Fuel Supplement announced (4 merged threads)

[Hflors]

I think that if the assessment of a fuel surcharge makes a person inordinately angry or upset, perhaps that person SHOULD cancel. Why should they spend all of that money when they're already predisposed to not have the kind of good time you should as a result of this change?

 

Drew you are right about being mad or upset, but unfortunately we have already booked "non-refundable" airfare and our two nights are also "non-refundable" So we are in a word "stuck". I also talked my sis & bil into coming because we kept going on and on about Celebrity. Funny thing, when this fuel surcharge thing started happening with the "other" cruise lines I told everyone that Celebrity would just start charging the new bookings and even went to the website and saw the the fares had been increased. Never thought that they would increase our booked and deposited contract. Oh well its all spilt milk now. We will pay the fuel surcharge, because we have no choice.

 

I know some people on these boards don't have to worry about money and I am happy for them, but we are not one of them. We save to take our cruises we watch for deals and specials so we can afford to have a nice vacation (it's the only one we get) but we need to know what the cost is going to be before we buy!

 

I got an e-mail from the ta and they enclosed a copy of the letter they received from Celebrity about the fuel surcharge and since we are paying it we will get one free logo item (dh and I get to share it) so I went to the captain's club e-mail and told them exactly what the could do with their "one logo item per stateroom!"

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[rixtur]

My take on the matter is twofold. First everyone should voice their complaint even if you feel that it won't make a difference. Call Celebrity and send them an e-mail telling them you how you feel.:mad: Secondly, make an effort to reduce the number of Celebrity sponsored excursions that you take and don't spend extra on board for spa treatments and souvenirs. :eek: This is something we can all do to take an active approach to being treated unfairly and to have an impact. Skip the specialty dinning venues and the casinos.

[Jade13]

At least two people who have filed complaints with the Fl Attorney General post that they received phone calls today. I did not. One reports that he was told that all the cruise lines counsel have been contacted for statements and that a preliminary inviestigation has been opened.

 

I have both the Celebrity Caribbean 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 broshures. Both have the same language under "Cruise Vacation Price". In the latest catalogue it is on page 64 (second to last).

 

While the second to last paragraph is as you typed with "..liable..for..that may be assessed by any governmental or quasi-governmental agencies..", the last paragraph states:

 

"In addition, Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to assess air/sea guests a charge covering any fuel, security or other applicable surcharge increases assessed against Celebrity Cruises."

 

I am not an attorney but that line is not attached to the one approve it which specifies "governmental agencies" so I think passengers are out of luck.

[Susan-M]

Secondly, make an effort to reduce the number of Celebrity sponsored excursions that you take and don't spend extra on board for spa treatments and souvenirs. :eek: Skip the specialty dinning venues and the casinos.

 

In other words, "don't get mad, get even." Sounds like a fun way to spend a vacation.:rolleyes:

[Captain Jake]

I wouldn't put it that way.I would say that you can stay within the budget by giving up one thing.You can still have a fantastic time

[badger71]

to jade13

i do not have the benefit of the brochure. is there a definition of "air/sea guestis the /yours or does it appear that way in the brochure/

depending on how air/sea guest is defined, it may be possible to argue that just sea guests are not properly covered by the surcharge:)

[jaxon41]

I have both the Celebrity Caribbean 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 broshures. Both have the same language under "Cruise Vacation Price". In the latest catalogue it is on page 64 (second to last).

 

While the second to last paragraph is as you typed with "..liable..for..that may be assessed by any governmental or quasi-governmental agencies..", the last paragraph states:

 

"In addition, Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to assess air/sea guests a charge covering any fuel, security or other applicable surcharge increases assessed against Celebrity Cruises."

 

I am not an attorney but that line is not attached to the one approve it which specifies "governmental agencies" so I think passengers are out of luck.

 

Yes, I see that, now, too. It refers to the fuel surcharge/security fee which could increase with air travel booked by X far in advance. It is a fee assessed AGAINST X, and really is not unlike the language above it except, it is not assessed by a government agency. This fuel surcharge now being imposed by X on its pre booked passengers is not a charge assessed against X -- it is a cost of doing business, and totally in their control (hedge, own your own tankers, raise rates) and accounted for when they set their fares.

 

Why wasn't included in a fare increase? Because TA's would get a commission on it.

[dmk]

My particular annoyance is the fact that no advanced warning was given. Perhaps, many of us would have made our final payments in advance of our dates. Celebrity would have all that money in their hot litle hands.

I think an en masse email might be helpful. I remember in the past when Celebrity wanted to charge a fee for the thallostherapy pools on the Mclass ships, we all emailed Celebrity and they decided not to implement that fee.

[TeacherSus]

This just in...

 

Due to weather conditions in the south, the price per bushel of lettuce has vastly increased.

