How Much Does A Cruise Ship Make Per Sailing?

A cruise ship makes an average of $291 in net profit per passenger per cruise, with a fully booked trip generating an estimated $1,818 in revenue. The Royal Caribbean Group, a major player in the cruising industry, enjoyed record levels of cruises in 2023, with 31.7 million people enjoying a cruise. The cost to build a cruise ship can vary depending on factors such as size, facilities, and complexity.

The average cruise ship can earn around $200 to $250 per passenger per day, including the cost of the cruise fare, onboard spending, and additional revenue from various services, shops, and activities offered on the ship. Of the 1,818 in revenue generated from each passenger, 12.3% (or 223) ends up as profit. After subtracting overhead costs, a ship will make out with roughly 291 in net profit per passenger per cruise.

Cruise revenue is generated from ticket sales (cruise fares and airfare booked through the cruise lines) and onboard spending (the cost of cruise fares and airfare booked through the cruise lines). The company generated 58% and 65% of its revenue from selling cruise tickets in its fiscal 2022 and 2023, respectively. The fuller Carnival can generate an estimated net profit of $19 million per trip.

In general, cruise ship captains can earn a substantial income, typically falling within the range of 80,000 to 200,000 per annum. However, the job of a cruise ship captain can be challenging due to the high cost of building a ship and the fluctuating income figures as cruise ships undergo larger refurbishments.