Fuel Surchage increases to $9 effective 6/12/08

[arizdback]

I think some of the lines will cut back cruises the same as the air line are doing. Cruisers are going to cut back as all travel is affected by fuel prices.. Getting to the port, fuel surcharges it is going to be the straw that boke the camels back for some travelers!

 

The ships are sailing full. I don't see them cutting back. It's obvious that they haven't reached that point. They will continue to raise fares and the surcharge until ships sail at 80%.

[MaryZ]

The ships are sailing full. I don't see them cutting back. It's obvious that they haven't reached that point. They will continue to raise fares and the surcharge until ships sail at 80%.

 

Right now. And a lot of these cruises were booked a year ago. In order to cruise high season (summer, holidays) you normally book a year out. And I still see on a lot of ships availability.

Since nobody is saying what their bookings are for next summer, there is no way to know if those ships will be sailing full. That is when you will see the effect of the economy. Not right now.

[budster]

Cruises are still way cheaper than several years ago. I remember paying a $1000. each for the cheapest inside cabin on a ship.:eek: I do hate the fuel surcharges but everything is being affected by these fuel costs. I think cruising is still a great value.:)

[ruskatab]

Cruises are still way cheaper than several years ago. I remember paying a $1000. each for the cheapest inside cabin on a ship.:eek: I do hate the fuel surcharges but everything is being affected by these fuel costs. I think cruising is still a great value.:)

 

People keep saying this but ive kept every single receipt for all the cruises ive taken and the price has gone up each year. I priced out some cruises during Sept and October and was shocked that even during hurricane season they are alot higher than last year. We found a great price on an all inclusive in Playa del Carmen for 1700 for 2 with airfare. That where we are going instead of another cruise this year.

[SJ]

I think the goal is to have all the fuel cost be paid by the passengers. SO the cruise fare will be all profits.

 

I understand why they began to charge a fuel surcharge. But to continue to raise it every 2-3 months is ridiculous. I firmly believe the cruiselines are taking advantage of the passengers. They are probably even hoping to trick some to book base on a cheaper cruise fare and then tacking on extras. What a scam!

 

I for one will still book based on total cruise price with all the extras and if it's more than I want to paid for the trip, I just won't go. I don't care what you call it, it's still my hard earn dollar leaving my wallet. There are other priorities more pressing than a cruise in this economy.

 

I'm glad I cruised the past 10 years before all this nonsense with surcharges.

 

Why don't the cruiselines have surcharges for food, service and entertainment, that way they don't have to pay any TA any commission?

 

I just hope supply and demand will fix this eventually and the class action lawsuit in FL will rule this is collusion on the part of the cruiselines.

 

I used to sing the praises of these cruiselines to my friends who don't cruise; I can no longer with good conscience.

[SouthernCaribbean]

People keep saying this but ive kept every single receipt for all the cruises ive taken and the price has gone up each year. I priced out some cruises during Sept and October and was shocked that even during hurricane season they are alot higher than last year. We found a great price on an all inclusive in Playa del Carmen for 1700 for 2 with airfare. That where we are going instead of another cruise this year.

 

Looks like your cruise history started in 04. When people talk about cruising being cheaper now, they are talking pre-911. In the late 90's cruising was really taking off and there werent as many ships sailing, so we had to pay a premium. Then 911...people didnt want to travel or get on planes. So cruiseline had to practically pay people to sail.

 

The industry still hasnt gotten back to those 1990 prices. I cant think of any industry that is selling a product cheaper today than they did almost 20 years ago.

 

I think many people will actually start cruising when they start to compare prices.

[PINEVIEW01]

I would just be happy to get the fuel charge they owe ME. I could really use that extra $120.00. They have had it long enough, time to give it back to me.

Wow Pegs, you haven't got yours yet:eek: . Mine got rebated even though not to me as my card wasn't the last used.:(

[Travel Angel]

People keep saying this but ive kept every single receipt for all the cruises ive taken and the price has gone up each year. I priced out some cruises during Sept and October and was shocked that even during hurricane season they are alot higher than last year. We found a great price on an all inclusive in Playa del Carmen for 1700 for 2 with airfare. That where we are going instead of another cruise this year.

