Rare Niagarawine Posted January 16 #1 Share Posted January 16 I was all set t book, then looked at port fees, 1900 dollars. Why so high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunther1 Posted January 16 #2 Share Posted January 16 A quick Google with “why are Panama Canal fees so high” produced this: Crossing the Panama Canal can be expensive due to a variety of factors. The main reasons for the high cost include the significant infrastructure and maintenance required to operate the canal, including locks, dredging, and ongoing improvements Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted January 16 #3 Share Posted January 16 13 minutes ago, Niagarawine said: I was all set t book, then looked at port fees, 1900 dollars. Why so high Panama Canal toll......it opened in 1914....one would think that it would be somewhat paid off by now, but we all know better....Government owns it.....$$$$$. It's quite impressive to go thru it....Quite an engineering feet and an operation......But once is enough for us....I'd rather cruise around it/avoid it now that I've got the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted January 16 #4 Share Posted January 16 18 minutes ago, Niagarawine said: I was all set t book, then looked at port fees, 1900 dollars. Why so high In addition to what @Gunther1 mentioned, Cruise Ships pay extra for a guaranteed time slot during daylight hours to provide the best experience for their guests. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunther1 Posted January 16 #5 Share Posted January 16 3 minutes ago, FlaMariner said: Panama Canal toll......it opened in 1914....one would think that it would be somewhat paid off by now, but we all know better....Government owns it.....$$$$$. It's quite impressive to go thru it....Quite an engineering feet and an operation......But once is enough for us....I'd rather cruise around it/avoid it now that I've got the time! There is now a second canal that was opened in 2016. That didn’t come cheap, I am sure. Also, I can only imagine the fees associated with what I mentioned earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted January 16 #6 Share Posted January 16 9 minutes ago, Gunther1 said: There is now a second canal that was opened in 2016. That didn’t come cheap, I am sure. Also, I can only imagine the fees associated with what I mentioned earlier. I think I've read on here that the new canal has an even higher toll? .....Every time I've been thru on Holland, it's always been a tight squeeze (w/a few scrapes to clean up in Aruba last year/Oosterdam) thru the original/old canal......Glad HAL isn't using that newer, more $$$ canal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Niagarawine Posted January 16 Author #7 Share Posted January 16 Thank you for all the answers, guess I will skip this one, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted January 16 #8 Share Posted January 16 2 hours ago, FlaMariner said: I think I've read on here that the new canal has an even higher toll? .....Every time I've been thru on Holland, it's always been a tight squeeze (w/a few scrapes to clean up in Aruba last year/Oosterdam) thru the original/old canal......Glad HAL isn't using that newer, more $$$ canal! Rotterdam is using the new locks because it is too big to fit through the original ones. Ships that can go through the original locks always do. The new locks are a different experience I am glad to have done but the original locks are a lot more interesting. Roy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted January 17 #9 Share Posted January 17 10 hours ago, Niagarawine said: I was all set t book, then looked at port fees, 1900 dollars. Why so high Is that for two or more people? My last Panama Canal cruise in October 2022 was a 23 day cruise from Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale. The port fees were "only" $655. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted January 17 #10 Share Posted January 17 The total charges for a cruise ship passage through the canal can be $300,000.00 or more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelliebiz Posted January 17 #11 Share Posted January 17 12 hours ago, Niagarawine said: I was all set t book, then looked at port fees, 1900 dollars. Why so high wow is that just for one person for Panama only? Or perhaps for all of the ports the cruise will visit? That does seem like a lot. I’m on a 15 night Panama Canal trip coming up and it’s “only” $655 for the whole trip, I believe 9 ports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted January 17 #12 Share Posted January 17 2 hours ago, kelliebiz said: wow is that just for one person for Panama only? Or perhaps for all of the ports the cruise will visit? That does seem like a lot. I’m on a 15 night Panama Canal trip coming up and it’s “only” $655 for the whole trip, I believe 9 ports See my post #9 above. Same port fees for me. OP hasn't answered yet if their figure was for more people or a much longer cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yerdua Posted January 17 #13 Share Posted January 17 Wow. Panama port fees have gone up a lot! In Nov 2022 we paid $435pp In port fees for a 14 day San Diego to FLL full transit of the canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real NHDOC Posted January 17 #14 Share Posted January 17 (edited) There’s never been any transparency when it comes to the cruise line’s taxes and port fees charges. Another area rife for being overcharged and since we can’t audit the books we just have to accept what we’re told is actually the correct amount. The fee that the Panama Canal charges is based upon the number of berths on the ship but is only around a couple hundred dollars per passenger. This year the canal had a lot of issues with water shortages and may have increased the rates but it still seems very high. Edited January 17 by Real NHDOC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipeeinthepools Posted January 17 #15 Share Posted January 17 7 hours ago, kelliebiz said: wow is that just for one person for Panama only? Or perhaps for all of the ports the cruise will visit? That does seem like a lot. I’m on a 15 night Panama Canal trip coming up and it’s “only” $655 for the whole trip, I believe 9 ports I had a 12 night on the Rotterdam scheduled for February 2025 that does the partial transit and the Total fees and taxes were $625 per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted January 17 #16 Share Posted January 17 54 minutes ago, Real NHDOC said: There’s never been any transparency when it comes to the cruise line’s taxes and port fees charges. Another area rife for being overcharged and since we can’t audit the books we just have to accept what we’re told is actually the correct amount. The fee that the Panama Canal charges is based upon the number of berths on the ship but is only around a couple hundred dollars per passenger. This year the canal had a lot of issues with water shortages and may have increased the rates but it still seems very high. Actually, since a class action suit against NCL a couple of decades ago, what is contained in the "port fees and taxes" line is closely limited. Secondly, the Canal no longer sets tariffs according to the number of berths on passenger ships. They now use the "Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System" which is close to Net Tonnage for the vessel, for the "capacity" portion of the tariff. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted January 17 #17 Share Posted January 17 20 hours ago, Niagarawine said: Thank you for all the answers, guess I will skip this one, It is a amazing thing to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Niagarawine Posted January 17 Author #18 Share Posted January 17 11 hours ago, oakridger said: Is that for two or more people? My last Panama Canal cruise in October 2022 was a 23 day cruise from Vancouver to Ft. Lauderdale. The port fees were "only" $655. It was for two people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Niagarawine Posted January 17 Author #19 Share Posted January 17 It was for two on a twelve day cruise in November. We did the nine day last yea and loved it so we were eying the twelve day one. A lot of people on board were on that one previously and they really enjoyed it. My husband was interested in it. We have the Welland canal here , not as warm. Right now I want warmth , minus 18 in sunny Hamilton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Haljo1935 Posted January 18 #20 Share Posted January 18 14 hours ago, chengkp75 said: Actually, since a class action suit against NCL a couple of decades ago, what is contained in the "port fees and taxes" line is closely limited. Secondly, the Canal no longer sets tariffs according to the number of berths on passenger ships. They now use the "Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System" which is close to Net Tonnage for the vessel, for the "capacity" portion of the tariff. Thanks for the info - always appreciate you jumping in w/industry insight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now