Cruise line fuel surcharges

I mentioned in the past that recently added air and cruise line fuel surcharges were here to stay. I was wrong and also surprised by the recent action of Carnival Corporation. They announced that fuel surcharges would be dropped for 2010 sailings. Their 2010 cruise fares will be increased to reflect increased fuel costs.

For people sailing in 2008 and 2009 Carnival did spell out the possibility of relief from the fuel surcharges. Essentially if the price of light sweet crude oil stays below $70.00 a barrel for 30 consecutive trading days or more before your sailing date they will refund the surcharge as a ship board credit.

These are steps in the right direction. Now all we need to have the cruise companies to do is to advertise a complete price. Bundling all the extra fees into one price, none of this cruise for $44.00 a day plus port taxes, fuel surcharges, non commissionable fee and so forth. An out the cabin door price please in all ads and promotions.