A honeymoon cruise package typically costs $2,000–$10,000+ per couple, depending on the cruise line, cabin type, and included perks — with most couples spending $3,500–$6,000 for a 7-night mid-range experience with romance add-ons.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Most couples assume a honeymoon cruise is just a regular cruise with rose petals on the bed. The reality: cruise lines have turned romance into a serious revenue stream, and if you don't know what's worth paying for versus what's overpriced fluff, you'll spend thousands more than you need to.
What a Honeymoon Cruise Package Actually Costs
The base cabin fare is only the starting point. A true honeymoon experience layers in suite upgrades, beverage packages, specialty dining, spa credits, and excursions — and that's where the real cost lives. Here's what to expect across budget, mid-range, and splurge tiers for a 7-night cruise for two:
| Tier | Cabin Type | Cruise Line Examples | Est. Total Cost (Couple) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Interior/Oceanview | Carnival, MSC | $2,000–$3,500 | Base fare, complimentary romance amenity (cake, sparkling wine) |
| Mid-Range | Balcony + extras | Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess | $3,500–$6,500 | Balcony cabin, beverage package, 1–2 specialty dinners, couples massage |
| Splurge | Suite (Oceanview or above) | Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, Disney | $6,500–$12,000+ | Suite perks, all-inclusive drinks, priority boarding, butler service, excursions |
| Ultra-Luxury | Owner's/Penthouse Suite | Regent, Silversea, Seabourn | $12,000–$25,000+ | Fully all-inclusive, private transfers, shore excursions, fine dining |
The biggest cost wildcard: shore excursions and spa treatments. A couples massage runs $180–$280 per session at sea. Two port excursions per person can add $400–$800 to your trip without blinking.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Cabin Category This is the single biggest lever. Moving from an interior cabin to a balcony can add $800–$2,000 per couple on a 7-night sailing. On a honeymoon, a balcony is usually worth every dollar — waking up to open ocean beats a windowless box on the most romantic trip of your life.
2. Which Cruise Line You Choose Carnival and MSC offer the most affordable entry points. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian hit the sweet spot for value with legitimate romance perks. Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, and Princess punch above their weight for honeymooners. Disney is exceptional if you love the brand, but you're paying a massive premium for it.
3. Beverage Packages Most couples on a honeymoon want to drink freely without watching the tab. The Deluxe Beverage Package runs $75–$95/person/day on Royal Caribbean, $89–$109/person/day on Celebrity, and $99–$129/person/day on Norwegian. On a 7-night cruise, that's $1,050–$1,800 per couple — book it on sale (they go on sale constantly) or factor it into your total budget honestly.
4. Honeymoon Package Add-Ons Cruise lines sell dedicated romance packages ranging from $50 to $500+. Here's what they typically include and whether they're worth it:
| Package | Typical Cost | Usually Includes | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Romance Amenity | Free–$50 | Sparkling wine, chocolate strawberries, flower petals | Yes — often free if you tell them it's your honeymoon |
| Romance Package | $150–$300 | Above + photo session, breakfast in bed, couples massage credit | Sometimes — check if you'd actually use it all |
| Honeymoon Premium Bundle | $300–$600 | All above + specialty dinner, spa credits, priority seating | Worth it only if you'd buy those separately anyway |
| Suite + Honeymoon Bundle | $500–$1,500 | Full suite amenities + romance package | Best value if you're already booking a suite |
Pro tip: Always tell the cruise line or your travel agent it's your honeymoon. You'll frequently get complimentary upgrades, amenities, or priority — for free. Don't pay for something they'll give you anyway.
5. Destination and Season Caribbean sailings are the most affordable year-round. Mediterranean honeymoons in summer (June–August) command 30–50% price premiums over shoulder season. Alaska is breathtaking for adventurous couples but pricier in peak July/August. The Maldives and French Polynesia (available via specialty luxury lines) are the most expensive destinations on earth for a reason.
6. Cruise Length A 3–4 night Bahamas getaway costs $800–$2,500 per couple but feels rushed for a honeymoon. Most couples opt for 7 nights as the sweet spot. Longer 10–14 night Mediterranean or transatlantic sailings run $4,000–$15,000+ per couple and give you genuine escape time.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money Without Sacrificing Romance
Book 6–12 months in advance for the best cabin selection and early booking perks. Cruise lines routinely offer free beverage packages or onboard credit ($100–$600 per stateroom) as booking incentives — these are real savings, not gimmicks.
Skip the cruise line's honeymoon package and build your own. Buy specialty dinners onboard one night at a time ($35–$65/person), book your couples massage directly through the spa app after boarding (look for sea-day discounts), and skip the overpriced photo package unless you genuinely want 200 posed shots.
Travel in shoulder season. A Caribbean honeymoon in late April or early May versus peak February/March can save $500–$1,500 per couple on identical itineraries.
Use a cruise-specialist travel agent. For honeymoons specifically, a good agent often gets you onboard credit, cabin upgrades, or complimentary amenities that you simply cannot book yourself online. Their fee (if any) pays for itself.
Compare sail-away fares vs. bundled packages. Norwegian's Free At Sea and Royal Caribbean's bundled promos often front-load value for couples who drink and dine out. Run the math on your actual habits before assuming the bundle wins.
Best Cruise Lines for Honeymooners by Vibe
| Cruise Line | Best For | Honeymoon Starting Price (7-night, couple) | Standout Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Voyages | 18+ couples, hip vibe, no kids | $3,200–$7,000 | All restaurants included, adults-only everywhere |
| Celebrity Cruises | Upscale, modern luxury | $3,000–$9,000 | Retreat (suite) experience is genuinely world-class |
| Princess Cruises | Classic romance, MediterraneanItineraries | $2,800–$7,500 | "Love Boat" heritage, strong romance packages |
| Norwegian (NCL) | Flexible, good value balcony cabins | $2,500–$6,000 | Haven suites rival luxury lines at lower prices |
| Royal Caribbean | Adventure-loving couples | $2,200–$8,000 | Widest range of ship sizes and itineraries |
| Regent Seven Seas | True all-inclusive luxury | $10,000–$25,000+ | Literally everything included, no nickel-and-diming |
For most honeymooners, Virgin Voyages or Celebrity represent the best balance of genuine romance, quality, and value. Virgin's adults-only policy alone is worth the price of admission on your honeymoon.
Before you book anything, run your full honeymoon cruise budget — cabin, drinks, dining, excursions, gratuities, and flights — through CruiseMutiny so you know the real number before you commit, not after you've already swiped your card. There's no worse start to a marriage than a surprise $3,000 bill when you disembark. You can also browse current honeymoon sailing deals through our booking partner at CruiseHub to see what's actually available for your dates.