What does a Royal Caribbean cruise actually cost?
Updated 2026-07 · 5 min read
Royal Caribbean is operator of the largest cruise ships on Earth, including the Icon and Oasis classes. Big-ship energy — surf simulators, ice rinks, and zip lines aimed at families and first-timers who want maximum activity per day. Like every mainstream-tier line, the advertised fare is only the starting point — here's what the rest of the trip typically adds.
What's included vs. what's extra
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Gratuities | $18 / person / day |
| Drink package | $90 / adult / day |
| Wi-Fi | $20 / day |
| Specialty dining | $60 / adult / night (typically 2 nights) |
| Shore excursions | ~$110 / adult / port |
A worked example
Two adults, balcony cabin, 7 nights, 3 ports, with the drink package, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions turned on:
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare (sticker price) | $2,520 |
| Taxes & port fees | $336 |
| Gratuities | $252 |
| Drink package | $1,260 |
| Wi-Fi | $140 |
| Specialty dining | — |
| Shore excursions | $660 |
| Travel insurance | — |
Sticker price: $2,520. Real total: $5,168 (roughly $4,651–$5,685), or about $369 per person, per night, all-in.
For a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids) on the same itinerary, the real total comes to roughly $7,658 ($6,892–$8,424).
Adjust cabin, nights, or family size for Royal Caribbean →Where Royal Caribbean sails from
Common homeports include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Bayonne, Galveston. Positioning cruises and repositioning sailings (moving a ship between seasonal regions) can carry lower fares than round-trip itineraries from the same port — worth checking if your dates are flexible.
Our take
If you're choosing Royal Caribbean for the ship itself — the waterpark, the boardwalk, the size — book one of the newest mega-ships. Their older, smaller ships don't have the amenities that make the brand worth the mainstream-tier premium.
Frequently asked questions
What's included in Royal Caribbean's fare?
Royal Caribbean's advertised fare covers the cabin and standard dining and entertainment only. Gratuities ($18/person/day), drink packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and shore excursions are all sold separately.
How much is the Royal Caribbean drink package?
Roughly $90 per adult, per day, based on typical mainstream-tier pricing. For two adults on a 7-night cruise that's about $1,260.
Is Royal Caribbean a good value?
If you're choosing Royal Caribbean for the ship itself — the waterpark, the boardwalk, the size — book one of the newest mega-ships. Their older, smaller ships don't have the amenities that make the brand worth the mainstream-tier premium.
What will a Royal Caribbean cruise actually cost?
For two adults in a balcony cabin on a 7-night, 3-port itinerary with drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions included, expect a real total around $5,168 (roughly $4,651–$5,685) against a sticker fare of $2,520. Run your own cabin and family size in the calculator for an exact estimate.