Licensed and Bonded
Member of IYBA
Cruise Ships and Passenger Ferries for Sale and Charter Worldwide
QPS Marine Ships is a licensed and bonded brokerage specialising in passenger vessels: cruise ships, expedition ships, RoPax and RoRo ferries, high-speed craft and accommodation vessels for sale or charter worldwide. Every listing below is identified by stock number, with specifications, an estimated price and the vessel's last known location. If you do not see what you need, send us your requirements — many ships are available off-market.
How Much Does a Cruise Ship Cost to Buy?
Asking prices for pre-owned cruise ships, from small coastal vessels to 2,800-berth ocean ships, taken from our current listings
Pre-owned cruise ships currently sell for anywhere from about US$1.2 million for a small coastal vessel to around US$150 million for a modern ocean ship carrying 2,500 passengers. The figures below are the estimated asking prices of ships QPS Marine Ships is offering today, grouped by size.
Cruise ship prices by size
Small and boutique cruise ships (12 to 250 berths, built 1955 to 2004): US$1.2 million to US$5.8 million.
Mid-size cruise ships (300 to 1,300 berths, built 1973 to 2001): US$10 million to US$40 million.
Large, older cruise ships (1,300 to 2,800 berths, built 1989 to 1996): EUR 18 million to US$35 million.
Large, modern cruise ships (2,000 to 2,800 berths, built 1996 to 2004): US$75 million to US$150 million.
Examples from our current listings
S2471 (built 1996, 130 berths): US$1.2 million. S2763 (built 1990, 44 passengers): US$5.8 million. S2402 casino cruise ship (built 1980, 360 berths): US$11 million. S2136 (built 2000, 832 to 927 berths): US$23 million. S2149 (built 1992, up to 2,744 berths): US$35 million. S2348 (built 2002, up to 2,556 berths): US$150 million. Full details of each ship are in our cruise ship inventory list.
What sets the price of a cruise ship
Age and remaining working life; size and berth count; refit history; compliance with current safety and environmental rules; whether the ship is trading, in class or laid up; where it is lying and the cost of delivery; and current market demand.
Costs beyond the purchase price
Pre-purchase inspection and survey, dry-docking and repairs, reactivation if the ship has been laid up, refurbishment and rebranding, then crew, insurance, flag and class, fuel and port costs. We advise buyers to budget for these from the start.
Small cruise ship prices
Small and boutique ships under 300 berths make up much of our inventory and typically cost US$1 million to US$6 million. Yacht-standard vessels cost more; for example, a 44-guest ship is listed at US$28 million.
Charter instead of buying
Several ships are available for short-term or long-term charter, with rates on application. See our guide to cruise ship charter and small cruise ships.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new cruise ship cost? Large new ships typically cost several hundred million dollars or more, which is why the second-hand market is so active.
Are prices negotiable? Our prices are estimates from discussions with owners and may be negotiable.
Why are ship names not shown? Names are released to qualified buyers after a non-disclosure agreement.
Tell us your budget and requirements, and we will shortlist suitable ships, including ones not publicly listed.