How much money for a 4 day cruise?

How much money do I need on a 4 day cruise?

Okay, so money for a 4-day cruise, huh? Let me tell you about my Carnival cruise to Ensenada.

It was back in March 2024, a spontaneous thing, really. Thought I’d only need, like, five hundred bucks, tops. Boy, was I wrong! It was a four-day trip.

The actual cruise fare was cheap, right? Around $300. But that’s before everything else hits you.

Once onboard, BAM! Drinks. Suddenly those fruity cocktails looked irresistible. Each one was like, $12. Twelve dollars!!! I’m not even kidding, right!

Then there’s the gambling. I swear that casino called my name. Lost like $200 there. Whoops.

• Cruise fare: $300
• Drinks: $150 (easy!)
• Gambling: $200 (ouch)
• Shore excursion (Ensenada): $75 (wine tasting!)
• Gratuities: $60 (mandatory)
• Souvenirs: $40 (that stupid t-shirt)

Food? Included, yeah, but the specialty restaurants were tempting. The steakhouse was like 40 bucks extra. Worth it, though.

Total damage: close to $825. Oh man! Almost triple the initial fare. I spent too much.

And get this, my friend Karen, she only spent like $500. She didn’t drink much or gamble. Boring! So, yeah, $250-$1500? Probably accurate. But know yourself, you know?

How much does a cruise for 4 people cost?

Cruises for four? Buckle up, buttercup, it’s a wild ride. Think $436 minimum—a steal, practically pocket change for a cramped interior cabin on a quickie Bahamas getaway (hope you like each other… a lot!).

Or, you can drop $404,796 per person. Yep. That’s a suite. Entry-level. Makes my mortgage look like, well, spare change.

• Bargain Basement: Imagine a four-night Bahamas jaunt. $109 per person. Room service is extra. I hope you’re not claustrophobic, the interior cabins are tiny. Seriously, tiny.
• Living Large: Suites, darling. Forget the Bahamas. Think around the world. $404,796 per person, and you’ll need to book that years in advance. My Aunt Mildred’s cat had more legroom in his carrier last Christmas!

Want more? Sure, why not. It depends. On everything.

• Destination: Bahamas? Cheap thrills. Antarctica? Your wallet weeps.

• Cabin Type: Interior? See above re: claustrophobia. Balcony? Slightly less claustrophobic. Suite? Bring a butler.

• Cruise Line: Carnival? Fun. Seabourn? Fancy. It’s a sliding scale of sequins and champagne.

• Time of Year: Summer? Prepare for crowds (and higher prices, sadly). Shoulder season? A slightly less chaotic and costly option. Unless you’re me, and you ALWAYS pick the wrong time.

Essentially, cruising with a family is a bit like gambling: it may seem nice at first, but it could end in a divorce or a new mortgage. Or both. Good luck.

Can you go on a cruise for 500 dollars?

Five hundred dollars for a cruise? Ha. Not a chance for a decent one. Maybe a cramped, inside cabin, the lowest deck, on a smaller ship, somewhere… off-season, I guess.

It’s all about the details. The cruise line is key. Some budget lines exist, yes, but even then…

• The cabin: Forget balconies. Forget anything nice. You’re talking basic. Basic, basic.
• The time of year: Shoulder seasons – avoid peak season, like summer. Cruising in late fall or early spring is cheaper, but the weather…
• The destination: Caribbean? Forget it. Think smaller, less popular routes.

Five hundred dollars is barely enough for airfare, let alone a cruise. Seriously. I looked into it for my sister’s birthday, 2023. It was a disaster. The cheapest I found, even with deals, was closer to 1200 per person, for a 3-night trip. A three-night trip. The whole thing felt… pointless. Expensive, cramped, and ultimately… disappointing.

How much would a 3 day cruise cost?

Three-day cruise? Figure $500 to $2,500, easy. Big range, huh? It’s a whole thing. Cabin type matters. Inside cabins, oceanview, balcony, suite… prices jump. My balcony on Royal Caribbean to Cozumel cost me $1200 last year, just for me.

