That $299 cruise fare is not what you’ll actually pay. It’s the cover charge to get in the door.
Start with gratuities. Budget $15 per person per day for service staff. That’s $210 for two people on a week-long cruise. You can adjust these at the guest services desk, but this is the baseline.
Beverages add up fast. A basic soda package runs about $15 per day. Alcohol packages start around $60 per day per person. Two people drinking for seven days means another $840. Even bottled water costs $3 to $5 per bottle onboard.
Shore excursions through the cruise line average $75 to $150 per person per port. A Caribbean cruise with four ports could easily cost $600 for two people. Independent tours usually cost less but require more planning.
Specialty dining ranges from $35 to $75 per person per meal. WiFi packages run $20 to $30 per day. Photos start around $200 for basic packages. Spa treatments, casino money, and shopping can drain your wallet faster than a broken bilge pump.
Here’s the math for two people on a seven-day Caribbean cruise starting at $299 per person. Cruise fare: $598. Taxes and fees: $200. Gratuities: $210. Beverage package: $420. Four shore excursions: $600. Two specialty dinners: $140. WiFi: $150. Total: $2,318.
Your $299 cruise just became a $2,318 vacation. Plan for it or get surprised by it. If you want help sorting through what’s worth spending money on and what’s not, that is literally what we do.
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