Cruise prices start around $50 to $100 per person per day for basic cabins on older ships, and climb to $300 or more per day on newer vessels or premium lines

The advertised price you see online covers your cabin, meals in the main dining room, basic entertainment, and port stops — but not much else. A seven-day cruise marketed at $700 per person means $100 a day for the cabin and food, but you will pay extra for drinks, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, gratuities, and onboard activities. The final bill often runs 30 to 50 percent higher than the base fare.

What you pay depends on four things: the cruise line, the ship's age and size, how far in advance you book, and the season. A Carnival cruise in the Caribbean in September costs far less than a Royal Caribbean sailing in December. A Disney cruise costs roughly double what Carnival charges for the same number of days. A river cruise in Europe runs $200 to $400 per person per day before extras.

Key Takeaways

  • The base fare covers your cabin and meals in the main dining room, but drinks, specialty restaurants, and most activities cost extra.
  • Gratuities (tips) add roughly $15 to $16 per person per day and are automatically charged to your account unless you adjust them.
  • Shore excursions booked through the cruise line run $50 to $300 per person depending on the port and activity.
  • Booking three to six months ahead typically saves 20 to 40 percent compared to last-minute fares, though prices vary by season.
  • Specialty dining, beverage packages, and onboard purchases can easily add $500 to $1,500 to a week-long cruise.

What the base fare actually includes

Your cabin, all meals in the main dining room, and access to the buffet are included in the advertised price. So are the theater shows, deck chairs, the gym, and most of the swimming pools. You get a certain number of port stops and time in each port. Soft drinks and tap water are free; coffee and juice at the buffet are free.

What is not included: alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee drinks (espresso, lattes), drinks at the pool bar, meals at specialty restaurants, room service, spa services, casino use, most fitness classes, photos taken by the ship's photographer, internet, and anything you buy in the gift shop. Many ships now charge for premium seating at shows and for some deck chairs.

Gratuities and automatic charges

Cruise lines automatically add gratuities (tips) to your onboard account at roughly $15 to $16 per person per day. On a seven-day cruise for two people, that is $210 to $224 added to your bill before you leave the ship. You can adjust this amount at the guest services desk, but most people do not know they can, so the charge sticks.

These tips go to the cabin steward, dining room staff, and bartenders. If you use room service frequently or eat at specialty restaurants, you may want to tip more. If you are unhappy with service, you can reduce the amount. The line will not refuse to let you leave if you lower it, though crew members will know.

Drinks and specialty dining

A beer at the pool bar costs $6 to $8. A cocktail costs $8 to $12. Wine by the glass runs $7 to $15. If you drink two or three drinks a day for a week, you are looking at $100 to $250 in drink charges alone. Most cruise lines sell beverage packages for $60 to $80 per person per day that cover all non-premium drinks, which makes sense only if you plan to drink regularly.

Specialty restaurants on the ship charge $15 to $40 per person per meal on top of your base fare. A steakhouse dinner for two might cost $80 to $100 extra. A sushi restaurant or Italian trattoria typically runs $20 to $30 per person. If you eat in the main dining room every night, you pay nothing extra; if you eat in specialty restaurants three or four nights, add $300 to $500 to your bill.

Shore excursions and port costs

The cruise line's website lists excursions at each port — snorkeling, zip-lining, beach time, city tours, and so on. These run $50 to $300 per person depending on the activity and port. A guided city tour in a Caribbean port might cost $80 to $120. A snorkeling trip costs $100 to $150. A full-day excursion to a national park can run $200 to $300.

You do not have to book through the cruise line. You can arrange your own activities in port, which sometimes costs less, but you take the risk that you will not make it back to the ship on time. The cruise line will not wait. If you plan to do one or two excursions per port, budget $100 to $200 per port. On a seven-day cruise with four ports, that is $400 to $800.

Ports themselves have costs too. If you go ashore, you may spend money on meals, drinks, shopping, or taxis. Budget $50 to $150 per port for incidentals unless you plan to stay on the ship.

Internet, photos, and other onboard extras

Internet packages range from $8 per day for basic browsing to $20 per day for streaming. A week of internet costs $56 to $140. The ship's photographer takes pictures throughout the day and sells prints and digital copies for $20 to $40 per image. Most people do not buy these, but if you want professional photos from your trip, budget $100 to $300.

Spa services — massages, facials, body treatments — cost $100 to $300 per service. The casino charges real money. Fitness classes beyond the basic gym access sometimes cost extra. Kids' clubs are usually free, but babysitting for infants costs $10 to $15 per hour. These are all optional, but they add up quickly if you use them.

How booking timing affects price

Cruise fares drop as the sailing date approaches if the ship is not full, but they also rise sharply if the ship is nearly sold out. The sweet spot for booking is typically three to six months ahead. You get a better price than last-minute bookings, but you avoid the premium you pay if you book a year in advance for a popular sailing.

Prices are lowest during the shoulder seasons — September through November and April through May in the Caribbean. Winter holidays (December through early January) and summer school breaks (June through August) are the most expensive times. A cruise that costs $700 per person in September might cost $1,200 in December.

If you book very far ahead — nine months or more — you lock in a price, but you cannot change your dates without penalty. If you book two weeks before departure, you might find a steep discount, but you also might find nothing available.

Comparing costs across cruise lines

Carnival and Disney are at opposite ends of the price spectrum. Carnival's base fares are the lowest — often $50 to $100 per person per day — but the ships are older and smaller. Disney charges $200 to $300 per person per day for newer ships, better food, and more polished entertainment. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian fall in the middle, around $100 to $200 per person per day.

River cruises in Europe, Asia, or the United States cost $200 to $400 per person per day and include more meals and excursions in the base fare, so the total cost is often closer to the advertised price. Luxury lines like Regent or Seabourn charge $400 to $800 per person per day and include drinks, excursions, and gratuities, so there are fewer surprises.

The cheapest cruise is not always the best value. An older Carnival ship with constant upselling might cost less per day but frustrate you more. A Disney cruise costs more upfront but includes more and charges less for extras. Compare the base fare, what is included, and what you are likely to spend on extras before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for meals on a cruise?

Meals in the main dining room and buffet are included in your base fare. Specialty restaurants, room service, and drinks cost extra. You cannot skip meals to save money — the cost is already built into your ticket.

What happens if I run out of money onboard?

The cruise line charges everything to your onboard account, which you settle when you leave the ship. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash. If you do not have a way to pay, the cruise line will not let you disembark until you arrange payment.

Are there any hidden fees I should know about?

Gratuities are automatically added and surprise many people. Specialty dining, drinks, internet, and photos are clearly marked as extra, but straightforward to forget about while you are relaxing. Port taxes and fees are sometimes added to the advertised price at checkout. Read the fine print before you book.

Can I bring my own drinks or food onboard?

Most cruise lines allow you to bring bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks in your carry-on luggage. They do not allow outside alcohol or fresh food. Some lines allow sealed wine or beer in your cabin but charge a fee to open it. Check your cruise line's policy before you pack.

Is travel insurance worth the cost?

Cruise insurance typically costs 5 to 10 percent of your fare and covers cancellations, medical emergencies, and missed ports. If you book far ahead or have health concerns, it may be worth it. If you book close to departure or are flexible about dates, it is usually not necessary.