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Cruise Cost Calculator: See How Much Your Trip Will Cost

One of the big draws with cruising? It can be an affordable vacation that allows you to travel to distant ports, eat world-class food, and enjoy loads of entertainment for drastically less than you’d pay if you booked all these items separately.

But truth be told, the costs of cruising can add up quickly. Between getting to the port to excursions to the actual cruise itself, the costs can add up, making budgeting more difficult.

To help you out, we’ve created a cruise cost calculator. The calculator below offers a chance to estimate your expenses for your trip, with all the major spending areas you’ll find a cruise. Simply input details about your trip and see how much you should budget for your trip.

Need more details about what amounts to put in certain fields? Read below to learn more about each section and what you might spend.

Estimating Cruise Expenses

Transportation to the Port You can’t start your trip without getting to the ship first. Transportation amounts vary depending on where you are coming from and which port you are sailing from. Assuming you are arriving at an airport, you’ll obviously spend the greatest amount to get to cruise ports farther away. Ports like Galveston and Port Canaveral are located far from the nearest airports and you can expect to spend between $40-60 each way for the cheapest options. Ports like Tampa , Port Everglades , and Miami are just a short ride away and you can get to the port for about $10 per person.

Parking If you are driving from the port, then you don’t have to worry about paying for a ride to the ship. But you do have to pay to park your car during your stay. Parking at the port is the most convenient option, but also the most expensive. You can expect to pay between $10-$20 per day. Want to save? Look for independent parking lots with cheaper prices, or if staying at a hotel near the port, look for one that lets you park for free during your cruise in return for one night’s stay.

Cruise Fare Cruise fares are advertised with enticingly low headline fares. However, you will actually end up paying much more. First, that headline fare is for a single person. Right away you can double the price as cruise cabins are typically sold based on two travelers. Second, the headline rates are for interior cabins. Most people decide to upgrade to nicer cabin, increasing the price. Finally, quoted cruise fares don’t include taxes and port fees. In total, the price you actually pay can be double or triple that headline rate that’s advertised.

Be sure you include the total cost of your cruise when using the calculator — not just the headline price.

Gratuities Our calculator automatically estimates gratuities based on the number of days and people traveling. While gratuities can vary, they usually run about $13 per person, per day. So a couple traveling together can expect to pay $26 per day, total.

Excursions Unless you plan to hang out on the ship or find a beach nearby, then you’ll likely want an excursion when in port. Excursions can be fun and make a memorable experience when in port. They can also be expensive. Cheap excursions run about $50 while the most expensive can be $150 per person. If traveling with kids, their ticket is usually a little cheaper, but not by much. You can see excursions you’d like to book on your cruise line’s website to get a better idea of what you might spend on a particular outing.

Alcoholic Beverages Drinking is a big draw on a cruise ship. There’s lots of time spent on the ship and bars are abundant. You can either purchase drinks one by one (they run about $7 for a beer and $10 for a cocktail) or you can purchase a drink package what allows you to drink what you want for one set price. If you need help on estimating what you might spend on drinks on a cruise, you can try our Drink Package Calculator here.

Gambling Want to gamble on your cruise? Be prepared for some poor payouts. The casinos on a cruise ship offer all the games you’d expect, including blackjack, slots, video poker, roulette, and craps. But with a ship full of people and no other casinos around, the payouts offered aren’t that great .

Still, gambling is a fun way to pass the time if you like gaming. Just budget accordingly.

Specialty Dining One of the good things about cruising is that all the food you can eat is included in the price of the cruise fare. But in the past few years the cruise lines have started to offer specialty dining as well. These are separate restaurants from the main dining room that offer things like Italian food, Mexican food, or steaks. You don’t have to eat here, but compared to the prices you’d find on land, these specialty restaurants are a deal (think $35 a person for a steakhouse meal). However, they still cost extra and you’ll want to include the cost when budgeting.

Spa Treatments There’s not much that’s more relaxing than a spa treatment, but it can be expensive on the ship. Prices vary based on deals offered during your trip and the type of treatment you choose. As a rule of thumb, don’t expect to leave the spa without spending at least $100 per person — and possibly more if you decide to get multiple treatments.

