Fuel Surcharge

[Kurbanfan]

Just to let you know Carnival wasnt the only line that did this.

 

 

I do believe Carnival Corp is the only one that hit the people that were paid in full.......

[Earthworm Jim]

Don't worry, the price of oil has dropped drastically the last few days, so I'm sure Carnival will be eliminating that extra surcharge for us now.

 

For all the people supporting the surcharge, I have yet to see an answer to my question whether they think Carnival would have given you a credit it the price of fuel had dropped radically after you booked a cruise.

 

They can't have it both ways. If they are going to cut their loses at our expense when prices go up, they should be willing to cut their profits to our benefit if prices go down.

[tbjl24]

They can't have it both ways. If they are going to cut their loses at our expense when prices go up, they should be willing to cut their profits to our benefit if prices go down.

 

Good luck with that. I believe that IF oil dropped back down to $50 or $60 a barrel, than yes, I think Carnival would drop the price. The issue here is that oil has gone up to anywhere between $90 - $100 barrel and is not going back down to $50 or $60 anytime soon or EVER.

 

The fact is, this is capitalism at its best. If you don't like the way Carnival handles it's business, there are plenty of other lines out there. That is how you will show Carnival, by cancelling.

 

I don't believe we the consumers can have it both ways either, Carnival has a business to run. I signed a contract to pay a certain amount, with fine print that states Carnival can add a fuel surcharge. I think we should be very fortunate that they allow us to get a lower rate once we have agreed to a price, i.e onboard credits, refunds when there is a price drop. If I take into account the amout on OBC I have received as a result of price drops, I am still up over these fuel surcharges.

 

Personally, I don't mind the surcharge(it was bound to happen) and I love Carnival's product, so I will continue to sail with them.

 

Anyway, rant over.

[firefly333]

Don't worry, the price of oil has dropped drastically the last few days, so I'm sure Carnival will be eliminating that extra surcharge for us now.

 

For all the people supporting the surcharge, I have yet to see an answer to my question whether they think Carnival would have given you a credit it the price of fuel had dropped radically after you booked a cruise.

 

They can't have it both ways. If they are going to cut their loses at our expense when prices go up, they should be willing to cut their profits to our benefit if prices go down.

 

What do you consider a radical drop in the price of oil?

 

I think until it goes back below $60 a barrel, the surcharge will stay. Yes I think Carnival will take it off if the price of oil dropped that radically. It was down to $88.50 earlier when I was watching CNBC, so it could drop.

[Simon08]

I talked to my PVP, who was very nice and diplomatic by saying that he didn't agree they were charging people who have already booked. Apparently Carnival is not budging on this for anyone, and they're not giving any OBC to make up for the charge.

 

Other cruise lines have added the fuel surcharge, but only for new bookings. Carnival is the only one charging people who have already booked and paid. I guess this is another one of those fine print things. My PVP did say that if the price of oil goes down they'll be refunding or giving OBC to make up for that, but I have a hard time believing that one.

[big_duck]

Other cruise lines have added the fuel surcharge, but only for new bookings.

 

In most cases that isn't true. All Carnival corp brand names are the same as CCL and most of the others are not charging the supplement if your cruise is paid in full before date x. If you can't make the deadline you are paying the supplement old bookings too.

[bubbles1209]

My PVP agreed with the way I felt about it too, she didn't think it was right for them to tack it on to passengers that were already paid in full, but like us, she doesn't make the rules where she works either. I agree with other posters who say that they think folks will decrease their tips and take it out on the staff. They didn't do it. I know it gets expensive, we paid it for our cabin on Miracle ($80.00 for 2), the 3 cabins we have booked on Liberty ($210.00) , and for our cabin on Freedom in 09 (another $80.00), so yes it gets expensive for multiple cabins. I don't agree with it being tacked on after final payment was made, there's nothing I can do to change it, sure I could write this one and that one in protest, but by the time it's all settled, the cruise will be over, the money spent, and another will be planned. Life is too short to fuss about the little things, we should be enjoying it to the fullest every day, not taking any time at all forgranted, not fussing about rules we don't make and things that aren't gonna change anytime soon. There are lots of thing far more precious and valuable than money. I watched a story on the local news last night where a woman tooke her 2 children a 1-year old, and a 3-year old and took them into a restroom at a convenience store, had a steak knife, and killed both of her children. Now that is a real problem.

[murcielago]

If you are a family traveling together and are on a budget, it can be a pretty big deal. Most of us have 2 cabins ( double plus triple) and that adds another $140 to bill. After talking with the other families in our group, we have decided to limit our purchases onboard. That means definitely no ship sponsored shore excursions, pictures, bar drinks, and casino. We will still have a great time, we just will not give the cruise line any of our spending money. I think in the long run, the lines will make the extra money upfront, but onboard the spending will be alot less. It also creates alot of "ill feelings" towards Carnival Corp. especially for those who already paid in full. I believe they should of made this retroactive to NEW bookings only, not those paid in full or fully deposited. :mad:

 

For those who have alittle more finances it probably doesn't change a thing, but for families who have saved years to travel on the ship it makes quite a difference in our "fun money."

 

The price should not go up any more after the fuel surcharge. I agree with you that guests that were already booked should have been spared the price hike. I don't blame you if you want to save on some other things. You are NOT punishing Carnival in any way, you are protecting your pockets. Enjoy your cruise and have fun.

[Snorkel2Much]

Good luck with that. I believe that IF oil dropped back down to $50 or $60 a barrel, than yes, I think Carnival would drop the price. The issue here is that oil has gone up to anywhere between $90 - $100 barrel and is not going back down to $50 or $60 anytime soon or EVER.

 

The fact is, this is capitalism at its best. If you don't like the way Carnival handles it's business, there are plenty of other lines out there. That is how you will show Carnival, by cancelling.

 

I don't believe we the consumers can have it both ways either, Carnival has a business to run. I signed a contract to pay a certain amount, with fine print that states Carnival can add a fuel surcharge. I think we should be very fortunate that they allow us to get a lower rate once we have agreed to a price, i.e onboard credits, refunds when there is a price drop. If I take into account the amout on OBC I have received as a result of price drops, I am still up over these fuel surcharges.

 

Personally, I don't mind the surcharge(it was bound to happen) and I love Carnival's product, so I will continue to sail with them.

 

Anyway, rant over.

{Bolding mine} Did you book before Nov 7th? The fine print read quite differently on Nov 5th, when I downloaded my eDocs, than it reads now. Still feel like consumers want it both ways?

 

I have no desire to dispute your opinions, although I disagree with several of your conclusions, I just wanted to point out that what you've stated as a fact is not necessarily true.

[dbookman1]

My two Cent's;

They gave every one plenty of notice about the fuel charge, and consider that most of the other cruise lines have done the same thing well it's not that much. I don't like it but I understand it, heck I drive a toyota and my cost's for a fill up have gone from 30 to 50 to fill it up in the past 2 years. I still think Carnival is the best provider for what I want and at the best price. If that extra amount is going to get you so upset you can't enjoy the vacation then go some where else.

 

As to the OP. I have been cruising for over 6 year's and this is only the second time I've had any kind of a surcharge. The first was when a port increased their Per Person Tax. Had to pay an extra $5.00. I'd be more worried about the airlines adding a fee or if you are driving, think of the port charges (Parking) that you have to pay $140!!!! That's gone up to that from $80.00 in the past 2 years. Talk about getting used!

 

David