Financial Breakdown of Typical Cruiser

English: Disney Cruise Lines' Disney Wonder in...

Disney Cruise Lines' Disney Wonder in Port Canaveral (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ever wonder where the money goes? Here is a breakdown of the estimated 2021 average cruise revenue and expense per passenger per day for all cruise lines world wide. The average per passenger per day cruise expense is projected to be $214.25, with $152.12 per person per day ticket price and $62.13 per person per day on board spending (average cruise duration 8.0 days, median duration 7.0 days).

Financial breakdown of typical cruiser

(worldwide, across all ocean cruise lines)

Revenue Expenses
Ticket $1,217
Onboard Spending $497
-Casino & Bar $273
-Shore excursions (cruise line portion) $99
-Spa $50
-All other onboard spending $75
Total spending $1,714
Other operating costs $249 14.5%
Agent commission $223 13.0%
Ship fuel costs $185 10.8%
Corporate Operating Costs $199 11.6%
Payroll $189 11.0%
Depreciation/Amortization $165 9.6%
Victualing (food) $103 6.0%
Onboard and other $75 4.4%
Other and transportation $57 3.3%
Interest Expense $53 3.1%
Total Expenses $1,564
Profit before taxes $218 12.7%

Sources: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Carnival Corporation and plc, NCL Corporation Ltd., Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and DVB Bank.