Budget $100–$200 per person per day in onboard spending money for a comfortable cruise experience, on top of any pre-paid packages. Light spenders need less; gamblers and shoppers need more.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
This is one of the most common questions from first-time cruisers — and one of the most underestimated expenses.
The short answer
Plan for $100–$200 per person per day in onboard spending money, depending on your habits. That's on top of any drink packages, WiFi, or gratuities you've already pre-paid.
For a 7-night cruise, that's $700–$1,400 per person in discretionary spending.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What that money goes toward
If you have a drink package
- Specialty restaurant cover charges ($25–$60/person)
- Spa treatments ($80–$250 per service)
- Bingo, casino, arcade
- Ship photos ($20–$30 each, or $300–$400 for a photo package)
- Souvenirs and duty-free shopping
- Excursion tips
If you don't have a drink package
- All alcoholic beverages ($10–$16 each, automatically + 18% gratuity)
- Specialty coffee ($6–$8 per drink)
- Bottled water ($4–$6)
The drink package changes your math significantly. Without it, drinks alone can run $80–$120/day for a moderate drinker.
Onboard spending by type of cruiser
| Cruiser type | Per person / per day | 7-night total |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal (pool, included food, skip spa/casino) | $30–$60 | $210–$420 |
| Average (2 specialty dinners, some drinks, a few excursions) | $80–$130 | $560–$910 |
| Comfortable (spa, photography, excursions, drinks) | $150–$200 | $1,050–$1,400 |
| Heavy (casino, luxury spa, everything) | $250+ | $1,750+ |
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Shore excursions: the wildcard
Shore excursions are one of the biggest budget variables. Options range from:
- Free: Walking around port yourself (many Caribbean ports are walkable)
- $40–$80/person: Beach transfers, snorkeling, city tours
- $120–$200/person: Dolphin swims, ATV tours, catamaran trips
- $200–$400/person: Private tours, helicopter excursions, exclusive experiences
Booking excursions through the cruise line is safe but expensive. Third-party operators (Viator, GetYourGuide, local operators) offer the same or better excursions for 30–50% less.
Cash vs. onboard account
Most modern cruise lines run entirely on a cashless onboard account — your credit card is linked at check-in and everything is charged to it throughout the cruise. You'll see the total bill on the last night.
Keep some cash for cash-only tipping (beach attendants, port vendors, taxi drivers) and for small port purchases. $200–$300 in small bills for a week is usually plenty.
How to spend less without feeling it
- Drink at the pool bar instead of specialty bars — same drinks, usually same price, but less temptation to over-order
- Eat at the included buffet and main dining room — quality is good on most lines
- Book shore excursions independently before sailing
- Skip the ship's photo package if you're a good phone photographer
- Set a daily spending limit in the cruise line's app
CruiseMutiny can help you build a full trip budget including pre-cruise purchases and onboard estimates.