Finding an advertised cruise fare is easy. Understanding how much the entire vacation will cost requires more work.
A seven-night Vancouver-to-San Diego cruise may initially appear to include almost everything. The base fare normally covers the cabin, selected dining venues, entertainment and many onboard activities. However, gratuities, transportation home, travel insurance, excursions and optional onboard purchases can significantly increase the final cost.
This guide explains how to find and book a Vancouver-to-San Diego cruise, compare cabin categories and calculate a realistic budget for two passengers.
Cruise fares, promotions, gratuities and payment rules can change. Confirm all prices and conditions on the final booking screen before entering payment information.
The Current Vancouver-to-San Diego Sailing
A current example is Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Pacific Coastal cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas.
The published route is:
Vancouver → Astoria → San Francisco → San Diego
This is a one-way repositioning cruise rather than a weekly round-trip service. Because repositioning sailings may operate only once or a few times during a season, travellers should search by departure port, destination and flexible dates.
View the official Vancouver-to-San Diego itinerary
The first article in this series explains the route and the experience at each stage of the journey:
Part 1: Vancouver to San Diego Cruise Guide: Route, Ports and What to Expect
Where Can You Purchase the Cruise?
There are three common ways to book this itinerary.
1. Book Directly with the Cruise Line
The most straightforward option is to book through the official Royal Caribbean website.
On the cruise-search page, enter:
- Departure port: Vancouver
- Destination or arrival port: San Diego
- Preferred travel dates
- Number of passengers
- Number of cabins
- Passenger ages, if requested
- Country of residence
After selecting the sailing, the website displays the available cabin categories and fare options.
The main advantages of booking directly are:
- The reservation is managed through the cruise line.
- Current cabin availability is displayed.
- Payments can be made through the cruise-line account.
- Dining, excursions and other packages can be added later.
- Changes do not require communication through a third-party agency.
- The cruise line can assist directly with online check-in.
The disadvantage is that a travel agency may occasionally offer additional onboard credit or another incentive not shown on the cruise line’s website.
2. Book Through a Travel Agent
A cruise-specialist travel agent can compare cabins, explain fare conditions and help coordinate the reservation.
A travel agent may be particularly useful when booking:
- Multiple cabins
- A family group
- A refundable fare
- A back-to-back cruise
- The Vancouver-to-San Diego cruise plus a Panama Canal cruise
- Flights and hotels
- A reservation requiring accessibility assistance
Some travel agents advertise onboard credit, prepaid gratuities or promotional extras. However, travellers should compare the complete fare rather than choosing an agency based only on a bonus.
Before paying, ask:
- Is the deposit refundable?
- Who processes future changes or cancellations?
- Is there an agency cancellation fee?
- Is the quoted amount in Canadian or U.S. dollars?
- Are taxes and port fees included?
- Is onboard credit refundable or non-refundable?
- Will the agency monitor future price reductions?
- Who should be contacted outside regular business hours?
When a reservation is controlled by a travel agency, the passenger may have to contact the agency rather than the cruise line to make certain changes.
3. Use a Cruise Comparison Website
Comparison websites can help identify available sailings and approximate prices. They are useful during the research stage, but the lowest number on the first screen may not represent the final amount.
Always proceed far enough to check:
- The cabin category
- The number of passengers
- Taxes and port fees
- Deposit conditions
- Cancellation rules
- Currency
- Agency fees
- Gratuities
- Whether the cabin is assigned or guaranteed
A low fare for a guarantee cabin should not be compared directly with a higher fare that allows the passenger to select a specific room.
Canadian Dollars or U.S. Dollars?
Currency deserves special attention when booking from Canada.
A website may display prices in Canadian dollars, U.S. dollars or another regional currency. The currency symbol alone can be confusing because both Canadian and U.S. prices use the dollar sign.
Look for an explicit label such as:
- CAD
- Canadian dollars
- USD
- U.S. dollars
If a Canadian credit card is charged in U.S. dollars, the card issuer may apply:
- Its own exchange rate
- A foreign-currency conversion fee
- A transaction fee
- A difference between the booking-day and payment-day exchange rates
Before booking, compare the Canadian-dollar total with the converted U.S.-dollar total. A no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card may reduce the conversion cost, but its insurance benefits and payment conditions should also be reviewed.
Do not assume that the U.S. website is automatically cheaper. Promotions, taxes and regional booking conditions may differ.
Understanding the Price Shown “Per Person”
Cruise prices are usually advertised per person based on double occupancy.
For example, if an interior cabin is displayed at US$980 per person, the starting cruise-fare calculation for two adults would be:
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger 1 | US$980 | US$980 |
| Passenger 2 | US$980 | US$980 |
| Starting fare for two | US$980 × 2 | US$1,960 |
This does not necessarily mean that US$1,960 is the final vacation cost.
