Price Increase for Solo Travelers with New Pricing Format

[SaveADay]

Have any other solo travelers noticed that Carnival increased the Taxes and Fees/Required Cruise Fees & Expenses for solo travelers?  I'm not sure what the "Required Cruise Fees & Expenses" consists of but that amount seems to be maybe by cabin and not individual??  When I do a mock booking of cruises I already have booked - they are all $50 - $75 more.

[jimbo5544]

Probably a glitch, I doubt there was a price increase just for solo cruisers...

[Elaine5715]

There is no targeted increase just to solos.  There was increases on some port taxes for everyone.  Based on this new law, expect more over charging on estimated (so they aren't accused of "hiding" fees) port fees and more refunds as needed.  

[SaveADay]

If you do a mock booking for 1 person vs 2 people you can see that the solo person is now charged 100% of the "Required Cruise Fees and Expenses" when in the past we only had to pay our 50% share.  I spoke with someone from Carnival and they agreed the price had increased but weren't sure why.

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, SaveADay said:

If you do a mock booking for 1 person vs 2 people you can see that the solo person is now charged 100% of the "Required Cruise Fees and Expenses" when in the past we only had to pay our 50% share.  I spoke with someone from Carnival and they agreed the price had increased but weren't sure why.

pretty sure they will NOT charge a solo for 2 people.  It might be a quote thing but I doubt they would do it at booking.

[Elaine5715]

8 minutes ago, SaveADay said:

If you do a mock booking for 1 person vs 2 people you can see that the solo person is now charged 100% of the "Required Cruise Fees and Expenses" when in the past we only had to pay our 50% share.  I spoke with someone from Carnival and they agreed the price had increased but weren't sure why.

No, port fees and taxes are per person.  Difference is due to different ports

[shof515]

i also noticed this too. all of my booked cruises is now about 25-50 dollars more due to this

[Viajera7]

I noticed this too. I was trying to book a cruise for next year. I put 1 passenger but it was charging me taxes for 2 so I didn’t book.

[StephPS79]

I just rebooked a cruise for 2025 under a new offer, and the port fees were $6 dollars less. 

[Wennfred]

I guess it’s best to call the agent when you’re ready to book to ensure you are not charged the double port fees. Seems like it’s a glitch while booking online and they will need to correct that. Thanks for pointing that out.

[jimbo5544]

12 minutes ago, Wennfred said:

I guess it’s best to call the agent when you’re ready to book to ensure you are not charged the double port fees. Seems like it’s a glitch while booking online and they will need to correct that. Thanks for pointing that out.

It sure sounds that way to me as well.....

[KKB]

My "free" $100pp casino cruise offers now only show $260pp+.

Guess I'm glad I booked 3 next year already.

We shall see what happens after that...

Edited July 3 by KKB

[Amadawn1]

On 7/2/2024 at 10:04 AM, SaveADay said:

If you do a mock booking for 1 person vs 2 people you can see that the solo person is now charged 100% of the "Required Cruise Fees and Expenses" when in the past we only had to pay our 50% share.  I spoke with someone from Carnival and they agreed the price had increased but weren't sure why.

I've tried multiple mock bookings as well for a solo and am getting the same results.  The solo booking pays for 100% of the never before separately categorized "Required Cruise Fees and Expenses"  Looks like we will be paying double occupancy cruise fees and expenses along with the normal double occupancy cruise fares. The only thing not doubled is the government fees.

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, Amadawn1 said:

I've tried multiple mock bookings as well for a solo and am getting the same results.  The solo booking pays for 100% of the never before separately categorized "Required Cruise Fees and Expenses"  Looks like we will be paying double occupancy cruise fees and expenses along with the normal double occupancy cruise fares. The only thing not doubled is the government fees.

As I said in another thread on this topic on this forum, when the "port taxes and fees" were allowed to be broken out of the advertised fare, there were limitations on what the cruise lines could include in these "taxes and fees", due to a class action lawsuit a couple of decades ago.  I suspect that now that these are required to be listed in the advertised fare, that these limitations are no longer applicable, and the cruise lines can charge whatever they want as "required cruise fees and expenses".  Those will also likely not be refundable when ports are missed, since they don't mention "ports" in the title.  Lots less transparency.  Perhaps less griping about troubles comparing fares, but many times you need to be careful what you wish for, as this will lead to more "expenses" and less refunds, and higher cruise prices.

