The cruise ship industry suffered during the 2020-2021 Covid pandemic. We read stories about people getting stuck on boats because of people testing positive.
Thankfully, things are back to normal (or almost), and cruise lines are ready to welcome passengers again.
If you’re thinking about going on a sea voyage and want to know what to budget, read the “how much does it cost to go on a cruise?” guide below.
Per Night Costs: Cruise Ship Differences
When you book a hotel room on land, you get the price per night. That usually includes up to three adults, depending on the hotel policy. Booking a cruise ship room is slightly different, even with average cruise prices.
Instead of booking per night for 1-3 people, the price you see per night is for each person. This means if you have a group of two adults and it’s $60 a night, it’s $120 a night combined. These prices still rival hotel prices, especially for the quality of rooms you get.
Types of Rooms: Ranked by Views
While you can sometimes choose what kind of hotel view you want, you’re shopping by the size and quality of your hotel room most of the time. You may be able to request top floor/bottom floor in the notes, but in general, you can’t choose where your room is.
On a cruise ship, things are a bit different. The most expensive rooms have the best view of the ocean, usually with a balcony. The more sea you can see, the less seasick you’ll get (usually).
Interior cabins don’t have a view or have a tiny porthole window. Most people choose somewhere between the balcony room and the interior room for the best bang for their buck. If you have small children, stay away from rooms with balconies.
There are just too many scary stories.
Depending on the type of room you get, the size, and the location, you can spend anywhere from $50 to $250 per person per night.
Food and Drink
All cruises, or at least most, have restaurants you can eat at for “free” that are included in your ticket price. These are often buffets or casual dining restaurants to get decent but not necessarily creative food.
Then there are the fine dining restaurants, like the ones on Wonder of the Seas, where you have to pay for your dinner. These can cost just as much as a four or five-star dinner does on land, so be prepared.
Finally, you want to think about alcohol packages. If you plan to drink on your cruise and don’t want to use any sneaky hacks to get booze in, then they’re worth it.
Cost for dining, assuming one fine dining meal, a few coffees, and an alcohol package: $200 per person.
Excursions
When the ship docks at different cruise destinations, you’ll have your choice of activities. There are activities the cruise itself sponsors, then the ones you can find online, and finally, things you just find to do when you’re walking around.
Excursions vary greatly, depending on the activity. Plan a budget of $100 for planned excursions and $50 if you’re walking around on your own.
How Much Does It Cost to Go on a Cruise?
Without figuring flights or parking in, you can go on a three or four-day cruise for around $500 with the right deal. The fewer things you’re willing to do/buy, the cheaper your cruise will be.
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how much does it cost to go on a cruise. Browse our online magazine for some more vacation lifestyle tips!