Cruise prices range from roughly $500 to $5,000 per person for a week, depending on the ship size, destination, season, and how far in advance you book

A budget cruise line like Carnival or Disney's shorter sailings can run $60 to $150 per person per day. Mid-range lines such as Royal Caribbean or Norwegian cost $100 to $250 per day. Luxury lines like Cunard or Regent Seven Seas run $300 to $800 per day or higher. These are base fares only — they do not include drinks, specialty dining, excursions, gratuities, or onboard purchases.

The price you see advertised is almost never the price you pay. A $500 per-person quote for a seven-day cruise becomes $700 or $800 once you add taxes, port fees, and the mandatory service charge (usually $15 to $16 per person per day). Drinks cost extra on most lines unless you buy a beverage package. Cabin upgrades, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, and travel insurance all add to the final bill.

Key Takeaways

  • Budget lines cost $60 to $150 per person per day; mid-range lines cost $100 to $250; luxury lines cost $300 to $800 or more.
  • The advertised price does not include taxes, port fees, gratuities, drinks, or specialty dining — these typically add 30 to 50 percent to your base fare.
  • Booking three to six months ahead usually offers better prices than last-minute or peak-season bookings.
  • Shorter cruises (three to five days) cost less overall but have higher per-day costs than seven-day sailings on the same ship.
  • Cabin location, itinerary, and travel dates matter more to your final cost than the cruise line itself.

What the advertised price includes and what it does not

The base fare covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room, most onboard entertainment, and access to the ship's facilities. It does not cover alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water, spa services, fitness classes, photos, or internet. Most lines charge $15 to $20 per person per day for a basic beverage package, or you can buy drinks individually at $8 to $15 each.

Gratuities (tips) are mandatory on all major cruise lines and are added automatically to your onboard account. This runs $15 to $16 per person per day on budget and mid-range lines, and $18 to $20 on luxury lines. You can adjust the amount before you leave the ship, but the line expects you to pay something. Specialty dining — steakhouses, Italian restaurants, or tasting menus — costs $15 to $75 per person per meal on top of your included dining.

Taxes and port fees are the biggest hidden cost. These vary by itinerary and departure port but typically add $100 to $300 per person to a seven-day cruise. A $500 per-person base fare becomes $650 to $800 once you add taxes, fees, and gratuities. If you add a beverage package and one specialty dinner, you are at $900 to $1,000 per person.

How season and booking timing affect the price

Cruise prices follow a predictable pattern. Peak season — summer school breaks, winter holidays, and spring break — costs 40 to 60 percent more than shoulder season. A seven-day Caribbean cruise that costs $600 per person in September might cost $1,000 in December or July. Itineraries matter: Alaska and Mediterranean cruises cost more than Caribbean sailings on the same ship because fuel and port costs are higher.

Booking three to six months ahead usually offers the best balance of price and cabin selection. Prices drop as the sailing date approaches if the ship is not full, but you risk losing your preferred cabin type or sailing date. Last-minute deals (two to four weeks out) exist but are unpredictable and often explore only to inside cabins or less popular sailing dates.

Cabin type and location: why the same ship has different prices

Inside cabins (no window) are the cheapest option and can be 30 to 50 percent less than oceanview cabins on the same sailing. Oceanview cabins (with a window) cost more but still less than balcony cabins. Balcony cabins are the most popular and often the best value for the extra cost. Suites cost significantly more but include perks like priority boarding, free specialty dining, and complimentary beverages.

Cabin location on the ship also changes the price. Cabins midship (middle of the ship) cost more because they have less motion. Cabins on higher decks cost more than lower decks. Forward and aft cabins (front and back) are cheaper. A balcony cabin on Deck 5 might cost $1,200 while the same cabin type on Deck 10 costs $1,500 for the same sailing.

Comparing budget, mid-range, and luxury cruise lines

Budget lines like Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line offer the lowest per-day cost but charge for more onboard extras. Carnival's base fares start around $60 to $100 per person per day, but you pay for drinks, specialty dining, and some entertainment venues. Disney charges more upfront ($150 to $200 per day) but includes more onboard activities and entertainment in the base price.

Mid-range lines like Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises cost $100 to $250 per day and offer a middle ground. They include more dining options and entertainment than budget lines but still charge for specialty restaurants and drinks. Royal Caribbean's newer ships have more activities and amenities, which pushes prices toward the higher end of the range.

Luxury lines like Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, and Seabourn cost $300 to $800 per person per day or more. These prices include most drinks, specialty dining, and shore excursions. The ships are smaller, carry fewer passengers, and visit less-crowded ports. If you book a luxury cruise, the advertised price is much closer to your actual cost because fewer extras are hidden.

Shore excursions and onboard spending add significantly to your bill

Shore excursions booked through the cruise line cost $50 to $300 per person per port, depending on the activity. A snorkeling trip in the Caribbean might cost $80 to $120. A guided tour in a European port might cost $100 to $200. If you visit four ports and book one excursion per port, you are spending $400 to $800 on top of your cruise fare.

Onboard spending includes photos (usually $20 to $30 per photo or $100 to $150 for a package), spa services ($100 to $300 per treatment), and miscellaneous purchases. Many people spend $200 to $500 onboard without realizing it until they see the final bill. Budget an extra $20 to $50 per person per day for onboard extras if you want a realistic total cost.

Real-world examples of what a cruise actually costs

A seven-day Caribbean cruise on Carnival for two people: base fare $700 per person ($1,400 total), taxes and fees $200 per person ($400 total), gratuities $105 per person ($210 total), beverage package $112 per person ($224 total), one specialty dinner $50 per person ($100 total). Total: approximately $2,334 before excursions or onboard spending.

A seven-day Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean for two people: base fare $1,000 per person ($2,000 total), taxes and fees $250 per person ($500 total), gratuities $112 per person ($224 total), beverage package $150 per person ($300 total), two specialty dinners $100 per person ($200 total). Total: approximately $3,224 before excursions or onboard spending.

A seven-day Mediterranean cruise on a luxury line for two people: base fare $2,000 per person ($4,000 total), taxes and fees $300 per person ($600 total), gratuities $140 per person ($280 total). Drinks and specialty dining are included. Total: approximately $4,880 before onboard extras or additional excursions booked independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cruise prices include food and drinks?

Main dining room meals and most onboard restaurants are included in the base fare. Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water, and specialty restaurants cost extra. Most lines offer beverage packages for $15 to $20 per person per day that cover most drinks.

Is it cheaper to book early or wait for last-minute deals?

Booking three to six months ahead usually offers the best prices and cabin selection. Last-minute deals exist but are unpredictable and often limited to inside cabins or unpopular sailing dates. If you have flexibility on dates and cabin type, waiting can save money, but booking early is safer.

What is the cheapest time to cruise?

September through November and January through March (outside school holidays) are the cheapest times. Avoid summer, winter holidays, and spring break if you want lower prices. Itinerary matters too — Caribbean cruises are cheaper than Alaska or Mediterranean sailings on the same ship.

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

Taxes, port fees, and gratuities are the biggest hidden costs and typically add 30 to 50 percent to your base fare. Specialty dining, drinks, excursions, photos, and spa services are optional but add up quickly. Budget an extra $20 to $50 per person per day for onboard spending beyond the advertised price.

Does booking a suite cost that much more?

Suites cost significantly more than standard cabins but include perks like free specialty dining, complimentary beverages, priority boarding, and exclusive lounge access. For a couple planning to use these benefits, a suite can be better value than paying for extras separately, though the upfront cost is higher.