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Compare Cruise Lines

Side-by-side cost comparison across 9 major cruise lines. Real prices, not marketing — find where your money goes.

Cost Comparison Matrix

Click any column header to sort. Green = best value, coral = highest cost.

Metric	RCI	CCL	NCL	MSC	CEL	PCL	HAL	DCL	VV
	$18.50	$17.00	$20.00	$16.00	$18.00	$18.00	$17.00	$16.00	$20.00
Lowest alcoholic package price	$78	$83	Included	$85	$90	$65	$18	N/A	$29
	$22	$20	Included	$16	$20	$18	$20	$16	Included
Average per-person specialty restaurant price	$55	$38	$50	$40	$55	$45	$42	$55	Included
	$22	$22	$22	$20	$22	$22	$20	$22	$22
	$100	$90	$100	$85	$100	$95	$90	$100	$100
	$127	$125	$165	$135	$229	$149	$149	$149	$155
									Adults Only
	7 items	7 items	7 items	6 items	4 items	5 items	6 items	9 items	6 items

Head-to-Head Comparison

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Popular Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which cruise line has the lowest daily gratuity?

Disney Cruise Line has the lowest standard gratuity at $16.00 per person per day. MSC is close behind at $16.00 as well. Carnival is $17.00, while Norwegian and Virgin Voyages charge the highest at $20.00/day.

Which cruise lines include drinks for free?

Norwegian Cruise Line includes an open bar with their Free at Sea promotion (mandatory $21.80/day gratuity applies). Virgin Voyages includes basic beverages. All other major cruise lines charge separately for drink packages.

Which cruise line is cheapest overall?

Carnival and MSC typically have the lowest base fares. However, the true cost depends on add-ons. Norwegian's Free at Sea bundle includes drinks and WiFi, which can make it cheaper overall. Use our True Cost Calculator to compare actual totals for your specific trip.

Can I compare two cruise lines in detail?

Yes! Use the Head-to-Head comparison tool above, or select any two cruise lines and click 'Full Cost Comparison in Calculator' to see a detailed side-by-side breakdown including all hidden costs.