Carnival Cruise Ships In Cozumel How much a cruise costs is a common question people ask. The cost of a cruise vacation is dependent on so many factors and can vary amongst cruise line, ship, itinerary, length, and personal spending habits. This post will discuss some of the cruise costs that determine how much your total cruise vacation may cost and offers some advice into things you can do to get a deal on a cruise ship vacation.
Last Updated: 12/23/2023
Last Updated: 12/23/2023
What Costs Are There For A Cruise?
Total Cruise Price = Sum of All Spending From Your Base Fare + Ports Taxes & Fees Assessed + Gratuities/Service Charges + Shore Excursions + Port of Call Spending + Onboard Spending That 's Not Included + Transportation Pre/Post Cruise + Pre & Post Cruise Expenses
1. Base Fare
The base fare for a cruise is what you pay to get a ticket onboard. A cruise base fare usually includes no extras and only what's included. There is not much you can do to get the base fare of a cruise lower unless you look for sales, deals, or discounts with your cruise line. I'll discuss base fare more later.
2. Port Taxes & Fees
Port Taxes & Fees are charges incurred by your cruise ship for docking in a port. Countries or local governments will charge the cruise ship taxes to dock and there are also fees associated with the services provided to the cruise ship while docked. Generally, port taxes & fees are assessed by your ports of call and the starting & ending port of your cruise. Cruise lines will typically pass these port taxes & fees along to guests.
As a general rule of thumb: The more ports of call your cruise itinerary visits the more port taxes & fees you will incur. Of course, this is itinerary dependent as the exact amount of taxes & fees vary by port of call & specific country visited.
3. Gratuities & Service Charges
Most of the time gratuities are not covered by your base cruise fare. Cruise lines typically will assess a gratuity that is per person per day. As an example of some gratuity rates as of December 2023, I have researched a few different cruise line's current daily rates and shared below:
Royal Caribbean Gratuity: Royal Caribbean's gratuity is $18 per person per day for guests staying in non-suite staterooms and junior suites. The gratuity is $20 per person per day for guests staying suites.
Carnival Cruise Gratuity: Carnival Cruise Line's gratuity is $16 per person per day for guests staying in standard staterooms or $18 per per person per day for guests staying in suites.
Disney Cruise Gratuity: Disney Cruise Line's gratuity is $14.50 per person per day or $15.50 per person per day for guests staying in concierge stateroom & suites.
Total Cruise Price = Sum of All Spending From Your Base Fare + Ports Taxes & Fees Assessed + Gratuities/Service Charges + Shore Excursions + Port of Call Spending + Onboard Spending That 's Not Included + Transportation Pre/Post Cruise + Pre & Post Cruise Expenses
1. Base Fare
The base fare for a cruise is what you pay to get a ticket onboard. A cruise base fare usually includes no extras and only what's included. There is not much you can do to get the base fare of a cruise lower unless you look for sales, deals, or discounts with your cruise line. I'll discuss base fare more later.
2. Port Taxes & Fees
Port Taxes & Fees are charges incurred by your cruise ship for docking in a port. Countries or local governments will charge the cruise ship taxes to dock and there are also fees associated with the services provided to the cruise ship while docked. Generally, port taxes & fees are assessed by your ports of call and the starting & ending port of your cruise. Cruise lines will typically pass these port taxes & fees along to guests.
As a general rule of thumb: The more ports of call your cruise itinerary visits the more port taxes & fees you will incur. Of course, this is itinerary dependent as the exact amount of taxes & fees vary by port of call & specific country visited.
3. Gratuities & Service Charges
Most of the time gratuities are not covered by your base cruise fare. Cruise lines typically will assess a gratuity that is per person per day. As an example of some gratuity rates as of December 2023, I have researched a few different cruise line's current daily rates and shared below:
Royal Caribbean Gratuity: Royal Caribbean's gratuity is $18 per person per day for guests staying in non-suite staterooms and junior suites. The gratuity is $20 per person per day for guests staying suites.
Carnival Cruise Gratuity: Carnival Cruise Line's gratuity is $16 per person per day for guests staying in standard staterooms or $18 per per person per day for guests staying in suites.
Disney Cruise Gratuity: Disney Cruise Line's gratuity is $14.50 per person per day or $15.50 per person per day for guests staying in concierge stateroom & suites.
4. Shore Excursions & Port of Call Spending
Shore excursions are tours or activities you can book to do in a port of call or destination. The price on shore excursions can vary greatly depending on what the activity is, length of the excursion, and the destination you are visiting. There are a few cruise lines that have shore excursions included so this may not be applicable to all cruises, but for many cruises shore excursions cost extra and are a per ticket charge.
5. Onboard Spending
Cruises often have many things to eat or do that is included in your base fare, but there are almost always things you can purchase onboard. Anything you want to eat, buy, or do onboard that is not included in your base fare will raise the price of your cruise. Onboard spending is generally something in your control so if you don't want to spend extra money you should just plan to stick to things that are included/already paid for on your cruise.
6. Transportation To Your Cruise & Pre or Post Cruise Expenses
Unless you live right by a cruise terminal, you are probably going to incur some costs to get to & from your cruise. Transportation costs to or from your cruise could include:
a) airfare costs
b) transportation to or from the airport
c) hotel costs if staying somewhere before or after your cruise
d) meals before or after your cruise
e) if driving to your cruise you will likely have to pay to park
Shore excursions are tours or activities you can book to do in a port of call or destination. The price on shore excursions can vary greatly depending on what the activity is, length of the excursion, and the destination you are visiting. There are a few cruise lines that have shore excursions included so this may not be applicable to all cruises, but for many cruises shore excursions cost extra and are a per ticket charge.
