From daydreaming about sipping tropical cocktails by the pool to researching once-in-a-lifetime excursions, planning a cruise vacation is exciting! However, before you can get too excited, you must set a budget.
Many mistake cruises for all-inclusive vacations, so it is essential to understand what's truly included and what will cost extra. Start with the base fare, which usually includes your cabin, meals, and onboard entertainment. From there, you can account for specialty meals, shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and more.
The cost of your cruise also depends on the length, with 7-night cruises often costing more than 3- and 4-night getaways. Similarly, interior cabins are far more affordable than balcony staterooms and lavish suites.
To give you an idea of how much a cruise costs, here is a breakdown of what to consider for your 2025 or 2026 cruise!
What is the average price of a cruise?
According to Cruise Market Watch, the average cost per passenger, per day for a cruise in 2024 was $259.05, meaning that a 7-night cruise costs about $1,800 per guest. However, that doesn't mean you can't find a fare for less!
The price of a cruise depends on your choices. Everything from the cruise line to cabin and sail date can impact your total cost. In other words, cruise pricing is anything but "cookie cutter."
In addition to the cruise fare, plenty of extras can increase the cost of your vacation. Some mainstream lines, such as Norwegian and Virgin, have begun to include more add-ons in the base fare; however, unless you're sailing on an ultra-luxury line, you'll have to consider additional expenses. These include specialty meals, excursions, select onboard activities, and drink packages for those who want to indulge in alcoholic beverages.
Plus, transportation to your cruise port will cost extra, which can add up fast if you're flying from a small airport or internationally! Aside from traditional add-ons, you may want to gamble in the ship's casino or buy a few souvenirs.
While you could pay just the cruise fare and then relegate yourself to what's included to avoid spending extra money, most people don't do this. There are just too many compelling things to do, and part of vacation is splurging a little.
Read more: What Is Worth Paying Extra Money for on Cruises
Cruise line affects the price
Similar to car brands, the cruise line you choose can have a significant impact on the cruise fare you will pay for a 7-night cruise.
Mainstream cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International, will offer an average price that should fit most budgets. These lines include some budget-friendly ships and usually have very affordable fares, but they can also see prices go up if you elect to sail in a more expensive cabin or during peak season.
Do not let that discourage you, though! If you are interested in sailing with a particular line, try and be flexible with your sail dates. You never know what you will find.
Of course, mainstream lines do not include as much in their cruise fare. They prefer to let the passengers decide which extras they want to buy in addition to the cruise fare, such as alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments, and more.
Premium cruise lines, such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line, also give passengers the option to pay for a more inclusive fare, rather than the standard base fare.
Celebrity Cruises, for instance, has an "All Included" rate, which includes a Classic Drinks Package, Basic Wi-Fi, and everything that is included in the standard fare. You will pay more if you opt for this rate; however, they advertise that you will save up to $800 compared to if you were to purchase all the add-ons individually.
Likewise, Princess Cruises has its base fare and two more inclusive rates: Princess Plus and Princess Premier. With either of these fares, however, you can expect to pay more than you would for a standard base option.
Moreover, you may find more lavish cabins on the upscale lines. It is important to note that cruise lines almost always charge for a cruise cabin based on double occupancy. There are studio rooms on some ships, but if you are cruising alone, expect to pay for a second person, whether you are sailing with one or not.
The price range for a 7-night cruise in the Caribbean will run between $400 - $4,000 on most lines in a balcony cabin. Keep in mind these cruise rates are merely estimates, and prices can vary wildly depending on the cabin type, time of year, how many people are in the room, and cabin location.
Read more: I paid $60 per day to see if Princess Cruises' inclusive package was worth the cost
If you are not sure where to start with picking a cruise line, a good travel agent is a wonderful asset to work with during the cruise planning process.
Not only can a travel agent help you with picking the right cruise line, but they can save you money and even net you extra onboard credit. Plus, they can assist with other aspects of your cruise vacation, including booking shore excursions and specialty restaurants.
Read more: The best first-time cruises for anyone
Type of cabin
Whether you select an inside, ocean view, balcony cabin, or suite will be a primary factor in how much your cruise costs.
In the same way a compact car is probably going to cost less than a full-size sedan, inside rooms will likely cost less than a balcony room, and suites will drive the price up even higher.
