Cruise fares range from roughly $75 to $300 per person per day, depending on the ship size, destination, season, and how far ahead you book
A seven-day cruise for two people on a mainstream ship (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian) typically costs between $1,400 and $4,200 total for the cabin, though you will pay more for premium lines like Disney or Celebrity. The per-person daily rate is what matters most: a $1,200 cabin for seven nights works out to about $86 per person per day if two people share it. Luxury lines like Regent or Seabourn run $400 to $800 per person per day. Budget lines like Carnival's newer ships can go as low as $60 per person per day on sale fares.
The base fare covers only the cabin and onboard meals. Gratuities, drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and casino use are separate charges that most people add on. A realistic total budget for a week-long cruise for two people is $2,500 to $5,000 when you include those extras, but the starting price you see advertised is always the cabin alone.
Key Takeaways
- Mainstream cruise fares run $75 to $150 per person per day; luxury lines cost $400 to $800 per person per day.
- The advertised price is cabin-only and does not include gratuities (typically $15 per person per day), drinks, or shore excursions.
- Booking three to six months ahead usually offers better fares than last-minute or peak-season dates.
- Onboard costs for drinks, specialty restaurants, and activities can add $500 to $1,500 per person to your total trip cost.
What the base cabin price actually covers
The fare you see advertised pays for your cabin and access to the main dining room for dinner, breakfast, and lunch. It includes most onboard entertainment—theater shows, deck activities, fitness classes, and live music. Tap water, coffee, and tea are free. Most ships also include one or two casual buffet or quick-service restaurants.
What it does not cover: alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee drinks, bottled water, dining in specialty restaurants (steakhouse, Italian, sushi), spa services, casino use, photos taken by the ship's photographer, internet, and most shore excursions. Gratuities are not included in the base fare, though some lines now bundle them into the advertised price—read the fine print.
How season and booking timing affect price
The same seven-day Caribbean cruise can cost $800 per cabin in September (hurricane season, fewer travelers) or $2,400 per cabin in December (holiday break, peak demand). Summer sailings from U.S. ports cost more than winter sailings to the same destination. European cruises in shoulder seasons (April, May, September, October) are cheaper than July and August.
Booking three to six months ahead usually gives you the best balance of price and cabin selection. Last-minute deals (two to four weeks before departure) exist but are unpredictable—some sailings drop in price, others sell out. Booking more than a year ahead can lock in lower fares, but you pay the full price when ready and cannot change dates without penalty.
Cabin type and ship size drive the biggest price differences
An interior cabin (no window) on a mainstream ship costs less than an oceanview cabin, which costs less than a balcony cabin. A balcony cabin on the same ship can be 50 to 100 percent more expensive than an interior cabin. Suites cost significantly more and may include perks like priority dining, free drinks, or onboard credit.
Larger ships (3,000+ passengers) have lower per-person costs because fixed expenses spread across more people. Smaller ships (under 1,000 passengers) cost more per day but visit smaller ports and offer a different experience. A seven-day sailing on a 6,000-passenger Royal Caribbean ship might be $1,200 per cabin, while the same itinerary on a 700-passenger luxury ship could be $4,200 per cabin.
Gratuities, drinks, and onboard spending
Gratuities (tips for cabin stewards, dining staff, and bartenders) are not included in the base fare on most lines. Cruise lines suggest $15 per person per day, which adds up to $105 per person for a seven-day cruise. Some lines now auto-add gratuities to your onboard account; others let you decline and tip in cash or card at the end.
Drinks cost $7 to $15 each for beer, wine, or cocktails. A beverage package (unlimited drinks for the week) runs $60 to $90 per person, which makes sense if you drink more than four or five drinks per day. Specialty dining restaurants charge $15 to $40 per person per meal on top of your included dining. Internet packages range from $8 per day for basic browsing to $20 per day for streaming-speed access.
Shore excursions vary wildly: a guided beach day might cost $60 per person, while a helicopter tour or private car rental can run $300 to $500. Many people budget $100 to $200 per port for excursions, though you can also explore ports on your own for the cost of a taxi or bus fare.
Comparing mainstream, premium, and luxury lines
Mainstream lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian) offer the lowest per-day rates, typically $75 to $150 per person per day. Cabins are smaller, ships are larger, and onboard amenities are basic but functional. These lines appeal to families and first-time cruisers.
Premium lines (Disney, Celebrity, Holland America) charge $150 to $250 per person per day. Cabins are larger, dining is more refined, and entertainment is higher-quality. Disney cruises skew toward families with children; Celebrity and Holland America appeal to older travelers and couples.
Luxury lines (Regent, Seabourn, Silversea) cost $400 to $800 per person per day. Gratuities, drinks, and most excursions are included in the fare. Cabins are suites with verandas, dining is à la carte, and the ship-to-guest ratio is much lower. These lines target affluent travelers and those who have cruised many times.
Hidden costs and what to budget for
Beyond the cabin, drinks, and excursions, plan for parking at the port (if driving), pre-cruise hotel stays if your flight arrives early, tips for porters and room service, laundry service, photos, and any medical care onboard. Some people also budget for casino losses or shopping in ports.
Travel insurance is not required but is worth considering, especially if you book far ahead or have a non-refundable airfare. Cruise line insurance typically costs $15 to $30 per person for a week-long cruise and covers cancellation, medical emergencies, and trip delays.
How to find the lowest fares
Cruise lines publish prices on their own websites, but travel agents and third-party sites like CruCon, Cruises.com, and Vacations to Go often show the same fares and may offer additional onboard credit. Signing up for a cruise line's email list alerts you to flash sales and wave season (January through March, when lines offer discounts on future sailings).
Repositioning cruises (when a ship moves from one region to another, usually in spring or fall) often have lower fares because they are longer and less popular. Transatlantic and transpacific crossings are cheaper per day than Caribbean loops because they are longer. Booking a may provide cabin (you get a cabin type but not a specific location) can save 10 to 20 percent compared to a named cabin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cheapest time of year to cruise?
September and early October are cheapest because of hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean. January through early March (after holidays) and late April through May also offer lower fares. Peak prices are December, July, and August. Avoid school holidays and holiday weeks if you want lower fares.
Do kids pay the same price as adults?
Children typically pay the same cabin fare as adults if they share a cabin, but some lines offer discounts on the second or third child in a cabin. Gratuities are usually calculated per person regardless of age, so a family of four pays four times the daily gratuity rate.
What happens if the price drops after I book?
Most cruise lines allow you to rebook at a lower price if fares drop, though you may have to call or visit an agent to do so. Some lines automatically refund the difference; others require you to request it. Check your line's policy before booking.
Are there cruises under $500 for a week?
Yes, but rarely. A seven-day cruise for one person on a mainstream line during wave season or repositioning can fall below $500 per cabin, but this is the exception. Budget $700 to $1,200 per person for a realistic week-long cruise on a mainstream line, plus another $500 to $1,000 per person for gratuities, drinks, and excursions.
Do I have to pay for everything onboard upfront?
No. You set up an onboard account (linked to a credit card or cash deposit) and charges are added throughout the cruise. You settle the account on the last day before disembarking. Some people pre-pay drinks packages or onboard credit to avoid surprises at the end.