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How much money is recommended for a cruise?

Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.



For a standard cruise in 2026, it is recommended to budget between $75 and $150 per person, per day for onboard and port expenses, in addition to your initial fare. While your base ticket covers most meals and entertainment, "extras" add up quickly. This budget should account for daily gratuities (typically $16–$20 per day), high-speed Wi-Fi packages (often $20+ per day), and alcoholic beverages or specialty coffees if you haven't purchased a pre-paid drink package. Shore excursions are another major variable, ranging from $50 for a walking tour to $250+ for premium adventures like helicopter tours or private boat charters. If you plan to dine at specialty restaurants, expect to pay a cover charge of $35–$75 per meal. While most transactions onboard are cashless and charged to your room key, having $30–$50 in local currency or small US bills for each port day is highly recommended for taxi fares, small souvenirs, and tipping local guides.

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According to data provided by the cruise industry (CLIA: Cruise Line Industry Association), the average cruise duration is seven days and the average cost is around $1700. Cruise lines charge between $800 and $8,000 for a 7-night Caribbean trip in a balcony stateroom.

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Most veteran cruisers recommend that you budget between £75-£100 per day for other costs. You can cut back on spending and reduce your budget. However, you're probably going to need at least £50 a day. So, once you've booked your cruise, you'll want to set aside around £350-£700 for other costs.

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If you're looking for “vacation,” then it's obvious that a seven-day cruise (or longer) would be more ideal. With that many days, you can actually get into the rhythm of ship-life and leave the stresses of home behind.

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Speer said some newbies opt to get their feet wet by taking a three-day cruise, but she warned that is a terrible idea. The cruise lines usually put their oldest vessels on their shortest routes, so in order to go on the nicer ships, you need to primarily do a seven-day or longer cruise, Speer said.

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As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.

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Cruise lines often offer significantly discounted rates during off-peak times to ensure their ships are fully booked. These deals can make cruising very affordable compared to other types of vacation.

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You can order several entrees if you want, or even several appetizers. The wait staff will bring you anything on the menu in pretty much any quantity. If the dish you have been given is distasteful to you in anyway don't feel you have to eat it.

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7-8 Daytime Outfits On your 7 day cruise, you'll need a casual daytime outfit for each day, plus at least one backup outfit in case you get wet.

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All-inclusive European river cruise deals land in the $350 to $450 range per person, per night as well. All-inclusive river cruises within the U.S. trend a bit higher, so anything under $600 per person, per night is a good deal.

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Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra.

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How much should you tip cruise waiter? The cruise gratuities cover the wait staff, so you're not obligated to give them any more of a cash tip. However, if you received outstanding service from a waiter and would like to show them your appreciation with a cash tip, $5 per day per passenger is the suggested amount.

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Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much.

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While the cruise lines have been sailing around 60-80% capacity in 2022, some are predicting they will reach 100%+ occupancy by the middle of this year. So, with more individuals wanting to cruise, this means higher cruise fares. We are already feeling these effects when trying to plan trips for the year ahead.

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Most Expensive: Luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises, and Seabourn are known for their high prices due to all-inclusive luxury offerings.

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13 Tips for Finding Cheap Cruise Deals
  1. Don't Wait for Last-Minute Cruise Deals on High-Season Sailings. ...
  2. Hunt Down Shoulder Season and Repositioning Cruise Deals. ...
  3. Use Cruise Critic's Deal Score to Know When a Deal is Really a Deal. ...
  4. Bundle Up for the Best Cruise Deals. ...
  5. Ask for a Price Drop Credit When Cruise Fares Change.


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A few cruise lines feature a limited number of cabins designated for single occupancy sparing the solo cruiser from having to pay double. While cruise lines advertise these single cabins as having no supplement, the single rate is usually slightly higher than the per-person rate of comparable double occupancy cabins.

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The base prices for cruises are typically lower than prices for resorts because the cruise lines expect you to make up the difference in onboard purchases.

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In very general terms, cruising attracts adults ranging in age from their 30s through to their 80s, and you will not find a ship full, exclusively, of 20 year olds.

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Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.

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