Cruising was once an inexpensive getaway, however that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. Though I discover nice worth from taking a cruise, there’s no denying the fee has elevated considerably over the past 5 years.
To not point out, Royal Caribbean has been shifting their technique to supply extra party-focused cruises with quick Caribbean itineraries.
For instance, Utopia of the Seas debuted final summer time as Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis class vessel. The brand-new ship began providing 3-night and 4-night getaway cruises from Port Canaveral in Florida, and it proved to be an enormous hit. Following Utopia of the Seas’ success, Royal Caribbean lately shifted one other Oasis class ship, Marvel of the Seas, from 7-night sailings to 3-night and 4-night Bahamas cruises.
Brief cruises are enormous money-makers for the cruise line. Along with attracting new cruisers, these party-focused itineraries are usually dearer on a per-night foundation. These itineraries additionally promote out quicker than different sailings, in order that they make sense from a enterprise standpoint.
For the buyer, quick cruisers are additionally a successful technique. The general value is commonly much less for a 3-night or 4-night cruise fare, and also you don’t have to take as many PTO days. This enables cruisers to set sail extra usually in comparison with weeklong itineraries, which may be dearer general and require extra trip days.
Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO, acknowledged in a 2025 Q2 press launch, “As shopper preferences proceed to evolve – towards extra frequent holidays, closer-in trip planning, and a better deal with significant, experience-driven journey – our experiences are designed to fulfill these evolving expectations.”
Royal Caribbean has discovered that onboard spending has been greater as they’ve shifted extra ships to shorter Caribbean itineraries. In the identical 2025 Q2 monetary replace, Royal Caribbean acknowledged, “Visitor spending onboard and pre-cruise purchases proceed to exceed prior years, pushed by better participation at greater costs.”
After totaling the whole lot I spent on my 4-night Marvel of the Seas cruise, it’s straightforward to see why Royal Caribbean is leaning into quick getaways. I spent $2,337.47 on my complete trip final month, from $179.45 at specialty eating eating places to $57 on web entry. Right here’s a breakdown of my spending.
Our cruise fare was $1,315 for the most affordable inside cabin.
My finest pal and I made a decision a couple of months in the past that we have been in search of a woman’s getaway journey collectively. She lives throughout the nation from me, so this may be the right alternative to spend high quality time collectively. To not point out, this was her first cruise!
As a substitute of splurging for a balcony, we opted for the most affordable inside cabin. This occurred to be a assured stateroom, that means we didn’t get to decide on the situation of our cabin. Though this generally is a gamble, it saved us cash that we may spend elsewhere throughout our cruise.
We have been happy to be assigned an inside cabin on Deck 8 in the direction of the entrance of the ship. The decks above and beneath us have been additionally staterooms, which saved noise to a minimal. This was an amazing location on Marvel of the Seas, as we have been near the open-air Central Park with eating places, bars, and outlets. We have been by no means removed from the primary sights both.
Though our cabin was trendy, it was extraordinarily compact. After crusing in an inside cabin aboard sister-ship Utopia of the Seas, I anticipated the stateroom to be comparable by way of dimension and design. This wasn’t the case although, as our cabin was considerably smaller aboard Marvel of the Seas.
To my shock, this inside cabin had little or no area and lacked any sofa or chair for extra seating. The format was additionally uncommon, with the self-importance instantly in entrance of my mattress. We determined to separate the beds to open up the area, which did assist.
The air-con additionally appeared temperamental, which isn’t good for a scorching cruise to the Bahamas in August! Fortunately, we requested a fan from our cabin attendant, and he offered a big flooring fan that saved air circulating all evening.
Aside from the cabin’s dimension and temperature management, we had the whole lot else we would have liked for our quick cruise. As a result of Marvel of the Seas has a lot to supply for leisure, onboard sights, and actions, we hardly spent any time in our stateroom anyway.
This was the biggest expense of our complete trip, totaling about 56% of the general value. Our fare included port charges, taxes, and pay as you go gratuities.
I paid $57.98 for VOOM web, however the dependable pace was price it!
I all the time buy web whereas cruising, as my distant work requires occasional conferences and emails. As a Diamond Plus loyalty member, I obtain two free days of VOOM Web entry on each cruise. On a 4-night cruise, this implies I solely wanted to pay for 2 days to have limitless web entry for the complete cruise.
I bought my VOOM Surf + Stream web package deal on the primary day, which allowed me to use my loyalty low cost. I want Royal Caribbean would offer loyalty reductions to purchases within the Cruise Planner earlier than boarding. Had I bought the Wi-Fi package deal earlier than boarding, it could have value round $92 for the 4-night voyage. Onboard, the fee was $115; however with my loyalty low cost, the $57.98 value was nonetheless cheaper than pre-purchasing.
The web was quick and dependable all through our complete cruise. I additionally appreciated having the ability to use the package deal whereas ashore at Excellent Day at CocoCay. My pal was additionally stunned by the web’s pace and reliability, because it was her first cruise and he or she wasn’t positive what to anticipate.
This was one of many smallest bills, costing solely 2% of the entire trip value.
We additionally splurged on specialty eating for 2 meals, costing us $179.45.
Oasis class ships are filled with specialty eating eating places. And after making an attempt different competitor cruise traces, I imagine Royal Caribbean has one of the best specialty eating at sea. On this means, I’m all the time completely happy to splurge on a specialty eating meal.
I usually e book a specialty restaurant on the primary evening of the cruise, because it’s a reprieve from a busy boarding day. Specialty eating eating places are extra upscale and intimate with attentive service, which generally is a good change from the primary eating room. My pal wished to attempt Chops Grille steakhouse, and I used to be completely happy to oblige!