 

In order to make the statement of cruising being less expensive now than in previous years.... you have to do an apple to apple comparison...it is true that "cruise fares" are less expensive than in years past based on history, but it's the add-ons that have driven the "total costs" of cruising up !

[PINEVIEW01]

All the cruiselines were banking on the retiring "baby boomers." A few years ago, there were several articles written about how baby boomers were going to be retired in 2009-10 and ready to travel and ever take their grandkids on ships.

 

Now some of those boomers are going to have to get part time jobs, if they want to travel.:o

I hear you! I just retired last January (thus all the recent cruises:D ). I have a cruise this fall with g-kids and than one after you DH and I. We were just talking today about canceling the second because of the air cost.

[firefly333]

Where are all those people claiming the price of cruise is going to drop??? Money is money, I dont care if its added on later or part of the price posted, the bottom line is my price keeps going up up up.

[Fazzdaan]

Personally I don't have an issue with this. The cost of everything is going up, mostly due to fuel prices. Cruising is still way cheaper then most forms of vacations that are out of the vacationers local area. If you want to go to the Caribbean your choice is a land package or a cruise. How much would a land package, with equivalent food, cost by the time you figure in the rising price of air travel?

 

The real option is whether to vacation or not, and I think most folks would rather vacation then deal with cabin fever at home.

 

Just my .02 worth...

[ruskatab]

Looks like your cruise history started in 04. When people talk about cruising being cheaper now, they are talking pre-911. In the late 90's cruising was really taking off and there werent as many ships sailing, so we had to pay a premium. Then 911...people didnt want to travel or get on planes. So cruiseline had to practically pay people to sail.

 

The industry still hasnt gotten back to those 1990 prices. I cant think of any industry that is selling a product cheaper today than they did almost 20 years ago.

 

I think many people will actually start cruising when they start to compare prices.

 

Ahhhh! Ok I can see that. We had 3 small children in the early 90's so it was Disneyland vacations and things like that and we drove there. I never even thought of a cruise until probably 2003. I sure hope the price doesnt go back to pre 911.

[Pegs222]

Wow Pegs, you haven't got yours yet:eek: . Mine got rebated even though not to me as my card wasn't the last used.:(

 

Nope, and they told our TA that we could expect it at least by the time we sail, we sail in September :mad:

[firefly333]

Ahhhh! Ok I can see that. We had 3 small children in the early 90's so it was Disneyland vacations and things like that and we drove there. I never even thought of a cruise until probably 2003. I sure hope the price doesnt go back to pre 911.

 

I remember the folks in my condo on the beach in Florida decided to go on a cruise, must have been very early 1990s. It was about $3000!!!! and I dont think that was for a expensive cabin. I didnt go, I was working, but I wanted to and looked at the deck plans and looked. Now I realize how much more expensive that cruise must have been. I think it was on princess.

[afdds]

Ok, stupid question of the day: I'm paid in full for July, when and where do I see this fuel surcharge?

 

Thank for the help!

 

Debra

P.S. Still cheaper to cruise than same vacation on land. Plus on land you only go to one place.

[firefly333]

Ok, stupid question of the day: I'm paid in full for July, when and where do I see this fuel surcharge?

 

Thank for the help!

 

Debra

P.S. Still cheaper to cruise than same vacation on land. Plus on land you only go to one place.

 

Any NEW bookings you make will show the new fuel surcharge. Any previous bookings are grandfathered/locked in at whatever the fuel surcharge was when you booked the cruise. (thank goodness).

[Kurbanfan]

In order to make the statement of cruising being less expensive now than in previous years.... you have to do an apple to apple comparison...it is true that "cruise fares" are less expensive than in years past based on history, but it's the add-ons that have driven the "total costs" of cruising up !

 

Exactly!!! Looking back at our cruises in the late 90's....cabin prices were cheaper......mainly due to less availability and competition. But our S&S was also waaay cheaper.

