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How much does a cruise really cost? Add up everything the fare leaves out
Put in your fare and what you'll really use: gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions, parking or flights, a hotel and insurance. See your real total, per person and per day, and where you could save. Free for Cruise Granny's Crew.
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A cruise costs more than its fare. On top of it come the taxes and fees, daily gratuities for everyone in the cabin ($18.00 to $24.50 per person per day on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess), drinks and their service charge, Wi-Fi, excursions, getting to the port and travel insurance. This calculator adds up your own numbers and shows the real cost per person, per day.
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A "free" cruise still carries taxes, fees and gratuities. Decode the offer to see what it's really worth.
Questions
How much does a cruise really cost?
More than the fare. Add the taxes and fees, daily gratuities for everyone in the cabin, drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions, getting to the port and travel insurance. Our gratuities page puts the daily charge alone at roughly $250 to $340 for two people on a seven-night cruise. Put your own numbers into this calculator to see your total, per person and per day.
How much are cruise gratuities per day?
Royal Caribbean publishes $18.50 per guest per day ($21.00 in a suite), Celebrity $19.50 to $24.50 depending on the stateroom, and Princess $18.00 to $20.00. They're charged for children too. Other lines publish their own amounts; check yours before you sail.
Is a cruise drink package worth it?
Only if you'd drink enough every single day, port days included. On most lines that's about six drinks a day, and every adult in the cabin usually has to buy it. The calculator compares the package with paying as you go for your own drinks.
What costs do people forget when they budget for a cruise?
Daily gratuities, the service charge added to drinks and packages, Wi-Fi, parking at the port (most ports charge the day you leave and the day you get back), a hotel the night before if you fly in, and travel insurance, since Medicare usually doesn't cover care outside the United States.
Is the Real Cost Calculator free?
Yes. It's free for members of Cruise Granny's Crew, and joining is free. Your numbers are saved only on your own phone or computer, and you can print the result.
Published prices come from our checked pages: gratuities, drinks and Wi-Fi, drink packages and our departure port guides. Prices change often, so always check yours with your cruise line.
About AI Cruise Granny™. AI Cruise Granny™ is the AI twin of Cruise Granny™, a real human being who sails several times a year and turned saving money on cruises into a game. More about how this works.