Is that even legal? America must need some better consumer protection laws.

Posted By katy on November 27, 2007, 1:16 PM

When it "seems" to you to be "borderline outrageous," you come off as indecisive and unwilling to commit. It is outrageous, especially in the cases where the fares have been paid in full. Options would be to ask for a full refund and take your travel dollars elsewhere; to complain forcefully and repeatedly until they drop the charge; or, simply, sue.

But one thing I can say absolutely, though, is nothing will change if passengers pay like little sheep. Let the cruiselines get away with yet another dubious charge, and they'll just look for the next one to tack on.

Posted By madmonkey on November 28, 2007, 3:52 AM

Look at the contract to see if they are allowed to tack on additional fees. Seems to me a contract is just that -- an agreement to pay a certain price for a certain trip. Legally, I don't think they can add on additional charges unless the "legalese" give them that right. Looking at my last cruise booking (May 07) extra fuel surcharges were not included in the contract. Now, if they changed the contract verbiage...

They know they can charge what they want because cruises are hot right now and people don't have the time to fight $5 charges. Seems insignificant since most cruises are thousands... This stinks.

Posted By Sue on November 29, 2007, 12:11 PM

Read the terms and conditions of your ticket if you have already booked passage - it is a contract, and unless it says that they can add fees after the fact, the charge is unenforceable.

Posted By Jennifer on November 29, 2007, 12:14 PM

We booked our cruise over a year ago with Princess and a week ago our travel agent sent us a notice that we are to pay $70.00. To me if you have made the reservations and paid money they shouldn't be able to do this. Also I have found sights that are cheaper for the same cruise we are going on!

Posted By Gma Rose on November 29, 2007, 12:17 PM

You can add Carnival to the list at $5 per person, per day.

And get this ... AFTER we set sail on our cruise (a few weeks ago), the Carnival TV channel in the room informed us that there was now a $1-2 port charge per person per day. I was shocked, as port charges are usually included!

Posted By Lanette on November 29, 2007, 12:18 PM

You can bet your life that this charge will NEVER come off!
We already pay extra charges that are "bundled" up under the heading of taxes and port charges. Who really knows exactly what these are for?
The cruise industry is very profitable, so what if they have to absorb these fuel charges.
If a cruise is already paid in full I do not see how the passenger can be charged retroactively and in good conscience.
However, what can the individual do about this without being denied boarding?

Posted By R. Lesser on November 29, 2007, 12:22 PM

With most of the prices for travel what they are, they really have got a nerve to try and add on more. The airlines do the same thing. I think there should be someplace we could write and complain (like the better business bureau). Maybe if they got enough letters and emails all this craziness would stop.

Posted By CATHERINE WYMAN on November 29, 2007, 12:23 PM

I think this is ridiculous. I work for an airline and we are always under the gun for one reason or another. 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. They may enough on all of their extra fees and I think it is outrageous. Is this legal because the majority of the ships are foreign registry?

Posted By Sydne on November 29, 2007, 12:25 PM

Why, after paying the full cruise price on a cruise using the Canal do the cruise lines allow Panama to up the cost by a significant amount? For w couples, the amount was more than the cost of 1 person.

Posted By Gerald Snyder on November 29, 2007, 12:26 PM

Are you serious? "Sue"? That's what is wrong with the litigious American society. Keep a little perspective here. The cruise industry is tacking on a surcharge of $5/day--it probably says "FUEL" in front. Anyone else notice the perpetual pump prices rising? You think it only affects you? There's usually language in a contract that spells this sort of thing out. This sounds like the whining of cruisers who DON'T READ their contracts when they book. Most cruisers book with travel agents, if you're not using one who debriefs you on what is and is not included, you're booking with the wrong people.

Posted By Gimme a break on November 29, 2007, 12:28 PM

It seems to me to be reasonable for prices to go up when a suppliers basic costs go up, however there are limits. Any item on which at least a deposit has been paid, should be excluded from any price fluctuations. Customers that have booked well in advance are the most valuable customers that a cruise line has and these would be the ones suffering most if any surcharge was imposed.
The way that the cruise lines are imposing this surcharge seems to me unfair also; 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? Shurely any surcharge should be imposed on a mileage basis to be fair.
Imagine if a representative from the oil companies came a knocking on your door next spring to impose a surcharge on the unused gas in your lawn tractor, just because gas had then gone up to $10 per gallon and you only paid $3 for it?

