $10 to $15 and a beer costs $6 to $8. Over a week, casual drinkers can easily spend $200 to $400 per person on beverages alone.
Excursions at ports average $100 to $200 per person per port. A 7-night cruise with 4 port days could mean $400 to $800 per person in excursion costs if you do one activity at each stop. Specialty dining restaurants on the ship charge $15 to $75 per person per meal on top of the included dining. Internet packages run $20 to $40 per day. Spa services, casino losses, and gift shop purchases add more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the per-person price include food and drinks?
The base fare includes meals in the main dining room and buffet, plus water and basic coffee. It does not include alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, room service meals, or specialty restaurants. Most cruise lines offer a beverage package for an additional $50 to $80 per person per day if you want drinks included.
What are the cheapest cruises per person?
Repositioning cruises (10 to 16 days) often have the lowest per-night rates, sometimes $50 to $100 per person per night on the base fare. Caribbean cruises during September and October, booked 6 to 12 months ahead, also run low. Smaller regional cruise lines and older ships typically cost less than mega-ships on the same route.
Do children pay the same per-person price as adults?
Children usually pay the same base fare as adults on the same cabin booking, though some cruise lines offer discounts for third and fourth passengers in a cabin. Gratuities and taxes are typically charged per person regardless of age, so a child's total cost is similar to an adult's.
How much should I budget for a week-long cruise per person?
Budget the base fare plus 20 to 40 percent for taxes and fees, plus $105 to $112 for gratuities, plus $100 to $300 for excursions, plus $200 to $400 if you want a beverage package. A week-long Caribbean cruise advertised at $400 per person typically costs $700 to $900 per person total when everything is included.
Can I find cruises cheaper than the advertised price?
Advertised prices are usually the starting point, not a discount. Booking during wave season (January through March) or 6 to 12 months ahead often brings prices down 20 to 40 percent. Travel agents sometimes have access to group rates or onboard credits that lower the effective cost, though the base fare itself rarely goes below what is publicly listed.