Graham H
I built All Aboard Deals to take the guesswork out of cruise pricing — 29,000+ sailings tracked weekly, each scored against its own history.
About Graham
I've been cruising for over a decade — 15+ sailings across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Virgin — and for most of that time I was booking the same way everyone else does: checking a few sites, guessing whether the price looked reasonable, and hoping I didn't see a better deal two weeks later.
That frustration is what led me to build All Aboard Deals.
Before I was tracking cruise prices, I spent 10+ years in UX and web development — building tools that make complex data easier to understand and act on. When I started applying that background to cruise pricing, I realized how much signal was buried in the noise. Prices fluctuate constantly, but most cruisers have no reference point for what "good" actually looks like.
So I built one.
What I Built and Why
All Aboard Deals monitors 29,000+ sailings every week across the major cruise lines, tracking how current fares compare to their recent historical averages. The result is a Deal Score — a simple way to tell whether a price is genuinely below the norm or just marketing dressed up as a discount.
I also built Cruise Radar, a Chrome extension that overlays pricing intelligence directly on booking sites like Royal Caribbean and Carnival — so you can see deal context while you're actually shopping, not after the fact.
The goal isn't to tell you which cruise to book. It's to give you the data to make that call yourself.
How I Approach Content
Every guide on this site is informed by real pricing data, live fare checks, and historical trends — not press releases or sponsored itineraries. When I cover a ship or a sailing region, I'm cross-referencing what I've seen on board with what the numbers actually show.
I'm also still actively cruising. Testing cabins, evaluating drink packages, talking to other cruisers about what genuinely feels like value — that's ongoing, not a credential I claimed once and moved on from.
Editorial Standards
All Aboard Deals content is built on:
- Weekly fare tracking across 29,000+ sailings
- Historical price trend analysis, not one-off snapshots
- First-hand sailing experience across multiple cruise lines
- Regular content updates as ships launch, itineraries change, and prices shift
No cruise line pays for coverage. No fare is promoted because of a commission. If a deal scores well, it's because the data says so.
Questions, corrections, or data requests? Contact me
Published Articles (92)
Star of the Seas Drink Package Prices — What They Cost and When They Drop
Star of the Seas drink package prices swing from $63 to $120 — and the discounts land on a predictable day. Here's what it costs and when to buy.
Star of the Seas Dining Package Prices — Unlimited Dining vs Paying Per Meal
Star of the Seas dining package prices: Unlimited Dining runs $31–$62 and pays off only past 5 specialty dinners. Here's when to skip it.
Icon of the Seas Drink Package Prices — Is the Deluxe Worth It?
Icon of the Seas drink package prices: the Deluxe Beverage runs a typical $80 a night but has dipped to $63. Here's what it costs — and when to buy.
Icon of the Seas Dining Package Prices — When Unlimited Dining Pays Off
Icon of the Seas dining package prices: Unlimited Dining runs $31–$62 a night and pays off only past 5 specialty dinners. Here's when to skip it.
Allure of the Seas Drink Package Prices — What the Deluxe Actually Runs
Allure of the Seas drink package prices: the Deluxe Beverage runs a typical $85 a night but has dropped to $63. Here's what it costs and when to buy.
Allure of the Seas Dining Package Prices — Why the Cheaper Restaurants Change the Math
Allure of the Seas dining package prices: Unlimited Dining runs ~$40/night, but its cheaper à la carte restaurants mean you need ~6 nights to break even.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island — What It Costs and What's Actually Worth It
We track Royal Beach Club Paradise Island prices daily. Here is what a day pass, day bed, and cabana in Nassau actually cost before you book.
Royal Beach Club Day Pass — Why the Same Pass Costs $99 or $234
What the Royal Beach Club day pass costs, what's included, and why the same pass swings from $99 to $234 depending on your sail date.
What's Actually Included in Free at Sea (and What You Can Remove)
What does Free at Sea include? The full list of perks, which two are genuinely free, and which packages carry a gratuity you can remove before you pay.
How to Use Your Free at Sea Perks — Shore Excursion Credit and Free Airfare
How NCL's Free at Sea shore-excursion credit works, why it sometimes 'doesn't work,' and when the free airfare costs you more than booking your own.