 

Cruising is still way cheaper then most forms of vacations that are out of the vacationers local area. If you want to go to the Caribbean your choice is a land package or a cruise. How much would a land package, with equivalent food, cost by the time you figure in the rising price of air travel?

 

 

This is all relevant. Depending on where you live, if you are close to port etc. We live on the West Coast and can fly to Hawaii....airfare, oceanfront hotel, including spending money for the same price as flying to Miami, staying precruise hotel, 7 day balcony cruise, S&S card (casino:eek: ) etc.........

Now someone flying to Hawaii from the East Coast would be a different story.........

[firefly333]

I keep saying one of these days we are going to have to book 3 in the same cabin to afford to cruise.... one day??!!! I havent booked anything yet for 2010, maybe by the time it gets here they wouldnt have the add on, it will be included or that hoped for softness will hit the cruiselines.

[cruzegirl]

I'm with everyone. My paycheck isn't going up to compensate for the rise in fuel/everything. My little 3% raise doesn't count for what gas has up to. It's nuts.

I just want to know. When are all these businesses: gas, air, groceries, merchandise, services, all of this going to say enough is enough and get our current govt. to deal with it?? And yet we're not in a recession.!!!!!! It makes me want to scream.......:mad: :mad:

[dixiediva761]

I'm with everyone. My paycheck isn't going up to compensate for the rise in fuel/everything. My little 3% raise doesn't count for what gas has up to. It's nuts.

 

I just want to know. When are all these businesses: gas, air, groceries, merchandise, services, all of this going to say enough is enough and get our current govt. to deal with it?? And yet we're not in a recession.!!!!!! It makes me want to scream.......:mad: :mad: [/quote

 

I am screamin' right with ya girl!!

[Travel Angel]

I'm with everyone. My paycheck isn't going up to compensate for the rise in fuel/everything. My little 3% raise doesn't count for what gas has up to. It's nuts.

 

I just want to know. When are all these businesses: gas, air, groceries, merchandise, services, all of this going to say enough is enough and get our current govt. to deal with it?? And yet we're not in a recession.!!!!!! It makes me want to scream.......:mad: :mad: [/quote

 

I am screamin' right with ya girl!!

 

Now Now girls... don't start talking politics or this thread will be removed by a moderator in the blink of an eye ! :D

[dixiediva761]

 

Now Now girls... don't start talking politics or this thread will be removed by a moderator in the blink of an eye ! :D

 

Whew! Sorry, I lost my head for a minute and got carried away with all the screamin'. :rolleyes:

[PINEVIEW01]

My paycheck isn't going up to compensate for the rise in fuel/everything. My little 3% raise doesn't count for what gas has up to. It's nuts.

As least you get that. Some of us don't get that and others are have the wages cut.

[Chigirlcruzin]

I believe the reason they are not including it in the cruise price is so that they do not have to pay part of it to TAs for their commissions. This way, the cruise lines get to keep the whole amount to put towards fuel costs.

 

I don't understand this line of reasoning. Cruise fares are made up of the commissionable fare and the non-commissionable fare (formerly known as port charges among other things) - why wouldn't this just fall into the non-commissionable bucket?

[Jdfireman]

We just all need to budget better I will say cruises is the way to go here is a example. I am going an a cruise next week the cruise with trasnfers and all the surchargers was a little under 700.00 PP for a ocean view for 5 nights.. Plus airfare was about 250.00 per person. about 950.00 PP .

 

I was in Vegas for 4 night stayed at the Rio last month the hotel was 475.00 For the 4 nights Plus 400 for Airfare So we are all ready at 875.00 Now lets add on cab rides Shows and food HMMM I know for a fact I went to a steak house one night and the check was about 250.00 for dinner and drinks and that was one night. So look at how much cheaper cruises are..

 

In closing 9 dollars a day is still cheaper. Remember you are on Vacation Maybe have 2 less drinks on the trip to pay for the gas or offer to bring a big paddle and row for a while

 

Just my thoughts JD