Posted By Steve Anderson on November 29, 2007, 12:32 PM

Fuel surcharges are unacceptable by ANY company and for ANY reason. Fuel costs are one of the costs of your business. Either raise the fare to accommodate increased fuel costs or lose the difference. Tacking on an additional fee, regardless if you call it "fuel surcharge" or "because we feel like it" is not an option. Do companies add surcharges for other aspects of their overhead costs? "Employee compensation surcharge." "Tax increase surcharge." "Stockholder dividend surcharge."

Posted By Barney Rubble on November 29, 2007, 12:34 PM

This is beyond outrageous! My daughter and I are booked on a cruise leaving February 12, and it has been paid in full. It is ridiculous that they plan on charging me another $56!!

Posted By Kimberly on November 29, 2007, 12:46 PM

Retroactive price increases are pure bull, whether you call it surcharge or any other name. People have made other committments such as air, transfers, and pre or post cruise accomodations, so if you want to take a stand on this shady practice, you stand to lose much more. Since ALL cruises are discounted all the lines have to do is discount less. As to booked and piad reservations being charged this extra, I can only say, which ever line did this to me would have seen the last of my money. I would also contact the home office of the line and make them aware that I would not be sailing again with them. If enough people, (espescally the loyality program members) complain then things will change. You know the lines love people who have traveled with them 8 or 10 times.

Posted By Steve on November 29, 2007, 12:49 PM

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.

Posted By FlaDeb on November 29, 2007, 12:50 PM

Not unheard of, and not just from cruise lines. Earlier this year we booked a trip to Egypt through AffordableTours.com and signed a contract authorizing X dollars to be charged to our credit card. After returning from the trip, we received the statement which had a charge $700 higher than the agreed upon price. Many angry calls and emails later, we received a reimbursement for $200 which they agreed was an overcharge, but the remaining $400+ was due to airport surcharges. Sure enough, in the fine print of the contract, was stated that "personal items, transportation to the airport, and airport surcharges" were not covered. They had their backs covered, but they'll never get our business again.

Posted By Jerry on November 29, 2007, 12:52 PM

Pay it on a credit card, then refuse to pay. Send the paid receipt for the cruise to the credit card company and say this was an unauthorized charge. Your cruise ticket is a "contract".

Posted By Michael Grimes on November 29, 2007, 1:01 PM

Since I am sailing after 2/1/08 I am not happy about this.

However, let us have a reality check. Every Courier (Fedex, UPS, messenger service,etc) has added a fuel surcharge onto my invoices for some time.

Why should the cruiseline industry be different?

Posted By Rheaad on November 29, 2007, 1:03 PM

I think it stinks.
We talked 6 couples into cruising with us in February.

How come they are advertising if you book now they will pay the additional charge, but if you already paid you are out of luck.

Posted By Sandy on November 29, 2007, 1:03 PM

Adding a fuel surcharge is just another scam from the cruise industry. We have a cruise booked for April 2008 and partially paid for. RCL issued the notice 16 Nov 2007 and stated if you fully paid for the cruise prior to that date, the surcharge would not apply. Too bad we didn't have advance notice prior to 16 Nov. We'll pay the extra $130 , but won't be spending at least $130 on extras on the ship.

Posted By B Parker on November 29, 2007, 1:11 PM

Increase costs after price is set? just hold back on gratuities at the end and let the employees get back at cruise lines. Especially the high dollar lines, who is charging the most! wonder why I don't sail with them, overrated for their charges.........wvajim

Posted By Jim Rufus on November 29, 2007, 1:14 PM

i've never been on a cruise but that sounds like BS to me

Posted By ed lawless on November 29, 2007, 1:17 PM

Why not just increase the base price of the cruise? Is it because cruiselines just want to advertise the lowest fare possible and then start adding on all the "required' extras like port charges, fees, etc. And just when, if ever, will these fuel charges be eliminated? When oil prices drop? And to what level do they have to drop before the fuel surcharge is removed? If they are like the airlines, never. If the price of doing business goes up, raise the prise of the cruise. I've sailed nearly a dozen times, almost exclusively with Celebrity. If Celebrity imposes this charge, I'll be taking my travel dollars elsewhere. I might add that hotel chains are also playing this "add on charges" game by offering low room rates and then tacking on all sorts of charges like use of the television, rooming cleaning fees, use of the hotel pool, etc. There is little, if any, truth in advertising. Travelers beware!