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

As I said in another thread on this topic on this forum, when the "port taxes and fees" were allowed to be broken out of the advertised fare, there were limitations on what the cruise lines could include in these "taxes and fees", due to a class action lawsuit a couple of decades ago.  I suspect that now that these are required to be listed in the advertised fare, that these limitations are no longer applicable, and the cruise lines can charge whatever they want as "required cruise fees and expenses".  Those will also likely not be refundable when ports are missed, since they don't mention "ports" in the title.  Lots less transparency.  Perhaps less griping about troubles comparing fares, but many times you need to be careful what you wish for, as this will lead to more "expenses" and less refunds, and higher cruise prices.

bingo

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

As I said in another thread on this topic on this forum, when the "port taxes and fees" were allowed to be broken out of the advertised fare, there were limitations on what the cruise lines could include in these "taxes and fees", due to a class action lawsuit a couple of decades ago.  I suspect that now that these are required to be listed in the advertised fare, that these limitations are no longer applicable, and the cruise lines can charge whatever they want as "required cruise fees and expenses".  Those will also likely not be refundable when ports are missed, since they don't mention "ports" in the title.  Lots less transparency.  Perhaps less griping about troubles comparing fares, but many times you need to be careful what you wish for, as this will lead to more "expenses" and less refunds, and higher cruise prices.

There is (another) new law out of California requiring this "upfront" pricing.  It seems the fact it was all present before you click "Book" seems to confuse people.  

[Elaine5715]

19 hours ago, KKB said:

My "free" $100pp casino cruise offers now only show $260pp+.

Guess I'm glad I booked 3 next year already.

We shall see what happens after that...

For a solo, that cruise fare is based always on 2 people.  Cruise booking for a solo...

Edited July 4 by Elaine5715

[Viajera7]

20 hours ago, KKB said:

My "free" $100pp casino cruise offers now only show $260pp+.

Guess I'm glad I booked 3 next year already.

We shall see what happens after that...

Same thing.

[Viajera7]

55 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

For a solo, that cruise fare is based always on 2 people.  Cruise booking for a solo...

Yes. I pay for double occupancy when I  travel solo but not double for the port charges and taxes. Carnival needs to fix this. I’ll wait until later in the year to book Carnival again and give them time to fix it or make a phone call.

[KKB]

1 hour ago, Elaine5715 said:

For a solo, that cruise fare is based always on 2 people.  Cruise booking for a solo...

Ah...seems that many lines have just changed to INCLUDE port taxes & fees now in the initial price. (I notice NCL, Princess & Celebrity just started this...I suppose others as well. New law perhaps?)

OK...but when Ive priced some things out, Im not getting quite as good a deals as I was last month. Not a HUGE price difference but more noticeable at that price point!

 

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, Viajera7 said:

Yes. I pay for double occupancy when I  travel solo but not double for the port charges and taxes. Carnival needs to fix this. I’ll wait until later in the year to book Carnival again and give them time to fix it or make a phone call.

JH already noted there is a glitch for that

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, KKB said:

Ah...seems that many lines have just changed to INCLUDE port taxes & fees now in the initial price. (I notice NCL, Princess & Celebrity just started this...I suppose others as well. New law perhaps?)

OK...but when Ive priced some things out, Im not getting quite as good a deals as I was last month. Not a HUGE price difference but more noticeable at that price point!

 

The port taxes and fees have always been visible before booking. Yes, there was another California laws. 

[KKB]

1 minute ago, Elaine5715 said:

The port taxes and fees have always been visible before booking. Yes, there was another California laws. 

Yes, but they were not PART of the listed fare--always had to remember to glance at those to add to the total in my brain. I prefer this way to be sure. (but again...I now have to remember to NOT add them on, lol)

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, KKB said:

Yes, but they were not PART of the listed fare--always had to remember to glance at those to add to the total in my brain. I prefer this way to be sure. (but again...I now have to remember to NOT add them on, lol)

Because they aren't part of the fare.  The offer also doesn't include 3/4 persons, all rooms types, grats, insurance, etc.  People are acting like they are getting an unexpected bill in the mail.  

[KKB]

19 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Because they aren't part of the fare.  The offer also doesn't include 3/4 persons, all rooms types, grats, insurance, etc.  People are acting like they are getting an unexpected bill in the mail.  

Yes, fare & taxes r separate...but I have to pay them all for my total cost...