Some best-in-class 3-day cruises might not be as expensive as you think.
3-day cruises are a good way of spending a short vacation with your loved ones. However, a common myth surrounding cruises is that they cost a fortune. You should understand certain base expenditures are included in cruises. The total expenses, however, completely depend on how you want to spend your vacation. The more luxurious your desires are, the more expensive your cruise will be.
Tracking these costs might seem challenging, so in this article, we will discuss all the important factors that will help you establish an average cruise trip cost for a 3-day getaway in 2024. It will also enable you to understand exactly where you will most likely spend the big bucks. Those factors include -
The cruise fare refers to the cost that is charged by the cruise line for sailing on their boat. It is the biggest factor affecting your overall cruise trip expenditure. This payment covers all the important expenses, including cabin, meals, entertainment, and lounge charges. Extras such as specialty drinks and specialty restaurants are generally not included in these costs. Based on your budget, you can decide on the type of cabin you want, the length of the cruise, and the ship you want to sail on. Short cruises typically cost just shy of a few hundred dollars, while long, luxurious ones can easily exceed thousands.
Cruise Line | Starting Fare (USD) | Inclusions |
---|---|---|
Celebrity Cruises | 399$* | Meals, Beverages, Entertainment, Amenities |
Royal Caribbean | 349$* | Meals, Drinks, Entertainment, Activities |
Norwegian Cruise Line | 299$* | Accommodations, Meals, Beverages, Entertainment |
Carnival Cruise Line | 279$* | Meals, Entertainment, Amenities |
MSC Cruises | 319$* | Meals, Entertainment, Amenities |
Princess Cruises | 359$* | Meals, Entertainment, Activities |
Holland America Line | 329$* | Meals, Beverages, Entertainment |
Disney Cruise Line | 599$* | Meals, Beverages, Entertainment, Disney Characters |
Costa Cruises | 269$* | Meals, Entertainment, Amenities |
Virgin Voyages | 349$* | Meals, Beverages, Entertainment, Amenities |
* Price may vary at the time of booking.
There are several attractive add-ons that you are likely going to purchase once you are onboard. It includes money spent on gambling, alcoholic beverages, special restaurants, excursions, and souvenirs that you purchase from the onboard gift shops. Some people are frugal and tend to escape these costs, but the ones who let loose can add hundreds of dollars to their bills. To avoid this, you can make a rule that you should spend not more than 30-40% of your cruise fare on onboard spending.
If you have never traveled on a cruise before or find it difficult to understand what gratuities are and how they work, then do not worry. Gratuities are a form of rewarding the ship crew for their service. Currently, gratuities are typically added to your cruise fare bill or account. You can choose to prepay them, or they will be added to your onboard account.
Rates vary from one cruise line to another but usually hover around $15 per person daily. This means that a couple spending a 7-day cruise vacation will likely spend over $200 in gratuities.
Some people may have to fly, drive, or ride to the port, which can add to your expenses. If you have driven to the port in a private vehicle, you must also factor in parking charges. Most ports charge over $10 to $15 a day, and costs can vary from one port to another. If you are flying to reach your cruise ship, you must also factor in the flight expenses. If your journey requires you to spend a night or two in a hotel before reaching the port, you must include the hotel costs. All these together can add several hundred dollars to your overall expense.
Port spending involves taxiing to the nearest beach, dining at a local restaurant, or purchasing souvenirs from gift stores. The time you spend off your ship is relatively little, so many may overlook these costs. Negligence can end up costing you a good chunk of money. Hence, port expenditure is an essential part of your budget.
Cruise Line | Port Name | Cruise Name |
---|---|---|
Royal Caribbean | Miami, FL | Perfect Day at CocoCay |
Carnival Cruise Line | Baltimore, MD | Bahamas Cruise |
Norwegian Cruise Line | Tampa, FL | Western Caribbean Cruise |
Carnival Cruise Line | Galveston, TX | Cozumel Cruise |
Carnival Cruise Line | Los Angeles, CA | Baja Mexico Cruise |
Norwegian Cruise Line | New York, NY | Bermuda Cruise |
Royal Caribbean | Cape Liberty, NJ | Perfect Day at CocoCay |
Carnival Cruise Line | New Orleans, LA | Western Caribbean Cruise |
Disney Cruise Line | Miami, FL | Bahamian Cruise |
While the exact cost of a cruise trip depends on several variables, including the cruise line, the ship, cabin type, the time of the year, and the trip length, Cruise trips can sometimes cost less than $100 per day and, in other cases, can exceed thousands. However, judging by public reports, the average daily expenditure of a cruise trip for one person usually hovers around $150 to $250. Calculating the rest of the factors shows that a 3-day cruise usually costs around $900 to $1500.
When booking a 3-day cruise, it's important to be aware of several additional costs that are not included in the base fare:
Remember that your spending will likely differ based on the aforementioned factors. If you are a big spender, you will likely exceed the estimated costs within the first few days of the trip. However, if you are careful, you can minimize these costs and reduce your overall expenditures to a great extent.
If you still have questions about 3-day cruise costs and lines, contact us at +1 (866) 622-3344 or email us at info@cruisebooking.com. We’re a one-stop guide for all the information you may require on cruises.
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