5. Onboard Spending
Cruises often have many things to eat or do that is included in your base fare, but there are almost always things you can purchase onboard. Anything you want to eat, buy, or do onboard that is not included in your base fare will raise the price of your cruise. Onboard spending is generally something in your control so if you don't want to spend extra money you should just plan to stick to things that are included/already paid for on your cruise.
6. Transportation To Your Cruise & Pre or Post Cruise Expenses
Unless you live right by a cruise terminal, you are probably going to incur some costs to get to & from your cruise. Transportation costs to or from your cruise could include:
a) airfare costs
b) transportation to or from the airport
c) hotel costs if staying somewhere before or after your cruise
d) meals before or after your cruise
e) if driving to your cruise you will likely have to pay to park
Factors That Have An Effect On Base Cruise Prices:
The price of a cruise will vary based on many factors such as the cruise line & ship you are planning to book, the time of year your cruise will be departing, and the itinerary or length of the cruise.
1. The Cruise Line & Ship
Each cruise line offers different amenities & features and as a result of the price of cruising does vary depending on cruise line. The more premium or luxury a cruise line is considered generally means higher prices. Also, even within a cruise line, prices can vary by ship.
2. Time of Year
The time of year your sailing is departing plays a role in determining whether your cruise is more expensive or cheaper. For example, on cruises out of Galveston, I typically see more expensive prices for times during the summer, spring break, and Christmas or New Years because these are times school is generally out of session. Sometimes going in non-peak times can save you money on the base fare of the cruise.
3. Itinerary & Length of Cruise
Typically, the longer the cruise the more the cruise will cost. Shorter cruises are typically cheaper. As you look to book your cruise make sure you compare cruises as occasionally you may find a longer cruise for less than a shorter cruise.
4. The Type of Stateroom or Cabin You Book
The type of room you book can often have an influence on the base fare of your cruise. Typically, I've seen an interior room is cheaper than a room with just a window. A room with just a window is typically cheaper than a balcony or suite stateroom.
General Rule: The better the view the more likely it is to cost more!
The price of a cruise will vary based on many factors such as the cruise line & ship you are planning to book, the time of year your cruise will be departing, and the itinerary or length of the cruise.
1. The Cruise Line & Ship
Each cruise line offers different amenities & features and as a result of the price of cruising does vary depending on cruise line. The more premium or luxury a cruise line is considered generally means higher prices. Also, even within a cruise line, prices can vary by ship.
2. Time of Year
The time of year your sailing is departing plays a role in determining whether your cruise is more expensive or cheaper. For example, on cruises out of Galveston, I typically see more expensive prices for times during the summer, spring break, and Christmas or New Years because these are times school is generally out of session. Sometimes going in non-peak times can save you money on the base fare of the cruise.
3. Itinerary & Length of Cruise
Typically, the longer the cruise the more the cruise will cost. Shorter cruises are typically cheaper. As you look to book your cruise make sure you compare cruises as occasionally you may find a longer cruise for less than a shorter cruise.
4. The Type of Stateroom or Cabin You Book
The type of room you book can often have an influence on the base fare of your cruise. Typically, I've seen an interior room is cheaper than a room with just a window. A room with just a window is typically cheaper than a balcony or suite stateroom.
General Rule: The better the view the more likely it is to cost more!
How To Get The Best Price On A Cruise Vacation:
1. Check For Deals or Sales On Cruises
Look for deals or sales that may apply to the cruise you are wanting to book. Make sure you understand any underlying terms & conditions of the rate code you are booking under.
2. Research
Comparing prices of different dates & ships is one way to look for the cheapest cruise. If you don't have time to do this yourself, consider finding a travel agent that can help you book your vacation.
3. Set A Budget
Consider setting a vacation budget that covers your entire vacation (from pre-cruise to post-cruise). Work on sticking to your budget and avoid any extra impulse purchases.
4. Understand What Your Cruise Includes
Each cruise line & ship is different. Make sure you understand what things are included and what is extra before you book. Some cruise lines may offer an amenity for free while the same amenity may cost extra on another cruise line or ship.
1. Check For Deals or Sales On Cruises
Look for deals or sales that may apply to the cruise you are wanting to book. Make sure you understand any underlying terms & conditions of the rate code you are booking under.
2. Research
Comparing prices of different dates & ships is one way to look for the cheapest cruise. If you don't have time to do this yourself, consider finding a travel agent that can help you book your vacation.
3. Set A Budget
Consider setting a vacation budget that covers your entire vacation (from pre-cruise to post-cruise). Work on sticking to your budget and avoid any extra impulse purchases.
4. Understand What Your Cruise Includes
Each cruise line & ship is different. Make sure you understand what things are included and what is extra before you book. Some cruise lines may offer an amenity for free while the same amenity may cost extra on another cruise line or ship.
I wish you the very best as you plan and prepare for your cruise vacation! Please keep in mind the information here may not apply to all cruise lines or ships so you need to make sure you research thoroughly before booking your cruise. Bon voyage and have a great cruise!