Most cruises on the big mainstream lines cost between US$100 and US$250 per person per night, before extras. A typical 7-night Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin works out at about US$1,000 to US$1,700 per person with Carnival, MSC, Princess, Norwegian or Royal Caribbean. Luxury cruises start at around US$500 a night and include most extras in the fare.
The fare is only part of the cost. Gratuities, drinks, excursions and wifi can add 30% to 100% on top, depending on how you cruise. Below are 2026 prices by line and cabin, what the extras really cost, and a sample budget so you can see the full picture.
Key takeaways
- Mainstream cruises cost about US$100 to US$250 per person per night. Carnival is the cheapest of the big lines at about US$1,043 for a 7-night cruise on average, while Royal Caribbean averages US$1,645 and Disney more than US$4,000.
- Extras add up fast. Most lines charge US$16 to US$20 per person per day in gratuities, and drink packages cost about US$30 to US$100 a day. For a couple who buy drinks packages and a few excursions, the extras can nearly double the fare.
- From Australia, a 7-night South Pacific cruise from Brisbane in a balcony cabin costs about A$1,600 to A$2,400 for two on Carnival, or A$3,500 to A$5,500 on Royal Caribbean. Booking early, choosing an interior cabin or sailing outside school holidays are the easiest ways to pay less.
Cruise prices by cruise line in 2026
These are average fares per person per night for 7-night cruises departing in 2026 and 2027, based on more than 430,000 fare checks. Prices are for two people sharing a cabin.
| Cruise line | Interior per night | Balcony per night | Suite per night | Average 7 nights (all cabins) |
| Carnival | US$117 | US$150 | US$260 | US$1,043 |
| MSC | US$150 | US$160 | US$288 | US$1,134 |
| Princess | US$136 | US$188 | US$256 | US$1,246 |
| Norwegian | US$169 | US$222 | US$283 | US$1,428 |
| Royal Caribbean | US$169 | US$235 | US$459 | US$1,645 |
| Virgin Voyages | US$209 | US$222 | US$574 | US$1,743 |
| Celebrity | n/a | US$247 | US$634 | US$2,667 |
| Disney | US$374 | US$462 | US$1,043 | US$4,018 |
Source: All Aboard Deals fare tracking, March 2026. The source does not say whether taxes and fees are included. Fares change daily, so treat these as a guide to how lines compare rather than prices you can book today.
Your cabin choice makes a big difference. On most lines, a balcony costs up to 40% more than an interior cabin, and a suite can cost double or more. Celebrity, Virgin Voyages and Disney have the biggest jump from balcony to suite.
Prices by type of cruise
The cruise line you choose matters more than almost anything else. Here is what each type of cruise typically costs per person per night.
| Type of cruise | Per person per night | Examples and what you get |
| Budget and mainstream | US$100 to US$250 | Carnival, MSC, Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean. Big ships, lots of activities, most extras charged separately. |
| Premium | US$200 to US$400 | Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, Holland America, Cunard. Better food and service, more space per guest, some extras included. |
| Family-focused | US$370 to US$1,000+ | Disney. Highest prices of the big lines, especially in school holidays, but strong kids’ clubs and entertainment. |
| River | US$400 to US$1,000+ | Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld. Small ships, a port most days, many extras included. |
| Luxury | US$500 to US$1,500+ | Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Oceania. Drinks, tips, wifi and often excursions included in the fare. |
| Expedition | Often well over US$1,000 | Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos. Small ships, specialist guides and landings by Zodiac. |
Ranges are typical 2026 fares for two sharing. Luxury and river fares include far more, so the gap narrows once you add up extras on a mainstream cruise.
What your cruise fare includes
On a mainstream cruise, the fare normally covers:
- Your cabin and its daily cleaning
- Meals in the main dining room and buffet, plus some casual venues
- Tap water, tea, coffee and basic juices at breakfast
- Pools, waterslides, gyms, theatre shows and most daytime activities
- Kids’ clubs on family-friendly lines
Taxes and port fees are sometimes included in the advertised fare and sometimes added at checkout, so check before you compare prices.
What costs extra
These are the main extras, with typical 2026 prices.
- Most lines add US$16 to US$20 per person per day to your onboard account automatically. Suite guests usually pay a few dollars more.
- Alcohol, soft drinks, specialty coffee and bottled water all cost extra. Drink packages run from about US$30 to over US$100 per person per day, and some lines add an 18% to 20% service charge on top. Many lines require every adult in the cabin to buy the package if one does.
- Shore excursions. Organised tours usually cost US$50 to US$200 per person, per port. Adventure tours like helicopter flights or diving can cost US$200 to US$400. Booking independently is often 30% to 50% cheaper.
- Expect to pay about US$15 to US$30 per device per day, depending on the line and how fast you want it to be.
- Specialty dining. Steakhouses and other specialty restaurants are usually US$35 to US$75 per person, and a chef’s table can cost US$100 to US$200.
- Spa, casino and shopping. These are easy places to overspend. Set yourself a limit and check your onboard account each evening.
- Getting there and insurance. Flights, a pre-cruise hotel night, transfers and travel insurance can add a lot, especially if you fly to Florida or Europe to join the ship.
