So that you’re planning a household cruise with a $2000 price range… is it attainable?
Whereas planning a Royal Caribbean cruise doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution, having a $2000 price range will restrict your selection of ships, itineraries, cruise size, and time of the 12 months you’ll be able to sail.
You and your loved ones can have a tremendous cruise trip irrespective of the ship or itinerary, however it’s vital to have an thought of what you’ll be able to afford earlier than reserving a cruise. In case you’re hoping to sail on Royal Caribbean’s latest, most spectacular cruise ships, you’ll probably should fork over greater than $2000 for a household of 4.
In case you’re keen to e-book a shorter cruise, sail on an older ship, or take the youngsters out of faculty to cruise throughout low season, you will discover significantly better pricing obtainable.
Let’s dive in to be taught extra about what prices to anticipate on a Royal Caribbean cruise for a household trip and see pattern costs for a lot of of Royal Caribbean’s prime cruise ships.
Youngsters Sail Free
Royal Caribbean sometimes gives a Youngsters Sail Free promotion throughout which youngsters 12 and youthful are eligible for a free cruise fare.
This may result in spectacular financial savings on a cruise, however there are just a few caveats:
- Youngsters Sail Free is just not eligible throughout blackout dates, which are likely to happen throughout college breaks and holidays.
- Taxes, charges, and gratuities are usually not included within the Youngsters Sail Free promotion
- There isn’t any sample as to when Royal Caribbean will provide Youngsters Sail Free promotions
Hold an eye fixed out for when Royal Caribbean is operating a Youngsters Sail Free deal by following our Fb web page.
Associated: Information to Youngsters Sail Free and present gives
Price range for extra prices
Whereas it’s attainable to cruise with Royal Caribbean and spend nothing additional as soon as onboard, you’ll wish to price range for extra prices like transportation, pre-cruise accommodations, and any add-ons you buy onboard like shore excursions and drink packages.
Associated: Prime 30 additional cruise prices that aren’t included
One of many largest prices you’ll be able to incur is airfare. In case you reside in California and are flying to Miami for a cruise, you’ll be able to simply spend $400+ on airfare per individual. On this case, it is perhaps higher to search for cruises from Los Angeles or Seattle to save cash as a substitute of flying throughout the nation.
Budgeting for a lodge the evening earlier than your cruise is one other vital consideration. We suggest flying or driving to your departure port the evening earlier than your cruise begins (except you’re a native to the port), so that you’ll wish to e-book a lodge for the evening earlier than the cruise.
Associated: Why you shouldn’t fly to your cruise the identical day it begins
Peak season vs low season cruising
A few of the largest variations in value you’ll discover on Royal Caribbean cruises occur when evaluating a peak season cruise with an low season cruise.
The height season for Royal Caribbean cruises is anytime youngsters are out of faculty, together with President’s Day, spring break, summer season trip, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yr’s.
Low season is throughout every other level within the 12 months:
- January (after New Yr’s)
- February (excluding President’s Day)
- March and April (excluding Easter)
- Might
- September (excluding Labor Day)
- October
- November (excluding Thanksgiving)
- First two weeks of December
Associated: What’s the most cost-effective month to go on a cruise?
Most households have to stay to the varsity calendar and should pay peak season costs for a cruise. You probably have a versatile schedule, although, you will discover good financial savings by cruising with your loved ones throughout the low season.
Search for last-minute offers
Discovering an inexpensive last-minute deal is feasible and might result in superb financial savings on a household cruise. When trying to find a Royal Caribbean cruise, test if there are any last-minute offers obtainable that may doubtlessly prevent lots of of {dollars} per visitor.
Associated: Final Information to last-minute cruise offers
Whereas cruising on the final minute will not be attainable for all households, it’s nonetheless price checking if there are any last-minute offers that coincide along with your youngsters’ college schedules.
So… what does a household cruise price?
To place the price of a household cruise into perspective, I’ve calculated just a few pattern cruise fares for the next itineraries:
- 3 and 4-night cruises
- 6, 7, and 8-night cruises
- Cruises on Oasis Class ships solely
The pricing was calculated primarily based on the next components:
- 2 adults and a pair of youngsters over the age of two
- Inside cabins
- Contains taxes & charges
- Does not embrace gratuities
These cruise fares weren’t priced throughout a Youngsters Sail Free promotion. Throughout a Youngsters Sail Free promotion, you’ll be able to anticipate to avoid wasting a number of hundred {dollars} on the cruise fare per youngster.
Cabin selection
Within the costs under, I’ve two pricing examples for reserving a cruise cabin for a household: staying collectively in a single inside cabin and reserving two connecting inside cabins.
There are various different stateroom classes to select from when touring with youngsters, however these two are typically at all times essentially the most economical.
Associated: What’s the perfect cruise ship cabin for my household?
These cruise fares had been discovered on Royal Caribbean’s web site, however pricing is topic to alter. What was an inexpensive fare someday might change drastically the subsequent day, so don’t be shocked to search out various pricing while you seek for your personal cruises.
Observe: Most of the costs under are over $2000, however I needed to provide a practical take a look at what a household cruise can price. When you can actually discover cruises beneath $2000 for a household of 4, it’s extra frequent to see pricing between $2000 – $3000 versus beneath $2000, particularly for week-long cruises.
Price of a week-long cruise for a household of 4
A 6,7, or 8-night cruise is the usual size for a cruise trip, and Royal Caribbean has loads of ships crusing week-long cruises at any given time.
Many passengers discover week-long to be a fantastic size as a result of they provide sufficient time to get acquainted with the ship, go to no less than 3-4 ports, and have time to calm down with out feeling rushed.
