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First, consider whether you can drive to the port or if you'll need to fly. We looked at a sample of four-night cruises to the Caribbean across multiple cruise lines departing in March 2024. Be sure you include the total cost of your cruise when using the calculator — not just the headline price.
Cruise Line Specialty Items and Dining
Some cruise lines may even offer “cash back” rebates on the price of your cruise ticket. Not to sound like a broken record, but it ultimately depends greatly on your departure dates, how far in advance you’re able to book transportation and lodging, and where your cruise departs. Generally speaking, plan to spend around $500 per person for flights, with transfer costs averaging anywhere between $20 and $100 per person. Each cruise line is different with how they handle a drinks package but usually, you’ll have the option to get a non-alcoholic package or an alcoholic beverage package. Drinks packages start from around $12 for a soft drinks package up to $130 for a premium drinks package. Also important to know, is that on some ships, the cabin you choose dictates whether you can access certain special areas on the ship or receive special services.
Additional Cruise Expenses to Consider
But with a ship full of people and no other casinos around, the payouts offered aren’t that great. Between getting to the port to excursions to the actual cruise itself, the costs can add up, making budgeting more difficult. Getting to and from your cruise port is another added expense on your Royal Caribbean cruise. You’ll need to budget for flights, baggage fees, gas, parking, tolls, taxis, and any other transportation expenses needed to reach your embarkation port.
The bathroom felt spacious and well-designed.
The hallway opened to a small rectangular space with a queen bed on the right flanked by two small nightstands, each with two drawers and a tall bottom shelf. My cabin was a quick two decks up to the areas I frequented most, the spa and its thermal suite, and the fitness center. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Here’s a list of 25 popular cruise items recommended by cruisers, that you may want to read and save (to your favorite Pinterest board). It’s also a good idea to have a good light set of luggage and some cruise travel accessories. You can also buy these as you go, and of course only buy the “essentials” you’d actually use.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sees high demand, prices - USA TODAY
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sees high demand, prices.
Posted: Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
So, now that we have established a baseline for the fare cost, we can look at the rest of the factors to get an idea of the total cost of a cruise. Many cruise lines have free loyalty programs that can offer valuable benefits. Becoming a member can earn discounts or qualify for upgrades or other perks that make your next cruise more enjoyable.
Sources For the Average Cost of Travel
When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The cruise line provided it at no charge, but the total would have been $490. For example, Royal Caribbean's soda package is currently $12.99 per person, per day but can fluctuate during peak travel times.
Gratuities for the ship’s crew
The standard cruise gratuity is 15%, though this is adjustable in your onboard account. It’s important to note that you do not have to pay these gratuities, but if you enjoyed the service from your stateroom and dining staff, you should pay them. Again, the costs vary by cruise line and sailing, but expect to pay an average of $5 to $12 per drink. Some premium and luxury lines have gratuities included in the cruise fare as do ships that sail out of Australian and UK waters. Travel insurance for a cruise might be “optional”, but it shouldn’t be.
A cruise can cost anywhere between $550 for 2 adults on a 3-night weekend sailing to upwards of $80,000 total for a family to sail in the most luxurious multi-story suites. The cost of a cruise changes based on itinerary, ship, cruise length, number of passengers, and time of year you sail. This will give you the widest selection of dates and itineraries.
If the kids are out of school, the cruise fare can be two to three times higher. So people may choose to take their kids out of school for a special vacation, or retired couples may choose to go on a cruise when kids are in school. The best way to book a cruise is through a professional travel agent specializing in cruise travel. Travel agents are familiar with the different cruise lines and can help you choose the one that’s right for you.
Look for Free Local Festivals for Entertainment OnshoreLocal festivals and craft displays can be sources of good, free entertainment. Parks, beaches and art galleries are other free or nominally-charged attractions to check out. Or perhaps you prefer to simply wander through town, browsing in shops and stopping for a coffee or snack. The numbers above give us a good baseline for the average cost to book a cruise, but there’s more to the equation. And yes, even if you’re going on a cruise by yourself you will have to pay for the second person, usually.
Shore excursions can be pricey, however it’s always a good idea to research and compare ahead of time. You can also decide which cruise port requires an organized excursion, and where you can easily hop on a cab to a beach or walk around the town. Unless you have a promotion or book as a package, your flights will be extra. You may want to check out cruise line air options, which have greatly improved over the last couple of years.
That means tracking down the specific cost of a cruise for each person is difficult. But we can give you an idea of what a typical trip will cost based on averages and help you know better what you can plan to spend. We have specific estimates (using actual figures from the cruise lines!) below. Bottled water (on lines that don't include it) typically costs $3-$5 when purchased individually or as low as $9.95 for a case of twelve bottles delivered to your cabin (Carnival). Cruise fares can be as cheap as $179 for a four-night Carnival cruise or as expensive as $11,000 per night for the top Regent Suite on Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest ships.
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