Souvenirs/Miscellaneous: What’s a vacation without souvenirs? From professional photos taken by the cruise line to cheap trinkets sold in port, there’s always an opportunity to spend money on souvenirs. And don’t forget miscellaneous things like meals in port, duty-free shopping , and more.

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How Much Does a Cruise Ship Cost? [SOLVED] Ranked by Ship & Line

By jeremy camosse apr 2021.

You may be surprised at the difference in ship cost between cruise lines! It may surprise you which line has the most expensive and cheapest cruise ships?

How much does a cruise ship cost? We love this question! Below, you'll find a deep dive into cruise ships by cost . From the most expensive cruise ship in the world, to the cheapest.

We've analyzed cruise lines to find how much a cruise ship costs based on multiple criteria.

Included, you'll find ship cost by brand and per cabin to account for difference in ship size. We also explore the difference in the cost to build a cruise ship over time

There's a clear trend in increasing ship cost by decade ! Additionally, we look at the total asset value by fleet and by holding company . It's truly amazing how the industry is so very consolidated!

Don't get us wrong. A ship's price tag is just one consideration.

There are plenty of factors that come into play when searching for the perfect cruise. How new is the vessel? How big is it? What class does it belong to? What features does it have? And, of course, how much does a cruise ship cost ? We cover all of these in other blog posts. For now, we'll explore ship cost in depth.

Cost by Cruise Line

How much does a cruise ship cost to build, by Line?

Above, you'll find a graph showing the average cruise ship cost by cruise line . The chart shown represents the actual cost to build a cruise ship for the specific brands shown.

Which company spends the most per vessel? That would be Royal Caribbean! On average, RCCL writes a check for $669 million for each new ship!

Size Matters

You may be a bit skewed from the info above. It looks like Royal Caribbean is clearly the most expensive. But, the above chart doesn't take into account size. Obviously a ship that can hold 5,000 passengers will be more expensive than a ship with 500. Royal Caribbean has the biggest ships. It's not overly surprising that they're also the most expensive!

This graph above gives us an idea of not just "cost," but also grandiosity. Royal's ships are the biggest and most costly .

To get a better idea of "value" as opposed to "price tag," you'll want to consider ship size . We're one step ahead! Check out the infographic below for average cost to build a cruise ship based on size. Specifically, we analyze cost verse number of staterooms.

Cruise Ship Cost by Cabin

How much does a cruise ship cost by stateroom?

This chart shows average cost by cruise cabin. That allows us to account for ship size and "normalize" the cost data. When buying an apartment building, you'd mostly like value it based on total number of units. Each apartment will command $X in rent. Similarly, each cruise cabin generates $Y in revenue.

It's no surprise that the smaller ships rise to the top. These brands are considered "premium lines." The drastic differences in price are obvious. Seabourn ships have cruise staterooms valued at more than 5x the cost of cabins on Pullmantur!

Why did we use cabins as a proxy for size?

Great question! There are a few metrics we could have picked. Passenger Capacity or Tonnage could have worked as well. Both have merits as well as deficiencies. We chose "cabins" due to its direct impact on revenues generated.

To get the most of this analysis, you'll want to compare ships with a similar quantity of cabins. Compare SAGA and Fred Olsen ships. The average roughly the same number of cabins per ship. SAGA spends over 2x the amount on a per cabin basis!

The data won't completely represent the full picture. Celebrity has massive ships carrying over 3k passengers and also the Xploration with a capacity of 16 cruisers! To avoid this issue you'll want to check out our complete list of ships by cost below.

Cost Increase Over Time

Below, find the increase in cruise ship cost over time

We also looked at how much does a cruise ship cost to build today vs. in the past ? We expected an increase and were not disappointed! The chart below shows the average price tag of ships throughout the decades.

The blue bars show actual dollars spent. The green line depicts "cost in today's dollars." These figures were derived using an average inflation rate of 3.22%.

It's clear that prices have grown significantly ! Both in terms of actual dollars and inflation-adjusted costs.

Even with the current speed bump in the industry, we expect this to continue. Vessels are continuously adding capacity and extravagant (read "expensive") features. The average cost per cruise ship is quickly approaching one billion dollars !