Posted By Karl on November 29, 2007, 1:18 PM

I am getting a little fed up with the cruise lines consistently charging for almost everything but the basics. This latest fuel charge is just another example of the "little extras." But to do it as they did borders on the absurb. You know, the cheapest cost of the cruise is rapidly becoming the initial, advertised, discounted cost of the cruise itself. All of the "extras" certainly could amount to a whole lot more. Now I am not saying that any or all of the charges are not necessary for good business but why can't they just increase the initial cost of the cruise and stop giving us the impression that they are "nickel and dimeing" folks to death. I'm afraid I,for one,will be looking at other venues to spend my vacation dollar where I don't have to worry about "add-ons.".

Posted By RA on November 29, 2007, 1:37 PM

Send the bill to George Bush...let him pay it. He does not even know what it is like to have to pay MORE for something...when HE could have stopped the price increase in the beginning!!

Posted By Christine Jenkins on November 29, 2007, 1:39 PM

Oh great, here's another idea for the airlines to impose to rip off the traveling public. You can be sure that if the cruise lines get away with it, the airlines will not be far behind. After all, do you you know of any other industry that can sell the same item (airline seat) to more than one person at a time(through overbooking) and legally get away with it?

Posted By Travelkid on November 29, 2007, 1:44 PM

Here's an idea for the cruise industry, they should a surcharge to swim in the pools, or maybe a surcharge to use the dishes. No even better, maybe just maybe they could get a surcharge for using the beds in the cabin.

Posted By Greg Thompson on November 29, 2007, 2:04 PM

I really don't have a problem with cruise lines simply raising their prices to re capture their costs; but only for new reservatons.

In the unlikely event oil prices were to drop to $85 or $80 a barrel, what are the chances these same cruise lines would be offering all previously booked passengers a $5 per day cruise CREDIT????

Posted By Bob on November 29, 2007, 2:13 PM

Am traveling on The Queen Mary on Feb 2 with my wife and paid the fare in full back in October so I really resent what Cunard is doing. I can see adding the surcharge for those passengers who haven't paid in full or for those who book after the announcement to add the charge. It's like the gas companies who keep raising the price of gas on a daily basis when the gas is already in the tanks of the gas stations and for which the gas has already been paid for by the local station owner.

I plan to bug Cunard until they remove the charge and let them know I will take my business elsewhere.

Posted By N.Lightened on November 29, 2007, 2:18 PM

Well, it's true. Just received an email from my travel agent for a cruise that I paid in FULL in August for my Costa cruise in Jan 2008 asking for an extra $70.00 ---NOW. Will pay this - but not happy about it.

Posted By pam on November 29, 2007, 2:28 PM

I agree with the idea that a deal is a deal. I would cancel or sue for breach of contract rather than pay and upcharge that was not in my original agreement. The cruise lines certainly don't re emburse if the fuel prices go down so why should they be allowed by our laws to increase an agreed on fare if the prices go up? The industry may need to look at its policies if they want to keep their customer base.

Posted By Cynthia Canipe on November 29, 2007, 2:30 PM

Yes it is outrageous - even worse when I called my agent to complain about the surcharge I was told the agents were notified the same day RCCL announced the surcharge to the public. However, RCCL was kind enough to forgive those who had paid their balance in full - the day before. How rude is that - today we announce a fare hike but, if you had paid in full yesterday it wouldn't affect you. Definitely not cricket. The real injustice is by February (or shortly thereafter) when everyone is implementing these fares and surcharges, the cost of oil will be back down around $60 a barrel. So where will the money go? Straight to the bottom line - I think they took a line from the Exxon playbook - take advantage of the situation at hand...God bless capitalism!

Posted By Gary on November 29, 2007, 2:31 PM

Before following the advice of your other correspondents you may want to check the terms and conditions of the contract you signed when booking the cruise. A quick search on the internet showed at least one contract that specified surcharges for increase in fuel costs could be levied.

Posted By Ianh on November 29, 2007, 2:53 PM

Well just when we were planing our vacation for 08, up pops another fee tacked on, There are some people who have to save for a cruise and the extra fees will determine if we will go or not.. Its a shame. looks like we will be spending another vacation at the beach in our RV.. OH well the cruise lines just saved us about $2000 or more.

Posted By Carol on November 29, 2007, 3:30 PM

I have a question. I am booked on a Christmas cruise for 2008. How many surcharges will there be, between now and then? What if oil has gone up to $150 per barrel by then?

Posted By Steve Anderson on November 29, 2007, 4:04 PM

Instead of being captive to the abusive cruise lines and the generally boring same old sites, why not book, at the same cost or less, an overseas vacation to some really interesting exotic place with one of the excellent tour operators like Grand Circle or Overseas Adventure Travel that guarantee no add-on fees. Before you book your next cruise, take a look at the destinations, itineraries and costs of these tour operators, if for no other reason as a basis of comparison with alternatives.

