Cruise prices range from about $75 to $300 per person per day, depending on the ship size, destination, and how far ahead you book
A seven-day cruise for two people can cost anywhere from $1,050 to $4,200 just for the cabin and onboard meals—but that is only the base fare. The final bill includes port fees, taxes, gratuities, drinks, excursions, and specialty dining, which often add 30 to 50 percent more. A budget cruise line like Carnival or Disney's shorter sailings tend toward the lower end; luxury lines like Regent or Seabourn run three to five times higher. The time of year you sail, how many people share your cabin, and how far in advance you book all shift the price significantly.
Most cruise lines publish their base fares online, but those numbers do not include mandatory additions. Port fees and taxes—sometimes called "resort fees"—are added at checkout and typically run $100 to $300 per person for a week-long cruise. Gratuities (tips for housekeeping and dining staff) are usually $15 to $16 per person per day and are often charged automatically to your account. If you want drinks beyond water, coffee, and basic tea, you either pay per drink ($6 to $15 each) or buy a beverage package ($60 to $90 per person for a week). Shore excursions booked through the cruise line cost $50 to $400 per person depending on the port and activity.
Key Takeaways
- The advertised per-day rate covers your cabin and meals in the main dining room, but port fees, taxes, and gratuities are added separately and can increase your total by $300 to $500 per person on a week-long cruise.
- Budget lines like Carnival and Norwegian start around $75 to $150 per person per day; premium lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney run $150 to $250; luxury lines cost $250 to $500 or more.
- Booking 2 to 3 months in advance often yields lower fares than last-minute deals, though prices drop again in the final 2 to 3 weeks if cabins remain unsold.
- Specialty dining, beverage packages, onboard activities, and shore excursions are not included in the base fare and can easily add $500 to $1,500 to your total trip cost.
- Traveling during school holidays, summer, and around holidays costs 20 to 40 percent more than shoulder seasons like September, April, and early May.
How the base fare breaks down
The price you see advertised is per person, per night, and covers your cabin and access to the main dining room, buffet, and basic onboard entertainment. A seven-night cruise advertised at $99 per person per night means $693 per person before anything else is added. For two people, that is $1,386 before taxes, fees, drinks, or excursions.
The base fare assumes double occupancy—two people in one cabin. If you book a cabin for one person, the per-night rate is often 1.5 to 2 times higher. If you add a third or fourth person to the same cabin, each additional person usually costs 50 to 75 percent of the base fare. Suites and specialty cabins (balcony, ocean view, inside) have their own pricing tiers; an inside cabin might be $75 per night while a balcony cabin on the same ship is $150 per night.
What gets added at checkout
After you select your cabin, the cruise line adds port fees, taxes, and government fees. These are not optional and vary by itinerary. A Caribbean cruise from Florida might add $150 per person; an Alaska cruise adds $200 to $300 per person because the ports charge higher fees. These fees appear as a separate line item and are often the first surprise for new cruisers.
Gratuities are charged automatically unless you opt out before boarding. Most lines charge $15 per person per day for standard cabins and $16 to $18 for suites. On a seven-night cruise, that is $105 to $126 per person. You can adjust the amount onboard if you wish, but the default is applied to your account.
Drinks, dining, and onboard spending
Soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea are included. Alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and bottled water are not. A beer or cocktail costs $6 to $12; a glass of wine runs $8 to $15. A beverage package that covers most drinks for the week costs $60 to $90 per person, depending on the line and what is included. Some packages exclude premium spirits and wines.
Main dining room meals are included, but specialty restaurants charge $15 to $45 per person per meal. A steakhouse dinner might be $30; a sushi restaurant $25. If you eat in specialty venues twice during a seven-night cruise, add $100 to $200 to your bill. Casual venues like pizza, burgers, and the buffet remain free.
Shore excursions and port costs
The cruise fare does not include activities at ports. A guided shore excursion booked through the cruise line typically costs $50 to $150 for a half-day activity and $150 to $400 for a full day. Snorkeling, zip-lining, beach clubs, and historical tours fall into this range. You can book excursions independently through local operators, which sometimes costs less, but you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time.
Some ports charge a fee just to go ashore (usually $5 to $15 per person), though most do not. Meals, shopping, and activities in port are separate from the cruise fare and depend entirely on what you choose to do.
Seasonal pricing and how to find lower fares
Cruise prices fluctuate by season. Summer (June through August), winter holidays (December through early January), and spring break weeks are peak season and cost 20 to 40 percent more than shoulder seasons. September, April, and early May are cheaper because fewer families are traveling. Last-minute deals (14 to 21 days before departure) sometimes offer discounts, but availability is limited and cabin choices are fewer.
Booking 2 to 3 months in advance usually offers better pricing than waiting, because the cruise line has time to adjust prices based on demand. Early-bird rates for sailings announced 6 to 12 months out can be lower still, though you are paying far in advance. Repositioning cruises (when a ship moves from one region to another) and transatlantic crossings often have lower per-day rates because they are longer sailings.
Budget, mid-range, and luxury cruise lines compared
| Cruise Line Type | Examples | Per-Day Base Fare (per person) | Typical Weekly Total (2 people, with fees and gratuities) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Carnival, Disney (shorter sailings) | $75–$150 | $1,400–$2,200 |
| Mid-range | Royal Caribbean, Disney (7+ nights), Norwegian | $150–$250 | $2,500–$4,200 |
| Premium | Celebrity, Holland America, Princess | $200–$350 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Luxury | Regent, Seabourn, Silversea | $400–$800+ | $7,000–$15,000+ |
Budget lines pack more people onto larger ships and charge for extras like specialty dining and beverage packages, but the base fare is lowest. Mid-range lines offer more space per person and include more amenities in the base price. Premium lines have higher staff-to-guest ratios and better dining options included. Luxury lines include most drinks, specialty dining, and some excursions in the fare, so the total cost is more predictable—but the starting price is much higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cheapest time of year to cruise?
September and early May are typically the cheapest months because they fall between peak seasons. Prices are 20 to 40 percent lower than summer or December. The trade-off is that weather can be less predictable in September (hurricane season in the Atlantic), and fewer ports and activities operate in shoulder seasons.
Do kids pay the same price as adults?
Children usually pay the same per-night rate as adults in the same cabin, though some lines offer discounts for third and fourth passengers. Infants (under 2) sometimes sail free or at a reduced rate. Check the cruise line's website for the specific policy on your sailing date.
What is not included in the cruise fare?
Alcoholic drinks, specialty dining, beverage packages, shore excursions, spa services, casino use, photos, and onboard shopping are all extra. Gratuities and port fees are mandatory but separate. Soft drinks, main dining room meals, and basic entertainment are included.
Can you negotiate the price after you book?
Most cruise lines allow you to rebook at a lower price if fares drop before your sailing. Some lines have price-match guarantees within a certain window (usually 30 to 60 days before departure). Contact the cruise line directly to ask about a price adjustment if you see a lower fare posted.
Are there hidden fees I should know about?
Port fees and taxes are the biggest "hidden" cost—they are mandatory and appear at checkout. Gratuities are also automatic. Everything else (drinks, excursions, specialty dining) is optional. Read the fare breakdown carefully before booking to see exactly what is and is not included.