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A 7-day Cruise Price Guide: How Much Does a Week-Long Cruise Cost Per Person?

by Deepa Kartha
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White ship cruise in water under the sky.
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Dreaming of sailing on the high seas on a leisure cruise for a week? Before you go and book one on a whim, make sure you know how much you are paying and whether it would burn a hole in your wallet. If this is your first time, you are at the right place. Before you book a holiday, you should know that many players exist in the cruise industry, and choosing a cruise that matches your budget can be overwhelming. Let us make it easier for you. On average, for a wholesome cruise experience, you should spend at least a week on a cruise journey. So, how much does a 1 week cruise cost? Let’s find out!

Factors That Impact the Cost of a Cruise

Before we ponder how much does a cruise ship cost per person for a week long holiday, let’s dive into the elements that affect a cruise holiday’s cost.

The Cruise Line You Choose to Sail With

White Cruise Ship Under The Sky.

The cruise operator and the type of ship you choose for your holiday influence your cruise costs. When you wonder how much is it to go on a cruise, the fleet of ships you are cruising on for your vacation might also be the reason for a hike in cost. Newer fleets with new designs often have state-of-the-art facilities and innovative recreational zones, which can add to the cost of the overall cruise experience. Then again, ships with high passenger capacity often tend to spread the operational costs, thereby offering lower base fares. One example is Carnival Cruises, which focuses on passenger volume rather than luxury. Carnival Cruises are generally found cheaper compared to other high-end cruise liners like Royal Caribbean Cruise, Celebrity Cruises, or Norwegian Cruise Line.

The Destination You Wish to Visit

White color cruise ship near an island.

The countries you wish to visit also play a major role in the pricing of cruise holidays. Most first-time cruisers only consider the destinations included in the cruise itinerary and later realise that they will need to arrange how to reach the departure port from their country of residence, which involves extra travel costs. When booking a cruise holiday, take into account your starting point – where are you based, and where will you need to travel to board the ship? Moreover, the destination port, the ports of call you would stop by, and any pre-cruise stays all contribute to the cruise holiday price. Say, if you are residing in Asia and wish to take a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise holiday, you would have to spend from your pocket for flights and a visa to reach the departure port for your cruise holiday, which might be in a European or US destination. Since a week-long cruise holiday is comparatively shorter, you would mostly have options for routes having shorter travel distances from embarkation ports to ports of call, which often results in lower prices.

Your Options for Accommodation Onboard

The cabin type you wish to book on a cruise also impacts your cruise budget. The lower the category, the lower the price. The price increases as you go for higher cabin styles like suites, oceanview cabins, or balcony or verandah cabins. The inside stateroom with no windows is the cheapest stay option onboard a cruise. These are the smallest rooms, located deeper inside the ship, and are apt for budget-conscious travellers. On the other hand, suites are the most expensive stay options, offering premium, spacious rooms with an array of exclusive facilities and benefits such as priority boarding, private access, and exclusive dining experiences. The placement of the cabin on the ship’s deck also affects the price. Cabins on higher and middle decks often cost more than other cabins onboard the ship.

The Time of Year You Plan to Travel

Cruise balcony view

The time of year for cruise departures significantly influences the cost of cruise holidays due to variations in demand, weather patterns, and operational factors. High demand periods, such as school holidays, the Christmas and New Year’s Eve period, and summer months, also increase the prices for cruises scheduled on departure dates falling in those months. Similarly, off-peak seasons see a drastic drop in prices, or cruises offer discounted rates or last-minute deals to fill cabins and keep the departure dates operational. The weather conditions of the destinations you travel to also influence the fluctuation and drops in prices.