Is NCL's Free at Sea Actually Free? What the Fares Reveal
NCL's Free at Sea isn't free, but it is removable. See the booking-flow proof, what removing the packages saves, and whether the fare underneath is fair.
Is Free at Sea Worth It? The Drinks-Per-Day Math
Is Free at Sea worth it? The drinks-per-day break-even, plus how NCL's 'free' open bar compares to what Royal and Celebrity charge for the same package.
Free at Sea vs Free at Sea Plus — What Changed and What It Costs
Free at Sea Plus costs $49.99 a day, but part of it prepays gratuities you'd owe anyway. Here's the real break-even on NCL's premium upgrade.
How to Track Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Packages in Your Own Currency (CAD, GBP, EUR, AUD)
Set your home currency to track Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Planner prices in CAD, GBP, EUR or AUD — and stop fake exchange-rate price-drop alerts.
When to Book Legend of the Seas: Why Waiting Has Paid Off
When to book Legend of the Seas — we tracked her fares for 6 months and interior fell 17%, not up. Here's what the pre-launch curve says about timing.
Legend of the Seas vs Star vs Icon: Which Is Priced Right
Legend of the Seas vs Star vs Icon, compared on the same baseline. Legend's interior runs $45/night above both — here's whether the new ship is worth it.
Legend of the Seas Room Prices: Cabin-by-Cabin Cost Breakdown
Legend of the Seas room prices by cabin from 56,297 tracked fares — interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite costs, plus which tier is the best value.
Legend of the Seas Drink Package Prices: What You'll Actually Pay
Legend of the Seas drink package prices from daily Cruise Planner tracking — Deluxe Beverage from $63/night, plus WiFi and the break-even math.
Legend of the Seas Dining Package Prices: When It Beats Paying Per Meal
Legend of the Seas dining package prices from daily Cruise Planner tracking — Unlimited Dining from $31/night plus specialty costs and break-even math.
Legend of the Seas Prices: What 56,000 Fares Show Before It Sails
Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas pricing from 56,297 tracked fares — cabin costs, the pre-launch price curve, and whether the inaugural fare is fair.
When to Book Utopia of the Seas Based on Price Data
When to book Utopia of the Seas matters more than which sale you wait for. Month-by-month pricing and booking windows from 125,000+ tracked fares.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas Price Comparison
Icon costs 9-28% more per night than Utopia depending on season. But the total trip math tells a completely different story.
Utopia of the Seas Prices: What Every Cabin Actually Costs Per Night
Utopia of the Seas cabin prices from $190-$453 per night based on 125,000+ tracked fares. 3N vs 4N breakdowns, seasonal data, and deal thresholds.
Star of the Seas vs Utopia of the Seas Price Comparison
Same port, different prices. We tracked 182,000+ fares on both ships to show exactly where Star and Utopia diverge per night and per trip.
Royal Caribbean Short Cruise Prices — What 3 & 4-Night Sailings Cost
We tracked 240,000+ Royal Caribbean short cruise fares to show what 3- and 4-night sailings cost per night by ship and cabin type.
When Do Celebrity Cruise Drink Packages Go on Sale?
We track Celebrity drink package prices daily across 14 ships. Wednesday is the cheapest day to buy -- and the permanent 10% "sale" isn't a real discount.
Celebrity Cruises WiFi Package Cost: Prices by Ship & Plan
Celebrity Cruises WiFi costs $18-$21/night Basic, about $22/night Premium across 14 ships, tracked daily. Plus a Royal Caribbean price comparison.
Celebrity Drink Package Prices: 98% of "Sales" Are Fake
We track Celebrity drink package prices daily across 14 ships. Classic runs $58-$81/day, Premium $72-$99/day. Ship-by-ship pricing inside.
Celebrity Cruises Dining Package — Specialty Restaurant Prices and What's Included
Celebrity specialty dining runs $27 to $169 per person — and the 20% gratuity at checkout is the part nobody quotes. Full per-restaurant pricing inside.
Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It? The Break-Even Math for 6 Major Lines
We calculated the real break-even point for drink packages on RC, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, Princess, and MSC using actual package prices.
Celebrity Classic vs Premium Beverage Package — Which One Is Actually Worth It?
