Why the fare isn't the whole story
A cruise fare covers a lot: your cabin, most meals and the entertainment on board. That's what makes cruising good value. But it isn't everything you'll spend, and the extras vary a lot from one traveler to the next.
The good news is that almost every extra is something you choose. Once you list them, the total stops being a surprise.
What goes into a realistic cruise budget?
Work through each of these, using real quotes and prices where you have them.
- The cruise fare for your cabin, from your quote
- Taxes, fees and port expenses, if they're shown separately
- Flights to the port city and home again
- A hotel the night before embarkation
- Transfers between the airport, hotel and port
- Shore excursions, or what you'll spend exploring on your own
- Drinks beyond what your fare includes
- Spa treatments and other onboard extras
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs, meals ashore and a little contingency
Build yours with the budget planner
Our budget planner adds it all up for you. Enter what you know, leave what you don't, and see the total for your trip, per person and per night. It doesn't fill in any prices for you, so the number is yours rather than an average that doesn't match your plans.
Free toolCruise Budget Planner
Add up the real cost of a cruise (fare, flights, hotel, excursions, drinks and extras) per person and per night, before you book.
Per person, per night: the fairest comparison
Two sailings with very different fares can cost almost the same once you add flights and hotels. A longer voyage may cost more in total but less per night. Dividing your total by people and nights shows which trip really gives you more for your money.
It also helps groups. When friends compare plans, a per-person figure is the number everyone actually cares about.
How to lower the total without lowering the trip
A few choices make a real difference.
- Choose a home port you can reach without a connecting flight
- Mix booked excursions with independent days ashore
- Pick the cabin for how you'll use it, not for the brochure
- Use the drink estimator so the bar bill holds no surprises
- Book early for popular dates, when there's more choice of cabins
Turning a budget into a booking
Once you know your number, shortlist sailings that fit it. Final pricing, taxes and fees are confirmed by the authorized travel seller or the cruise line when you book, and nothing is booked until you confirm.
Frequently asked questions
What costs extra on a cruise?
Typically alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments, purchases ashore, and sometimes taxes and fees shown separately. Check what your specific fare includes.
How do I compare the cost of two cruises?
Add every cost for each trip, including flights and hotels, then divide by the number of people and nights. The per-person, per-night figure is the fairest comparison.
Should I budget for a hotel before my cruise?
Yes. Arriving the day before embarkation protects you from delayed flights, so include a hotel night in your budget.
Is travel insurance worth it for a cruise?
Many travelers consider it essential, especially for trips far from home. Compare policies and check exactly what each covers before you buy.
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