How Much Does a 1-Week Cruise Cost on Royal Caribbean?

If you’re thinking of taking a Royal Caribbean cruise for about a week (7 nights), you're probably wondering how much does a 1 week cruise cost Royal Caribbean. Prices vary a lot, depending on cabin type, itinerary, season, ship, and the extras you choose. In this post, we’ll break down the cost components, typical price ranges, what’s included and what’s not, plus tips to help you budget.
What’s Included in the Base Price
Before considering the full cost, it helps to know what the base fare covers. When you see a fare for a 7-night cruise with Royal Caribbean, this often includes:
- The cabin / stateroom of your choice (interior, oceanview, balcony, suite)
- Meals in the main dining rooms & buffets, breakfast/lunch/dinner
- Onboard entertainment (shows, live music, theater performances, etc.)
- Access to basic amenities: pools, fitness center, many onboard activities
- Kids & teen programs, supervised activities
- Port visits and often port taxes & fees (though not always every single one; depends on itinerary)
This base fare does not usually include:
- Specialty dining (steakhouses, premium restaurants)
- Drinks above standard non-alcoholic, specialty coffees, alcohol
- Shore excursions / port-of-call activities
- Tips / gratuities
- Wi-Fi, spa, salon, etc.
- Airfare / flights, pre-cruise hotels, ground transport to port
Key Factors that Influence Price
Knowing what makes prices go up (or down) helps you understand why quotes vary so much. Some of the major factors:
- Cabin Type
Interior cabins are cheapest, then oceanview (window), then balcony, then suites. More space, better views, more privacy cost more. - Ship Class & Age
Newer ships or ones with more amenities tend to cost more. Ships with a lot of specialty dining, entertainment features, or newer designs carry premium costs. - Itinerary / Destination
Caribbean cruises tend to be cheaper than Alaska or Europe. Ports that are more “exotic” / far / high demand cost more. Length of cruising days vs port days also plays a part. - Season / Demand
Holiday periods (Christmas, New Year, summer in the U.S., etc.), popular sailing windows cost more. Off-season sailings can be big savings. - Booking Time
Book early, you might get better pricing; spur of the moment or last-minute may cost more (though sometimes there are deals). Also promotions, discounts, loyalty programs affect price. - Optional Add-ons
The “extras” you choose build up: drink packages, shore excursions, specialty meals, Wi-Fi, etc.
Typical Price Ranges for a 7-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise
Here are sample estimates of what base fares might look like (before extras) for a 1-week / 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise, depending on cabin type and cruise region. These are per person, double occupancy (two people sharing.
Cabin Type |
Typical Base Fare Range (7 Nights) |
Notes / Example Conditions |
Interior Cabin (no window) |
≈ US$ 550 – US$ 1,400 per person |
On simpler itineraries, off-peak seasons. |
Oceanview Cabin (with window) |
≈ US$ 700 – US$ 2,100 per person |
Depending on ship, route, timing. |
Balcony Cabin |
≈ US$ 1,000 – US$ 2,500+ per person |
Better view, more comfort. |
Suites / Premium / Specialty Cabins |
≈ US$ 2,500 to US$ 7,000+ per person |
Depends heavily on luxury, size, and perks. |
These ranges reflect just the cruise fare (i.e. what Royal Caribbean charges for accommodation + meals + basic onboard access + itinerary).
Extras You’ll Want to Budget For
To get a realistic budget, you must account for additional costs beyond the base fare. Here are common extras and typical ranges:
- Gratuities (Tips): Automatically added; for standard cabins it might be about US$ 14-20 per person per day. Over 7 nights, that’s an extra US$ 100-150 approx.
- Drinks & Beverage Packages:
* Non-alcoholic options, soft drinks, specialty coffees can cost extra.
* If you want alcoholic or drink-package deals, expect about US$30-90+ per person per day depending on package. - Specialty Dining: A few evenings in premium restaurants onboard (steakhouse, sushi, etc.) may cost US$20-70 per person per meal more.