We tracked 100,000+ Classic and Premium drink package prices across 14 Celebrity ships. Here is what each tier actually costs and when the upgrade pays off.
Thrill Waterpark CocoCay Prices: What You'll Actually Pay (2026)
We track Thrill Waterpark prices across 19 ships. The Full Day Pass ranges $49-$189 per adult and is on sale 94% of the time.
Perfect Day at CocoCay — The Complete Guide (2026)
We tracked 340,000+ CocoCay add-on prices across 19 ships. Here is what everything actually costs, what is free, and when prices drop.
Hideaway Beach CocoCay: Is the Adults-Only Upgrade Worth It?
We tracked Hideaway Beach pricing across 19 Royal Caribbean ships. Here is what it actually costs, when prices drop, and whether it beats the free beaches.
Everything Free at CocoCay (And What's Worth Paying Extra For)
We tracked 340,000+ CocoCay prices across 19 ships. Here is every free amenity and a data-backed ranking of which paid add-ons deliver real value.
CocoCay Cabana Prices — Overwater, Beachfront, and Chill Island Options Compared
We track cabana prices across 19 Royal Caribbean ships. Here is what every tier actually costs and which ones are worth the money.
CocoCay Beach Club Prices in 2026 — What the Data Reveals
We track Coco Beach Club prices across 19 Royal Caribbean ships. The day pass runs $89-$304 per adult, typically $144. Here is when to buy and when to skip.
Royal Caribbean WiFi Package Prices and What Internet Actually Costs Onboard
We tracked RC WiFi prices across 30 ships daily. VOOM Surf+Stream runs $20/night median with a $18-$40 range depending on your ship.
Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package vs Deluxe — Worth It?
We tracked both RC packages across 30 ships daily. The Deluxe costs 2.5x more and the souvenir cup removal changes the math.
Is the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It? A Data-Backed Answer
We used real ship-by-ship pricing from 30 RC ships to calculate the actual break-even point. The answer depends on your ship and what you drink.
When Do Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Go on Sale? We Tracked the Data
We track RC beverage package prices daily across 30 ships. The sale is always on. Here is what actually drives price drops.
Royal Caribbean Dining Package Prices and Whether It's Worth the Money
We tracked RC dining package prices across 30 ships daily. The Unlimited Dining Package runs $35/night median but ranges from $21 to $47 by ship.
Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Price (2026)
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs a median $72/day, ranging $55–$90 across 30 ships. See your ship's real price and whether it's worth it.
RC Beverage Packages: Your Ship Sets the Price (Not the "Sale")
We track RC beverage package prices daily across 30 ships. Fleet median is $78/day for Deluxe, $31/night for Refreshment. Ship-by-ship data inside.
How to Use All Aboard Deals Pro: Complete Feature Guide
Set up instant deal alerts, rebook monitoring, package price tracking, and custom filters. Everything Pro unlocks and how to use it.
How to Use All Aboard Deals to Track Cruise Prices
Set up deal scores, price alerts, and weekly reports in under 5 minutes. Free account walkthrough for the web app and Chrome extension.
Market Holds Steady as Booking Windows Stretch to 7+ Months Out
390 cruise deals hit the market this week with stable pricing. Caribbean dominates at 55%, while premium deals climb to 4.1%. Deep dive on Alaska values.
February 2026 Cruise Price Index Report
February 2026 cruise prices held steady at $191/night. Our analysis of 769K price snapshots shows where the value is hiding.
Caribbean Dominance and Summer Bookings Drive February's Cruise Market Surge
380 cruise deals tracked this week show Caribbean commanding 59% market share as summer 2026 bookings heat up. Plus: Princess and Norwegian deliver standout value.
When Do Oasis-Class Cruise Prices Drop?
Fall is cheapest for 4 of 6 ships, but the drop patterns vary wildly. We tracked 269,000+ fares to map when each ship actually discounts.
Oasis-Class vs Icon-Class Price Comparison
Icon-class ships cost 34-53% more than Oasis-class depending on cabin type. We tracked 277,000+ fares to map where the premium is worth it.
Oasis-Class Cabin Prices Compared Across All 6 Ships
We tracked 269,000+ fares across all 6 Oasis-class ships. The cheapest ship changes depending on which cabin you book.
