Every year, almost 30 million people travel worldwide on a cruise ship. This massive number reflects the uptick in cruise interest over the last few decades.
There are many reasons people choose to spend their precious vacation time aboard a cruise ship. However, for the unenlightened, there are several barriers preventing them from making the final decision to set sail.
A lack of transparency and understanding about cruise ship costs is one of the most common problems. There are different cruise ships, and finding the best cruise ship for your budget can feel very challenging when you don’t know where to start.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about what your cruise ship excursion might cost you.
Base Fare
The foremost obvious cost for going on a cruise is the base fare. You pay the standard price for access and boarding onto the ship. It typically includes the cost of your cabin, meals, onboard entertainment, and access to special areas like pools and lounges.
This cost is usually in the thousands of dollars, depending on your cruise line and the luxury options aboard the ship.
Spending Onboard the Ship
The base fare doesn’t include additional fees like alcoholic drinks, special excursions, or gambling. There may be VIP upgrades or spa treatments you can elect to purchase while on the ship. These extras are entirely worth it to some travelers, so if this sounds like you, make sure you plan a little extra room in your budget for upgrades.
Most cruise enthusiasts will spend about a quarter of their cruise fare on extras while on the ship.
Carnival cruises are known to have great onboard extras. We’ve found a fantastic guide to Carnival ships in the coming year to help prospective cruisers. Check it out!
Gratuity
Gratuities are automatically charged to your account. They vary depending on the specific cruise line. However, most will spend approximately 15 dollars per day for each person. For a week-long cruise for a couple, this comes out to approximately $200 or so.
Most of the fees go directly to your cabin steward, and the rest are shared among the staff.
Transportation to the Ship
You’ll also need to plan how you will get to the ship and return home. This may include airfares, cabs, or rental cars. Obviously, hotel costs and meal fees will come into play if you plan to stay in port for a night before or after boarding or returning.
Port Spending
Usually, port spending is relatively small compared to the other trip costs. Nonetheless, if you plan for major excursions at stops while in port, you’ll need to budget accordingly.
Understanding Cruise Ship Costs
At the end of the day, understanding cruise ship costs come down to excellent budgeting. You can make your cruise cost less than $1000 in some circumstances with good planning and tens of thousands if you plan more extravagantly. Always be aware of base fares, onboard spending, gratuities, transportation, and port spending.
If you enjoyed this article about cruise ship costs, check out our other articles on our blog!