Posted By john chapman on November 29, 2007, 4:27 PM

i too was just hit with a 60 charge from princess for a cruise that i have booked for next oct. how could they possibly know what the price of fuel is going to be 10 months from now. if the price of fuel goes down are they going to unbill me or if the price of fuel goes up are they going to bill me even more than they have already billed me.

Posted By isabel on November 29, 2007, 5:08 PM

If you're deposit or payment in full has been deposited by the cruise line it is a fixed and binding contract. Are there any lawyers reading this who are willing to form a class action against the cruise industry.

Posted By Michael on November 29, 2007, 5:33 PM

We have booked three Carnival cruises to go around South America. Our price increased by $420. This is not right. We should not let the cruise industry get away with this.

Posted By Carol Dolian on November 29, 2007, 5:37 PM

I would cancel and let them know they have lost my business. If they want to fight it I would sue. this is all a bunch of crap. If oil had gone down you can bet they would not be issueing a refund.

Posted By leenelsen on November 29, 2007, 5:43 PM

Doesn't suprise me a bit. Cruise lines are the worst offenders of this stuff, they fly foreign flags so they can't be sued for poor behaviour, pay taxes etc. Who has a good idea to get them to change their terrible treatment of their customers?

Posted By Craig N on November 29, 2007, 5:46 PM

I got a call from Royal Carb. informing me of the additional fee. I cancelled the cruise. Enough is enough.

Posted By Judith Schutz on November 29, 2007, 6:08 PM

As someone who WAS looking to take a first cruise, and already being "leary" of the DEAL - I have decided, upon this information - to stay with the "All Inclusive" Resort Program that I am already familiar with and "encourage" the rest of you to enjoy!
Beau Bowling
Sunbelt Properties,Ltd
USA

Posted By Beau on November 29, 2007, 6:27 PM

I'm just not trying to travel by walking on my elbows as my abuela would say.

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 or *gasp* providing you with tipping recommendations (because "Tipping" is NOT a city in China & someone prolly asked and you get tired of suggesting what your service is WORTH)IS RIDICULOUS. Just pay the fee. It's par for the course as a golfer would say.

Posted By But SERIOUSLY... on November 29, 2007, 6:41 PM

If cruise lines begin playing games on Fees, there goes the cruise business.
OR add Fees when making Reservations or Confirm Reservations & Included in the Price not an afterthought
Or risk Idle cruise ships & NO Business.
Wake up Mgmt or lose stock & bad PR for the cruise business.
Dont add more Reasons NOT to cruise.
Add sucharge into Price.
NO exceptions.
Or shift cruise liners to Hydrogen engines,
All electric drive engines,
Nuclear engines (mini Nuclear Reactor module & have the Mn Eng spaces Unmanned since automation can service Engines & Reactor modules.
See US Navy since 1958.
Doable & can be included when cruise ship undergoes Refitting or Build New models.
Or have 1 liner Solar powered & use azipods.
Unique
Be daring or lose Business.

Posted By stephen russell on November 29, 2007, 9:17 PM

well well well this is interesting to say the least. i have a call in to my agent now just to see how much more my 4 month round the world cruise in jan '09 is going to jump. i signed on months ago. and was due to pay in full by may '08 to save a grand. depending on her answer i may be saving $35 grand. balls in your court holland america. you be the judge of how much you want my $$$
pat sherwood

Posted By pat sherwood on November 29, 2007, 9:22 PM

You bet, this is ridicules! Why don't industries of all types increase their prices rather than add surcharges. Even the garbage collection company socks on surcharges. The cruise industry has added "service charges" in the place of gratuities. I understand prices are increasing but increase the total and not add hidden charges so the public can make comparisons.

Posted By Ray H. on November 29, 2007, 11:57 PM

It looks like we will be doing less travel at least in the near future. We are retired and the cost of living is going up much faster than income is -- in spite of what the government is telling us!

Posted By retired couple on November 30, 2007, 3:57 AM

my husband and i were booked for a celebrity cruise next october and when i was told about the gas surcharge i cancelled the cruise. i will not be subject to changes after the contract is signed.

Posted By elizabeth hart on November 30, 2007, 5:02 AM

Stop this complaining immediately or we'll also charge a whiner's fee.

