How much does a Caribbean Cruise Price?

Going on a Caribbean cruise is a vacation that has been discussed for a long time and is still a popular choice. The advantages are, to mention few: sunny climate, crystal clear sea, visits to exotic locations, and of course, not having to worry about cooking or cleaning. Most of the travelers put the same question before booking if the trip is worthwhile: "What is the real cost of a Caribbean cruise?"

The simple reply is that it varies. However, the longer explanation is good news. In the range of Caribbean cruises, there are different prices according to the standard of living and the duration, from quick cheap trips to long luxury sailing and so on. Properly done planning, it is easier than you might have imagined discovering one that perfectly fits both your holiday plan and your budget.

This guide takes you through the process of understanding cruise prices, when prices vary among seasons and cruise lines, what factors influence the final price, and how to save money during the process.

Typical prince range based on cruise lines

The very first aspect we need to talk about is the cruise lines. Each cruise line has its unique pricing structure albeit with some similarities. For instance, below are typical initial costs per person for a 7-night cruise on an inside cabin in the Caribbean for some of the cruise lines.

• MSC Cruises: Starts from under $200* per person for short trips.
• Costa Cruises: Starts from under $100-$300* per person for short trips.
• Celestyal Cruises: Starts from $1,000* for 7-night trips.
• Princess Cruises: Starts from under $400* per person for short trips.
• Royal Caribbean: Starts from $378*-$450* for 4-nights per person.
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Starts from under $500-$1000* per person for 7-day trips.
• Carnival Cruise Line: Starts from under $200* - $400* per person for short trips.

Price Variety by Time of Year

The cost of the cruise is mainly determined by the season you choose for your cruise. Caribbean cruises have their own specific seasonal patterns and knowing them can not only facilitate your planning but also save you money.

Peak Season (Winter)

The Caribbean is at its best and most expensive in winter, which is the favorite season for making cruises. Many travelers spend their winter holidays in the period from December to March during which they want to spend more on the holidays. Ships carrying the maximum number of passengers have all the main routes already sold out through waiting lists. Expect higher rates during the whole period, particularly in January and February.

Cruises over Christmas

Christmas and New Year cruises rank as the costliest of all trips. Besides, school holidays together with onboard celebration activities make the demand extraordinarily high for such sailing. Prices could be up to three times higher than in ordinary weeks, and sometimes cabins are booked up even six months in advance.

Cruises in Spring

Spring cruises, mainly from late March to early May, rank high among the best options. The climate is pleasant, the number of tourists is bearable, and the rates are quite fair. Weeks of Spring Break might still be expensive, but going on vacation outside those dates tends to give you better value.

Cruises in Summer

The period from June to August is when summer cruises are held. The price of these cruises is highly variable. The very beginning of the summer might be on the costly side as it is family travel time, but end of summer generally means better prices. The heat is around and the ships are full of life; hence, this season is a favorite among families.

Cruises in Fall

Fall time is predominantly the cheapest for Caribbean cruises. The months of September and October come with the lowest fares as fewer people go on vacation during the hurricane season. Even though the probability of rain is high, many tourists prefer the less crowded ships and huge savings.

Price Variety by Itinerary

Three sorts of Caribbean cruises exist:

• Eastern Caribbean
• Western Caribbean
• Southern Caribbean

All things considered, Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises are less expensive than Southern ones overall.

There are a lot of luxury cruise companies in the southern Caribbean. The number-one travel option to the Caribbean is taking a cruise from the USA. A Europe transatlantic tour that goes directly to the Caribbean is also an option.

Price Variety by Cruise Length

A long cruise is, of course, pricier than a short cruise, but this, however, does not automatically imply that the difference in price will be by the same ratio.

Generally, on most cruise lines the cost of a 14-night cruise is not even double the cost of a 7-night cruise.

For the cruise line, it is a lot more hassle to change the guests each time than simply to let the same ones stay onboard.

The day when the guests get on and off the ship is termed turn around day, which is often the busiest day for the cruise line staff.

The cruise ship will have to get off thousands of passengers by approximately 10 a.m. and will begin to allow new passengers at 12 noon. It’s hard to believe how it actually works!

How much is a short-term cruise to the Caribbean?

• Budget (Interior Cabin): $70 - $160+ per person, per night.
• Mid-Range (Oceanview/Balcony): $110 - $250+ per person, per night, depending on the view and ship.
• Luxury (Suites): Can start from $250 and go well over $1,000 per night.

How much is a long-term cruise to the Caribbean?

The spread of costs over time, literally, is one of the advantages of taking longer cruises, which in turn can make them quite surprising daily-wise.

Monthly Cost Estimates

A very common practice among long-staying cruisers is planning for $2,000 to $4,000 or more monthly per person for the basic fare and tips only. A couple might easily go beyond the $10,000 mark monthly if in-board spending like drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions are included.

World and Extended Cruises

The price range of multi-month voyages is very large. For example, on a nine-month world cruise, the inside cabin starts at approximately $87,000 per person and goes up above $112,000 for a balcony cabin, with many extras included. Similar cruises of four to three months last from $20,000 to $60,000 or more per person, depending on the cruise line and route.

Daily Cost Breakdown

Daily costs often decrease on super long trips to $200 to $300.

Key factors to consider when planning a Caribbean cruise

The price of the cruise price relies upon the duration and the number of passengers.

• The ranking of the cabins from the least to the most expensive is a standard cabin, a cabin with a view, and a luxury one."
• Ship age older ships mainly charge less
• Departure port, the costs of flights and hotels are added
• Demand for more popular sailings sells out faster and cost higher
• Promotions limited time offers like discounts, can lower prices

In certain scenarios, date changes along with different cabin types can give rise to great discounts.

How to save money on the cost of a Caribbean cruise?

One can reduce the cost of cruise tickets by many ways while still having the same experience.

• Book early or last minute
• Depart your cruise in autumn or late summer
• Take an inside cabin
• Be on the lookout for flash sales
• Select a travel agent who focuses on cruises

In some cases, the best offers come up when you are willing to change either the ship or the date.

Don’t forget extra costs

Cruise fares do not include other kinds of services. Among some additional expenses are the following:

• Tips for staff
• Land tours
• Alcohol packages
• Exclusive dining
• Internet connection

If you make plans for these beforehand, you will not only avoid surprises but also have a stress-free trip.

Conclusion

One of the main reasons for the massive popularity of Caribbean cruises is the prices. They fit into different budgets, hence many people opt for them. You can book a trip with friends that lasts a few days at a low price or be extravagant and go for a cruise that is a month long and luxurious. It is really simple to have the nice beach, delicious food, and relaxing days at the sea in a not too expensive way just by combining the cruise line, season, and duration of the trip. It can be experienced like a million-dollar vacation but with a tiny little budget paid only for a Caribbean cruise.