Will Cruise Line Fuel Surcharges Return?

[LauraS]

Cruise Critic has just posted the following news:

Will Cruise Line Fuel Surcharges Return?

Read the entire news article...

[elcano]

I think they will start introducing fuel surcharges sooner than later.

[JKrise]

Should the fuel surcharge be reinstated, I will exercise my option to adjust (read "reduce") my onboard spending to offset the effects of the fuel surcharge.

The quickest ways to recoup/neutralize the fuel charge....

....Limit or Avoid time in the Casino
....Adult beverages....really don't need them.
....Specialty Restauruant is out.
....On Board BINGO...Nope.
....Photos...No thanks.
....I have enought T-Shirts
....any many other revenue streams will be valved off.

Now...on the other hand....should the fuel charge NOT be instituated for cruises close to departure..(mine ), I fully intend to keep the revenue stream valve wide open. I have been saving for two years for this and I will have fun, but not at the expense of feeling like I have been "_______" (fill in what you will).

No matter what I intend to have fun, I may just have to make/adjust choices on what to spend my $$$ on.

[scrozuk]

Of course they'll bring the fuel surcharge back, surprised they haven't already!!!

As JKrise said though, if I find in November that my cruise has fuel surcharges added, then this will affect how much I would spend on the ship.

Scrozuk

[tyfh]

I find it VERY interesting that the cost for a ticket on Celebrity has been reduced the same amount of the "possible" fuel surcharge increase. I have been following the prices ... and as soon as they started to feature the potential of a surcharge, the cost for a ticket was reduced the same amount. SO ... the new ticket buyer will not be hit, it is the people that bought their tickest long ago that will make up the difference. They say they have a right to impose ... it is being made VERY clear that they WILL impose.

[SISSY III]

If it comes to spending onboard or fuel surcharges guess what!!??
My spending will DRASTICALLY be reduced.

[Angsa]

Is there any news from RCCL or X? Today is 18 June 2009 already. (At least in the Far East it is).

[MisterBill99]

I assume that none of the cruise lines have said anything yet. I know that Celebrity has plastered their site with "we reserve the right, blah blah blah". Likely no one wants to be the first to do it but once one does, they all will. I've got 4 people on a 12 night cruise in July so I won't be happy if they institute it!

[hmsbob]

here it is july 2 have not heard or seen anything as to whether any of the cruise lines have added the fuel surcharge.

[fireauthor]

Fortunately, the price of crude oil has been going down lately. That may save July sailors like me from having a fuel surcharge imposed, and perhaps be the only bright spot in a poor global economic picture. So far, no news is good news!

We'll soon see!

[Devil Dog]

As long as oil is under $70 US Dollars per barrel no increases. If the price is above for more than 5 weeks ( not sure how many weeks, maybe 7) then they charge the supplement. If the fuel charge is added, I believe around 9 US dollars per day it will have zero effect on my spending. I spend as much as I want when I vacation but I am a wise consumer. I will go to the specialty restaurants and the Chefs table but I will not go to the casino or donate to bingo. I see the bingo lines that are around 600-700 passengers and each person pays $25 for on card per game and $50 to play 3 cards per game. These folks go as a couple maybe 6 times on a cruise of a week and that's $600 to play bingo for a couple to play 3 games at $100 a session, then they complain the Italian restaurant (that has a 15 course meal) is not worth the 20 dollar charge, Go Figure????

[MisterBill99]

Well, my cruise leaves next Tuesday and I think they're unlikely to impose the surcharge on something that close (even though they do have wording on the Celebrity site saying they can impose them), so I guess I am safe. Hope the rest of you who have upcoming cruises also escape this.

I think the crappy economy worked in our favor on this, no one wanted to impose them and risk having people cancel or be upset and reduce their on-board spending.

[MisterBill99]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog

These folks go as a couple maybe 6 times on a cruise of a week and that's $600 to play bingo for a couple to play 3 games at $100 a session, then they complain the Italian restaurant (that has a 15 course meal) is not worth the 20 dollar charge, Go Figure????

People will tell you that they can make money at bingo, the same way they can in the casino. They're using to paying for their gambling habit. They expect their food to be included when they are on a cruise.

[belizeN6]

Oil closed above $67 a barrel.

[zoncom]

I think cruise lines will NOT execute charge unless oil surges. Sales are bad now without it. Adding surcharge will turn off cruisers. Cruise lines will compensate by reducing discounting which I have noticed already.

[washind]

One of the benefits to playing Bingo while on a cruise. is that you loose your money slower.