When compared to other types of vacations, cruises tend to be more affordable than people think. This is because they are all-inclusive, meaning your food, lodging, and entertainment are all included in the price. You'll be responsible for your airfare and extras such as alcohol, souvenirs, and gambling at the casino, but if you want to be frugal, you can still enjoy your cruise vacation a great deal just by partaking in the included aspects.
That's all very well and good, you say, but what's the bottom line: how much do cruises cost?
First, let me say that prices vary a lot, depending on factors such as cruise line (some are more upscale than others), destination (Mexico, for example, is cheaper than Alaska or the Mediterranean), cabin type (inside cabins are cheapest while rooms with balconies or views cost more), and how good you are at finding deals. (I like to book my cruises last minute through Travelocity. If you have the flexibility, you can save a lot that way, as cruise ships don't like to sail with empty cabins, so they often lower prices as the departure date gets closer.) That said, my estimates below are very broad. I'm also only doing averages for one-week cruises (you can go for shorter or longer ones--almost anything you can imagine), since those are very popular. Okay, enough caveat emptor stuff. Here's the list:
How Much Cruises Cost by Destination:
7-night Mexico cruises for inside cabins: $400-$600 per person
7-night Alaska cruises for inside cabins: $500-$700 per person
7-night Caribbean cruises for inside cabins: $450-$600
7-night Mediterranean cruises for inside cabins: $700-$950
Don't forget...
- Singles have to pay for the price of two, so it pays to cruise with a friend
- Last-minute deals can save you a lot of money
- Sometimes cheaper cruises have different departure and arrival ports, so make sure the extra non-round-trip cost of the airfare doesn't outweigh the savings of the cruise
Incredible Deals on the Best Cruises! Last-Minute Sailings from $199!
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