How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

If you're thinking of taking a cruise vacation, you're probably wondering "how much do cruises cost?"

This is actually a hard question to answer, since there is such a wide variety of cruises out there. Price depends on a number of factors:

• Length of cruise (you can find 3- and 4-day weekend cruises or you can sail around the world for months)
• Destination (some locales are cheap compared to others; the Caribbean is inexpensive, for example, while Alaska and the Mediterranean can be twice as much)
• Type of ship (big resort ships tend to give you a good deal for your money and can be deeply discounted, while smaller luxury cruises are rarely discounted. Also small and mid-sized adventure ships cost more)

Despite all the factors involved, it's pretty easy to find a cruise for every budget. Cruises cost less than many mainland vacations since so much is included (meals, travel, entertainment, and your cabin).

You can find a one-week cruise to the Caribbean starting at $700 or less per person. (Weekend getaways start around $200.)