Fuel Surcharge Increases AGAIN ...

[pms4104]

In a conversation earlire this aftrnoon with a HAL tele-rep, I learned that the fuel surcharge is set to increase again for bookings made on/after June 12, 2008. I just checked, and the announcement already is shown on HAL's website:
http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Advisories.action

While this applies to new bookings effective June 12, I imagine it also will impact those who choose to do a cancel and rebook after that date to take advantage of promos being offered for new bookings only.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

In a conversation earlire this aftrnoon with a HAL tele-rep, I learned that the fuel surcharge is set to increase again for bookings made on/after June 12, 2008. I just checked, and the announcement already is shown on HAL's website:
http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Advisories.action

While this applies to new bookings effective June 12, I imagine it also will impact those who choose to do a cancel and rebook after that date to take advantage of promos being offered for new bookings only.
Oh Well sadly it is to be expected but I wish they would have waited till at least June 15th. I had planned to book the Zuiderdam for September 2009 once we get on the Amsterdam on the 13th:o

[pms4104]

Oh Well sadly it is to be expected but I wish they would have waited till at least June 15th. I had planned to book the Zuiderdam for September 2009 once we get on the Amsterdam on the 13th:o
And, sadly, if you don't wait til you board the Amsterdam you'll have to make full deposit rather than the wonderful $100 amount with the FCC. But, who knows, as the year marches on, there may be more fuel surcharge increases and, happily, you'll be protected from those whether you book on the Amsterdam or before then.

[Crusing Bob]

there are TA's that work with the $100 deposit if you check into it

[pms4104]

there are TA's that work with the $100 deposit if you check into it
I'm sure there are ... mine is not one of them, but I am more than happy with her pricing and service. Personally, full or reduced deposit is not a deal-breaker.

I commented to Lisa about the reduced deposit because I've understood from her posts that she does book on board and, therefore, takes advantage of that reduced deposit offering.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

The $28 is certainly not going to break me:D I was just stating that it is too bad that they could not have waited a couple of days. Definitely not worth trying to find a TA that does the $100 deposit plus I would lose ship board credit for having booked on board. Just simply unfortunate luck but who knows with the rate cruises are selling prices for September 2009 could drop nicely and would more than make up this difference;)
But if someone was thinking of booking it would be worth doing it now rather than waiting, especially if you have a floating deposit sitting out there.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I also noticed that this afternoon when I was checking out some cruises. After June 12, 2008 - $9 per person per day with a cap at either $126 or $128 per person for the longer cruises.

[pms4104]

the increased amount for the 3rd and 4th passenger in a cabin will, after June 12, be near the introductory $5/person/day fuel surcharge amount ... when no surcharge was assessed for other than the 1st and 2nd person in the cabin.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have taken advantage of the $100 per person for future bookings and have had no trouble combining them with AMEX Plat and Carnial shipboard credit.

Also we have changed our minds about a couple of cruises and when our TA canceled one cruise and booked another, that $100 deposit was moved over to the new cruise AS WELL as the shipboard credit that we got while booking on board.

[GmaPajama]

I had planned to book the Zuiderdam for September 2009 once we get on the Amsterdam.

Lisa! Are we finally going to sail together? We've been pricing the 09/29/09 Zuiderdam! :)

Donna

[pipedreams62]

Before the booze smugglers start filling up their shampoo bottles with fuel instead of booze.


http://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/image/A1761/176129/300_176129.jpg

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa! Are we finally going to sail together? We've been pricing the 09/29/09 Zuiderdam! :)

Donna
Donna, sadly no, we are looking at Setpember 5th 12th or 19th for Alaska. Strangely the 5th and 19th are $100PP cheaper:confused: and the 12th is really the date I would prefer. Most likely will just book the 12th since that is the date that works the best.:)

[Sundagger]

Effective with bookings after June 20, NCL is going to $11 pp/pd for the first two and $5 pp/pd for 3rd & 4th in the cabin.

[pms4104]

Effective with bookings after June 20, NCL is going to $11 pp/pd for the first two and $5 pp/pd for 3rd & 4th in the cabin.
And my guess is that HAL likely will need to raise the fee again by year-end.

[jhannah]

I'm confident the surcharge will continue to increase.

[silvercruiser]

I don't understand the problem of not being able to use your FCCs when booking through a TA. I always do it that way.

[hammybee]

Before the booze smugglers start filling up their shampoo bottles with fuel instead of booze.


http://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/image/A1761/176129/300_176129.jpg


You have outdone yourself, again. :)

[hammybee]

I'm confident the surcharge will continue to increase.

Oh yeah.....

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Oh yeah.....
The hardest step was the very first one, now it just get's easier for them to do this. It will soon get to the point that in some cases the fuel surcharge will be more than the cost of the cruise :eek:

[RedmondCruiser]

I wonder how much of the fuel charges are off set onto the futures market ? They have to have some stability in the market place and buying on the futures market is to only way to do it. Anyone know how far ahead they have to buy contracts ?

[hammybee]

I wonder how much of the fuel charges are off set onto the futures market ? They have to have some stability in the market place and buying on the futures market is to only way to do it. Anyone know how far ahead they have to buy contracts ?

Stability in the futures market? Surely you jest?

[hammybee]

The hardest step was the very first one, now it just get's easier for them to do this. It will soon get to the point that in some cases the fuel surcharge will be more than the cost of the cruise :eek:

Realistically, I think the fuel surcharge has the potential to become a meaningful percentage of the cost of the cruise as it will just about everything we do.

[PennyAgain]

I'd rather pay a fuel surcharge than have a cruiseline cut the food budget! They have already cut the entertainment budget.

[triciaminkc]

We actually got a check from our TA for $70 today. It had a post it note on it that said fuel supplement refund. ???!!!

[pms4104]

We actually got a check from our TA for $70 today. It had a post it note on it that said fuel supplement refund. ???!!!
Depending on when one booked, in relation to the intro of the fuel surcharge, some are either getting a refund or OBC. It was discussed a couple of weeks ago on the board.

So ... don't question it, just enjoy your refund.

[cf_chuck]

I wonder how much of the fuel charges are off set onto the futures market ? They have to have some stability in the market place and buying on the futures market is to only way to do it. Anyone know how far ahead they have to buy contracts ?


There are few companies that have (in the past) exercised futures fuel contracts. This might change given the current environment. I don't know how long into the future these contracts are written. One of the problems of futures contracts is that they are much like insurance policies. When you need them, they are a great safety net. But they cost money that gets passed on to the passengers, even though there is no specific need. It's generally easier for carriers to pass on the increased expense as it's incurred rather than have passengers pay for some future possibility. :eek:

[airlink diva]

Thank God that I'm booked and paid for!! However I'm not shock by this. If gas is going up for us, you know the ship prices are high.
I hope HAL spread some of their ships along the east coast(New York, Boston,Baltimore,Charleston), Texas, New Orleans or Moblie. While gas prices are high, if a port is within a day drive of alot people, they can still keep the ships filled