Cruise Line Fleet Value

Total value of all ships by cruise line.

You may have counted almost 30 cruise brands included above. Don't be fooled . There aren't that many big cruise companies out there. The chart below is likely to surprise you. The list of cruise companies is much smaller. Two companies (Carnival & Royal Caribbean) own nearly 75% of the entire industry !

Many passengers have sailed Oceania or Cunard and had no clue they were owned by NCL or Carnival. It's always entertaining to hear a passenger make fun of "Carnival" as they proudly book their next Seabourn vacation. Carnival Corp. owns both brands!

These major cruise lines know what they're doing. They want to own every cruise passenger , whether they're cruise budget is $1,000 or $10,000!

Most Expensive Cruise Ships

Which Cruise Ships Cost the Most?

Of course we had to include a list of the most expensive cruise ships ever built . Here are the Top 25 biggest price tags ever commanded by cruise ships. The "billion+ dollar club" is a significant portion of the list.

We also include the owning cruise line. You'll find one cruise line in particular is writing the biggest checks!

ALLURE OF THE SEAS

#1 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Allure of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.5 Billion for the ship in 2010.

That represents a cost of $2.13 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 225k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $9,447 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Allure of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,745 staterooms. That equates to roughly $775k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

STAR OF THE SEAS

#2 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Star of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean had a $1.88 Billion price tag for the ship, which will be delivered in 2025.

The ship weighs in at 251k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $7,496 (per GT).

It's also interesting to look at the Star of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,805 staterooms. That equates to roughly $670k per cabin !

OASIS OF THE SEAS

#3 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Oasis of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.3 Billion for the ship in 2009.

That represents a cost of $1.8 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 225k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $8,160 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Oasis of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,742 staterooms. That equates to roughly $670k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

HARMONY OF THE SEAS

#4 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Harmony of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.35 Billion for the ship in 2016.

That represents a cost of $1.7 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 228k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $7,615 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Harmony of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,747 staterooms. That equates to roughly $631k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

NORWEGIAN EPIC

#5 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Norwegian Epic cost to build?

Norwegian Cruise LIne spent $1.2 Billion for the ship in 2010.

The ship weighs in at 156k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet, although significantly smaller than the RC ships on this leaderboard. Per tonnage, the ship cost NCL $10,924 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the NCL Epic cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,114 staterooms. That equates to roughly $805k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

On a "per cabin" and "per tonnage" basis, the NCL Epic is the most expensive ship on this list!

SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS

#6 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Symphony of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.35 Billion for the ship in 2018.

The ship weighs in at 228k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $7,350 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Symphony of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,759 staterooms. That equates to roughly $608k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

WONDER OF THE SEAS

#7 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Wonder of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.35 Billion for the ship in 2022.

That represents a cost of $1.5 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 237k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $6,408 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Wonder of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,867 staterooms. That equates to roughly $529k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

OVATION OF THE SEAS

#8 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Ovation of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.1 Billion for the ship in 2016.

That represents a cost of $1.4 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 169k gross tons. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $8,377 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Ovation of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,091 staterooms. That equates to roughly $676k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

ICON OF THE SEAS

#9 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Icon of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.3 Billion for the ship in 2023.

That represents a cost of $1.35 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 251k gross tons. This is the largest cruise ship in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $5,396 (per GT) in today's dollars. That's least expensive per GT of any ship on the list.

It's also interesting to look at the Icon of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,805 staterooms. That equates to roughly $482k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

UTOPIA OF THE SEAS

#10 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Utopia of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $1.3 Billion for the ship in 2024.

The ship weighs in at 237k gross tons. This is one of the largest cruise ships in the fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean $5,700 (per GT) .

It's also interesting to look at the Utopia of the Seas cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,824 staterooms. That equates to roughly $478k per cabin ! That's the cheapest per cabin cost of any ship on the list!

MSC WORLD EUROPA

#11 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the MSC World Europa cost to build?

MSC spent $1.15 Billion for the ship in 2022.

