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Save/ShareMany readers commented on Erik Torkells' blog post "Adding fees after you've already paid?!" Erik wrote that while it was bad enough that many cruise lines are adding fuel surcharges in the coming months, it was "borderline outrageous" for Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Cunard, Princess, and Seabourn to also add a surcharge to passengers who had paid in full months ago.
Most readers agreed. Here are snippets from some of the most insightful comments:
How can they justify a daily surcharge if you are on a cruise to Bermuda for example and you get there and the ship stays in port for 4 days? Surely any surcharge should be imposed on a mileage basis to be fair.—Steve Anderson
I think this is ridiculous. The cruise lines already require you to tip your steward and actually tell you what to tip. The excursion trips are costly if you book them with the cruise line and the drinks are over-priced. Is this legal because the majority of the ships are foreign registry?—Sydne
We are one of those that got hit with the surcharge. We booked a 10 day cruise on Princess 11 months ago for Feb 2008. I got a call from my travel agent last week that we are getting charged an extra $100 for the fuel surcharge. Not right. Will think twice before booking with them again if they continue with this practice.—Fla. Deb.
I know that this is a Budget Travel post and I like BT b/c I appreciate a good value. But acting indignant and like you're getting screwed every time someone requests a surcharge is just ridiculous. Just pay the fee. It's par for the course as a golfer would say.—But Seriously
Thanks again to all who commented. (Find the full list of comments here.)
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First-time cruisers, we took the Crown Princess' second trip out of New York last July. We were supposed to leave by 5pm so we could sail past Lady Liberty. Ha! We never left port until after 1AM so we not only missed Lady Liberty, but our first port of call, Turks and Caicos. Not off to a good start, the rest of the trip was not that great either. The ship holds too many passengers for the amenities they offer. Not enough deck chairs at pools (not to mention pools that were way to small for a small city to dip into). Free-style cruising? HA! If you don't wake up by 7Am to book a seat, you wind up eating in the not-so-good buffet. First and last cruise for us. Sorry to say.
Posted By Susan Garon on November 30, 2007, 4:24 PM
I've said for years that week long charter yachts are the way to go instead of over priced, and over packed cruise ships. there are many privately owned yachts in every style and size that offer vacation rentals with or without crew, and this is the real way to get an adventure in the caribbean without getting herded with the rest of the "city" on the cruise ships.
Posted By brian johnson on November 30, 2007, 5:40 PM
I've only taken smaller cruises -- 35-50 people, and always had a splendid time, feasting on wonderful food cooked by crew members we got to know. And enjoying scenery and the company of a small group of like-minded tourists and independent-minded travelers. The morning of our first small cruise started with an almost water-level view of a gigantic cruise ship disengourging its thousands of passangers as our small ship slipped away from a nearby but much smaller dock, off to explore hidden spots of the Inner Passage. How lucky I felt when I saw those people, 20 floors above sea-level, finishing a "cruise" where they never got close to the ocean, neven even felt the boat dancing with the waves. never felt the spray of an ocean wave. They had a common, ordinary trip; we had a real life encounter with the ocean, its waves and currents, its wildlife and coasts -- all up close and personal. I'd never take a cruise on a boat with thousands of other passengers -- too impersonal and too much chance of catching some bacteria or virus that thrives in crowded quarters.
Posted By Market Mama on December 2, 2007, 7:06 AM
Hi, My husband and I live near Tampa, FL and would like to join a senior travel club. Anyone have any knowledge of a travel club in this area? Thanks in advance.
Posted By sharon flynn on December 2, 2007, 9:56 PM
Not everyone can afford to travel on small cruise ships/yachts.
I for one very much enjoyed my last cruise with RCCL, and although it was sold out, it never felt crowded. No one forces you to go with the crowds at anytime. You are free to do what you want when you want, that includes eating. No everyone has to eat in the dining rooms.
The fuel charge was a shock, but we're paying it, and look forward to our cruise in May 2008.
Posted By Georgia on December 4, 2007, 6:59 PM