The booking screen may also include or add:
- Taxes and port expenses
- Daily gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Excursions
- Specialty dining
- Beverage packages
- Internet access
- Transportation from San Diego
- A San Diego hotel
- Flights back to Vancouver
The final checkout page—not the first search result—provides the best comparison.
Which Cabin Should You Choose?
Most passengers compare four main accommodation types.
| Cabin category | Window | Typical advantage | Main disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | No | Lowest price | No natural light |
| Ocean view | Yes | Daylight and ocean view | Usually costs more than interior |
| Balcony | Window and private balcony | Fresh air and private outdoor space | Higher fare |
| Suite | Larger space and additional features | Comfort and possible benefits | Highest price |
Interior Cabin: The Best Budget Option
An interior cabin is usually the least expensive choice.
It normally includes:
- Beds that may be arranged together or separately
- A private bathroom
- Storage space
- Television
- Desk or vanity area
- Cabin attendant service
The main limitation is the absence of a window. The room can remain completely dark even after sunrise.
An interior cabin can be a practical choice when passengers plan to spend most of their time in restaurants, lounges, public areas and on the open decks.
For a seven-night cruise, the savings may be better used for:
- Transportation back to Vancouver
- A hotel in San Diego
- Port excursions
- Travel insurance
- Specialty meals
Who Should Avoid an Interior Cabin?
An interior room may not suit passengers who:
- Feel uncomfortable in enclosed spaces
- Depend on natural light to wake up
- Plan to spend substantial time inside the cabin
- Want private ocean views
- Need a more spacious room
Before booking, review the cabin size and deck plan rather than relying only on promotional photographs.
Ocean-View Cabin
An ocean-view cabin has a window or porthole but no private balcony.
It offers natural light and lets passengers check the weather without leaving the room. However, the window usually cannot be opened.
This category can provide a useful compromise between an interior room and a balcony. The value depends on the price difference.
If an ocean-view cabin costs only slightly more than an interior cabin, the additional daylight may be worth the upgrade. If the difference is large, budget-conscious travellers may prefer the interior category.
Balcony Cabin
A balcony cabin provides private outdoor space.
This can be enjoyable during the Vancouver departure, the approach to San Francisco and the final days toward Southern California. Passengers can step outside without travelling to a public deck.
However, a balcony is not essential for seeing the scenery. Serenade of the Seas also has outdoor decks and public spaces with large windows.
Before paying more for a balcony, consider:
- Expected weather
- The amount of time you will use it
- Cabin location
- Whether the view is obstructed
- The total price difference for two people
- Whether the money would be more useful for the return trip
What Is a Guarantee Cabin?
A guarantee cabin means the passenger purchases a minimum category but allows the cruise line to assign the specific room.
For example, a passenger may book an interior guarantee without choosing the exact cabin number.
The potential advantage is a lower fare. The disadvantages include less control over:
- Deck location
- Distance from elevators
- Forward, midship or aft position
- Noise from public areas
- Connecting doors
- An obstructed view
- Cabin assignment timing
The cruise line may assign a higher category, but an upgrade should never be expected.
A guarantee cabin works best for travellers who care more about price than location. Passengers sensitive to noise or motion should consider selecting a specific cabin.
The Best Location for Motion-Sensitive Travellers
Movement is often less noticeable in the lower, central area of a ship.
A passenger concerned about seasickness may prefer:
- A lower passenger deck
- A midship location
- A cabin away from the bow
- A room not located extremely high on the ship
Pacific Coastal conditions vary, and no cabin is completely motion-free. However, a lower midship cabin generally experiences less pitching than a room high and far forward.
Check What Is Above and Below the Cabin
Before choosing a cabin number, open the ship’s deck plan and examine the decks immediately above and below it.
Potential noise sources include:
- The theatre
- Music venues
- Restaurants
- Pool deck
- Fitness centre
- Crew or service areas
- Elevators
- Connecting cabins
- Areas where deck furniture may be moved
A cabin surrounded by other passenger cabins is often a safer choice for quiet nights.
Distance from the elevators is also a personal preference. A nearby cabin is convenient, while a room farther down the corridor may experience less passing foot traffic.
What Is Included in the Cruise Fare?
Royal Caribbean states that its cruise fare includes the stateroom, complimentary dining at designated venues, entertainment and a range of activities.
Review Royal Caribbean’s official fare inclusions
Typical inclusions may include:
- Cabin accommodation
- Main Dining Room meals
- Windjammer buffet meals
- Selected casual dining
- Regular coffee, tea and water at designated locations
- Main theatre entertainment
- Pools and hot tubs
- Fitness centre access
- Selected onboard activities
- Youth programming
Exact inclusions depend on the ship and sailing.
What Usually Costs Extra?
Royal Caribbean identifies gratuities, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, spa services, shore excursions, nursery care, arcade games, photographs and shopping among the common additional expenses.