There are four cruise ship cabin types on most vessels:
- Inside
- Ocean view
- Balcony
- Suite
The best value is often a balcony cabin since it provides extra living space and a private veranda without blowing out most people's budgets.
Of course, interior rooms are still great options, especially if they allow you to purchase other things to make the most out of your vacation, like a few shore excursions or a drink package.
Think of suites like first-class airfare: they are nice if you can afford it but certainly not necessary.
How much time are you planning to spend in the cabin, anyway? For most people, it is more logical to book a standard cabin and allot extra money towards other expenses, such as drink packages, shore excursions, etc.
A good choice for a family cruise can be to book two connecting rooms, rather than one large cabin. This might mean booking two interior rooms instead of one balcony, but your family will surely appreciate having two separate bathrooms to get ready in!
The itinerary you are considering might impact your cabin choice, too. Alaska, for instance, might warrant a balcony splurge, so you can soak up all of the views from the comfort of your stateroom.
Read more: Balcony vs interior cruise ship rooms: what's the difference?
Time of booking
As a general rule, people who cruise a lot will swear by the mantra of booking as early as they can, as the best prices can often be netted when booking a cruise many months in advance.
Cruise ship ticket prices tend to go up over time because inventory goes down as more and more people make reservations.
Be careful about waiting too long to put a deposit down. It is common for there to be price increases even a day or two later after you first priced things out!
Many cruise lines will offer sales during what is known as "Wave Season," which runs January, February, and March of each year. During this industry-wide sales event, you may be able to score more than a lower cruise rate—think free upgrades, prepaid gratuities, and onboard credit.
Read more: What is the cheapest month to book a cruise?
Time of year
When you elect to sail can also have an impact on getting the best deals out there. Lower prices are usually found during hurricane season when there is less demand for a cruise.
In addition, shoulder season is a good time to get a lower price. Shoulder season is at the very beginning or end of a cruise season when there is less demand, usually due to less-than-perfect weather or traditional school holidays.
Higher prices also follow popular times to take a vacation, such as the summer months of June, July, and August, as well as Christmas, New Year's, and Easter.
The typical costs of a peak season cruise will be higher than if you can get away during off-peak times.
When choosing your sailing date, consider the demand for that time of year and look at prices earlier and later in the season to see if you can save a lot of money. If you can sail, for instance, in October instead of the middle of July, you are certain to see a price reduction.
For example, according to Carnival's website, a 7-night cruise onboard Carnival Celebration in July 2025 starts at $1,233 per person, whereas the same itinerary in October costs just $778 per person. Similarly, the cheapest weeklong cruise on Icon of the Seas in July 2025 costs $1,999 per person for an interior cabin. However, if you chose to sail in October, you'd pay around $1,621 for the same voyage.
Read more: What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
Departure ports
It's no secret that there are numerous departure ports for cruise itineraries. When thinking about the Caribbean, for instance, you have 6 ports in Florida alone: Port of Miami, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Port of Palm Beach.
That being said, we can't forget those outside of Florida, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Mobile, Alabama; Galveston, Texas; New York, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; and Norfolk, Virginia. Cruises from departure ports home to older ships tend to be less expensive.
On average, a Caribbean cruise from Miami or Port Everglades is going to be more expensive than one from Tampa or New Orleans, namely because this is where cruise lines tend to deploy newer ships.
Additionally, many cruise lines have constructed new state-of-the-art terminals in the past few years, and itineraries departing from them will probably cost more. New terminals mean enhanced boarding procedures and increased capacity for larger and newer ships.
Plus, if you are able to find a cruise port within driving distance, you can save money on airfare and other travel-related costs.
Additional costs
Not only do you need to factor in the price of a cabin, but there are other fees and extra costs you will have to pay for before setting sail.
Port fees and government taxes are levied by the ports of call your ship visit, and the exact amount will depend on the country. Expect port fees to average between $100 and $300 per person. Nowadays, these are included in the cost of your cruise, so you don't have to worry about seeing your cruise fare skyrocket as you make your way through the booking process.
Gratuities are also compulsory on most lines. Some, like Virgin Voyages, include gratuity in their cruise prices. MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and many others do not.
Cruise ship gratuities run usually between $14 and $25 per person, per day. The exact amount will depend on which cruise line you are sailing with, as well as your cabin categories. Suites are subject to higher rates.