That represents a cost of $1.3 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 206k gross tons and is one of the largest in MSC's fleet. Per tonnage, the ship cost the cruise line $6,286 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the World Europa's cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,626 staterooms. That equates to roughly $492k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

MSC SEASHORE

#12 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the MSC Seashore cost to build?

The ship weighs in at 169k gross tons. Per tonnage, the ship cost the cruise line $7,632 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the MSC Seashore's cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 2,270 staterooms. That equates to roughly $570k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation!

DISNEY FANTASY

#13 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Disney Fantasy cost to build?

Disney spent $950 Million for the ship in 2012.

The ship weighs in at 130k gross tons. Per tonnage, the ship cost Disney Cruise Line $9,912 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Disney Fantasy's cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 1,250 staterooms. That equates to roughly $1 million per cabin , when adjusted for inflation. That's the most expensive cost per cabin of any ship on the list!

DISNEY DREAM

#14 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Disney Dream cost to build?

Disney spent $900 Million for the ship in 2011.

The ship weighs in at 130k gross tons. Per tonnage, the ship cost Disney Cruise Line $9,688 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Disney Dream's cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 1,250 staterooms. That equates to roughly $1 million per cabin , when adjusted for inflation. Along with the Disney Fantasy, this represents the most expensive cost per cabin of any ship on the list!

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

#15 Most Expensive Cruise Ship in the World

How much did the Freedom of the Seas cost to build?

Royal Caribbean spent $800 Million for the ship in 2011.

That represents a cost of $1.2 Billion when adjusted for inflation!

The ship weighs in at 154k gross tons. Per tonnage, the ship cost Royal Caribbean Cruise Line $8,079 (per GT) in today's dollars.

It's also interesting to look at the Freedom of the Seas' cost per cabin. The ship has a total of 1,817 staterooms. That equates to roughly $687k per cabin , when adjusted for inflation.

On average, a cruise ship costs $763 million, when adjusted for inflation. To get this approximated cost to build a cruise ship, we analyzed 243 active and ordered vessels. Each respective purchase price was adjusted for inflation prior to our average.

The Star of the Seas is the most expensive ship ever built in terms of "actual dollars." The price paid by Royal Caribbean was $1.88 Billion and the ship will be delivered in 2025. When comparing "today's dollars" the Allure of the Seas tops the list at an adjusted purchase price of $2.1 Billion.

Royal Caribbean clearly leads the cruise industry with the most expensive ships. Next in line is Disney followed by Costa than NCL. The entire ranking chart can be seen above.

Seadream Yachts has the least expensive cruise ships. Yet, the cruise line has a much smaller capacity and relatively high cost per stateroom. When accounting for size, the cheapest cruise ships are owned by Pullmantur.

In actual dollars, ships have increased based on the following costs per decade: 1970 - $43M; 1980 - $37M; 1990: $119M; 2000: $276M; 2010: $433M; 2020: $697M; 2020+ - $870M. Our graph also shows this increase in normalized dollars spent.

Carnival Corporation is by far the largest with 45% of the cruise industry in terms of ships owned. The company owns nine cruise brands and a combined 94 ships. The total asset value of these based on actual dollars spent is $74.2 billion. The chart above shows the owned brands and this line compared to others.

We hope that the above is extremely helpful in answering, how much does a cruise ship cost to build?

If you enjoyed learning about the most expensive cruise ships in the world, you'll love to explore the largest cruise vessels ever built. Please check out our post, Largest Cruise Ships in the World .

Please use the "Share" buttons below to share our cruise ship costs posts with your favorite cruising community!

Best Cruise Deals

U.S. News has identified the best cruise deals by taking into account prices, cruise line ratings and cruise ship reviews. Use the list below to find your next cruise vacation.

