Have you ever wanted to take a short cruise but you don’t know how much it costs? Cruises are the perfect vacation for families, couples, or solo travelers. They offer an escape from everyday life and provide a chance to explore new destinations in comfort and style. Going on a cruise is a great way to explore the world but many people have the misconception that these trips require thousands and thousands of dollars.
What many people do not realize is that there are certain cruises that are actually affordable for the average American tourist. And after the 2020 pandemic wherein cruises came to a halt, cruise ship ticket prices have become much lower now that they are starting to accept bookings once again. This definitely gives people who have been dreaming of going on a cruise an opportunity to get onboard a cruise ship. You have to note, however, that Carnival cruises have cancelled their cruise dates until May 2021 and the earliest dates that are available to book from their websites start from July 2021.
One of the most popular cruise lines is Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival owns 23 ships and they offer 2-day to 17-day cruises. They have cruises to several destinations including the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii. They even have ships operating in Australia that cruise to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about what it costs to go on a cruise with Carnival Cruises and some other important things you should know before taking your trips.
Costs of going on a Carnival cruise 2021 – 2022 prices
You want to go on a cruise but you don’t have the luxury of taking weeks off from work. A short cruise trip is then a good idea. If you are particularly looking to go with Carnival Cruise Line, they have a variety of short cruise trips you can choose from.
So how much does a Carnival cruise cost if you’re only going for a short cruise?
The answer to the cost of a short cruise will depend on a number of factors but the most important aspects to consider are the duration of your cruise, your destination, and the type of accommodations you will book. Depending on your preferences, the prices will differ. To give you an idea of how wide the price range of a Carnival cruise is, a 2 to 5 day Carnival cruise in 2021 to 2022 can cost you between $149 to $1,329 per person, without taxes and fees.
Duration
Carnival cruises offer short and long cruises. You can go on a two-day cruise or one that lasts for over 10 days. As of writing, there are around 292 cruises offered by Carnival to its customers. For the purposes of this article, let’s define a “short cruise” as a cruise with a duration of 2 to 5 days. This means you can go on a 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, or 5-day cruise.
Obviously, the longer the cruise, the higher the price. For instance, the cheapest cruise on the Carnival website at the moment is a 2-day cruise to the Bahamas sailing from Miami, Florida with prices starting from $149 average per person (AVG PP) plus taxes and fees. But if you choose a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas from Miami, the cost starts at $189 AVG PP.
Another popular cruise destination is the Caribbean. Cruise ship ticket prices for a 4-day Western Caribbean Carnival cruise from Miami start at $189 AVG PP while going on a 5-day cruise to the same destination will cost you at least $269 AVG PP.
Destination
When we talk about destination, we have to consider two factors: where you are sailing to and where you are sailing from. The place you are sailing to is the destination where you want to go while the place you are sailing from is the place where the cruise ship will depart.
If you want to go on a 2 to 5 day Carnival cruise, the destinations their ships sail to from the United States include the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Canada & New England. These are just some of the top short cruises Carnival Cruise Line offers.
However, you will find that not all destinations are available at all of their ports. For example, if you want to go to the Bahamas, you can choose from three Florida ports namely Miami, Jacksonville and Orlando. Or you can also sail from Charleston, South Carolina or Norfolk Virginia. Another example is the 4-day Canada & New England Cruise. This cruise only departs from New York with prices starting from $419 AVG PP.
If you don’t live in these states but want to go to these destinations, then you have to consider the price of traveling to these places where you can sail from. To save money, you have to consider the nearest port you can sail from and the destinations available from that point of departure.
Accommodations
Just like when you book a hotel, the price will va
ry depending on the type of room you’ll book. On a Carnival cruise, you’ll pay more if you book an ocean view room or suite as opposed to just booking a standard room.
Let’s say you want to go for the 2-day Bahamas Carnival cruise from Miami, the prices will vary depending on the room you choose.
- Standard Interior Room – Starts at $149 AVG PP plus taxes and fees
- Ocean View Room – Starts at $179 AVG PP plus taxes and fees
- Balcony Room – Starts at $239 AVG PP plus taxes and fees
- Suite – Starts at $554 AVG PP plus taxes and fees
Usually, the rates published are per person but rooms are shared by two guests (double occupancy). So if you are cruising alone and want a room to yourself, expect to pay a higher rate (usually twice the price).
Other costs to consider when going on a Carnival cruise
When you find a good deal online, it’s easy to be swayed especially if the price is so low. Only $149 per person for a 2-day Bahamas cruise? Count me in! However, you have to also read the fine print so you won’t get disappointed. The prices listed are usually the average price per person, but on top of that, you have to pay for other expenses when you go on a cruise. Here are some of the expenses that you have to consider.
Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses
On top of the cruise ship ticket price per person, you will have to pre-pay for this in advance. This cost will be added to your ticket price upon booking. For a short Carnival cruise, the price is usually $100 to $150 per person. Again, the exact cost will depend on your cruise details.
Vacation Protection / Insurance
This is an additional cost that covers trip insurance, trip cancellations, and 24/7 worldwide travel assistance. This is a good idea to add especially with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Specialty Food
Is food included in my cruise fare? The answer is yes. The great thing about cruises is that they are mostly all-inclusive which means your food is free! Even on a short 2-day Carnival cruise, you can eat 3 meals a day plus snacks!
So what is specialty food and why do I have to pay for it on my cruise? Specialty food will be restaurants on a cruise ship that are not included in your fare. These are usually high-end restaurants like steak houses or seafood restaurants.
Before entering a restaurant when you are on a cruise, clarify first whether the food in that venue is included or you have to pay extra. You don’t want to find out that you would have to pay after you finished a Wagyu steak that may cost hundreds of dollars!
Non-Inclusive Drinks
Just like food, some beverages are already included in your cruise ship ticket price. Some of the drinks that are free and unlimited include non-bottled water, lemonade, iced tea, some coffees and teas.
However, you have to pay extra for drinks such as juices, soda, and alcoholic beverages. So if you can’t go without a Diet Coke or frozen margarita, you’ll have to budget for these expenses. Carnival cruises usually offer beverage packages that you’ll have to pay per day that may be more practical.
Entertainment and Recreation
There are many things to do on a cruise ship that won’t cost you any money. Examples of onboard activities that are already included on your cruise ship ticket price are free musical shows, comedy clubs, outdoor movies, karaoke, mini-golf, pools, parties, kid activities, and many more. For a short cruise, it’s better to make the most out of these free activities to get the most out of your trip.
But there are also additional board activities that you can avail of for an additional fee such as casinos, Bingo, spa & salon services, fitness classes, wine tasting, and more.
Shopping
There are specialty shops onboard where you can shop tax-free and duty-free. You might also want to shop for souvenirs at seaports.
Internet Plans
If you don’t have an internet plan on your phone, you will have to pay additional for internet access. Cruises usually charge internet plans per day.
Tipping
You also have to bring smaller dollar bills for tipping purposes. It is customary to tip waiters and cruise staff who assist you during the trip.
Enjoy a Short Cruise Worry-Free
Knowing the costs of going on a cruise can help make your trip stress-free. This way, you can carefully plan your trip and save enough money so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. When you book a short cruise, avoid spending on extra stuff instead, try to maximize the price of the ticket by exploring all the included dining and activity options.