Possible extra charges include:
- Daily crew gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks
- Soft-drink packages
- Specialty coffee
- Specialty restaurants
- Room service charges
- Internet packages
- Shore excursions
- Spa treatments
- Casino spending
- Photographs
- Laundry
- Medical services
- Shopping
- Transportation after the cruise
A cruise does not need to become expensive if passengers use the included dining and entertainment. The key is deciding which extras matter before boarding.
Daily Gratuities
Royal Caribbean normally charges daily gratuities per passenger. These may be prepaid or added to the onboard account.
As of the current published policy, the standard daily gratuity is commonly listed as US$18.50 per passenger per day for regular staterooms, including Junior Suites, and US$21 per passenger per day for suites. Verify the applicable rate when booking because it may change before departure.
For two adults in a regular cabin on a seven-night cruise, the calculation would be:
US$18.50 × 2 passengers × 7 nights = US$259
Royal Caribbean also states that an 18% gratuity is automatically added to purchases such as beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar purchases. A 20% gratuity applies to spa and salon purchases under the current policy.
Check the current Royal Caribbean gratuity policy
Estimating the Real Cost for Two Adults
The following is an illustrative calculation, not a live quotation.
Assume an interior cabin is advertised at US$980 per person:
| Expense | Estimated amount for two |
|---|---|
| Advertised cruise fare | US$1,960 |
| Seven-night gratuities at US$18.50 per day | US$259 |
| Taxes and port expenses | Check final booking screen |
| Flight from San Diego to Vancouver | Variable |
| Airport baggage charges | Variable |
| San Diego hotel | Optional |
| Travel insurance | Variable |
| Excursions | Optional |
| Internet, drinks and specialty dining | Optional |
The total already reaches US$2,219 before taxes, transportation home and optional purchases.
This is why two cruises with the same advertised fare can produce very different final vacation costs.
A more useful formula is:
Cruise fare for all passengers
- taxes and port expenses
- gratuities
- travel insurance
- onboard purchases
- shore expenses
- transportation home
- accommodation before or after the cruise
= realistic total vacation cost
Deposit Required for a Seven-Night Cruise
Royal Caribbean’s published standard-deposit schedule lists US$250 per passenger for cruises of six to nine nights.
For two passengers on a seven-night cruise, the standard deposit may therefore be:
US$250 × 2 = US$500
Deposit requirements can vary by cabin type, promotion and fare conditions. Suite deposits may follow different rules.
Check Royal Caribbean’s current deposit requirements
Paying a deposit confirms the reservation, but it does not always mean the deposit is refundable.
Refundable and Non-Refundable Deposits
A lower advertised fare may require a non-refundable deposit.
Royal Caribbean states that if a reservation made under a non-refundable-deposit fare is cancelled before final payment, the deposit may be held as a penalty while additional qualifying payments are refunded.
Read the official non-refundable deposit policy
Before paying, locate wording such as:
- Refundable deposit
- Non-refundable deposit
- Change fee
- Cancellation penalty
- Final payment date
- Price restrictions
A refundable fare may cost more but can be worthwhile when travel plans, work schedules, health circumstances or immigration documents are uncertain.
When Is the Final Payment Due?
Under Royal Caribbean’s current general schedule:
- One- to four-night cruises: final payment at least 75 days before sailing
- Five- to 14-night cruises: final payment at least 90 days before sailing
- Cruises of 15 nights or longer: final payment at least 120 days before sailing
The seven-night Vancouver-to-San Diego cruise generally falls into the 90-day category.
Confirm the official final-payment schedule
The specific deadline shown on the booking confirmation controls the reservation. Missing it may result in cancellation, so passengers should record the date and set a reminder.
Should You Purchase Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance can protect against certain unexpected costs, but policies differ significantly.
Review whether the policy covers:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Emergency medical care
- Medical evacuation
- Baggage delay or loss
- Missed connections
- Cruise interruption
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Weather-related disruption
Provincial health coverage may not pay the full cost of treatment outside Canada. Travellers should read the exclusions and coverage limits rather than assuming every cancellation is covered.
Insurance should generally be considered when the deposit or fare becomes non-refundable.
Should You Book Early or Wait?
Repositioning cruises do not always follow the same pricing pattern as weekly itineraries.
Booking early may provide:
- More cabin choices
- Better midship availability
- More connecting rooms
- Time to coordinate a second cruise
- Time to compare flights and hotels
- Greater access to refundable fare options
Waiting may occasionally produce a lower fare if cabins remain unsold, but it also creates risks:
- Preferred cabins may disappear.
- Flights home may become more expensive.
- The entire cabin category may sell out.
- Only guarantee cabins may remain.
- A matching back-to-back cruise may no longer be available.
Passengers who need a particular cabin location or plan to continue through the Panama Canal should generally prioritize availability over waiting for the absolute lowest fare.
