Bringing a car on a cruise ship costs between $300 and $2,500+ depending on the route, vehicle size, and shipping method — but most standard passenger cruises don't carry cars at all. You'll need a specialized cargo or transatlantic ferry service like Grimaldi Lines or AIDA's repositioning options.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Most people asking this question are about to hit a wall: the vast majority of cruise ships do not transport private vehicles. You can't roll your Honda onto a Carnival ship and call it a day. But legitimate car-on-cruise options do exist — primarily on transatlantic repositioning routes, European ferry services, and specialized cargo-passenger lines. Here's what it actually costs.
The Real Cost of Bringing a Car on a Cruise
The price depends heavily on the route and operator. European ferry operators (think English Channel crossings or Mediterranean routes) charge on the lower end. True ocean-crossing car transport on a passenger-carrying vessel sits in the mid-to-high range. Fully dedicated auto transport ships (like those used for vehicle relocation) can go even higher but typically don't carry passengers.
| Service Type | Route Example | Car Cost (one-way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short European Ferry (foot + car) | Dover to Calais | $50–$150 | P&O Ferries, DFDS — not cruise ships |
| Long European Ferry | UK to Spain (Brittany Ferries) | $300–$700 | Includes cabin; 24–36 hr crossing |
| Mediterranean Ferry | Italy to Greece (Grimaldi/Anek) | $200–$500 | Varies by vehicle length |
| Transatlantic Ferry (rare) | UK to Canary Islands | $800–$1,500 | Grimaldi Lines passenger cargo |
| Full Repositioning Cruise w/ Car | Europe to Caribbean (select operators) | $1,200–$2,500+ | Very limited availability |
| Cruise + Separate Auto Shipping | Any major cruise port | $1,000–$3,500 | Ship yourself, send car via freight |
Bottom line: budget $300–$700 for a European crossing with a car, and $1,200–$2,500+ for a transatlantic voyage that includes your vehicle.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Vehicle Size Every operator charges by length, sometimes by height too. A standard sedan (under 4.5m) gets the base rate. An SUV, van, or truck can cost 30–60% more. Electric vehicles with large battery packs may face surcharges or restrictions on some vessels due to fire risk regulations — always confirm before booking.
2. Route Distance and Crossing Time A 90-minute Channel crossing is fundamentally different from a 7-day transatlantic sail. Longer routes mean higher fuel surcharges, port fees, and more complex logistics. Grimaldi Lines' UK-to-Canary Islands route, for example, runs about 10–14 days with the car stowed in the hold.
3. Operator Type Passenger ferries (Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Stena Line) are the most accessible option and offer the best price-to-value ratio. True cruise lines like Cunard's Queen Mary 2 do not transport cars in the traditional sense — though QM2 has historically offered a very limited, premium kennel service for pets; cars are a different story entirely.
4. Season and Booking Window Summer sailings on European ferry routes can cost 2–3x the off-peak rate. Book at least 3–6 months in advance for summer crossings. Repositioning sailings with car transport are extremely limited in number — when they fill, they fill.
5. Insurance and Liability Your standard auto insurance may not cover your vehicle while it's stored in a ship's hold. Expect to either purchase marine transit insurance ($50–$200 for a single crossing) or verify your existing policy explicitly. This is not optional.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Save Money and Avoid Headaches
Compare shipping your car separately. For transatlantic moves, it's often cheaper and more flexible to book a regular cruise for yourself and use a dedicated auto freight service (like uShip or a roll-on/roll-off freight company) for the car. You'll pay $1,000–$2,500 for the car freight independently, but you get far more cruise options for yourself.
Book Brittany Ferries for UK-Europe crossings. For UK residents heading to France or Spain, Brittany Ferries is the gold standard — comfortable cabins, decent food, and competitive car rates. Their Plymouth-to-Santander overnight crossing runs around $350–$650 for a car + two passengers depending on season.
Watch the vehicle height restrictions. Ferries list their vehicle deck clearance. Many have a 1.85m–2.1m height limit on standard decks. Roof boxes, bike racks, or lifted trucks can cause issues at the port if you haven't pre-declared the dimensions.
Ask about loyalty discounts. Brittany Ferries, DFDS, and Stena Line all run loyalty club programs. Regular crossers can save 10–20% per booking — it adds up fast if you're doing a multi-leg road trip.
Consider the Grimaldi Lines passenger-cargo route seriously. If you genuinely need to move a car across the Atlantic or between continents, Grimaldi operates passenger-carrying cargo ships that allow private vehicles. The experience is spartan — think basic cabins, not a pool deck — but the cost can be competitive with separate freight shipping when you factor in that your own passage is included.
Which Option Is Right for Your Trip?
| Traveler Type | Best Option | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UK day-tripper to France | DFDS / P&O short crossing | $80–$200 |
| UK traveler doing a Spain road trip | Brittany Ferries overnight | $400–$750 |
| European road trip starting in Greece | Grimaldi/Anek Mediterranean ferry | $300–$600 |
| Moving a car transatlantic | Grimaldi Lines cargo-passenger | $1,500–$2,800 |
| Cruiser who also needs their car at destination | Cruise yourself + freight the car | $1,000–$3,500 (car only) |
If your goal is a Caribbean or Alaska cruise and you want your car at the destination — the answer is almost always: drive to the port, park it, and rent at the destination. Cruise parking at major US ports runs $15–$30/day, which beats any transatlantic car shipping cost for a 7–14 day cruise.
Before you commit to any of these options, run the numbers for your specific route using CruiseMutiny — it helps you compare the total cost of your cruise trip so you're not blindsided by fees you didn't see coming.