The cruise fare for a short Bahamas cruise is usually $160 to $450 per person. For two people sharing an inside cabin, that works out to about $320 to $900 before optional extras.
A more realistic budget is:
- $400 to $750 for two people for a basic cruise with included dining and entertainment
- $750 to $1,500 for two people after gratuities, drinks and selected extras
- $1,500 or more for balcony cabins, premium ships, alcohol packages, excursions or high-demand sailings
Most mainstream Bahamas cruises are not fully all-inclusive. The fare usually covers your cabin, regular meals, entertainment and many onboard activities. Alcohol, Wi-Fi, excursions and gratuities often cost extra.
Bahamas Cruise Prices at a Glance
| Cruise type | Typical cruise fare | Approximate cost for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget 3-night cruise | $160 to $300 per person | $320 to $600 |
| Mainstream 3- or 4-night cruise | $300 to $500 per person | $600 to $1,000 |
| Longer 4- to 7-night cruise | $300 to $800+ per person | $600 to $1,600+ |
| Balcony or premium sailing | $600 to $1,500+ per person | $1,200 to $3,000+ |
These are planning ranges, not guaranteed quotes. Prices vary by ship, departure port, cabin type, itinerary, demand and booking lead time.
What Do Bahamas Cruise Fares Include?
A standard Bahamas cruise fare usually includes:
- Your stateroom
- Main dining room meals
- Buffet meals and selected casual food
- Basic drinks such as water, tea, lemonade and select juices
- Live entertainment and shows
- Pools, fitness facilities and many onboard activities
- Children's and teen programs on eligible ships
- Access to some cruise-line private destinations
Royal Caribbean and Carnival both state that their standard fares include accommodations, regular dining, entertainment, pools and many onboard activities.
Advertised fares show how much prices can vary:
- Carnival lists selected 3-day Bahamas cruises from about $164 per person, with taxes and fees included.
- MSC Cruises lists selected Bahamas sailings from roughly $159 to $302 per person, depending on the itinerary and ship.
- Royal Caribbean lists selected 3-night Bahamas cruises from approximately $299 to $438 per person.
Cruise fares are usually shown per person based on two people sharing a cabin. A listed price of $200 per person generally means about $400 for the room before extras.
What Is Not Included in an All-Inclusive Bahamas Cruise?
Most mainstream cruise fares do not automatically include:
- Alcohol
- Soda and premium coffee
- Wi-Fi
- Specialty restaurants
- Shore excursions
- Spa treatments
- Casino spending
- Photos
- Travel insurance
- Airfare, hotels or transfers
- Daily gratuities
Royal Caribbean specifically excludes alcoholic beverages, premium drinks, internet access, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa services, airfare, hotels and transfers from its standard cruise fare.
As a result, a cruise advertised as "all-inclusive" may still generate additional onboard charges.
How Much Do Gratuities Add?
Gratuities can add about $102 to $111 for two people on a 3-night cruise.
- Carnival lists gratuities of $17 per person per day for standard staterooms.
- Royal Caribbean lists $18.50 per person per day for most non-suite staterooms.
- MSC Cruises lists $17 per person per night for Caribbean and United States sailings under its applicable service-charge schedule.
How Much Does an Alcohol Package Cost?
An alcohol package can add about $504 for two adults on a 3-night cruise.
Carnival's CHEERS! package is listed at $69.95 per person per day before the service charge, or about $83.94 per person per day including the 20% service charge when purchased before sailing. The package generally applies to the full voyage, and each adult in the same stateroom may need to purchase it.
For two adults, the estimated cost could look like this:
- Cruise fare: $328 to $876
- Gratuities: about $102 to $111
- Alcohol package: about $504
- Total before excursions and transportation: approximately $934 to $1,491
Buying drinks individually may cost less, especially if you only plan to have one or two alcoholic drinks per day.
Example Budget for Two People
A 3-night Bahamas cruise might cost:
| Expense | Budget option | Higher-cost option |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise fare | $328 | $876 |
| Gratuities | $102 | $111 |
| Alcohol package | $0 | $504 |
| Wi-Fi and specialty dining | $0 to $150 | $150 to $300 |
| Excursions | $0 to $200 | $200 to $500 |
| Estimated total before travel to port | $430 to $780 | $1,841 to $2,291 |
The budget option assumes an inside cabin, included dining, no alcohol package and limited paid activities. The higher-cost option includes a more expensive cruise fare, an alcohol package, paid onboard options and excursions.
Airfare, pre-cruise hotel stays, parking, rideshare costs and transportation to the port are separate expenses.
Which Bahamas Cruise Offers the Best Value?
MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line usually offer the lowest advertised fares among the examples listed here. MSC often shows low prices with taxes and fees included, while Carnival offers frequent short itineraries from Florida ports.
Royal Caribbean may be a better fit if you want a larger ship, more included attractions and a wider range of entertainment. Its starting fares can be higher on similar short itineraries.
To compare the total cost:
- Compare the fare with taxes and fees, not only the headline price.
- Choose an inside cabin if the ship and itinerary matter more than the room.
- Use included restaurants instead of specialty dining.
- Skip the alcohol package unless you expect to drink enough to justify the daily cost.
- Check gratuities before booking.
- Choose a departure port within driving distance to avoid flights and hotel costs.
- Compare excursion prices with the cost of exploring Nassau independently.
Bottom Line
A short Bahamas cruise can start at $160 to $300 per person, but the final cost rises once you add gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and transportation.
For two people, plan on:
- $400 to $750 for a simple cruise with included meals and entertainment
- $750 to $1,500 with gratuities, drinks and some extras
- $1,500 or more for premium cabins, alcohol packages, excursions and additional travel costs
Compare the full trip cost rather than the advertised fare. The cabin price is only the starting point.