Utopia of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas Price Comparison
Utopia costs 15-28% more than Wonder for the same itinerary. We tracked 175,000+ fares across both ships to find where the premium is worth it.
Royal Caribbean Oasis-Class Ships Ranked by Price
We tracked 302,000+ fares across all 6 Oasis-class ships. Here's what each one actually costs per night and which is the best value.
Symphony of the Seas vs Harmony: Which Is Cheaper?
Symphony of the Seas vs Harmony of the Seas — price decides. Across 66,000+ tracked fares, Harmony runs cheaper in every cabin type except suites.
When to Book Star of the Seas Based on Price Data
When to book Star of the Seas matters — September saves $1,036 per trip vs. June. Month-by-month pricing and booking windows from 40,560 tracked fares.
Star of the Seas Room Prices by Cabin Type and Season
Star of the Seas room prices: $201-$678/night by cabin type and season, plus suite categories from Junior Suite to the Infinite Grand Suite. 40,560 fares.
Star of the Seas Prices 2026: Real Cost by Cabin & Season
Star of the Seas prices run $233-$579/night across 40,560 tracked fares. Seasonal breakdowns, booking-window data, and what counts as a good price.
Is Star of the Seas Worth It? What the Pricing Data Says
Star of the Seas costs 51-62% more than Oasis-class ships for the same Caribbean itinerary. Here's who should pay the premium — and who shouldn't.
Cruise Market Update: 444 Deals as Prices Tick Up
February cruise market analysis reveals stable deal volume but rising prices. Caribbean dominates at 64% while Princess Discovery breaks records at $78/night.
When to Book Icon of the Seas Based on 12 Months of Price Data
When to book Icon of the Seas matters — one month saves $1,300+ per trip, another is the worst value all year. The best and worst timing, from 42,000+ fares.
Is Icon of the Seas Worth It? What the Pricing Data Says
Is Icon of the Seas worth it? It costs up to 76% more than similar RC ships and has never scored a great deal. Here's who should pay the premium — and who shouldn't.
Icon of the Seas vs Star of the Seas Price Comparison
Icon vs Star of the Seas — one cabin type costs almost the same on both ships. Another has a 39% gap. 81,000+ fares reveal where the real difference is.
Icon of the Seas Room Prices by Cabin Type and Season
Icon of the Seas room prices by cabin type and season — inside, balcony, and suites to the Royal Loft. What every room costs, and when rates are lowest.
Icon-Class Ships: What Royal Caribbean's Newest Fleet Actually Costs
Royal Caribbean's Icon-class ships cost nearly double the fleet per night. See where all 30 RC ships rank — and which ones are actually overpriced.
When Do Cruise Prices Drop? What 2.6 Million Price Snapshots Show
We tracked 2.6M+ cruise fare snapshots across 9 lines to find when prices actually drop, by how much, and which lines move the most.
Cruise Price History - What to Look for Before You Book
We tracked 2.6M+ cruise fares across 9 lines. Here's what price history actually looks like and how to read it before you book.
Royal Caribbean Price Tracker: Free Fare Scores & Drop Alerts
Track Royal Caribbean cruise prices free with real-time deal scores built from 2.6M+ fare snapshots. See if today's fare is high, low, or worth booking.
Is Wave Season Actually Cheaper? Not for Most Cruise Lines.
We compared 2.6M+ cruise price snapshots across Wave Season and the rest of the year. The results challenge everything the industry tells you.
Not All Cruise Price Alerts Are Worth Setting Up. Here's How to Tell.
Most cruise price alerts are noise. Our data shows what thresholds to set, which lines to watch closest, and which tools are worth using.
Cruise Line Price Drop and Rebook Policies for Every Major Line
Every major cruise line handles price drops differently. Here's what actually happens when you call, line by line.
February Market Heats Up: Premium Deal Count Doubles as Pricing Firms
448 cruise deals analyzed this week show premium opportunities surging while average prices climb 6%. Caribbean sailings at 68% market share.
February 2026 Cruise Market: Near-Record Deal Volume as Lines Fill Summer Inventory
488 cruise deals tracked this week. Caribbean sailings at 65%, balcony prices drop 3%, and MSC leads with 121 deals.