Read Best Cruises Methodology

4 Night Bahamas

11/18-11/21/2024

12/02-12/05/2024

4 Night Catalina & Ensenada

12/09-12/12/2024

Royal Caribbean

11/17-11/20/2024

9 Night Southern Caribbean Seafarer

11/29-12/07/2024

Holland America

4 Night Catalina & Baja Mexico

01/26-01/29/2025

01/27-01/30/2025

12/15-12/18/2024

12/01-12/04/2024

4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day

7 Night Bahamas & Florida

12/01-12/07/2024

11/17-11/23/2024

3 Night Perfect Day Getaway

12/13-12/15/2024

7 Night Florida & Bahamas

12/08-12/14/2024

10 Night Western Caribbean

04/07-04/16/2025

5 Night Western Caribbean

12/02-12/06/2024

7 Night Western Caribbean With Mexico

01/05-01/11/2025

10 Night Repositioning Caribbean

04/28-05/07/2025

3 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day

01/27-01/29/2025

3 Night Key West & Bahamas

01/10-01/12/2025

03/10-03/19/2025

9 Night Southern Caribbean

03/07-03/15/2025

Imagine a vacation where you can visit multiple destinations and only unpack once; a trip where one fare covers your lodging, dining and, in some cases, as many fruity drinks as your heart desires. These are the perks of a cruise vacation – and it's a trip option that doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Cruises can be an excellent value proposition compared to other types of getaways. That said, sailing away to paradise as uncertainty remains around the coronavirus pandemic may make you uneasy. Be sure to check with your specific cruise line, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other organizations before booking your trip for the most up-to-date guidance on cruising in the time of the coronavirus.

To make sure you are getting a good deal on your next cruise vacation, you have to know what to look for. The easiest way to save money on a cruise is to consider a short itinerary on a budget-friendly cruise line. Still, paying less money doesn't always guarantee a great value. It's important to weigh the experience you will have with the amount paid to know whether or not you are getting a good deal.

To choose a cruise line, you should think about what matters most to you for your vacation. Consider: Do you care more about a pampering onboard experience or interesting stops and shore excursions? Would you rather purchase an inside stateroom to enjoy the benefits of a pricier cruise line (like included fine dining and butler service), or go with a budget line and stay in a more spacious balcony room overlooking the ocean?

You should also consider time of year if you're intent on scoring the best cruise deals . Though peak season varies by destination and cruise line, Christmastime, spring break season (usually during the months of March and April) and summer are typically when you'll see the highest prices for cruise fares. If you opt to travel outside of the busy season for your selected itinerary, you may be able to snag a deal on the cruise line of your dreams. For example, hurricane season in the Atlantic (June through November) brings cancellation risks, but it can be a great time to find discounts on Caribbean cruises. Additionally, many cruise lines highlight deals during "wave season" (named for the abundance of promotions that roll through like a wave) between January and March.

Some cruise lines also offer more deals than others. Typically, luxury cruise lines list their best prices up front, when the itineraries are first published. Planning ahead and jumping on these fares can save you money rather than waiting for additional deals to pop up. Meanwhile, bargain cruise lines often have consistent deals year-round, even during the busy season, to entice travelers to book a trip. In some cases, waiting until the last minute can score you a deep discount or other promotional value on one of the more affordable cruise lines.

If you'd like to take a cruise but aren't sure where to start, we are here to help. Read on for U.S. News' guide to finding the best cruise deals. (You can also browse the Best Cruise Lines rankings to learn more about specific cruise ships and lines.)

How Do You Know If You're Getting a Good Deal?

To know if you're getting a good deal on a cruise, you should consider a few different factors. First, you should determine when your preferred cruise lines are at their busiest and most expensive. Cruise lines that attract families, such as Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line, tend to see a lot of customers during the summer when school is out. As a result, prices spike during these months. In comparison, luxury lines like Seabourn Cruise Line may raise their prices around Christmas and New Year's. If you are traveling during these peak times, you may not be securing as good of a deal as you could at another time of year.

The popularity of certain destinations themselves also varies depending on the time of year, which can affect cruise prices. For example, travelers often opt to take Caribbean cruises during the winter and early spring to escape the cold weather where they live. Because of this, Caribbean cruise rates at this time may be higher than at other times of year. On the other hand, Mediterranean cruises are typically less expensive during late fall and early spring months and more expensive once the weather starts to warm up and conditions in Europe are more favorable.

Another factor to consider when looking for a good cruise deal is the ship. Newer ships with all the bells and whistles often mean higher fares than older ships that have been in service for longer. If new, exciting features and modern staterooms are important to you, you must be willing to accept potentially higher costs. If not, search for a similar itinerary on an older ship to find a better deal.

