It seems like this week everyone has cruises on the brain! I’ve personally quoted around 10 sailings across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, and Carnival — and there’s one big thing I keep having to explain…
That $500–$700 cruise price you see online?
That’s just the base fare.
Let’s break down what that actually means so you can budget the REAL cruise cost and avoid sticker shock.
⚓ The Base Fare Is Only the Starting Point
That advertised price does NOT include:
Taxes & port fees
Gratuities
Drink packages
Travel insurance
Specialty dining
Excursions
Wi-Fi
Specialty coffee
Some onboard activities
💰 Gratuities (Yes, They’re Automatic)
Gratuities are daily tips for your:
Cabin steward
Dining team
Behind-the-scenes crew
These are automatically added to your onboard account.
Typical cost: $100–$150 per person for a 7-night cruise
So if your cruise is $600 per person, you’re already closer to:
$750 per person — and we haven’t added taxes yet
🛡️ Travel Insurance
For a 7-night cruise, most policies average:
💵 About $300 per cabin
This protects your trip investment — and I strongly recommend it!
🍹 Drink Packages
Cruise lines differ on what’s included.
Alcohol Packages;
$60–$100 per person per day
Soda Packages;
A budget-friendly option.
Bringing Your Own Wine?
Corkage fee: $10–$30 per bottle if opened in dining venue
☕ Specialty Coffee & 🍽️ Specialty Dining
Your basic coffee and tons of food are included — but:
Starbucks-style drinks ❌
Specialty restaurants ❌ (optional but worth it for some!)
🎢 Onboard Activities That May Cost Extra
Some of the high-thrill experiences come with an upcharge, depending on the ship
🌴 Shore Excursions
These typically range from:
$50 – $300+ per person
📶 Wi-Fi Packages
Not included in your base fare and usually:
$15–$25 per day per device
🧾 The Realistic Cruise Budget
Let’s take that $600 cruise:
Base Fare: $600
Gratuities: $150
Insurance: $150 pp
Drink Package: $525
👉 New total: $1,425 per person (before excursions, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, etc.)
❤️ The Good News
Cruising is still an incredible value — you just need to:
✔️ Know the real numbers
✔️ Plan ahead
✔️ Choose what matters most to YOU
Because you absolutely can cruise without buying every add-on.