Icon of the Seas Prices 2026: Real Cost by Cabin & Month
Icon of the Seas prices: ~$226/night inside, $269 balcony, $485 suite, from 97,000+ tracked fares. See real cost by cabin, month, and booking window.
January 2026 Cruise Price Index Report
January 2026 cruise prices rose $14/night as premium lines surged. Our analysis of 904K price snapshots reveals where to find value.
Caribbean Dominance and Budget Cabin Surge: January 26 Market Analysis
493 cruise deals tracked this week reveal a Caribbean-heavy market with inside cabins at 43% share. MSC and Carnival lead inventory as spring demand builds.
Average Cost of a 7-Day Cruise in 2026 (Per Person, by Line)
The average 7-day cruise runs ~$1,000-$4,000 per person (Carnival to Disney), from 433,000+ tracked 2026 fares. Real cost by line, cabin, port, and month.
5 Best Cruise Price Trackers in 2026 (Tested Side by Side)
CruiseWatch, Cruiseplum, Cruise Radar — we tested them all. Some track prices. Some just send you stale alerts. Here's which ones are actually worth using.
Cruise Market Heats Up: 462 Deals as Lines Push Early 2026 Caribbean Inventory
Deal volume jumps 3% but premium offers shrink. Inside our analysis: Caribbean dominance, MSC's aggressive play, and why February sailings are peaking.
Cruise Deals Hold Steady as Spring and Summer Inventory Opens: Weekly Market Analysis
447 cruise deals averaging 36% savings vs market price. Inside cabins surge to 44% of inventory as value seekers find opportunities.
CruiseWatch vs Cruise Radar - Which Cruise Price Tracker Is Better?
Comparing CruiseWatch and Cruise Radar for tracking cruise prices. See features, data accuracy, pros, cons, and which tool fits your booking style.
Royal Caribbean Discounts: Which Sales Are Actually Real?
RC runs sales 52 weeks a year — most aren't real discounts. We tracked 192,000+ fares to find when prices actually drop vs. when it's just marketing noise.
Average Cruise Prices - What 785,000+ Price Snapshots Reveal
Real cruise prices by line, cabin type, and cruise length. Based on 785,000+ price snapshots across 9 cruise lines and 55+ ships.
Norwegian Dominates January as Cruise Deal Volume Surges 16% Week-Over-Week
Deal count hits 470 this week with Norwegian Prima leading the charge. Caribbean inventory floods the market as winter wave season kicks into high gear.
How to Use Cruise Radar: The Complete Guide
Step-by-step walkthrough of the Cruise Radar Chrome extension. Learn how to install, find deals, analyze prices, and track sailings for price drop alerts.
Cruise Deal Surge: 25% More Inventory as Lines Fill Early 2026 Sailings
404 cruise deals hit the market this week—up 25% from last week—as lines push early 2026 inventory. Norwegian dominates with exceptional Caribbean values.
December 2025 Cruise Price Index Report
December 2025 Cruise Price Index: prices dropped $4/night as cruise lines pushed January inventory. Full breakdown of 636K price snapshots across 55+ ships.
Holiday Week Surge: Cruise Deals Jump 33% as Lines Load Winter and Spring 2026 Inventory
324 cruise deals hit the market this week, up 33% from last week. MSC dominates with 39% share while Princess delivers two 90+ scoring deals. Full analysis inside.
Holiday Booking Surge Shows Strong Caribbean Focus, But Premium Deals Slip Below 3%
Weekly cruise market analysis: 243 deals tracked as holiday shoppers drive Caribbean demand. MSC and Carnival dominate, but top-tier deals decline.
Cruise Market Shifts Into Holding Pattern as Premium Deals Vanish in December Lull
Deal count drops 33% as cruise lines pull back holiday pricing. Caribbean still delivers 63% of offers, but zero premium-tier deals signal strategic pullback.
The Best Day to Book a Cruise Is Saturday. Here's Why.
Forget 'book on Tuesday' — that advice is outdated. We analyzed 2.6M+ fares and Saturday wins by a mile. 4.5x more likely to catch a real price drop.
November 2025 Cruise Price Index Report
November 2025 Cruise Price Index: full breakdown of cruise prices across 55+ ships, top deals, biggest drops, line averages, and booking trends.