 

Beginning on all cruises after February 1, 2008, passengers will be charged a "salad surcharge" of $2.00 per person, per day, for the first two passengers per cabin.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[SheilaNC]

While I certainly understand and agree with the frustration with lack of notification prior re: final payment date, I did find it helpful to read this CC comparison of fuel surcharge article. http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=580

[excitedofharpenden]

 

I think an en masse email might be helpful. I remember in the past when Celebrity wanted to charge a fee for the thallostherapy pools on the Mclass ships, we all emailed Celebrity and they decided not to implement that fee.

I guess I am struggling to find the correlation. Huge difference as far as revenue is concerned.

 

Phil

[SHill64]

Skip.........the casinos.

What??! Are you nuts!!??!! :D

[FinelyCruising]

Hi,

Your info came at a great time, I am making final payment on Friday for our 10 night Feb 8 cruise. It will be the 4 people in our family. Am I reading this correctly, that it will only be $100.00, not the $200.00 I expected? Is it only for the first 2 people in the stateroom, and no charge for the other 2?

Thanks for posting,

Kim

 

Yes the math for you is this:

 

$5.oo per person per day....so $50.00 per person.

 

Since the stipulation is only for cruisers #1 and #2, it will be $100.00 to you. Third and Fourth are not assessed.

 

That's the good news and the bad news. :cool:

 

 

Here is the email I received for the benefit of all:

 

November 16, 2007

 

Dear Celebrity Cruises Guest,

 

We are writing to provide you with important information regarding a new

fuel supplement that Celebrity Cruises is implementing.

 

Today, in an effort to deal with the sharp increase in fuel prices, our

company announced the implementation of a fuel supplement of $5 per guest

per day for sailings that depart on or after February 1, 2008. The

supplement will assist our company in offsetting the widespread increases

in fuel prices, which have more than doubled in recent years.

 

We thank you for understanding our need to implement this fuel supplement.

We have gone to great lengths to minimize the impact of rising fuel costs,

for example, designing and building more fuel-efficient ships, installing

energy-saving lighting, and using air conditioning more efficiently.

Unfortunately, as fuel prices have reached record highs, we are forced to

take this extraordinary step to offset those costs. The supplement will be

periodically reviewed, with the intent of being temporary, and may be

adjusted as fuel prices fluctuate.

 

We have taken measures to soften the impact of this decision on our guests.

For example, we will not apply the supplement on any bookings where the

guest has already paid the full cost of the cruise. In addition, guests

who were booked before November 16, and who do not agree to pay the

supplement, may cancel their reservation prior to December 7, 2007, for a

full refund of all monies they have paid to the company, and they will not

be subject to any cancellation charges that would normally apply. Those

guests who do not cancel their reservation and pay in full will receive one

logo item per stateroom, onboard their cruise. Finally, the supplement

will apply only to the first and second guests in each stateroom and will

not exceed $70 per person, per sailing.

 

The supplement will be clearly noted as its own line item in our documents.

Payment of the fuel supplement may be submitted to our company through the

same means used to submit your cruise payment.

 

We know the rising cost of fuel has affected everyone, and, unfortunately,

our company is no different. We hope the options we are providing,

including additional time for guests to finalize vacation plans, will

underscore our commitment to our customers.

 

We appreciate your attention to this matter and we are happy to assist you

with the payment at any time. Thank you for choosing Celebrity Cruises.

 

Sincerely,

 

Celebrity Cruises

[usha]

I just emailed Celebrity to express my displeasure at the transparently bogus nature of the fuel surcharge they have billed to customers already under deposit. If nothing comes of it, well, then, at least I got out some angst!:o

[usha]

This is what I emailed to Celebrity Cruises, (my name & email were changed to protect the innocent:D )

 

-----Original Message-----

From: usha:o

Sent: 11/20/2007 6:47:57 PM

To: web_reservations_cci@celebritycruises.com

Subject: Reservations (guests living in the U.S. and Canada)

 

My Past Cruise Information

 

Ship: Summit

Sail Date: 02 9, 2008

Booking ID: xxxxxxx

 

Our Feb.9, 2008 Summit cruise will be our 21st Celebrity cruise. It is especially disappointing to see Celebrity Cruises adding on a fuel surcharge to bookings already under deposit. I realize that "everybody's doing it", but, please! This is so transparently bogus! Your fuel has been bought & paid for many, many months before the big price increases! It's a very unfortunate greedy grab, and it leaves a VERY bad taste in my mouth.

Is this REALLY the way you want to deal with loyal customers?

 

Sincerely,

usha:o

[FinelyCruising]

I buy utility and I contract for a specific period of time. Right now I have to repurchase some utiltity costs and I'll bet my rates are going to be more than I paid last contract.

 

I pass these costs on to other companies as operting expenses, which at the end of the day they are oligated to pay like them or not. Since I do my level best to keep these kinds of expenses down and pay sooth-sayers to hedge the best rates, I have done everything humanly possible to manage the increasing costs.

 

If I received letters that were uniformed and accusatory, as described, I'd file them.