Gratuities and drink packages by cruise line
| Cruise line | Gratuity per person per day | Suites per day | Drink package per day |
| Carnival | US$17 | US$19 | US$69.95 to US$74.95 |
| Royal Caribbean | US$18.50 | US$21 | Varies by ship |
| Norwegian | US$20 | US$25 | US$28.50 to US$32 (with Free at Sea) |
| Princess | US$17 to US$18 | US$19 | US$84.99 plus 18% |
| Celebrity | US$18 to US$19 | US$23 | From US$100 |
| MSC | From about US$16 | n/a | US$60 to US$95 |
| Holland America | US$17 | US$19 | US$60.95 plus 20% |
| Disney | US$16 | US$27.25 | No package offered |
Gratuities from Cruise Critic, February 2026. Carnival’s rates took effect on 2 April 2026. Drink package prices from The Points Guy, September 2026.
Sample budget for a 7-night cruise
To show how the extras add up, here is an estimate for two adults on a 7-night Caribbean cruise with Carnival, in a balcony cabin, who buy the drinks package and do a few excursions.
| Item (two adults, 7 nights, Carnival balcony) | Estimated cost |
| Cruise fare | US$2,098 |
| Gratuities (US$17 per person per day) | US$238 |
| Cheers! drinks package, booked ahead | US$979 |
| Three shore excursions at about US$80 each | US$480 |
| Wifi for one device | US$140 |
| One specialty dinner | US$100 |
| Total for two | US$4,035 |
Estimate for illustration. Fare based on Carnival’s 2026 average balcony price. Excursion, wifi and dining costs use typical prices. Taxes and port fees may be extra.
That works out at about US$2,000 per person, or US$288 per person per night. The extras add more than 90% to the fare. Skip the drinks package and book one excursion yourself, and the total drops to around US$2,700 for two.
How much does a cruise cost from Australia?
Australian cruise fares are quoted in Australian dollars and have changed a lot recently. P&O Cruises Australia was folded into Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025, so the former P&O ships now sail as Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. Here is what a week in the South Pacific from Brisbane costs in 2026.
| Cruise (from Brisbane, 7 nights, balcony) | Fare for two adults | Per person per night | Extras noted |
| Carnival Encounter, South Pacific | A$1,600 to A$2,400 | about A$115 to A$170 | Drinks package about A$600 per person |
| Quantum of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), South Pacific | A$3,500 to A$5,500 | about A$250 to A$390 | Drinks package about A$850 per person |
Source: ShopBack, August 2026. Prices are for two adults in a balcony cabin and vary by season and promotion.
Royal Caribbean is usually two to three times the price of Carnival on comparable sailings from Australia, but its ships have more attractions. Short three and four night cruises are the cheapest way to try cruising from here. See our guides to cruises from Brisbane, cruises from Melbourne and cruises from Fremantle for what is sailing from each port.
How to pay less for a cruise
- Book early or very late. The best cabins and prices often go 9 to 12 months out. Last-minute deals do happen, but you have less choice.
- Travel outside school holidays. Prices for the same cruise can be much lower in shoulder seasons.
- Look at repositioning cruises. When ships move between regions, they often sell one-way cruises with lots of sea days at a low price per night.
- Pick an older or smaller ship. The newest mega ships charge a premium. An older ship from the same line can cost half as much.
- Compare the total, not the fare. A premium or luxury fare that includes drinks, tips and wifi can be close to a mainstream cruise once you add up the extras.
- Watch for included extras. Promotions that add a drinks package, onboard credit or free gratuities can be worth more than a lower fare.
Looking for the cost of a cruise ship?
This guide is about what a cruise costs to book. If you want to know what it costs to build a cruise ship, see how much does a cruise ship cost to build.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a cruise per person?
On a mainstream line, expect about US$100 to US$250 per person per night, based on two people sharing a cabin. A 7-night cruise usually costs US$800 to US$1,700 per person before extras. Solo travellers usually pay a single supplement, which can be up to double the per person fare.
How much does a 7-day cruise cost?
The average 7-night cruise costs about US$1,043 per person with Carnival, US$1,246 with Princess, US$1,645 with Royal Caribbean and over US$4,000 with Disney, based on 2026 fares for all cabin types.
What is the cheapest cruise line?
Carnival has the lowest average fares of the big lines, followed by MSC and Princess. Short cruises on older ships are usually the cheapest of all, and some sell for under US$50 per person per night.
Are cruises all-inclusive?
Mainstream cruises include your cabin, most meals and entertainment, but not drinks, gratuities, excursions or wifi. Luxury lines such as Regent and Seabourn include almost everything in the fare.
How much spending money should I take on a cruise?
Plan for US$50 to US$100 per person per day on top of the fare if you buy drinks as you go and do some excursions. If you buy a drinks package, budget for that separately. Most ships are cashless, so you will need a credit card linked to your onboard account.
Do I have to pay cruise gratuities?
Most lines add them automatically, at US$16 to US$20 per person per day. You can usually ask guest services to adjust them, but they make up a large part of crew pay, so most passengers leave them in place.
