Sarah Bretz, ContributorCruises to the Bahamas are a popular gateway into cruising for many guests, as well as those who want a quick weekend getaway without committing to a full week-long voyage further south into the Caribbean. They’re an easy choice not only because of multiple departure port options (mostly in Florida) but also because there’s an abundance of affordable cruise lines sailing to the Bahamas.
It’s no secret; Bahamas voyages are among the most affordable and popular cruises available. So, what’s the true Bahamas cruise cost? For a full breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for an average sailing to the Bahamas, read on.
How Much Does a Bahamas Cruise Cost in 2025?
Cruises to the Bahamas tend to be cheaper per-night than voyages in most other regions thanks to easy access from a number of homeports as well as the large number of ships from different cruise lines that sail there.
With that being said, prices have a big variance depending on factors like the cruise line, the length of the cruise, and the type of cabin you’re staying in. How far in advance you book and the time of year you’re sailing can have an impact as well.
When sitting down to create a budget for a Bahamas cruise, consider these main components:
- The cruise fare plus associated taxes and fees
- Transportation to the homeport, whether it be via plane, train, or automobile
- Hotel accommodations (if needed before and/or after the cruise)
- Onboard purchases (such as specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, WiFi, and souvenirs)
- Shore excursions
- Travel insurance
Key Takeways:
- Average cruise fare: $300-$700 per person for a 3-4 night cruise in an interior cabin
- Upgraded accommodations: $400-$800 per person for a 3-4 night cruise in a balcony cabin
- Budget-friendly options: Carnival and MSC offer the lowest rates, starting around $40-$60 per person, night
- Premium experiences: Disney cruises command the highest prices, starting at $300+ per person, per night
- Additional costs to budget for: Daily gratuities, beverage packages, shore excursions, specialty dining, WiFi, and transportation
- Best time to save: September through early December offers prices up to 40% lower than peak season
- Booking sweet spot: Reserve 6-12 months in advance for optimal rates
- Total Bahamas vacation budget estimate: Realistically, plan for approximately $250-$350 per person, per day for total expenses assuming you will purchase some add-ons to the base cruise fare.
Bahamas Cruise Costs by Cruise Line Comparison (2025 Prices)
As with a cruise to any region, the cruise fare will be vastly different depending on whether you sail a mainstream, premium, or luxury line. You’ll find the cheapest per-night price for Bahamas cruises on lines like MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, with many voyages starting at under $50 per person, per night. Mid-range prices can be found on lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Many sailings are between $70 and $100 per person, per night.
Lines like Virgin Voyages and Disney Cruise Line are at the pricier end of the spectrum with sailings that usually start at over $100 per night for Virgin Voyages and go up to several hundred dollars for Disney Cruise Line.
Occasionally, luxury brands like SeaDream and The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection will also do one-off Bahamas cruises which can cost $600 per person, per night or more.
Comparing Bahamas Cruise Prices by Cabin Category
After the cruise line itself, the single largest factor that will determine the cost of your cruise is which cabin category you choose. Interior staterooms with no windows or a balcony (occasionally tiny porthole cabins are classified as interior, though) are the most affordable, followed by oceanview cabins (with a large window) and balcony staterooms. Suites will be the most expensive accommodations on the ship.
Based on the breakdown above, here are examples of what you might pay for interior and balcony cabins. These figures are the cheapest per person, per night rates available.
What is the cost of cruising to the Bahamas in an interior cabin?
- Carnival and MSC: $40 to $60
- Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian: $70 to $100
- Virgin Voyages: $100 to $150
- Disney Cruise Line: $300+
How much is a balcony cabin on a Bahamas cruise?
- Carnival and MSC: $100 to $125
- Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian: $125 to $250
- Virgin Voyages: $175 to $300
- Disney Cruise Line: $350 to $500+
Comparing Bahamas Cruise Costs by Length of Cruise
Most sailings to the Bahamas are short three to five-night jaunts. However, seven-night Bahamas voyages are also available (which usually also include port calls in Florida). The longer sailings are often from homeports in the northeastern U.S. since the ship takes longer to get down to the Bahamian islands.
Here are some examples of what you can expect to pay per person, per night. Of course, newer and more popular ships will often command higher prices.
Three-Night Cruise:
In an interior cabin, expect to pay $300 to $500 per person total including taxes and fees. For a balcony cabin, our estimate rises to $400 to $600 per person total cruise fare. Note: Disney Cruise Line is higher than these averages.
For example, a 3-night sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas starts at $453 per person, and a 3-night sailing on Carnival Conquest starts at $299 per person.
Four-Night Cruise:
For an interior cabin, you can estimate $350 to $700 per person including taxes and fees. In a balcony cabin, expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $800 per person total cruise fare.
