"Fares shown include Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses..."

[whogo]

114-Day Grand World Voyage

Fares shown include Taxs Fees & Port Expenses of $2.203.39, which are subject to change.

I received a new Holland America mailing with notes about taxes, fees and port expenses being included in each price. I have never seen this on a HAL flyer before. I think posting the price with these unavoidable expenses is great. It is unusual for a company to make pricing more transparent. Anyone know what is up? Is this now industry wide or Carnival Corporation wide?

[Assateague Island Princes]

I just received the same mailing minutes ago - was very pleased to see the taxes, etc. noted. I think it is a great idea as well - certainly makes booking that much easier to know all the upfront costs before hitting the 'buy' button, doesn't it?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Well since I don't get any regular mail or e-mails from HAL, I don't know their procedure for showing prices that way.

I do know that when I priced a cruise online, I saw on the left the price before the taxes, etc. Then on the right side I saw the final total with everything.

[Fouremco]

Some time ago, the Canadian government passed some truth in advertising legislation forcing a reluctant air travel industry to clearly provide the total cost in its advertising. It makes it so much easier for the travelling public. It's good to see at least one member of the cruise industry follow suit.

[SilvertoGold]

I am really happy to see the tax on the new booking site up front. Much better than the old system where you had to go further in the process to find the tax.

 

Now in the mailed brochures the tax is noted, too. A huge improvement.

[Typhoon1]

I believe this has been government mandated. Much the same as they did with the airlines.

[Ine]

Some time ago, the Canadian government passed some truth in advertising legislation forcing a reluctant air travel industry to clearly provide the total cost in its advertising. It makes it so much easier for the travelling public. It's good to see at least one member of the cruise industry follow suit.

 

For some years prices in The Netherlands (and most european countries) have to be including all taxes.

That sometimes was confusing because at first sight prices in the USA seemed cheaper not realising taxes were excluded. In total there often was hardly any difference.

[pms4104]

I think this move may be a HAL marketing tool rather than a government mandate ... Princess tried it out briefly (couple of months, maybe) a year or so ago, then went back to showing those amounts separately.

[richwmn]

If I am not mistaken, the reason for having the taxes, port charges, fees etc broken out was because of a court case. I believe it had to do with altering the price when those items changed and was to make the reason for the changes more transparent.

[take us away]

hmmm Thought the 'old' HAL booking website always showed port taxes, etc along with the fare and then the total amount in the right column when you were selecting a cabin.

[SilvertoGold]

hmmm Thought the 'old' HAL booking website always showed port taxes, etc along with the fare and then the total amount in the right column when you were selecting a cabin.

 

It did, but now you can see the taxes, etc at the bottom of the first page, the one with all the basic category pricing (inside, outside, balc, suite).

 

Much better because you don't have to go as far into the site to get the tax.