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The advertised cruise price is never the whole story. When calculating your total cruise budget, you need to take into account extra costs that can increase the base price by 30 to 50 per cent. What starts as an attractive cruise of 700 euros per person can quickly rise to 1,900 euros or more due to tips, excursions, drinks and transport. With a step-by-step approach, you can calculate exactly what you are in for. That way you avoid unpleasant surprises during or after your trip.
The base price as a starting point
For a seven-night cruise you typically pay between 500 and 2,000 euros per person. This base price depends on several factors. The type of cabin you choose plays an important role: an inside cabin without a window costs between 150 and 250 euros per day, while a balcony cabin or suite can push the price up considerably, to 5,000 euros or more for luxury options.
The season and destination also determine the price. Travelling outside the peak season can save up to 50 per cent. Port charges and taxes are often already included in the base price. For a week you normally pay 100 to 200 euros per person for these. It is important to check what exactly is included: meals in the main restaurant and entertainment on board are often already part of the price.
For a mid-range cruise with a balcony cabin, the base price is 1,500 euros per person. This is the starting point for your calculation, but certainly not the end point. To make a realistic budget, you add in the hidden costs and extras. For more background information on cruise prices and hidden costs, you can consult our detailed overview.
‘ These surcharges are not always communicated transparently when booking. ’
Mandatory tips and automatic surcharges
Many cruise lines automatically charge daily gratuities. You pay between 10 and 15 euros per person per day. For a week this adds up to 70 to 105 euros per person. These tips are usually settled at the end of the cruise and are intended for the crew on board. Check in advance whether gratuities are already included in your package, as this is not the case with some cruise lines.
These surcharges are not always communicated transparently when booking. It is sensible to include them right away in your total budget. Some cruise lines allow you to adjust the gratuities. However, this does not always go smoothly. Bear this in mind when comparing different providers.
Drinks and drinks packages
Water, coffee and tea are often free on board, but you pay extra for soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails. A beer or cocktail will quickly cost you 5 to 10 euros. If you order drinks regularly, the costs can rise fast. For a week you can expect to spend 100 to 200 euros per person, depending on your drinking habits.
Many cruise lines offer drinks packages. You pay a fixed amount per day and have unlimited access to certain drinks. This can be good value if you drink alcohol frequently, but compare carefully what is included in the package. Not all packages cover premium brands or special cocktails. For those who want to be frugal: stick to the free options and occasionally treat yourself to a paid drink.
Average cost of a drinks package
A standard drinks package costs between 50 and 70 euros per person per day. For a week you will then spend 350 to 490 euros. This is only worthwhile if you would normally order more than five drinks a day. Calculate in advance whether the package is worth it in your situation.
Excursions and activities ashore
At every port you can choose to book an excursion. Excursions through the cruise line cost on average 50 to 100 euros per person per port. For a cruise with five port calls this is 250 to 500 euros per person. This is one of the biggest expenses besides the base price.
There are alternatives. You can go out on your own and book with local providers. This often saves 20 to 30 euros per excursion. Make sure you are back at the ship on time. Cruise lines do not wait for passengers who are late. Plan your time carefully and allow for travel time and possible delays.
Some ports are within walking distance of places of interest. In that case you can wander around for free and explore on your own. This saves considerable costs but does require some preparation. Find out in advance what there is to see and how to get there.
‘ On average you pay 100 to 300 euros per person for transport to the port. ’
Transport to and from the port
The trip to the departure port is a separate expense. Think of flights, train tickets, parking or taxis. The amount depends on where you live and the port location. On average you pay 100 to 300 euros per person for transport to the port. Book early to save and compare different transport options.
Parking at the port sometimes costs 10 to 20 euros per day. For a week this comes to 70 to 140 euros. Some cruise lines offer parking packages that are cheaper than the daily rate. Public transport can also be a cost-efficient alternative, especially if you are travelling from a nearby city.
Extra facilities on board
On board there are various extra services available that are not included in the base price, such as Wi‑Fi, speciality restaurants, spa treatments and shopping areas. Wi‑Fi often costs between 10 and 30 euros per day. For a week this comes to 70 to 210 euros per person.
Speciality restaurants charge a surcharge of 20 to 50 euros per person. This surcharge is on top of the free meals in the main restaurant. Spa treatments range from 50 to 200 euros per treatment. If you want to use these services, add another 50 to 200 euros per person to your budget.
How to keep these costs down
- Use Wi‑Fi in ports. Take advantage of free hotspots ashore.
- Eat in the main restaurant instead of speciality restaurants
- Skip spa treatments. Opt for a single treatment as a treat.
- Avoid impulse buys in the on-board shopping area
Calculating your total budget per person
With all the costs mapped out, you can calculate your total cruise budget. Start with the base price and then add the extra costs step by step. This gives you a realistic picture of what you will actually pay.