For example, a 4-night sailing on Norwegian Gem starts at $400 per person, and a 4-night sailing on Celebrity Reflection starts at $492 per person. A 4-night sailing on Virgin Voyages starts at $596 per person.
Seven-Night Cruise:
In an interior cabin, expect to pay $650 to $1,050 per person including taxes and fees. In a balcony cabin, expect to pay around $1,050 to $1,600 per person for the total cruise fare.
For example, a 7-night sailing on MSC Cruises’ newest ship, MSC World America, starts as low as $693 per person. A 7-night Carnival Liberty sailing from New Orleans also starts as low as $701 per person, whereas a 7-night sailing on Virgin Voyages starts at $761 per person.
Cheapest Times to Cruise the Bahamas
As the air starts to cool and kids go back to school, that’s when you’ll find the most affordable cruise fares to the Bahamas. Not only is it cheaper, but these sailings are also less crowded due to two main factors: the risks that come with booking a cruise during the most active part of hurricane season, and the fact that grade-school and college students are back in class and families have likely wrapped up their major vacations for the year.
Even the tail end of fall — early December — can be well-priced and quieter. Voyages over Christmas and New Year’s command a premium, and then sailings are back to lower prices in the mid-winter months of January and February.
Spring and summer are the most expensive times to sail to the Bahamas. Though, you’ll still be able to find deals if you’re open about the cruise line and ship you sail.
Best Time to Book a Bahamas Cruise for Lowest Prices
The timing of your Bahamas cruise booking can significantly impact your final price as well, with savvy travelers potentially saving hundreds of dollars by strategizing their reservation window. Booking during “wave season” (January through March) often yields the best combination of early-bird pricing and promotional incentives like onboard credit, free beverage packages, or cabin upgrades that rarely appear during peak booking periods.
Conversely, last-minute bookings (within 60-90 days of sailing) sometimes can offer discounts as cruise lines scramble to fill remaining inventory, though these deals typically apply only to interior or oceanview cabins while premium options like balconies and suites sell out far in advance.
The general consensus among travel experts is that booking a Bahamas cruise approximately 6 to 12 months before your departure date offers the best balance between availability and affordability.
How Much are Shore Excursions on a Bahamas Cruise?
As opposed to a wildlife and nature-focused region like Alaska or a history-filled destination like the Mediterranean, excursions aren’t as necessary or popular in most Bahamian ports. This means that you’ll likely spend less average per-port on a cruise to the Bahamas than in other regions.
For example, lots of cruises to the Bahamas include a stop at the cruise line’s private island/destination in the Bahamas. While these ports do have excursions and activities you can do such as snorkeling, horseback riding, jet-skiing, or parasailing, many passengers are just as happy to have a beach day complete with the free lunch that’s included on the island.
In Nassau — the most popular port stop in the Bahamas — you can spend your day around town, walking to the Queen’s Staircase, or doing an activity on your own like parasailing (around $100 per person), heading to an all-inclusive beach resort for the day ($100 to $170 per person), or going to Atlantis’ Aquaventure Park ($100 to $130 per person, varies based on the season).
However, shore excursions like swimming with pigs and visiting a beach club (around $150 per person), a catamaran ride with snorkeling (around $85 per person), and a guided walking tour of Nassau (around $40 per person) are also available.
In Freeport, another common Bahamas stop, excursions include things like a bicycle ride with a beach stop and lunch (around $100 per person), a glass-bottom boat tour with shark experience (around $80 per person), and a sightseeing bus tour with shopping and a visit to a brewery with a tasting experience (around $70 per person).
Depending on the type of activity, the excursion price spectrum is extremely wide for any cruise — including those to the Bahamas. Decide which activities are must-do’s and which ports you can either book an independent tour or explore on your own and come up with a loose budget from there. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of food and drink (if they’re not included in your excursion).
Additional Costs for a Bahamas Cruise
Once you’ve got your cabin and shore excursions nailed down, there are other factors to take into account when planning your Bahamas cruise budget.
Airfare
If you need to take a flight to get to your Bahamas cruise homeport, be sure to factor that airfare into your overall trip budget. The cost can fluctuate based on the time of year and how close-in you book it. So, start looking as soon as you book your voyage and check back often for the best price.
Also consider the price of adding on a pre-cruise hotel stay in the cruise’s embarkation port. We always suggest flying in a day ahead of your cruise to alleviate any stress related to travel delays.
Gratuities
On most cruise lines, daily gratuities are not included in the cruise fare. You’ll be charged separately for them at the end of the voyage. The per-person cost is different depending on the line you’re sailing and the cabin category you’re staying in. Most range from $16 to $25 per day. This means that for a three-day Bahamas cruise, plan for a total gratuity charge of $48 to $75 per person; for a four-night, $64 to $100 per person; and for a seven-night, $112 to $175 per person.