[Hflors]

This is what I emailed to Celebrity Cruises, (my name & email were changed to protect the innocent:D )

 

-----Original Message-----

From: usha:o

Sent: 11/20/2007 6:47:57 PM

To: web_reservations_cci@celebritycruises.com

Subject: Reservations (guests living in the U.S. and Canada)

 

My Past Cruise Information

 

Ship: Summit

Sail Date: 02 9, 2008

Booking ID: xxxxxxx

 

Our Feb.9, 2008 Summit cruise will be our 21st Celebrity cruise. It is especially disappointing to see Celebrity Cruises adding on a fuel surcharge to bookings already under deposit. I realize that "everybody's doing it", but, please! This is so transparently bogus! Your fuel has been bought & paid for many, many months before the big price increases! It's a very unfortunate greedy grab, and it leaves a VERY bad taste in my mouth.

Is this REALLY the way you want to deal with loyal customers?

 

Sincerely,

usha:o

 

Please let us know if you get a response. I e-mailed Celebrity & called on Friday of last week. No response yet. I guess I shouldn't hold my breath. I also E-mailed them what they could do with their "logo Item".

[jaxon41]

This is what I emailed to Celebrity Cruises, (my name & email were changed to protect the innocent:D )

 

-----Original Message-----

From: usha:o

Sent: 11/20/2007 6:47:57 PM

To: web_reservations_cci@celebritycruises.com

Subject: Reservations (guests living in the U.S. and Canada)

 

My Past Cruise Information

 

Ship: Summit

Sail Date: 02 9, 2008

Booking ID: xxxxxxx

 

Our Feb.9, 2008 Summit cruise will be our 21st Celebrity cruise. It is especially disappointing to see Celebrity Cruises adding on a fuel surcharge to bookings already under deposit. I realize that "everybody's doing it", but, please! This is so transparently bogus! Your fuel has been bought & paid for many, many months before the big price increases! It's a very unfortunate greedy grab, and it leaves a VERY bad taste in my mouth.

Is this REALLY the way you want to deal with loyal customers?

 

Sincerely,

usha:o

 

I think it is imporant to let the cruise lines know how you feel, but it is more important to let the Fl AG and your state AG know that as a consumer you expect contracts to be honored. You had a contract -- and that is the long and short of it. My AG requires you to down load a form -- I am sending it along with my complaint that I sent to the FL AG and that office's response. Although contacting the Maritime Commission is of no avail, a poster reports that they have received thousands of calls.

 

Large corporations may blow off an individual customer, but they cannot easily do that to the law.

[jaxon41]

This just in...

 

Due to weather conditions in the south, the price per bushel of lettuce has vastly increased.

 

Beginning on all cruises after February 1, 2008, passengers will be charged a "salad surcharge" of $2.00 per person, per day, for the first two passengers per cabin.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

Ha! the sad part is that under the new language of the contract, that can happen.

[Tatka]

IMHO surcharge is not the end of the world.. With dollar falling we'll see worse.

 

Companies are already losing money because of it (cruise lines are not American).

 

Crew is losing money, because of weakening $.

 

I hope all this won't hit cruise business too hard. :(

[jaxon41]

a request was made earlier for the old contract, in a pdf. A poster at the RCCL thread has just linked it.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/pdf/CTC_Not_For_BR.pdf

 

Notice there is no paragraph 21. The poster does not know the date of the PDF, however.

[jlhc99]

Hello All,

 

We are booked on Summit 2/2/08 Southern Carib. When I first saw this press release, I felt relieved that our TA called in our final payment on 1/15, so we missed the cut off. Mind you, we had no knowledge of this in advance (nor did she) we just wanted to get our final in before its 11/24 due date.

 

Today, for no apparent reason, I logged on to Celebrity's website to check pricing on our sailing. As fate would have it, the Sky Suite we booked is now $100pp cheaper than what we paid. Nothing we can do about that now since we our final is in. Guess $35pp in fuel surcharges would not have mattered to us - if we would have waited to make our final, we still would have saved $130.

 

We, like others, save for our vacations and this game both the airlines and cruiselines play with price fixing is purely insane. Regardless, we are going to have a wonderful time and I hope that is the same for all of you.

[kb4683]

Today, for no apparent reason, I logged on to Celebrity's website to check pricing on our sailing. As fate would have it, the Sky Suite we booked is now $100pp cheaper than what we paid. Nothing we can do about that now since we our final is in. Guess $35pp in fuel surcharges would not have mattered to us - if we would have waited to make our final, we still would have saved $130.

 

We, like others, save for our vacations and this game both the airlines and cruiselines play with price fixing is purely insane. Regardless, we are going to have a wonderful time and I hope that is the same for all of you.

 

 

Several of us on the Century TA 12/3/07 got price reductions after final payment. Worth a try!

[FinelyCruising]

Yes, I'd try too.

[Jade13]

a request was made earlier for the old contract, in a pdf. A poster at the RCCL thread has just linked it.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/pdf/CTC_Not_For_BR.pdf

 

Notice there is no paragraph 21. The poster does not know the date of the PDF, however.

 

Wrong Contract. We need the one for Celebrity, which I think would be the one printed in both the 2007/7008 and 2008/2009 broshures.