• Port fees and taxes. Tack on another $100-200 per person. Always extra. Always annoying.
• Gratuities. Auto-added, often around $15 per person, per day.
• Drinks. Alcohol adds up fast. Consider a drink package, sometimes worth it, sometimes a ripoff.
• Specialty dining. Want a fancy meal? Figure $30-50 extra, per person, per meal. Sushi on the Navigator of the Seas? Delicious. Pricey.
• Excursions. Snorkeling, ziplining, exploring… budget at least $100 per excursion. Once swam with dolphins in Nassau. $200. Worth it.
• Wi-Fi. Often pricey onboard. I disconnect. It’s vacation.
• Souvenirs. Resist the urge… or budget accordingly. Bought a truly hideous, but beloved, parrot statue in Key West.

Cruises are a balancing act. Value versus experience. What’s it worth to you? What do you truly want? Choosing between inside and oceanview… is like choosing between existential dread and a slightly better view of existential dread. I kid! But, consider it.

What is a good price for a cruise per person?

Price? Fleeting. Bargains exist. $27/night? Illusory.

• Value? Subjective. Always.

Cruises fluctuate. Demand drives price. Season matters.

• Consider dates. Spring? High. Fall? Lower.

Inside cabins are cheaper. Balconies cost more. Obvious.

• Location is key. Alaska? Pricey. Caribbean? Maybe less.

“Deals” are marketed. Check the fine print. Taxes add up. Don’t forget port fees. Always.

• Hidden costs sting. Factor everything. Drinks, excursions, tips.

I spent $3000 once. Another, $800. Same cruise line. Different time.

• My rule: research everything. Or don’t. Your call.

Should you bring cash or card on a cruise?

Ugh, cruises! Okay, so, cash. Definitely cash. Like, seriously.

My last cruise… January 2024… Caribbean. The ship was cashless. Obvi. Everything went on my room key, linked to my credit card. Easy peasy, right?

Not exactly.

I always bring cash for tips. Cabin steward, bar staff… those guys work HARD. It’s just… better to tip in cash. Feels more personal. Plus, they get it immediately. And they freakin’ deserve it.

Ports though? That’s where the real need for cash hit me. We stopped at Cozumel. Gorgeous, right? I wanted this hand-woven bracelet from a tiny little stall. It looked perfect, like something my sister would really love.

The woman running the stall looked… exasperated when I pulled out my card. “No credit,” she said flatly, waving her hand. “Only dinero.” Ugh.

Thank god I had some US dollars on me! Couldnt BELIEVE the markup on the atms at that resort though.

Lessons learned:

• Always have cash. Especially small bills ($1s and $5s) for tips.
• Port vendors often prefer (or ONLY take) cash. Even in 2024!
• Check ATM fees beforehand. Resort ATMS are rip-offs!
• Consider carrying multiple cards. Just in case one gets blocked. My AMEX gave me a whole lot of issues when I was purchasing the cruise itself.

Seriously. Cash is king. Don’t be that clueless tourist stuck without it. Especially if you want to haggle a bit at the local shops!

Should you exchange currency before I travel?

Ordered pesos before Cancun trip last year. Got way better deal than at the airport. Banks, credit unions, those are good. Airport kiosks? Rip off. Absolute rip off! Should’ve gone with my bank like always. Learned my lesson! This year, Paris. Euros. Already ordered ’em through my credit union. So much easier. No stress finding an ATM first thing.

• Order currency before you go. Seriously.
• Banks and credit unions = best rates.
• Airport exchange places = worst. Like, the absolute worst.
• Saves time and hassle. Just pick it up. You’re done.

Took forever to find an ATM in Cancun. Then it ate my card. Not fun. Almost ruined the first day. Don’t do what I did! Credit union this time, super easy. In and out. They even gave me larger bills and smaller ones, which was perfect for tips. My credit union is First Tech, BTW. Highly reccomend. They even had a travel wallet thing they gave me for free! This year, I went with Chase bank for my Euros because I happened to be there anyway, but First Tech has usually been better.