- Shore Excursions / Port Activities: Each port stop can cost US$40-200+ or more depending on what you do. Multiple ports → can add up.
- Wi-Fi / Internet Packages: Onboard Wi-Fi is often optional and is typically US$15-25+ per device per day.
- Pre- and Post-Cruise Costs: Flights, hotels, ground transport to/from port. These can vary widely depending on your home location.
So a “base fare only” quote is just part of the story. If you want beverages, excursions, etc., total cost could be 30-70% more than the base fare.
Sample Totally Costed 1-Week Cruise Budget
To illustrate, let’s run through two example budgets: one lower-cost / more budget friendly, and one more comfortable / premium.
Item |
Budget Cruise Example |
Mid / Comfortable Cruise Example |
Base Fare (Interior Cabin) |
US$ 800 per person |
US$ 1,500 per person (Balcony cabin) |
Port Taxes & Fees |
$150 |
$200 |
Gratuities for 7 nights |
≈ $120 |
≈ $150 |
Drink Package / Beverages |
Minimal (pay-as-you-go) $50 total |
Full drinks package ~$500 |
Specialty Dining (2 meals) |
$80 total |
$200+ |
Shore Excursions / Activities (2 ports) |
$100 total |
$300+ |
Wi-Fi / Extras |
$0-$50 |
$150 |
Transportation & Flights |
Depends |
Depends |
Estimated Total (Per Person) |
~US$ 1,100-1,300 |
~US$ 2,500-3,000+ |
So in many cases, a realistic all-in cost for a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise for one person ends up being somewhere between US$1,000 and US$3,000+ depending on the choices.
Where to Find Deals & Lower Prices
If you want to reduce how much your 1 week Royal Caribbean cruise will cost, here are some proven strategies:
- Book Early or Far Out
Early bookings often give better cabin choices at lower rates. As sailing dates approach, demand pushes prices up. - Watch for Promotions / Sales
Royal Caribbean often runs specials: reduced fares, onboard credit, free specialty dining, etc. These can reduce net cost. - Choose Off-Peak Dates
Travel during non-holiday times, shoulder seasons, or mid-week departures tend to cost less. - Pick Simpler Itineraries
One port vs many, shorter sea days vs lots of port stops, or less exotic destinations are cheaper. - Choose Interior or Lower Deck Cabins
They are cheaper. Upgrading is an option but costs extra. - Skip some Add-Ons
For example, don’t buy drink package, or limit shore excursions, or use Wi-Fi only when needed.
Real-World Deal Examples
From recent listings and deals, here are some sample prices for 7-night / one week sailings:
- A 7-night Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico, aboard Rhapsody of the Seas was listed at ≈ US$ 698 per person in a basic cabin in one of the deals.
- Royal Caribbean’s website shows 7-night Caribbean cruises starting from US$ 383 for select itineraries / cabins. (Interior or more limited cabins)
These deal prices tend to be limited in availability and may require flexible dates, basic cabins, or non-peak sailings.
Tips to Avoid Unexpected Costs & Budget Smart
- Always check what the base fare includes vs what extras cost
- Pre-pay gratuities if possible or know what daily tips will be added so you’re not shocked later.
- Bring or plan for drinking / snacks needs; buy drink package only if you’ll actually use it.
- Plan shore excursions ahead for better pricing; sometimes cheaper off-ship vendors exist.
- Avoid last-minute bookings for meals, spas, etc., where premium pricing applies.
- Review cancellation policies, change fees — sometimes cheaper fares are non-refundable.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does a 1 week cruise cost Royal Caribbean? In summary:
- Base fare for a 7-night cruise can range from US$ 550 − US$ 2,500+ per person depending on cabin and itinerary.
- After extras (gratuities, drinks, excursions, specialty dining, WiFi, flights/transport), total cost is often US$ 1,000-US$ 3,000+ per person for a nicer cabin and more amenities.
- If you want to travel in luxury or in premium suite, or want exotic destinations, prices can go much higher.
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