Posted By Cruise Line Owners Assoc. on November 30, 2007, 8:21 AM

There will be no advantage to "Locking-in" a price by booking and paying ahead. The dishonest add-ons will mean that all customers should wait for the last moment to book, in order to uncover EXACTLY how much the trip will cost! Never mind the glossy ads touting bargains!Picture the desperation of the cruise lines without the advance booking money to manipulate, invest, etc.
Cruise lines may have "shot themselves in the foot".

Posted By Laurel on November 30, 2007, 8:41 AM

In case there's anyone out there without a sense of humor, there is no Cruise Line Owners Association. The comment above was instead from one of our wittiest frequent commenters.

Thanks to everyone for their great comments!
--Sean

Posted By Blog Editor on November 30, 2007, 9:19 AM

Quit complaining and just reduce your other purchases on the cruise like one less cocktail per day. You already took advantage of a discount on the full price which is probably more than the fuel surcharge. Granted making the surcharge retroactive doesn't set well with me either. My cruise to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary sails in June on NCL but so far I have not reveived any notice of a surcharge add on. Better managemant should have forseen the increase in fuel costs and adjusted their fares accordingly.

And to those who say they will take their business elsewhere, where do you go when they all add the surcharge. Yes there are less expensive vacations but one of the benefits of cruising is you don't unpack and repack at each location you visit, no additional flights between locations such as between islands in Hawall, or cities in Europe and no rental car needed etc. I didn't here such an outcry when the airlines started adding $5.00 to $10.00 to the cost of each ticket, some even on oneway flights.

Many years ago the government added excise taxes to every phone bill you got, I beleive is was during WWII. And yes they did not come off even when the war was over until very recently if my memory serves me as correct. Don't assume that the surcharge will be eliminated or reduced if by some miracle the price of oil drops significantly.

We are all having to get used to everything going up in cost/price and as a retiree it relly hurts sometimes but what are you going to do, stay home and mope around the house or get out and enjoy life, you only get one chance at it.

P.S. You can also thank our government for continually reducing the intrest rate for the falling value of the dollar against the Euro and the Canadian dollar.

Posted By Laird on November 30, 2007, 12:41 PM

I understand people not wanting to pay more for anything after the contract was made. In the case of Royal/Celebrity, they were honoring anyone who had already paid. This was a "nice" thing for them to do. Plus, it saved the hassle of having to go back on any contracts that weren't final.
Carnival Corp (Princess, Cunard, Costa, etc.) wasn't as nice.

I understand that the cost of business goes up and down all the time. I think it would have been better to simply up the cost of all cruises that haven't already been booked. Then they can remove it when sales volume is affected.

In the case of people sailing on long trips, you aren't getting hit too badly (they cap the surcharge at apx. 10 days worth). It is the shorter ones where you feel the hit a bit more.

But lets be honest, a cruise is still a BARGAIN by any measure. Considering inflation, they have gone down in price about 300% in the past 20 years. It used to only be the upper class who could afford them. To be able to eat all you want, get entertainment, kids clubs, and a "hotel", it is a complete bargain.

The statement by one person to cut tips is absolutely rediculous. Those people get paid nothing, so why punish them? This just makes you a jerk, not change anything in the industry. Why not just drink a little less??

If an additional $70 makes you not cruise, then you are too cheap to be sailing anyway. Find a Motel 6 and go to the arcade for your next vacation with your family.

Posted By Come on people! on November 30, 2007, 12:48 PM

Not a nice thing to do I agree. $70 may not be a big deal but for many it's the principle of the matter. You both agreed on a price and you paid. Not only that but if you paid many months in advance they have had your money and have been earning interest on that money. So what are you to do? Well you could ask for your money back as they are breaching their contact with you. All in all it depends how much your principles are worth because Im sure it's going to cost you more then the $70 to fight them on this matter. So do write them a letter (not an email) and let them know that because of this practice they have lost you as a customer because of their dishonest practices. If enough people do this they will take note, because its the bottom line they care about...

Posted By Greg on November 30, 2007, 3:52 PM

What is the definition of a contract? Does a contract have any weight? More specifically, does a "bill paid in full" hold water? I guess "paid in full" doesn't really mean "paid in '"full"' if after paying the final amount a year before, Carnival Cruise sends you a letter saying they are charging you an additional $5/day fee per person because of rising costs whether it be fuel or anything else. It adds up into to hundreds of extra dollars when you are traveling with a only a few people.

Logically, then, when booking with Carnival Cruise, "Paid in full" can never be true until the very last minute because you never know when they will add additional charges to a "paid in full" ticket/contract.

