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What a cruise actually costs once the fare, the gratuities, the drinks and the flights are all counted, and which of the onboard extras are worth paying for.
Costs & Money
How much a cruise costs for two comes down to choices: a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two adults costs about $3,400 all in for a typical trip in 2026, and anywhere from $1,400 to $6,300 depending on choices. The fare is less than half: Carnival's inside cabins had a median of about $635 per person. Gratuities add $238 to $280 for two, and flights, excursions, drinks and Wi-Fi make up the rest.
Costs & Money
Cruise gratuities are a daily charge added automatically to your onboard account: $17 to $20 per person per night in standard cabins on the big mainstream lines in 2026, and $19 to $25 in suites. Children usually pay too. Bars, specialty restaurants and the spa add a separate 18 or 20 percent. For two people on a seven-night cruise, the daily charge alone comes to $238 to $280.
Costs & Money
Cruise drink packages are worth it only for heavy drinkers. Carnival's CHEERS! package costs $83.94 per person per day in 2026 once its 20 percent service charge is added, and at Carnival's own menu prices you need about seven drinks every day of the cruise to break even. Every adult in the cabin usually has to buy it. Bundles that also include Wi-Fi and gratuities, such as Princess Plus, change the math.
Costs & Money
A mainstream cruise fare includes your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, most casual food venues, basic drinks such as tap water, coffee, tea and lemonade, the theater shows, pools, fitness center and kids clubs, and transport between ports. Gratuities, alcohol, soda on most lines, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments and often room service cost extra.
Costs & Money
Book cruise excursions through the ship when timing is tight, the sights are far from port or the ship tenders, because Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess promise to wait for their own late-running tours or get you to the next port. Book independently or explore alone when the sights are close and you will be back well before all-aboard time. You usually save money, but the risk of missing the ship is yours.
Costs & Money
Cruise port fees and taxes, usually shown as "taxes, fees and port expenses," are pass-through charges for head taxes, dockage, pilotage, customs and agriculture inspections and similar costs at each port. On a seven-night Caribbean cruise they typically run about $100 to $250 per person, and more in Alaska and Europe. They are mandatory, they rise with the number and type of ports, and they are separate from gratuities.
Costs & Money
Cruise ship Wi-Fi costs about $20 to $40 per device per day on the major mainstream lines in 2026, so roughly $140 to $280 per person for a seven-night cruise. Social media plans sit at the low end and streaming plans at the high end. Buying before you sail is usually cheaper, and most ships now use Starlink, so the connection is fast enough for video calls.