How to Get Last-Minute Cruise Deals

If your schedule allows, another great way to get a deal on a cruise is to wait until the last minute to book your trip. As cruise ships fill up approaching their embarkation dates, cruise lines typically discount cabin rates in an attempt to fill any remaining staterooms. Rates usually start dropping about 60 to 90 days prior to the sail date, when many penalty-free passenger cancellation policies expire. Prices often continue to decrease as the date of departure gets closer, so the most daring of travelers may decide to wait until a couple of weeks out to book. Just remember that cabins can sell out – as can flights, for those who need to hop on a plane to get to their embarkation destination. You'll need to keep a close eye on all the moving parts of your trip if you plan to pull the trigger at the last minute. 

To stay in the loop about last-minute cruise deals, sign up for email price drop alerts or consistently check fares on cruise line websites or third-party booking sites like Priceline, Cruise Critic and Cruiseline.com. Even a last-minute discount on an alcohol package or shore excursions will save you some money over the base cost. Still, travelers should keep in mind that luxury cruise lines are usually an exception to this rule. You will often get the best deal on a premium cruise by booking early – sometimes as far as a year out.

How to Find Cheap Cruise Deals

When considering what constitutes a cheap cruise deal, you should think about what you're getting for the price you are paying. For example, if the prices for a five-night itinerary aboard a new ship on a ritzier line and a seven-day cruise on an older ship with a more budget-centered line are in a similar ballpark, you may opt for the shorter vacation to get a more luxurious experience.

Still, if saving money is a bigger concern than getting more value or a higher-end experience, opt for less expensive cruise lines – like Carnival Cruise Line or Norwegian Cruise Line – with short itineraries to score the cheapest deals. Depending on the cruise line you choose and the time of year you book, you may be able to find rates for less than $200 per person. To save extra money, look for cruise promotions and discounts, and also consider bundling any flights and necessary hotel stays together if the cruise line offers that as a package.

Cruises Under $200

Having a small vacation budget doesn't mean you have to miss out on taking a cruise. In fact, some cruise deals can dip below $200 per person. When you see a deal this cheap, you should keep in mind that it will likely be for an inside cabin (no windows) on a short, two- or three-night cruise.

If you're looking for cruise rates under $200, check lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International since these cruise lines often advertise sailings at that price point. Keep in mind, these low prices tend to apply to itineraries in the Bahamas and other areas of the Caribbean. If you're within driving distance of a port, you also won't need to worry about paying for airfare on top of what you're spending on your cruise.

Best Cruise Deals by Region:

See the Best Caribbean Cruise Deals » See the Best Bahamas Cruise Deals » See the Best Alaska Cruise Deals » See the Best Hawaii Cruise Deals » See the Best Mexico Cruise Deals » See the Best Europe Cruise Deals »

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Cruise on the moon: Norwegian reveals new ship debuting in 2026, Norwegian Luna

• Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship, Norwegian Luna, will launch in April 2026.
• The vessel will be part of the line’s Prima Plus Class.
• Luna will sail round-trip Caribbean cruises from Miami, Florida.

Norwegian Cruise Line guests can soon go to the moon – no space travel required.

The cruise line revealed details about its new ship, Norwegian Luna, which will launch in April 2026. The vessel will be part of the line’s Prima Plus Class.

“Inspired by the relationship between the moon and the tides of the ocean, we are excited to introduce Norwegian Luna as the vessel that perfectly complements her sister ship, Norwegian Aqua,” David J. Herrera, the line’s president, said in a news release. “The debut of Norwegian Luna truly showcases our ongoing commitment to providing guests more of what they enjoy and value – a brand-new ship with the latest, innovative offerings sailing to the beautiful, tropical destinations of the Caribbean.”

Where will Norwegian Luna sail?

The ship, accommodating 3,550 guests at double occupancy, will sail round-trip Caribbean cruises from Miami, Florida, beginning with a pair of Western Caribbean itineraries to Roatan in Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Norwegian’s Belize destination Harvest Caye.

Luna will then sail Eastern Caribbean cruises for the rest of its inaugural season, visiting Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the line’s Bahamas private island , Great Stirrup Cay.

