A 7-night Royal Caribbean Caribbean cruise costs $2,800–$5,200 all-in for two adults, despite advertised fares starting around $699/person.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
A 7-night Royal Caribbean Caribbean cruise is one of the most-searched trips in cruising — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to pricing.
The advertised price vs. the real price
Royal Caribbean regularly advertises Caribbean cruises starting around $699 per person for a 7-night sailing. That sounds like $1,398 for two people. The real all-in cost is typically $2,800 to $5,200 for two adults, depending on your choices.
Here's why:
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Full cost breakdown for 2 adults, 7 nights
| Cost item | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise fare (per person) | $699 | $1,100 | $1,800 |
| Gratuities ($18/person/day) | $252 | $252 | $252 |
| Drink package (optional) | $0 | $735 ea ($1,470) | $840 ea ($1,680) |
| WiFi (1 device/person) | $0 | $154 ea ($308) | $154 ea ($308) |
| Port fees & taxes | $220 | $220 | $220 |
| Total for 2 adults | ~$2,370 | ~$4,450 | ~$6,260 |
Note: Drink packages are optional but heavily marketed. Budget tier skips it. Mid and splurge include it.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What drives the price up most
Gratuities are automatic — Royal Caribbean adds $18 per person per day (or $20 for suite guests). On a 7-night for two, that's $252 you don't choose. It just appears on your account.
The drink package is the biggest variable. Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs $75–$120 per person per day depending on when you buy it (always cheaper pre-cruise than onboard). If you drink 5+ alcoholic beverages a day, it pays off. If you're a light drinker, skip it.
WiFi has improved on newer ships but still costs $17–$22 per device per day for the "Surf + Stream" package that actually works for video calls.
How to actually save money
- Book during Wave Season (January–March) for the best fare deals
- Buy drink packages and WiFi before sailing — onboard prices are 20–30% higher
- Check CruiseHub for rates that sometimes include onboard credit ($50–$200) not available on Royal Caribbean's website directly
- Consider repositioning sailings — these one-way trips often go for 40–60% below Caribbean rates
Which ships sail the Caribbean for Royal Caribbean?
The most popular Caribbean ships include Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas (Oasis-class), as well as Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas out of Miami and Port Canaveral.
Use CruiseMutiny to get a personalized breakdown for your specific travel dates, ship, and party size.
Watch: 7-Night Cruise: The True Hidden Cost Revealed
Published
Video Transcript
You see that $699 per person Royal Caribbean ad? Yeah... that's not the real price.
For a 7-night Caribbean cruise, two adults are actually looking at $2,800 to $5,200 all-in. That's four to seven times higher than what they're advertising.
Here's where the money actually goes. That $699 is just the cabin. Base fare only. You're not done.
Gratuities alone? About $180 per person, per week. That's $360 for two people. Royal Caribbean automatically adds it.
Then there's the stuff they don't mention in the banner ad. Drink package — if you want more than water and tea — runs $60 to $110 per person, per day. That's $420 to $770 for the week.
Port fees and taxes? They vary by sailing, but expect $200 to $400 on top of your cabin fare.
WiFi isn't included. Streaming package is $20 a day. That's $140 for a week.
So let's do the actual math. Base fare for two people: $1,400. Add gratuities: $360. Add a mid-tier drink package: $630. Add port fees: $300. Add WiFi: $140. You're at $2,830.
Want to go to a specialty restaurant instead of the main dining room? That's another $75 to $140 per person per night.
Want excursions at the ports? Budget $150 to $300 per port, minimum.
This is why we built Travel Mutiny. Nobody should have to spend two days on Google just to figure out what they're actually paying.
Full cost breakdowns at travelmutiny.com — link in bio.