A first-time Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean will realistically cost $150–$300+ per person per day beyond your base fare, depending on how you handle drinks, dining, WiFi, gratuities, and shore excursions. Here's exactly what to budget and where to protect your wallet.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Bermuda is one of the most unique cruise destinations in the world — your ship docks for two or three full days at the Royal Naval Dockyard, not just a quick port call. That's great news for exploration, but it also means more days of temptation to spend money both onboard and off. Before you board, you need a real number in your head, not cruise-line marketing math.
What a Bermuda Cruise on Royal Caribbean Actually Costs Beyond the Fare
Your base fare gets you a cabin, included meals at the main dining room and buffet, and entertainment. Everything else is extra. Here's the honest breakdown of what you'll spend per person per day:
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratuities | $18.50/day | $18.50/day | $21/day (suite) |
| Drinks | $0 (BYOB at port, drinks at dinner only) | ~$80/day (Deluxe Beverage Package) | $80–$120/day (DBP + premium top-ups) |
| WiFi | $0 (use Bermuda cell signal in port) | ~$20/day (VOOM Surf) | ~$30/day (VOOM Surf + Stream) |
| Specialty Dining | $0 (stick to included dining) | $45–$55/cover (Chops, Izumi Hibachi) | $75–$95/cover (Supper Club, Chef's Table) |
| Shore Excursions | $0–$30 (DIY ferry + beaches) | $60–$120/person (snorkel tours, glass-bottom boat) | $150–$250/person (scuba, private charters) |
| Estimated Daily Total | ~$50–$75/person | ~$180–$220/person | $300+/person |
Note: Drink package pricing is dynamic — $80/day is a typical pre-cruise Cruise Planner rate for the Deluxe Beverage Package, but it can range from $56 to $120/day depending on your sailing date and demand. Book during a flash sale and you'll pay closer to $56. Wait until you're onboard and you'll pay top dollar.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive Your Bermuda Cruise Cost
Gratuities are non-negotiable in practice. Royal Caribbean charges $18.50/person/day (or $21/day in suites), automatically added to your SeaPass account. On a 7-night Bermuda sailing, that's $129.50 per person before you buy a single drink. You can technically adjust this at Guest Services before disembarkation, but don't — the crew earns it.
The drink package math on Bermuda itineraries. Bermuda sailings typically run 7 nights with 2–3 sea days each way, plus 2–3 full days in port. Here's the honest truth: if you drink moderately, the package is borderline on a Bermuda itinerary. In port, you can buy drinks at local bars for less. On sea days, the package pays off fast. A well cocktail is ~$11.50 + 18% gratuity = $13.57 per drink à la carte. You need roughly 5–6 drinks per day to break even on the package. If you're a 2–3 drink-per-day person, do the math yourself before buying.
Important package rule: All adults in the same cabin must purchase the same package. No exceptions. If your travel partner doesn't drink, you're either both in or you calculate the math very carefully.
The Deluxe Beverage Package includes an 18% service surcharge already baked into the daily rate. The $14 drink price cap matters — any cocktail over $14 (premium/top-shelf) gets the difference charged to your account plus 18% on that difference.
Bermuda port fees and taxes. Bermuda charges a government cruise head tax — this is usually included in your fare, but verify at booking. The dockyard has its own shops, restaurants, and water taxis that cost extra.
Shore excursions: Bermuda rewards independent travelers. This is where first-timers consistently overpay. Royal Caribbean's excursion markup is real.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money (and Not Feel Like a Sucker)
1. Book your drink package pre-cruise via the Cruise Planner. Watch for flash sales — Royal Caribbean runs them regularly, and the difference between sale price (~$56/day) and onboard price (up to $120/day) is enormous. Set a calendar reminder to check the Cruise Planner weekly after booking.
2. Skip the ship's WiFi in Bermuda. The island has solid cell coverage and many ports/restaurants have free WiFi. If you have an international data plan, you may not need ship WiFi at all during port days. Buy VOOM only if you need connectivity on sea days — and even then, VOOM Surf at ~$20/day pre-cruise is the sweet spot for most people.
3. Do Bermuda's beaches independently. The #1 attraction — Horseshoe Bay Beach — costs nothing to access. A public ferry from the Dockyard runs about $5 each way. Royal Caribbean will sell you a beach excursion to the same spot for $60–$100/person. Do the math.
4. Use the Bermuda public ferry and bus system. A 2-day or 3-day transport pass (roughly $30–$40 USD) covers ferries and buses across the island. This gets you to St. George's, Hamilton, beaches, and snorkeling spots without paying tour markup.
5. Eat specialty dining once, strategically. If you want Chops Grille (typically $45/person cover charge) or Izumi Hibachi ($55/person), book it for a sea day night and buy it pre-cruise through the Cruise Planner — prices are the same but you lock in the reservation. Skip the Chef's Table ($95/person) on your first cruise unless you know you love that format.
6. Set a daily SeaPass budget. First-timers are shocked by their final bill. Set a limit in the Royal Caribbean app and check your account every night. Small charges (spa add-ons, room service, casino, arcade games) stack up invisibly.
7. Pack your own seasickness medication. The Atlantic crossing to Bermuda can get lumpy. Dramamine from a drugstore is $8. The ship's version is $15+ for the same thing.
What to Expect: Bermuda-Specific Logistics
Bermuda isn't a quick port call — ships typically dock at King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) for 2–3 full days. This is actually one of the best-value cruise destinations for independent exploration because you have real time to get around without rushing back.
Key Bermuda costs to plan for:
| Expense | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Public ferry day pass | ~$30–$40 USD for multi-day |
| Horseshoe Bay Beach access | Free |
| Snorkel gear rental (beach) | $20–$30/day |
| Glass-bottom boat tour (local operator) | $40–$60/person |
| Lunch in Hamilton or St. George's | $20–$40/person |
| Rum Swizzle (the island's signature drink) | $12–$15 at the Swizzle Inn |
| Scooter/e-bike rental (2-person) | $70–$100/day |
Note: Bermuda drives on the left, and tourists cannot rent cars. Scooters, e-bikes, taxis, ferries, and buses are your options.
Bermuda is genuinely one of the best first-cruise destinations — the longer port stay reduces the feeling of being trapped on a floating mall, the island is safe and walkable, and the beaches are legitimately world-class. Just go in with a realistic budget and you'll come home happy instead of horrified by your credit card statement.
Before you book anything — packages, excursions, dining — run your full cost estimate through CruiseMutiny so you know exactly what this trip will cost you, not what the cruise line wants you to think it costs. And if you're still searching for the right sailing, CruiseHub often has competitive rates on Royal Caribbean Bermuda itineraries worth comparing against direct booking.