Calculator for a standard seven-night cruise
- Base price per person: 1,500 euros
- Gratuities: 105 euros
- Drinks without package: 150 euros
- Excursions via cruise line: 350 euros
- Transport to port: 100 euros
- Wi‑Fi and extras: 100 euros
Total per person: 2,305 euros. For a family of four that is 9,220 euros. This is a realistic picture of a mid-range cruise. For a budget cruise you can get down to 1,300 to 1,900 euros per person by choosing an inside cabin, no drinks package, DIY excursions and limited use of extra services.
‘ Always allow 30 to 50 per cent on top of the base price. ’
Tips to reduce your cruise budget
Here is how to keep your cruise costs under control without losing the experience. Travel outside peak season and compare different cruise lines and departure ports. An inside cabin is cheaper than a balcony cabin and you will still spend most of the day outside your cabin.
Organise excursions yourself via local providers or explore the port under your own steam. This can save you a lot on excursion costs. Opt for the free meals and drinks on board. Limit your use of paid services such as Wi‑Fi and speciality restaurants.
When comparing deals, pay close attention to what exactly is included. Not all all-inclusive packages cover alcohol or excursions. Always allow 30 to 50 per cent extra on top of the base price. This way you avoid surprises. Plan consciously and keep control over your holiday budget.
Regional differences in cruise costs
The destination you choose affects the total costs. For cruises in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean you pay on average higher port charges, from 150 euros or more per person. Exotic destinations such as Antarctica or the Galápagos Islands are significantly more expensive. This is due to the luxury accommodation and specialised excursions. Here you will quickly start at 3,000 euros per person and costs can rise to 15,000 euros or more.
Also take exchange rates into account if you pay in a different currency. Fluctuations in the exchange rate can affect your budget. Check in advance which currency the cruise line uses for payments on board.
Keeping your budget realistic
A good rule of thumb: multiply your base price by 1.3 to 1.5. This gives you a realistic total amount and factors in all the extra costs you will incur.
Plan in advance which excursions you want to do and how many drinks you intend to have. Also decide which extra services you really need. That way you will not have to monitor your spending constantly during the cruise.
Make an overview of all cost items. Fill in the amounts based on your personal preferences. This gives you insight into the total costs and helps you make informed choices. A cruise does not have to be expensive if you plan well and know where your money is going.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about cruises, budget planning and smart travel tips for independent travellers. Discover more useful articles and tools to help you plan your holiday consciously and cost-efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
In general, the total cruise budget for a week, including tips, drinks and excursions, is often in the same ballpark as a self-organised car, train or road trip of comparable duration. A cruise may initially seem more expensive because of packages and surcharges, but in return you get accommodation, meals and entertainment included. On a self-organised trip, the costs for hotels, eating out, fuel/train tickets and individual activities often add up to a similar amount. The final price difference depends strongly on your travel style (comfort level, eating and drinking habits, type of excursions and transport).
You can mainly save on the choice of season, cabin type (e.g. inside cabin instead of balcony) and departure port by being flexible. In addition, you can limit the costs for drinks, gratuities and paid restaurants yourself (for example by choosing free options or skipping a drinks package). Excursions are a major cost item you can influence: organising something yourself ashore or exploring a city on foot is often much cheaper than organised ship excursions. You can also manage transport to the port, Wi‑Fi, spa and other extras “smartly” by looking for alternatives or skipping some of them.
In addition to the base price, there are often compulsory or automatic daily gratuities, which can add up considerably. Furthermore, drinks (especially alcohol and speciality coffee), paid restaurants on board, Wi‑Fi, spa and some sports or entertainment activities are often not included. Excursions via the cruise line, transfers to and from the port, parking, and any visas or port charges are additional items. Roughly speaking, you can expect hidden and additional costs together to amount to 30–50 per cent on top of the advertised cruise price.
Choose a slightly simpler cabin (for example an inside cabin instead of a balcony) and use the money you save for a drinks package, a few good excursions and perhaps one or two speciality restaurants for extra enjoyment. Plan in advance which port calls really matter to you and invest in a special excursion there, while in other ports you explore on your own or opt for free activities. Travel outside peak season or with flexible dates to save on the base price and thus create more room for comfort upgrades (such as better beds, a quiet deck location or late check-out). Set a fixed extra budget (for example 30 per cent on top of the base price) for experience and comfort and stick to it during the cruise.
Also include in your total budget the travel costs to and from the departure/arrival port, such as air tickets, trains, parking costs or any transfers. In addition, allow for possible pre- and post-cruise hotel nights (including breakfast, tourist tax and possibly local transport). Do not forget incidental costs around departure and arrival, such as extra meals ashore, baggage fees or a taxi if you arrive late. Plan these items in advance, as they can increase your total budget by several hundred euros.
