How Much Does A 3-Day Cruise Cost?

Book 3-Day Cruises

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.

How Much Does a 3-Day Cruise Cost?

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 -

1. 3-Day Cruise Fare

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.

2. Onboard spending

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.

3. Gratuities

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.

4. Transportation and Hotel Costs

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.

5. Port Expenditure

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.

Top 3-Day Cruise Lines & Ports of Call

Average 3-Day Cruise Fare in 2024

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:

• Gratuities: Most cruises automatically add daily gratuities to the bill for staff, such as room stewards and dining staff. These can be around $14-$18 per person per day.
• Food and Drinks: While basic meals are included, specialty restaurants, certain beverages (alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, sodas), and room service may incur additional charges.
• Onboard Activities: Many onboard activities and entertainment options are free, but some, like wine tastings, IMAX theater shows, escape rooms, and behind-the-scenes tours, require an additional fee.
• Shore Excursions: Activities and tours at ports of call are typically not included and can significantly increase the overall cost.
• Internet and Communications: Wi-Fi access is usually not included in the fare and can be quite expensive. Some cruise lines offer packages, but they add to the total cost.
• Spa and Fitness Services: Access to the fitness center is generally free, but spa treatments, salon services, and some fitness classes are additional expenses.
• Photographs: If you purchase professional photographs from the ship’s photographers, they are an extra cost.
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning: These services are available on most ships but are not included in the base fare.
• Medical Services: Any medical treatment onboard will be billed to your account and can be expensive.

Conclusion

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.