What can passengers expect?

The ship’s theme will be evident from the time guests embark, courtesy of hull art from street artist ELLE, titled “La Luna.” The piece – measuring 1,056 feet long – will serve as “a visual exploration of humanity’s deep-rooted connection with the celestial forces in space as human beings are intrinsically linked to the ebb and flow of the moon,” the line said in the release.

Luna will also boast a number of features making their debut on Aqua, such as a combination waterslide and roller coaster, the Aqua Slidecoaster ; Thai specialty restaurant Sukhothai; and the Glow Court, a digital sports complex that turns into a nightclub as the sun goes down.

Other familiar amenities will include a free-fall slide, The Drop , allowing thrill-seeking guests to plummet 10 stories; Cagney’s Steakhouse; the sustainability-focused Metropolitan Bar ; French eatery Le Bistro; the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and more.

The cruise line will share other specifics about Luna’s guest experiences “in the upcoming new year,” according to the release.

An African safari cruise?: This Norwegian sailing takes you on a bucket list adventure

How much does Norwegian Luna cost?

Prices vary by sailing date, stateroom category and other factors, but available itineraries currently start at $1,394 per person based on double occupancy, according to Norwegian’s website .

The fare includes many meals on board, beverages like iced tea and regular coffee and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Travel | Port Canaveral-bound Disney Treasure cruise…

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Subscriber only, travel | port canaveral-bound disney treasure cruise ship leaves shipyard on way to sea trials.

The newly built cruise ship Disney Treasure has left the Meyer Werft shipyard and is being towed across the Ems River by tugboats in Papenburg, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (Sina Schuldt/dpa via AP)

Disney Cruise Line's new ship Disney Treasure is helped along the Ems River on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 on its way from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on its way to Eemshaven, Netherlands ahead of sea trials in the North Sea. (Courtesy/Disney)

The latest vessel in Disney Cruise Line's growing fleet left its shipyard home on Wednesday making the slow 20-mile river trip so it can complete sea trials ahead of a debut from Port Canaveral later this year.

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When the Grand Princess — a cruise ship that carried thousands of passengers bound for Mexico — instead sailed into an Oakland, California, port in early 2020, the ship quickly became a symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vessel's passengers were among the first documented cases of coronavirus in the U.S. And as they waited — quarantined in their onboard staterooms — the image of a floating city-state adrift in a sea of uncertainty became a defining image of the era.

Journalists , politicians and infectious disease experts have referred to cruises as “petri dishes.”

Yet, despite the early skeptics and pandemic-induced challenges, the cruise industry has not only survived but thrived. In fact, demand for cruises is now even higher than it was before the pandemic.

Cruises make a comeback

The number of cruise transactions worldwide in the first quarter of 2024, including bookings and onboard purchases, was about 16% more than the same period in 2019, according to a 2024 report from the Mastercard Economics Institute.

More money is floating into cruises, too. Mastercard found that, as of May 2024, nine out of the last 10 all-time record spending days in cruises occurred in 2024.

Spending on cruises is not just up pre-pandemic, but over the past year. According to Bank of America credit and debit card data from May 2024, spending on cruises is up 12% year-over-year.

Why are cruises so hot in 2024?

A few factors indicate why cruises are sailing toward growth:

Pent-up demand: Cruises are, in part, riding the general wave of pent-up demand for travel. People who skipped cruises (or trips as a whole) in the early years of the pandemic might now be ready to return.

Appeal to older demographics: While there are certainly great cruises for families or cruises for young couples, cruises tend to have special appeal to older folks. According to Bank of America’s internal data from January through May 2024, baby boomers, (which the company defines as people born between 1946 and 1964) make up around half of total spending on cruises.

Unique offerings: Cruises these days are appealing to younger demographics, too.

Disney Wish, which is the newest in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, capitalizes on "Frozen" fandom with a one-of-a-kind “Frozen”-themed restaurant that includes an Olaf puppet, live music (performing songs from the film, of course) and technology such as invisible fiber optics embedded in the ceiling designed to look like Elsa’s magic.

That’s not the only example of unique experiences that can only be had at sea.

