do You Have TA Billing Confirmations Showing NCF

[Ken076]

We're attempting to approximate Port Charges (NOT the "Govt Taxes and Fees") that are hidden in the Carnival Fares but are broken-out separately in (some) TA Billings as Non Commissionable Fare (NCF).

 

If you can conveniently e-mail [below] TA Confirmations with Cruise, Itinerary, and itemized charges, including NCF, that would be great; otherwise post the Cruise, Itinerary and itemized charges, including NCF)?

 

thanks, ken

[gargoyle999]

My TA lists Cruise fare and Tax/Fees. But I have noticed that the Tax/Fees listed in my invoice is always more than what Carnival lists as Gov't fees and taxes. Is that difference port fees?

[ChefSusan]

My TA lists taxes and port charges on her invoices, and I have never seen any price differential between the two.

[firefly333]

Ken wants the actual break out of the noncommionable fees, so he can determine port fees which are hidden in the cruisefare, but some TAs break them out.

[zqvol]

We're attempting to approximate Port Charges (NOT the "Govt Taxes and Fees") that are hidden in the Carnival Fares but are broken-out separately in (some) TA Billings as Non Commissionable Fare (NCF).

 

If you can conveniently e-mail [below] TA Confirmations with Cruise, Itinerary, and itemized charges, including NCF, that would be great; otherwise post the Cruise, Itinerary and itemized charges, including NCF)?

 

thanks, ken

 

Most "port charges" run $3.50 - 7.00 per person plus an additional amount for simply docking the ship, that is based on length or tonnage. The only place that they are much higher is in Alaska. In addition to port charges there are additional governemnt taxes at most ports that are not port charges.

[Ken076]

Please Note: Don't post TA Name or identification - actually just the Itinerary and the NonCommisionable Charges (not Govt Fees and Taxes).

 

We could really use this info for some "Cruise to Nowhere" charges!!!!!

 

ken

[Ken076]

Most "port charges" run $3.50 - 7.00 per person plus an additional amount for simply docking the ship, that is based on length or tonnage. The only place that they are much higher is in Alaska. In addition to port charges there are additional governemnt taxes at most ports that are not port charges.

 

The charges include some "head" taxes, some docking charges, some stevedore charges, etc. they also reportedly vary by Cruiseline, based on that Cruiseline's"negotiating power" - I'm just looking for some sample totals per cruise.

 

There is also some division of opinion as to whether the Embarkation & Disembarkation port charges are (are not) included.

 

thanks, ken

[Ken076]

My TA lists Cruise fare and Tax/Fees. But I have noticed that the Tax/Fees listed in my invoice is always more than what Carnival lists as Gov't fees and taxes. Is that difference port fees?

 

Possibly! Any chance you could scan and e-mail some samples - taping out personal and TA info?

 

thanks,

ken

[jbanana1]

The only difference I found when I got rates from several TA's is that their base fare was lower because it did not include a $99 fee that Carnival includes in their base price. The TA's add the $99 to the taxes/fees making that amount higher than Carnival's. All the TA's I spoke with had a higher overall total when adding the base price with the taxes/fees than booking directly from Carnival.

[firefly333]

The only difference I found when I got rates from several TA's is that their base fare was lower because it did not include a $99 fee that Carnival includes in their base price. The TA's add the $99 to the taxes/fees making that amount higher than Carnival's. All the TA's I spoke with had a higher overall total when adding the base price with the taxes/fees than booking directly from Carnival.

 

I really dont think there is a $99 base fare, could have been for your cruise, but its not some standard amount.

[firefly333]

Most "port charges" run $3.50 - 7.00 per person plus an additional amount for simply docking the ship, that is based on length or tonnage. The only place that they are much higher is in Alaska. In addition to port charges there are additional governemnt taxes at most ports that are not port charges.

 

I think those amount are taxes of some sort. Actual port charges are much higher than the amounts you posted. After the FL AG took the cruiselines to court as a class action, or maybe they settled without actually going to court, the port charges now have to be included in the cruisefare.

 

Port charges for Bahamas were $37 back in the 1980s and its my understanding they are $50ish now days.

 

Maybe some TAs could weigh in with how much the noncommissional amount of the fare is.

[spunkanutter]

NCF stands for non-commissionable fare, ie: port charges. When Carnival posts their prices on http://www.carnival.com they include the NCF. Some TAs include them in their base price and others do not.

 

Carnival's NCF fees always end in a 9 - $99 is the lowest I've seen for a 3 day cruise, most of the 7night Caribbean cruises are $159. Each CL does have different NCF fares and I'm not sure why, if a CL is charging more for port fees than others or what. But it doesn't matter which CL you are pricing, you will have to pay them just to step on the ship whether you get off in that port or not.

 

TAs may charge more for a cruise but it wouldn't have anything to do with NCFs. It may be a processing fee or whatnot. Carnival has changed the policy for TAs and they are no longer allowed to undercut Carnival's price, and the NCFs and the government fees are always the same. They cannot be changed by Carnival or by a TA.