The total cost of a cruise can also include popular add-ons such as:
- Alcoholic drinks or drink packages
- Select non-alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments
- Specialty restaurants
- Shore excursions
- Airfare
- Hotels before or after your cruise
- Gift shops onboard
- Select onboard activities
- Behind-the-scenes tours
While you do not have to purchase every add-on to have a great trip, they certainly will not hinder your vacation.
Read more: 16 hidden cruise ship extra charges you should know about
Ports of call
You will need to budget for how much you want to spend in each port. For the most part, it is unrealistic to think that you will not spend anything, especially if you want to go on a shore excursion to make the most of your time there.
Staying on the ship is always an option; however, there is usually less going on than on sea days. Plus, part of the appeal of cruising is getting to explore new places without having to constantly re-pack!
Are you going to take a taxi to the beach? Grab a bite to eat? Purchase a souvenir? It is best to research each port of call to understand what there is to do there and how much the average excursion costs.
Read more: 10 tips for getting the best cruise shore excursion values
Sample itineraries
To give you an idea of how much you could spend on the base fare of a 7-night cruise, we found some sample bookings to consider:
A 7-night cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas currently starts at $1,999 per person for July 2025. In September 2025, the lowest price drops to $1,613 per person. If you were to sail on an older ship, such as Oasis of the Seas, the price of a weeklong cruise in September 2025 is as low as $861 per person.
Thus, the age of the ship and onboard amenities are other factors to consider when selecting the perfect 7-night cruise for your budget.
A 7-night cruise onboard Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Magic in July 2025 is priced at $868 per person. In September, the cost of a weeklong cruise decreases to $608 per person.
Finally, a 7-night cruise on Norwegian Escape in July 2025 currently begins at $1,166 per person, while a weeklong voyage starts at $992 in October 2024. Note, however, that because of Norwegian's "More at Sea" offers, you can often get more included in your base rate. If you opt for a drink package or specialty dining, you will only be responsible for the gratuities.
Of course, these rates are for interior staterooms and do not include any port fees, gratuities, or other travel expenses. They are simply base fares meant to give you an idea of what you might see when you begin your search.
Tips for saving money on a cruise
My best advice is to work with a good travel agent to help guide you through all the options available. There are so many factors to consider that a good travel agent can help make it all simpler, while side-stepping pitfalls along the way.
Additionally, you can cut out certain add-ons. Sure, a drink package might be nice, but spending $50+ per person, per day adds up quickly! You also do not have to dine in specialty restaurants, as there are plenty of complimentary options that will keep your stomach full. Finally, you can plan your own shore excursion, rather than booking directly with the cruise line.
If the minimum price you can afford for a 7-day cruise just is not practical, you could always go with a shorter cruise to help bring down the total vacation price.
Note that while the overall cost may be cheaper, the price per day is often more expensive on shorter cruises. Plus, this might allow you to focus on doing more unique things in port or get the drink package that you really want! A longer cruise is not necessarily worth it if you are going to feel restricted.
Read more: 16 tips to not waste money on your first cruise
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a cruise trip?
Many factors greatly affect the cost of a cruise, but you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 on an average voyage. Keep in mind how subjective the cost of a cruise vacation can be, similar to how a trip to a major city can vary depending on the choices you make.
Cruisers spend an average of $750 per passenger in port cities throughout a typical seven-day cruise. There are certainly some good strategies to save money and cut down the overall cost of a cruise.
How much does a 4-day cruise cost?
We looked at a few sample four-night cruises across multiple cruise lines to give you an idea of what to expect. Each of these sailings occurs around the same week in June 2025. Prices are for two people in a standard balcony cabin.
- Freedom of the Seas June 16, 2025: $1,638.10
- Carnival Conquest June 16, 2025: $1,658.00
- MSC Seascape June 22, 2025: $1,255.00
- Disney Wish June 16, 2025: $4,830.00
These are all base fares with port fees and taxes, but they do not include gratuities or other add-on costs.
Matt Hochberg
Matt loves to cruise, and started Cruise.Blog as a place to share different cruise experiences, advice, and what to know before going on a cruise.
He lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters, where he can be found on any given day trying to convince his wife they "need" to book another cruise.