The Sun Princess by Princess Cruises offers a cruise line version of the Magic Castle, which is a famously tough-to-get-into, exclusive club in Los Angeles. The cruise line version, called Spellbound by Magic Castle, guides guests through magic-themed rooms and serves them clever cocktails. The biggest difference between the Los Angeles version versus the cruise version is that the latter is quite easy to get into. All you need is to book a sailing on the Sun Princess and reserve your spot, which means paying an additional $149 admission fee.

Other unique cruise line bars include the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar aboard certain Norwegian Cruise Line ships. The entire bar (including seats and glasses) is made entirely from ice.

More cruises on the horizon

As many of the biggest cruise operators are expanding their fleets, cruisers now have even more choices. Disney’s current fleet of five ships is an example of an operator in the midst of massive growth.

Among the new ships to join Disney’s fleet include a Japan-based cruise, which is expected to launch in early 2029. Then in August 2024, Disney announced four additional ships, which are expected to be ready between 2027 and 2031. That means Disney’s fleet of five will grow to 13 by 2031.

The first of those new ships, the Disney Treasure, will take its maiden voyage in December 2024. The Haunted Mansion Parlor, which is a bar themed to the iconic theme park attraction, is among the ship’s most-anticipated features.

Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, also made waves this year when it announced a new ship would join its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand. The ship, which is expected to be ready by 2027, marks Carnival’s first newbuild order in five years — suggesting the company is ready to invest after a pandemic-era lull.

Sure, the pandemic cast a long shadow over the cruise industry. But going forward, the industry appears to be full steam ahead.

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Ibiza to limit cruise ship arrivals amid Spain’s overtourism crisis

Ibiza plans to limit only two cruise ships arriving at the same time at their port, article bookmarked.

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Authorities in Ibiza are have implemented new regulations for cruise ships docking at their ports.

The Council of Mayors on Friday announced plans to limit the simultaneous arrival of cruise ships to the Spanish island by allowing no more than two cruises to dock at the same time.

Ibiza remains one of the most popular destinations for British tourists, attracting partygoers to the vibrant club and DJ scene, as well as families seeking white sandy beaches and crystal-clear coves.

However, like many other Spanish and European destinations, overtourism has become an issue in recent years, affecting landscapes and the lives of residents.

The council has agreed to speak with the Balearic Port Authority so it can assess the annual schedule of cruise ship arrivals in Ibiza and ensure that the volume arriving at the same time is limited to a maximum of two.

The officials also proposed to discuss a more “controlled” and “planned” schedule of arrivals.

Mallorca was the first Spanish holiday hotspot to limit the cruise ship arrivals last year , with a cap of three ships per day that can arrive in Palma.

The president of Ibiza’s council, Vicent Marí Torres, said that while the island is not against the arrival of tourists on cruise ships, better planning needs to be carried out to ensure overcrowding does not affect their residents.

“When the arrival of more than two cruises occurs simultaneously, the port and transport services collapse, which generates a problem in Ibiza town," he said, according to The Daily Express .

"We are not against the arrival of cruises but we ask that it occurs in a more orderly and planned way.

"This lack of planning affects both the residents, who suffer this saturation at the time of arrival and tourists who take a bad image of their stay."

Last year, Ibiza logged a record number of cruise ship passengers arriving in Ibiza. Data analysis from the non-profit Ibiza Preservation revealed that a total of 548,969 cruise passengers docked at the island in 2023.

This was an 86 per cent increase on the 295,468 passengers registering their arrival in 2022, and surpassed pre-Covid numbers.

Considering Ibiza’s population is around 159,000 residents, this means there were 3.45 times the number of cruise tourists than Spanish locals in 2023.

While the Spanish island heavily relies on its tourism industry to sustain its economy, with 84 per cent of its GDP depending directly on travellers, the 21-mile-long island can only sustain so many visitors at once.

Ibiza residents and authorities have previously voiced concerns about marine and wildlife damage, the rental market crisis inflated by illegal tourist rentals, and oversaturation due to the influx of tourists.

The authorities have also considered staggering the amount of cruise ship passengers disembarking the ships instead of allowing thousands of tourists to flood the island all at once.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast

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