What Cruising Actually Cost Me in 2025 (Every Penny)

Civilians often think cruising is expensive. And for some regular cruisers… it is. But that’s only because they’ve DECIDED to make it expensive. If you are poor, like me, cruising can be as cheap as — or cheaper than — staying at home. In this video I do something most CruiseTubers won’t: I break down every single penny I spent cruising in 2025. No averages. No “about this much”. No pretending drinks don’t count. This is the full, unfiltered cost of seven cruises (or nine if we are being pedantic), travelling solo, usually paying double — including: • Cruise fares • Parking and transport to the port • Speciality dining • Drinks • WiFi • Auto-gratuities (yes, I include them — no, I’m not interested in your essay) What I don’t include: Shopping, money spent in ports, or optional extras you don’t actually need. From Cunard to P&O, Virgin Voyages to Ambassador, I take you through every sailing — including some disasters, some bargains, and one or two questionable life choices — to answer one simple question: 👉 Is cruising actually expensive… or are people just doing it wrong? By the end of 2025 I’d sailed on: • Queen Victoria • Arcadia • Queen Mary 2 • Scarlet Lady • Iona • Ventura • Ambition Seven trips (or nine), One spreadsheet. Zero patience. I didn’t miss out on anything I wanted. Turns out it really is cheaper to be on a ship than not. That’s not opinion. That’s maths. I’m back onboard in a week on Queen Anne, kicking off 11 ships in 2026 — but for now… What cruising actually cost me in 2025 — DONE.