Gratuities are automatically charged. But on most cruise lines, you do have the freedom to either remove them or adjust the amount. However, we recommend sticking with the automatically charged amount, as gratuities go not only towards guest-facing crew members but also many that you’ll never meet face-to-face.
Alcoholic Beverages
If you plan to drink alcohol or other specialty beverages on board the ship, think about how much you’re likely to drink each day and budget accordingly. The price of wines and beers by the glass, cocktails, and things like milkshakes and specialty coffees vary. So, look into the average prices for your specific cruise line and figure out a rough estimate of how much you want to spend.
If you think you’ll drink enough, consider purchasing the cruise line’s beverage package (if it has one). This might help you save some money. Cruise ship drink packages range in price, with some cruise lines utilizing dynamic pricing. But expect to pay at least $65 per person, per day, often more, for an alcoholic beverage package.
Specialty Dining
While your cruise ship will have plenty of included dining, you may want to try some of the specialty restaurants (which are not included in the cruise fare). Look at a list of the specialty dining options aboard your specific ship, their costs, and decide which (if any) are a must-do for you. Specialty dining may be priced a la carte but often carries a flat-fee cover charge to dine. These prices can range from $25 up towards $70+ depending on the restaurant.
WiFi
Some cruise lines, such as Virgin Voyages, include basic WiFi as part of the cost of your cruise fare. Most mainstream brands, however, charge an additional fee to access the internet system on board. Though there are some exceptions, most cruise lines charge a per-day price for internet, with multiple tiered packages.
The basic tier usually includes internet-based messaging (like iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp) as well as access to social media. It usually costs $15+ per day. Higher tiers will include access to things like web browsing, email, downloading and uploading files, and music and video streaming services. They generally cost $25+ per day.
It’s important to know that even if you don’t purchase any WiFi, you’ll still be able to use your cruise line’s smartphone app.
Onboard Purchases
Other than the purchases mentioned above, there are plenty of ways to spend money on the ship that you may or may not want to take advantage of. These include things like photos, spa treatments or access to the spa’s thermal suite, playing in the casino, and souvenirs in the gift shop.
It can be tough to come up with a good estimate for how much you’ll spend on things like this. So, we recommend coming up with a budget for “extras” and doing your best to stick to it. This can also apply to purchases in port. Come up with a souvenir budget and try not to go beyond it.
Travel Insurance
While not mandatory, purchasing travel insurance for your Bahamas cruise is always a good idea. For a relatively modest cost of just 4-10% of your total trip expense, comprehensive travel insurance delivers invaluable protection against medical evacuation costs, trip cancellation or interruption due to illness or family emergencies, baggage loss, and travel delays that might require last-minute hotel and transportation changes if you miss the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bahamas Cruise Costs
What is the cheapest month to cruise to the Bahamas?
September through early November typically offers the lowest prices for Bahamas cruises. This period falls during hurricane season and when children return to school, resulting in reduced demand and better deals.
How much spending money should I budget per day on a Bahamas cruise?
Beyond your cruise fare, budget approximately $100-150 per person daily for onboard expenses and shore activities. This includes alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and miscellaneous purchases.
Are Bahamas cruises all-inclusive?
No. While your cruise fare includes accommodation, basic dining, and entertainment, you’ll pay extra for alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, most shore excursions, gratuities, WiFi, and spa treatments, among other add-ons.
Which cruise line offers the most affordable Bahamas cruises?
MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line consistently offer the lowest-priced Bahamas cruises, particularly during off-peak seasons.
Is a balcony worth it on a Bahamas cruise?
For short 3-4 night Bahamas cruises, a balcony adds approximately $100-200 per person to your total fare compared to an interior cabin. While the premium is significant, many cruisers appreciate having private outdoor space, especially when sailing between ports.
Do I need to book shore excursions through the cruise line?
No. While booking through the cruise line offers additional peace of mind, independent excursions in the Bahamas are often cheaper. Popular activities like Atlantis Aquaventure Park passes, beach day passes, and snorkeling tours can all be booked independently or with third party providers like Shore Excursions Group.
When should I book my Bahamas cruise to get the best deal?
For the best combination of price and availability, book 6-12 months in advance. Last-minute deals (within 60-90 days of sailing) exist but with limited options.
Are drink packages worth it on a Bahamas cruise?
If you’ll consume 5-7 alcoholic beverages daily, a beverage package can provide value. This ultimately depends on the type of beverages you consume and how much you plan to be on the ship vs. ashore in ports of call.
What’s cheaper: a Bahamas cruise or an all-inclusive resort?
For comparable experiences, a 4-night Bahamas cruise (approximately $350-700 per person for interior accommodations plus $400-600 in additional expenses) typically costs less than a 4-night stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas (starting prices around $2000).
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