What’s Included, What’s Not, and Additional Charges Over Your Fare Price

Cruise holiday prices also increase based on the inclusions the holiday package has. If you opt for a basic cruise with limited amenities included on your journey, you pay a lot less than the colossal cruises with go-kart circuits, rollercoasters and water parks built into it. The food and beverage inclusion can also seem a bit confusing about what’s actually included in the cruise pricing. In most cruises, water, coffee, and basic juices are usually free, but sodas, alcohol, and speciality coffees cost extra. Speciality dining also incurs additional costs. Apart from the base fare, other expenses should also be taken into consideration before finalising your dream cruise vacation. These charges can be port fees and taxes, personal onboard expenses for shopping, entertainment, and dining, Wi-Fi charges, gratuities, and travel costs that get you to the embarkation port, such as visas, flights, and any pre-cruise hotel stay required before your embarkation day. Cruise liners with extensive included amenities, such as exclusive dining and entertainment, have higher base fares, while budget liners rely on add-ons, increasing onboard spending. Carnival Cruise Line’s base fare is quite low, but when you include add-ons such as drinks and speciality dining, the cost goes up. Virgin Voyages, on the other hand, is all-inclusive when it comes to dining and gratuities, hence, their packages start at higher rates, like USD 900 to USD 1300.

Travelling Solo

A woman standing on a deck looking out at the ocean.

Sailing on a giant cruise alone, enjoying the sea breeze and the freedom of travelling independently, might feel like a great experience, but not for your wallet. All cruise liners price their packages per person rates based on double occupancy. So, if you plan to stay alone in a cruise cabin that can hold two people, the cruise line expects you to pay more as a supplement. This is called a single supplement. The single supplement clause also differs from cruise line to cruise line. Some levy a 100% supplement, while some attract a 50% additional charge over double occupancy. In most cases, you, as a solo traveller, would end up paying more than the price for two people travelling on board.

Keeping all these factors in mind, the average cruise cost of a 7 day cruise holiday can range from 400 USD to 4000 USD per person, depending on the cruise line, cabin room selected and time of the year you decide to travel.

To get more clarity, here are some average rates of the most spectacular cruise holidays from world-popular cruise lines for a week-long sojourn in different destinations.

Royal Caribbean Cruises: Cost Comparisons

A 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas costs an average of USD 305 per person in an interior cabin from January to February 2026.

The same cruise line would charge an additional USD 370 if you planned to visit the Greek Isles on Explorer of the Seas in September and October 2025.

Make that an 8-day Bali adventure, which is one of the best cruises from Singapore to take, and you will have to shell out an additional USD 800 per person!

Caribbean Cruises: Cost Comparison

A 7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty costs around USD 600 per person for a January 2025 departure. But an Alaska cruise on a different sister ship, Carnival Spirit, in September would make the holiday budget steeper by USD 350 per person.

Celestyal Cruises: Price Comparison

The Iconic Arabia from Dubai is one of the fascinating cruises from Dubai to explore the splendours of the Middle East’s finest destinations. It is priced at around USD 1034 per person for a December 2025 departure. Change the destination to Greece, and you can increase your budget by USD 150 per person for a November 2025 departure.

As you can see, there are a variety of factors that contribute to cruise holiday pricing. So, how can you tackle these costs and make it a better offer for you? Here are some ways to do so.

  •  Take advantage of early booking promotions and discounts. Keep a watch on official websites to grab any deals that can work in your favour to lower your holiday budget. Some cruises even offer ‘kids sail free’ offers, which are wonderful if you are planning a cruise holiday with family and kids.
  • Travel with someone. Don’t opt for a solo travel, as it would attract a single supplement charge on your cruise holiday fare. If you are keen on taking a solo cruise holiday, then choose cruise holiday deals that are specifically designed for solo travellers.
  • Know what is included. Get clarity on inclusions and what extra charges you will have to pay before you finalise your cruise holiday. Skip add-ons on your vacation if you want a budget-friendly experience.
  • Opt for budget cruise liners or repositioning cruise itineraries, which offer much more affordable fares.
  • Invest your time with a good tour operator specialising in cruise holidays. They have ample experience with pricing strategies and can guide you with the best departure dates that suit your budget for a 7-day cruise holiday.

Takeaway

Cruise vacations are a better option for travelling to exotic destinations. Booking a vacation on board a grand ship is a consolidated way to ensure you reserve your stay, transportation, and sightseeing all in one go. However, getting the pricing to match your holiday budget is a bit tricky, but with the right aid and knowledge, even this is a breeze. The cost of a 7-night cruise can range from as low as USD 400 per person to over USD 4,000, depending on factors like which cruise line you choose, where you are going, the type of room you pick, and when you sail. Understand a few aspects of cruising, and you are good to go for a sea sojourn that stays memorable for a lifetime.

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