Compare Cruise Prices Like a Pro
The fare is only the start. Compare what you will really pay.
Compare Cruise Prices FreeCompare Cruise Prices the Way the Bill Will Look
To compare cruise prices honestly, you have to compare what you will actually pay, not the number in the advert. A cruise fare is usually quoted per person, based on two people sharing a cabin, and it rarely includes everything. Two cruises that look similar on a search page can end up hundreds apart once you add taxes and fees, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, flights and transfers — in either direction.
Cruise Price Shopper is a guide to that comparison. We show you what to add, where like-for-like comparisons go wrong, how comparison websites work and how the different ways of booking compare on price. We never post fares; when you want real numbers, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will quote them.
What to Compare Beyond the Fare
| Cost | Usually in the fare? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes, fees and port expenses | Often shown separately | Is the quote fare-only or the total? |
| Gratuities | Varies by line | Added daily on board, pre-paid, or included |
| Drinks | Basic drinks only on most mainstream lines | Package price versus what you will really drink |
| Wi-Fi | Varies by line | How many devices, and at what speed |
| Specialty dining | Usually extra | Whether you would book it anyway |
| Shore excursions | Usually extra; included on some lines | Line-run tours versus independent options |
| Flights, hotels, transfers, parking | Not included unless packaged | Often the biggest difference between two cruises |
Four Ways to Make a Comparison Fair
Same sailing, same cabin
Match ship, date and the exact cabin category, not just “balcony”.
Same fare type
A non-refundable deposit fare is usually cheaper than a refundable one for good reason.
Same guests
Third and fourth guests, children and solo travellers are priced differently.
Same extras
Price what you would buy on both ships, then add it to the cruise that does not include it.
Use our 2027 comparison worksheet to put it on one page.
Where to Shop, and How the Channels Compare
You can book a cruise with the line directly, through a travel advisor, or through an online travel agency. The base fare is usually set by the cruise line, so the differences between channels often lie in what comes with it — onboard credit, help with re-pricing, someone to call when something goes wrong. Our direct versus agent page sets out the trade-offs neutrally.
For finding sailings, our comparison website guide explains what search sites do well and where they fall short. For comparing the lines themselves — style, ships, inclusions — Cruise Compares is the place; for the onboard extras in depth, Ask the Cruise Specialists.
Shop Smarter With Someone on Your Side
Comparison shopping a cruise takes time. If you would rather have the totals laid out side by side, send us the cruises you are considering. Want offers as they come out? Join the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter.
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
One last tip before you start: write down the sailing you like best before you begin comparing. It keeps every other option honest, and it stops a slightly lower headline fare from pulling you towards a cruise you never really wanted.
Compare Cruise Prices: FAQ
What is the best way to compare cruise prices?
Compare the same sailing, the same cabin category and the same number of guests, then add every cost that one cruise includes and the other does not: taxes and fees, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, transfers and flights.
Why do two quotes for the same cruise differ?
Usually because of fare type (refundable or not), the promotion applied, extras bundled in, or a different cabin category. Line up those details before you decide one is cheaper.
Do you show cruise prices on this site?
No. Fares change daily. For live offers, see Cruising for Less and WaveSeason.com, search on Cruise Genie, or ask our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise for a quote.
Can you do the comparison for me?
Yes. Send the cruises you are weighing through the free quote form.
More Cruise Sites From Our Network
More from our network: the Official Cruise Directory lists our cruise sites, the Official Travel Directory covers all travel, Best of the USA covers America’s best, and Be a Travel Agent is for anyone who would like to sell travel.
Want the Totals Side by Side?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare the full price of the cruises you are weighing.
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