We reserved a desk for our first evening, which allowed us to make the most of my Diamond Plus BOGO specialty eating provide. The meal was wonderful! We liked the expertise of consuming exterior in Central Park as we sailed away from Miami on the primary night. I additionally tried the ribeye for the primary time — it’s a brand new favourite! This meal was $76.70 for 2 individuals.
As well as, my pal loves sushi and undoubtedly wished to attempt Izumi, which is Royal Caribbean’s Asian-inspired specialty venue. We determined to e book lunch at Izumi whereas the ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas. This labored out completely following our quick day ashore, as we solely walked across the port space. We each ordered the prix fixe possibility from Izumi’s expansive menu, which included an appetizer, two important course alternatives, and dessert.
My pal tried the tuna poke bowl and sushi whereas I opted for the meat noodles and stir fry. She didn’t love her sushi, however the whole lot else was fabulous. Izumi doesn’t provide lunch specials, so it’s the identical value no matter while you dine. We paid $94.90 for our lunch right here.
Lastly, I couldn’t resist a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks! It was the primary day of Starbucks providing their fall menu for the season, so I couldn’t say no. This latte was $7.85 and, though dear, was equally priced to what you’d pay at Starbucks on land.
In whole, we spent $179.45 on specialty eating throughout our 4-night Marvel of the Seas cruise, or 8% of our trip’s whole value. And it was price each single cent!
My flight to Miami was $380 whereas airport parking was $20, totaling $400.
Although I dwell in Florida, the Panhandle is about as removed from Miami as you may get within the state. As a substitute of driving 8.5 hours, I opted to e book a flight as a substitute. My round-trip airfare on Delta Air Traces was $380 from my small airport in Destin, Florida. I additionally paid $20 to park my automobile on the airport. Alternatively, my pal booked her flight with factors, making it technically free!
Sometimes, I favor cruising from Port Canaveral, Florida because of the shorter driving distance. Airfare can add up shortly should you’re flying to a cruise port, particularly should you’re touring with children. For that reason, quick party-focused cruises are hottest for individuals who can drive to the embarkation port. At $380 for one ticket, this may be $1,520 for a household of 4.
I used to be ready to avoid wasting cash by solely consuming lunch and dinner on the airport lounges, as I’ve entry with considered one of my premium journey bank cards. Airport meals is outrageously priced, so having the ability to make the most of the airport lounges helps preserve journey day prices down.
This was one of many larger bills, totaling 17% of the complete trip value.
We spent $101.04 on Uber rides between the airport, resort, and cruise port.
One other draw back of flying to your cruise port will not be having a automobile to get round. As a substitute, you need to depend on taxis, Ubers, or shuttles. For this journey, we flew within the evening earlier than our cruise and booked a resort for the evening (as you all the time ought to!).
My Uber from the airport to the resort was $41.89 whereas the next morning’s journey to the port was solely $11.02. Our resort was very near the cruise port, so this Uber journey was very low cost due to the shut proximity. After the cruise, we took one other Uber from the cruise port on to the MIA airport, costing us $48.13.
In whole, we spent round $101.04 on Uber rides in Miami, which is 4% of the holiday’s whole value.
I booked a resort in Miami for one evening earlier than the cruise, costing $304.
As a result of I flew into Miami the evening earlier than our cruise, I wanted to e book a resort for the evening. It’s all the time finest apply to fly into your embarkation port a minimum of sooner or later earlier than your cruise departs. For worldwide flights, I add an additional buffer day or two. This ensures you will have loads of time to account for delays or cancellations.
I landed in Miami round 9:00 P.M. and made my technique to the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay. The resort was lately reworked, so the rooms felt up-to-date. With my Marriott standing, we had breakfast included within the room fare. On the morning of embarkation, this was an effective way to begin our trip.
The Marriott Biscayne Bay resort is conveniently positioned by the cruise port. The morning of embarkation, we may see Marvel of the Seas within the distance at Royal Caribbean’s PortMiami cruise terminal. As a result of our resort was near the terminal, our Uber journey was fast and straightforward.
Total, our resort room was 13% of the complete journey’s value, which is on the upper finish. We in all probability may have booked a less expensive room nearer to the airport, however we appreciated the comfort to the cruise terminal on embarkation day.
In whole, our complete cruise trip aboard Marvel of the Seas was $2,337.47.
This 4-night cruise was not essentially an inexpensive getaway. We paid $2,337 in whole for this trip, together with airfare, cruise fare, onboard purchases, our resort room, and port transportation. For 4 nights, this comes out to $1,168.74 every, or $292 per individual for every evening of the cruise.
The price of this cruise may have been a lot greater. As an example, I obtain 5 complimentary drinks per day with my loyalty standing. Had we bought an costly drink package deal or drinks individually, the fee would have a whole lot of {dollars} extra. We additionally skipped any shore excursions in Nassau and Excellent Day at CocoCay, which additionally reduce down on prices.
As well as, my husband needed to keep behind for work and, due to this fact, we didn’t have to pay a dog-sitter at some point of this cruise. We’ve spent upwards of $500 to have an in-home pet sitter for our two Aussiedoodles. It’s straightforward to neglect about the price of pet care or dwelling care when planning a trip, however this could add up shortly.
Compared, my 4-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas again in February was $2,683, which is barely barely greater than we paid for this trip. Whereas dearer than you would possibly anticipate, I actually take pleasure in shorter cruises. In actual fact, I’ve already booked one other crusing aboard Utopia of the Seas this winter. In the event you’re a first-time cruiser or just wanting a fast trip, I might undoubtedly advocate Royal Caribbean’s quick Caribbean choices.
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