 

I hope that answers your questions.

[gargoyle999]

Here is the break down for two cruises I have with my TA. This is totals for 2 people:

 

Carnival Miracle sailing Nov 19th 2010. 8 nights, VS cabin:

 

Cruise: $2,080

Tax/Fees: $428.02

 

tax on Carnival.com = $153.18

 

Ruby Princess sailing Oct 19, 2011. 18 nights, BB cabin:

 

Cruise: $2,555.08

Tax/Fees: $872.92

 

tax on Princess.com = $152.94

 

As I mentioned, I have no idea what is included in the difference between the taxes on the cruise line website and my invoice. But that's the info I have. :)

[firefly333]

I hope that answers your questions.

 

Not really, because Ken was trying to figure out what the port charges are, and figured if someone would post the amount for different cruises, he could put them together and come out with the port charges for particular ports. (Carnival wouldnt even tell TAs how much the port charges are for each port).

 

I see someone posted real numbers ..

[rhorhorho]

Ken - hope this helps. It is for our 10/28/10 Destiny Cruise. Got it from Carnival when I questioned a price difference. The first is from our original booking, the second set is from an additional pax. added a few weeks later.

 

Fee Description 1/2pp 3/4/5pp

 

CRUISE FEES

INTL DEP CRUISE ONLY TAX C 3.00 3.00

CUSTOMS FEE AMOUNT C 1.93 1.93

GOVERNMENT FEE C 42.17 42.17

IMMIGRATION TAX C 3.00 3.00

 

SUBTOTAL CRUISE FEE 50.10 50.10

TOTAL GUEST FEES 50.10 50.10

 

 

Fee Description 1/2pp 3/4/5pp

 

CRUISE FEES

INTL DEP CRUISE ONLY TAX 3.00 3.00

CUSTOMS FEE AMOUNT 1.93 1.93

GOVERNMENT FEE 56.09 56.09

IMMIGRATION TAX 3.00 3.00

------ ------

SUBTOTAL CRUISE FEES 64.02 64.02

TOTAL GUEST FEES 64.02 64.02

 

 

Sincerely,

Mayda Ferrer

Carnival Cruise Lines I Reservations Service Specialist

T.800.438.6744 Ext. # 70355

[Ken076]

rhorhorho - Thanks! Now I have a few of these "Govt Fees and Taxes" Breakdowns, which are pretty consistent. I will eventually publish whatever interesting info we find! ken

[Ken076]

gargoyle999 - thanks - This will help! We'll publish whatever interesting info we find! ken

[jbanana1]

The base fare wasn 't $99. There was a $99 fee that Carnival includes in their base price and TA's included it in the taxes/fees. Example: Carnival: $479 base fare plus $47.84 taxes/fees for $526.84 pp. TA: $395 base fare plus $146.84 taxes/fees for $541.84 pp.

[Ken076]

The base fare wasn 't $99. There was a $99 fee that Carnival includes in their base price and TA's included it in the taxes/fees. Example: Carnival: $479 base fare plus $47.84 taxes/fees for $526.84 pp. TA: $395 base fare plus $146.84 taxes/fees for $541.84 pp.

 

this sounds like the non-commissionable fare (NCF) that we're talking about - this is the amount that the TA"s are not paid commission on and that some TA's list separately. But the total for the TA should usually equal the total For Carnival. ken

[jetskier]

Here is my breakdown for our Oct 9th sailing on the Elation 5-nights going to Cozumel/Progreso out of Mobile, AL. This is for a 4D cabin with four passengers. Cruise is the NCF for the TA that they receive their commission on.

 

Description...................1.................2.............3..............4

Cruise.....................$320.00........$ 320.00.....$ 10.00.....$ 10.00

Insurance................$ 16.72.........$ 16.72......$ 16.72....$ 16.72

Tax / Fees...............$ 156.52.......$ 156.52......$ 156.52..$ 156.52

PASSENGER TOTAL....$ 493.24.......$ 493.24......$ 183.24..$ 183.24

 

Dave

[lappy22]

Will Carnival not tell you what your port charges are if you call them? I remember our TA telling me over the phone what ours was on our first cruise.

[Ken076]

Will Carnival not tell you what your port charges are if you call them? I remember our TA telling me over the phone what ours was on our first cruise.

 

The subject of Port Charges and NCF's is taboo within the CruiseLines. ken.

[ChefSusan]

Ken - you will probably get a million different answers to this question.

 

Did you pick up the phone and try to get an answer from either Carnival or your TA?

[Ken076]

Ken - you will probably get a million different answers to this question.

 

Did you pick up the phone and try to get an answer from either Carnival or your TA?

 

Carnival does not discuss "Port charges" and "NCF's", otherwise this would be easy. I don't use/have a TA (and not all TA's break this info out separately), thus the request for others to provide this info. I could really use these breakouts for cruises that do only one port call, such as (only) to Nassau. thanks, Ken