Can You Receive a Lower Price After Booking?
Cruise-price adjustment rules depend on the market, promotion, fare conditions and timing.
If the price falls before final payment, contact the cruise line or travel agent and ask whether the reservation can be repriced. A lower advertised amount may come with different conditions, such as a non-refundable deposit or the loss of onboard credit.
Ask for a revised confirmation and compare:
- New total fare
- Deposit condition
- Cabin number
- Onboard credit
- Included promotion
- Final payment date
- Cancellation terms
Never assume that a price adjustment has been completed until the updated written confirmation is received.
Booking Checklist
Before paying the deposit, verify the following:
- Passenger names match passports.
- Dates of birth are correct.
- Citizenship and residence information are accurate.
- The departure port is Vancouver.
- The final port is San Diego.
- The reservation is one way.
- The correct ship and departure date are selected.
- The cabin category and number are correct.
- The cabin’s deck location has been checked.
- The quoted currency is confirmed.
- Taxes and fees are identified.
- Deposit conditions are understood.
- The final-payment deadline is recorded.
- The cancellation policy has been reviewed.
- A return or continuation plan from San Diego is possible.
- All passengers can meet the entry requirements for the United States.
A spelling error in a passenger name should be corrected promptly. Do not wait until embarkation day.
After Booking the Cruise
Once the reservation is confirmed, create or sign in to the cruise-line account and connect the booking.
Passengers can then monitor:
- Payment status
- Online check-in
- Dining arrangements
- Shore excursions
- Beverage packages
- Internet packages
- Travel documents
- Boarding time
- Schedule changes
Royal Caribbean’s app can also store the SetSail Pass, passport information, security photograph and onboard schedule.
Do not purchase every package immediately simply because it appears in the cruise planner. Compare the price with realistic usage, and check periodically for promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the safest place to book the cruise?
Booking directly through the cruise line gives passengers direct control of the reservation. A reputable cruise travel agent can also be useful, particularly for groups or back-to-back itineraries.
Is the displayed price for one person or one cabin?
Cruise fares are commonly shown per person based on two people sharing a cabin. Always check the total for all passengers.
How much is the standard deposit for a seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise?
The current standard schedule lists US$250 per passenger for a six- to nine-night cruise. A couple may therefore pay a US$500 deposit, although the actual amount can vary by promotion and cabin type.
Is the deposit refundable?
Not necessarily. The lowest fare may use a non-refundable deposit. Review the fare conditions before submitting payment.
When is the final payment due?
For Royal Caribbean cruises lasting five to 14 nights, final payment is generally due at least 90 days before sailing. Follow the exact date on the reservation confirmation.
Is an interior cabin suitable for a seven-night cruise?
Yes. It is usually the most economical option and can be a good choice for passengers who spend little time in their cabin. It may not suit travellers who need natural light or dislike enclosed rooms.
Is an ocean-view cabin the same as a balcony cabin?
No. An ocean-view cabin has a window or porthole. A balcony cabin provides a door leading to private outdoor space.
What does a guarantee cabin mean?
The cruise line chooses the specific cabin. The fare may be lower, but the passenger has less control over the deck, location and possible noise.
Which cabin location is best for seasickness?
A lower-deck cabin near the middle of the ship generally experiences less noticeable movement than a high cabin near the bow.
Are meals included?
Meals at designated complimentary venues are included. Specialty restaurants, some snacks, room service and certain beverages may cost extra.
Are gratuities included in the advertised fare?
They may not be included in the first advertised price. Passengers should check whether gratuities are prepaid or will be charged to the onboard account.
How much are gratuities for two people on a seven-night cruise?
At a rate of US$18.50 per passenger per day, two adults in a regular cabin would pay approximately US$259. Rates can change, so confirm the amount before sailing.
Should Canadians book in CAD or USD?
Compare both final totals, including the credit card’s exchange rate and foreign-transaction fee. The lowest numerical price is not necessarily the least expensive option after conversion.
Does the cruise fare include the flight back to Vancouver?
No. Because the cruise ends in San Diego, passengers normally arrange and pay for their own return transportation.
Should I book the flight before the cruise?
Secure the cruise first and verify its arrival date. Then compare flights, but allow enough time for disembarkation and airport travel. A hotel night in San Diego can reduce the risk of missing a same-day flight.
Can a travel agent offer a lower price?
Sometimes an agency may offer group pricing, onboard credit or another promotion. Compare the final total and cancellation terms rather than only the advertised fare.
Continue This Series
Part 1: Vancouver to San Diego Cruise Guide: Route, Ports and What to Expect
Part 3: Astoria and San Francisco Cruise Port Guide: What to Do During Each Stop
The next article explains what passengers can see in Astoria and San Francisco, how to plan each port day and which attractions are practical within a cruise schedule.