The value of a week-long cruise can range dramatically relying on the month you sail. Throughout the summer season months, it may be onerous to discover a cruise for a household of 4 beneath $2000. Low season costs, nevertheless, may be extra price range pleasant, though it could possibly nonetheless be tough to discover a cruise beneath $2000.
Peak season pricing (June) on a 7-night cruise:
- Grandeur of the Seas – Caribbean: $2,571 (1 room), $2,926 (2 connecting rooms)
- Ovation of the Seas – Alaska: $4,466 (1 room), $5,690 (2 connecting rooms)
- Attract of the Seas – Caribbean: $3,285 (1 room), $3,875 (2 connecting rooms)
Low season pricing on a 6, 7, or 8-night cruise:
- Voyager of the Seas (6 nights – Caribbean): $1655 (1 room), $1,842 (2 connecting rooms)
- Enchantment of the Seas (8 nights – Bahamas): $2,082 (1 room), $2,919 (2 connecting rooms)
- Oasis of the Seas (7 nights – Caribbean): $2,303 (1 room), $2,830 (2 connecting rooms)
Price of a brief cruise (2-5 nights) for a household of 4
Shorter cruises (2-5 nights) will virtually at all times have a decrease price than week-long cruises (6-8 nights). Quite a lot of Royal Caribbean ships sail quick cruise itineraries, however they’re mostly scheduled on Voyager and Freedom Class ships.
Associated: Listed below are the best possible cruises for households
It’s positively attainable to e-book a 3 or 4-night cruise for beneath $2000 for a household, even throughout peak season. 4-night cruises are sometimes cheaper than 3-night sailings as they fall mid-week (Monday by way of Friday) and subsequently have much less demand.
The caveat with shorter cruises is that they usually have a better price per evening in comparison with longer cruises, which means chances are you’ll get extra bang on your buck on a 7-night cruise even when the entire price is increased per individual.
That being stated, listed here are just a few costs you’ll be able to anticipate for a brief cruise.
3-night weekend cruise throughout the peak summer season season in June:
- Independence of the Seas (Bahamas): $1,818 (1 room), $1,877 (2 connecting rooms)
- Navigator of the Seas (Mexico): $1,601 (1 room), $1,895 (2 connecting rooms)
3-night weekend cruise throughout the low season in February:
- Freedom of the Seas (Bahamas): $1,277 (1 room), $1,452 (2 connecting rooms)
- Navigator of the Seas (Mexico): $1,264 (1 room), $1,062 (2 connecting rooms)
Can I sail on an Oasis Class ship with my household for beneath $2000?
Oasis Class cruise ships are the most well-liked Royal Caribbean ships for households, providing a tremendous array of family-friendly actions like water slides, zip traces, mountaineering, mini golf, a sports activities courtroom, FlowRider, and a carousel.
Associated: All about Oasis Class cruise ships
With excessive demand comes excessive costs, nevertheless, and cruising on an Oasis Class ship will virtually at all times be costlier than a cruise of the identical size and vacation spot as an older class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
To see typical pricing for a household of 4 to sail on an Oasis Class ship in peak season, I priced out all 5 Oasis Class ships for a household of 4 on a 7-night cruise in July:
- Oasis of the Seas (Bahamas): $3,755 (1 room), $5,830 (2 connecting rooms)
- Attract of the Seas (Caribbean): $3,285 (1 room), $3,875 (2 connecting rooms)
- Concord of the Seas (Caribbean): $4,572 (1 room), $4,312 (2 connecting rooms)
- Symphony of the Seas (Europe): $5,295 (1 room), $5,454 (2 connecting rooms)
- Marvel of the Seas (Caribbean): $5,783 (1 room), $5423 (2 connecting rooms)
Subsequent up, I priced out the identical ships for a 7-night cruise throughout the low season in October.
- Oasis of the Seas (Bahamas): $2,303 (1 room), $2,830 (2 connecting rooms)
- Attract of the Seas (Caribbean): $2,048 (1 room), $2,279 (2 connecting rooms)
- Concord of the Seas (Caribbean): $2,933 (1 room), $3,273 (2 connecting rooms)
- Symphony of the Seas (Europe): $3,674 (1 room), $4,615 (2 connecting rooms)
- Marvel of the Seas (Caribbean): $3,667 (1 room), $4,907 (2 connecting rooms)
As you’ll be able to see, you’re unlikely to discover a 7-night cruise for beneath $2000 on an Oasis Class ship, particularly within the peak summer season season. Anticipate to pay between $3000 and $5000 for a household of 4 throughout this time of 12 months.
That being stated, it’s attainable to discover a cruise for round $2000 throughout the low season if you can also make it work along with your youngsters’ college schedules.
You’ll usually discover the perfect pricing on Attract of the Seas, as this ship has not been amplified and is the one Oasis Class ship with out water slides, the Final Abyss, and up to date eating venues. Symphony of the Seas and Marvel of the Seas normally have the best pricing obtainable, as they’re the 2 latest ships within the Oasis Class.
So… are you able to truly cruise for $2000 with a household?
It’s attainable to cruise for $2000 or beneath with a household when counting solely the cruise fare, particularly in the event you e-book the cruise throughout a Youngsters Sail Free promotion.
Nevertheless, you gained’t have a lot choice in the case of cruise size or ship selection. If that is vital to you, it is perhaps higher to both stretch your price range or wait just a few months till you’ll be able to e-book the cruise that’s of most curiosity to your loved ones.
Exterior of cruise fare, although, there are numerous components that may drastically improve the entire price of a cruise trip, together with:
- Airfare
- Parking
- Shore excursions
- Gratuities
- Eating & drink packages