It doesn't cost to cancel and get back your "paid in full" amount (provided the final payment deadline date has not arrived yet).

Go ahead, look for other deals for traveling. You "will" find another deal other than cruises.

Posted By Mehta on November 30, 2007, 5:01 PM

What if there's a tomatoe crop failure - 10% more for your salad. Build the cost into the price right up front and just charge people what they need to pay - skip the deception and game playing.

I didn't charge RCCL for the 7 hour bus trip to Ensenada from San Diego or for inept tendering and missing my prepaid tour!

Seems to be a one way street for cruise lines.

Posted By J Gillies on November 30, 2007, 7:35 PM

While Carnival Corporation is ripping off cruisers with their late application of fuel fees, it looks like they are also ripping off stockholders as the insiders are being paid up to 105% of the current or recent stock price - that's higher than anyone else can get. It's not like he's not already a billionaire!

Posted By David Epstein on December 1, 2007, 12:47 AM

I have to agree with everyone who says they paid in full and should not get hit with a surcharge.
Remember that Carnival is the parent company of about 90% of the cruise lines out there - you will have to really search to find one that is not Carnival owned. So switching from Holland America to NCL doesn't really do anything to Carnival - just moves the money from one pocket to another.
The only sure way to get their attention is to cancel the cruise and book some other type of vacation. Only when the ship is sailing half full will they realize the error of their business model.
Last year we talked some friends into sailing with us on Holland Am... we had booked early with the line. They went to a cruise agent and wound up with a better stateroom for less money and freebies like bottles of wine. Result - I will not sail with any Carnival line again. If you can't give your repeat customers the best deal they can get, you do not deserve their business.

Posted By Alan Joyner on December 1, 2007, 3:01 PM

We know fuel costs are rising, but the cruise lines knew that too and probably purchased their fuel well in advance in anticipation of the rise. Just consider how much the cruise lines collect from us to pay for this "rise" It will more than cover the cost. We'll think twice before booking with Carnival. They wouldn't let us cancel without a hefty penalty fee. I can hardly wait to see how much they will require us to tip!!

Posted By Nancy Mason on December 1, 2007, 5:09 PM

Hey "Gimme a break" -- did you ever sign a contract for a house, a car, or something else relatively expensive? A contract clearly spells out the fees you're expected to pay and what you get for that fee. You'd be peeved if you showed up to pick up your new car or close on your new house, only to find extra fees tacked on. Contracts give people protection against unscrupulous people -- like the cruise industry. I wouldn't waste my time taking them to court, but then they figure everyone thinks that way so they can get away with tacking on extra charges.

Posted By Sue on December 10, 2007, 12:30 PM

You want to fight back...
Advise all your friends sailing any of the Carnival Corp. owned cruise lines:
Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Cunard, Princess, and Seabourn.
Also not mentioned is Royal Caribbean has also taken this illegal practice and implemented the same fuel surcharge to guest already booked.
Don't Leave A Gratuity.
Yes it's hurting the wrong people but the cruise lines didn't seem to care in hurting all previous booked guest. This will cause dissention and the message will be sent.

Posted By Dennis on December 11, 2007, 12:04 AM

I work for the second largest consumer of diesel fuel in the world, the first being the U.S. Navy. My employer buys fuel years in advance of usage thus locking in the price. My guess is the cruise lines do the same, and if they don't they need different management. If their fuel cost is locked we are being legally robbed. Anyone paying these fees without a fight or at least a letter of intent to never purchase their product again should be given several lashes. And then be required to tip the wielder of the whip.

Posted By Kasey Mclaughlin on December 11, 2007, 6:53 AM

The cruise lines are lacking honor. They advertise a price and in good faith a customer pays it. To demand additional payment is such bad business practice that I hope all consumers take their vacation dollars from the cruise lines and plan a different trip. If they did not budget in obvious rising fuel prices, then they should take the loss as any business should do for good customer standing. I was going to book a Carnival cruise next week, but after reading this I think I will just fly to the Bahamas instead.

Posted By Suzanne on December 18, 2007, 2:22 PM

Businesses whose profit is affected by the change of gas/oil prices hedge their risk by entering into future/forward agreement to lock in a fixed future price. However, I believe airliners and cruiseliners are those industries that don't and passes those rising costs to the consumers because it's an industry standard. Yes, if they all agree not to as an industry, they could get away with it because there is no competitive pricing. This is basically absurd and ridiculous, and something needs to be done!

Posted By Diana on December 18, 2007, 5:49 PM