Fuel Surcharges

This week, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that a new fuel surcharge would be added to all cruises embarking after February 1, 2008, on six of its affiliated cruise lines. In addition to Carnival, the tax of $5 per person per day will be added on all Princess, Costa, Seabourn, Holland America and Cunard cruises.

This unwelcome new tax applies only to the first and second passengers in each room and is capped at a maximum of $70 per person per cruise regardless of length, but it nonetheless feels like a slap in the face to anyone who booked early, especially if they already booked independent air for their trip. This tax applies regardless of whether it is a new booking, a deposited reservation, or even a reservation already paid in full.

I feel as outraged as anyone about this new surcharge, although we all know from trips to our local gas stations that fuel prices have skyrocketed over the last few years.

Often, because it is the largest cruise company, Carnival is the bellweather of changes in the industry, and other major cruise lines will almost undoubtedly follow suit with some similar policy, just as they did when Carnival eliminated all travel agent commissions on airfare.

Regent Seven Seas, for example, announced a new fuel surcharge of $7.50 per person per day for all 2008 cruises not paid in full by December 1, 2007.

I apologize on behalf of the cruise industry to all affected by these new fuel surcharges.