Comments on: Cruise passengers battered by unethical surcharges

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:03:48 +0000

No one has noticed yet that the luxury cruise lines are charging much higher fuel surcharges. When Royal Caribbean last increased fuel supplement, it was to $10 per person, per day. The same amount for Celebrity Cruises, owned by RCI.

But RCI increased it’s luxury brand, Azamara Cruises, to $15 per person, per day.

Why, because it’s better fuel? Because Azamara uses champagne as fuel?

By: B Helenbart

B Helenbart — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:54:39 +0000

I’m a speculator in oil WRT to travel. I bought a cruise with air travel from Celebrity, knowing full well its $5pp per diem fuel surcharge–a notice on the surcharge is first thing you see on Celebrity’s web site. The fuel surcharge for the cruise has since increased to $8pp per diem. Also, the airlines remaining in business have decreased the number of flights and are charging more for them. The costs to me to book airfare for this cruise is over 3 times what I paid Celebrity. Celebrity hasn’t come back to me asking for additional airfare funds. I hope the flights are available. Checking two second bags both ways for $60 and the airline or cruiseline I’ve booked with going out of business, I made my choice. I’m an oil speculator.

By: Kathy F.

Kathy F. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:08:05 +0000

Yes, their contracts state very clearly that they can add surcharges and taxes and fees up until paid in full. But, most cruise lines are not adding anything more once you pay your up front deposit.
The reason they do not add it to the price of the cruise is because then they would have to pay a percentage of that to travel agents that do the booking.
They already have many taxes and other “noncommissionable” fees. This is just one more. Once the public gets used to it, believe me, it will never end.

By: John F

John F — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:07:46 +0000

Most contracts allow them to change the price up to the point when the reservation is paid in full.

By: Joe Farrell

Joe Farrell — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:53:42 +0000

Dispute the charge – make them prove the costs are fuel related. Look up their annual reports on fuel hedging and costs as a percentage of the trip.

Adding a 900 [dollar, pound, lira whatever] fuel charge makes you wonder since most of the cost of a cruise is amortization of the cost of the vessel and improvements therein – NOT fuel. Its just a price increase without the increase.

Once again, read the contract – can they change the the price after booking? What if the price of water or executive bonuses goes up in the middle of the cruise- do they pass the hat and you pay or they let you off at the next port?

By: John F

John F — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:20:28 +0000

This is not limited to the cruise lines. Resort fees, Fitness Fees Baggage Fees Change Fees

Of all the fees we have seen in other areas of travel (air, hotel and car) I have to say the cruise lines have been more than patient and while I disagree with the concept of a surcharge (rather than increasing the price) you cannot dispute that the cruise lines are taking a HUGE hit in terms of fuel cost.