Are Cruise Prices Per Person?

Yes, cruise prices are quoted per person, and that price assumes two people are sharing the cabin. This is called double occupancy. So when you see a fare advertised, the real cost of the cabin is usually double the number shown. A solo traveler typically pays a single supplement to make up for the missing second fare.

Why fares are quoted per person

Cruise lines price by the berth, not the room. A standard cabin is built and sold for two paying guests, so the advertised “from” fare reflects what each of those two people pays. To find the cabin total, you generally multiply the per-person rate by two and then add taxes, port fees, and gratuities, which are also charged per person.

This is why a cruise priced at, say, 599 dollars per person actually costs around 1,200 dollars or more for a couple once the second fare and fees are added.

Solo travelers and the single supplement

If you sail alone in a standard cabin, you’re still occupying a two-person room, so most lines charge a single supplement. That supplement often ranges from roughly 50 percent to a full 100 percent on top of the per-person fare, meaning a solo cruiser can pay close to what two people would.

A few lines have addressed this with dedicated solo studio cabins that carry little or no supplement. If you’re traveling alone, those studios are usually the cheapest way to cruise.

Third and fourth guests

When more than two people share a cabin, the extra guests are usually charged at a reduced per-person rate rather than the full fare. This is what makes triple and quad cabins a strong value for families, even though space gets tight. Kids-sail-free promotions take this further by waiving the fare entirely for the third and fourth guests on select sailings.

Related guides

Part of our Cruise Costs & Money hub.