Dropping of fuel supplement is a rip off!!!

[VentureMan_2000]

Carnival announced today that it will "suspend the fuel supplement from all cruises departing on or after December 17, 2008", BUT BEWARE....THEY HAVE ALSO INCREASED EVERY CRUISE PRICE I CHECKED BY ALMOST THAT EXACT AMOUNT!!!! In addition, they also noted that they "reserve the right to re-instate the fuel supplement" effectively charging all of us DOUBLE!!!

 

 

OK... posting late, but why is it a rip-off...? Carnival posts the price for a cruise, and you decide is you are willing to pay for it or not.

 

Economists have a name for people who decide to purchase anything based on the price they see... the refer to them as "Price Discriminators".

 

Price Discriminators purchase on whether they think the price is a worthy deal of not, as to those who purchase goods and services regardless of price.

 

Price Discriminators do not deem a high price as a "Rip-Off"... they just deem the price as more than they are willing to pay. To take a simple stance and regard a Company adding the price of fuel to the price of a product as a rip-off is nothing more than simple mindedness.

 

It's OK to be angry that you may be priced out of a purchase... but to basically call names (i.e., Rir-off) becuase of it is nothing more than being imaturure. If you don't like a price, you should simply show your disatifaction with your feet and walk away... as opposed to whining and b**ching about how what you want to purchase is out of your price range.

 

And whining and b**ching on a public forum does not help... it just mkaes you a whiner and b**cher. :cool:

[Kurbanfan]

As the main poster seems to be upset with this suspension, those who really are to benefit are those of us who booked a cruise with a fuel supplement. Now since it is getting suspended, we get a lower overall cruise fare, and if it gets re-instated, it was something we had already planned to pay. Ultimately those who waited to book their cruises, will still pay the higher cruise fares. Sorry for anyone who had not yet booked their cruise for 2009.

 

No not true.......if someone is booking for 2009, they don't have to actually book right now. Sit, watch and wait for the prices to go down, then book......

This is what we have always done. We plan a year ahead. Pick out a few cruises we are interested in and watch the rates flutuate.....once we find a great price we book........

In our experience they have all come down in price.........sometimes we will catch a sale on those certain sailings......

[Luluwa]

I'm with you vacruizer. Thanks for saying it so well.:o

 

So let me get this straight. Everyone whined and complained when they instituted the charge. Then they whined and complained that the formula for the OBC was too complicated. Now we're whining and complaining that they've dropped the charge entirely? :rolleyes:

 

If you don't like the cruise price, then don't book. If they have raised fares to go with it, then so be it. If bookings are slow then they will lower the prices again. If the market bears the new rates, then more power to them - they are suffering not just from the past oil prices, but people spending less onboard for drinks, casino, jewelry, & spa services along with fewer bookings this winter. They need to make up for it somehow in order to keep profits up. So no, I don't think at all we are being ripped off.

[oceanseagle12]

As long as the increase was called a "supplement" we did not have to pay sales tax. Jacking the price up the amount of the supplement is plus the sales tax for the increase. When big business gets used to free money they are not going to give it up. I believe Carnival, even with the rate increases, is still the best bang for the buck in the cruise industry. The PR spin doctors can make even poop smell like flowers.

 

 

Exactly what sales tax are we paying?

[oceanseagle12]

Im sorry, I dont understand the complaints. Prices go up and down all the time. That's why so many people book early- to lock in at the price they are comfortable with. Heck, I've got a $260 credit on my booking, before the fuel credit because of changing prices.

 

But if I booked today, I'd pay more than my original booking, just because the ship is filling up. If it wasn't filling up, prices would go down and maybe I could wind up with an upgrade.

[kiraryker]

Sorry if this has been addressed (couldn't find it) but I am going to make my last payment on our cruise this month for our cruise in March 2009 so do I just take the fuel supplement off that amount?

 

Thanks for any help

[StevieG]

 

Lets hypothetically say that there was a week long cruise prior to the surcharges that went for $500pp. Then they tacked on the surcharge of $9 pp per day. Now that cruise is $563pp. Then they drop the surcharge of $63 so REALISTICALLY the price should now be back to $500pp right? Nope, they raised the price across the board to......you guessed it....$563pp!!!! I KNOW this is on new bookings only. My point, as the OP is trying to make is, if you're going to do away with the surcharges and then raise the price of the cruise to make up for the surcharge, why not just keep the surcharge and not try to "get something over on us" by "doing away with the surcharge"? My question on this hypothetical cruise is....if you're going to do away with the surcharge, the price should be the prior-to-the-surcharge rate of $500pp right??? It just seems utterly ridiculous to do away with the surcharge and raise the rate accordingly. Just keep the cotton pickin' surcharge and call it good!!!

 

I've never read so much gibberish in my life. Most people book their cruises well in advance. (just look at the people posting on this board) So Carnival is now refunding a huge chunk of money either in a price reduction for those who have not paid or an OBC for those who have. As for raising the price, that is merely pushing the 2010 planned increase back to now. Prices will fluctuate anyway so the prices that they have raised now will probably drop as they get closer to the cruise date if the ship is not filling. Current economic circumstances around the world would indicate that prices will be dropping and fairly significantly. That is how capitalism works. (Supply and Demand) So if you don't like the price then don't buy, but don't say they are somehow cheating you because they are giving you the price but you make the decision to purchase, so if you can find a similar cruise with another cruise line for less money there is no one stopping you from purchasing it.

[leadout_kv]

No not true.......if someone is booking for 2009, they don't have to actually book right now. Sit, watch and wait for the prices to go down, then book......

This is what we have always done. We plan a year ahead. Pick out a few cruises we are interested in and watch the rates flutuate.....once we find a great price we book........

In our experience they have all come down in price.........sometimes we will catch a sale on those certain sailings......

 

I agree mostly with this other than the fact that if one waits too long you may not get the room or type of room that you may want.

[Kurbanfan]

I agree mostly with this other than the fact that if one waits too long you may not get the room or type of room that you may want.

 

I agree if you need that wrap or aft balcony, then it probably won't work.......we always get 3 or 4 balcony cabins together mid ship and have never had a problem.....

Also I would stay away from sailings with groups on them.......they tend to sail out faster and usually don't drop in price......

Our TA always gives us the old "you better book early" spew too:D She should know by now it doesn't work. God bless her:)

[CruiserKatie]

just to make sure i am getting this correctly.

 

I booked November 20, 2008 for a cruise July 4, 2009.

I paid 182.00 in fuel surcharges.

 

I have paid 1000.00 on my bill which totalled 3209.00. My final payment will be reduced 182.00 for the fuel surcharges?

 

thanks?

Katie

[Tapi]

Carnival announced today that it will "suspend the fuel supplement from all cruises departing on or after December 17, 2008", BUT BEWARE....THEY HAVE ALSO INCREASED EVERY CRUISE PRICE I CHECKED BY ALMOST THAT EXACT AMOUNT!!!! YOU DECIDE, but I feel that we are being totally RIPPED OFF!!!:mad:

 

I just checked the cruise that I have planned on the Carnival Fantasy. The prices went up $37pp BUT the fuel surcharge was going to be $45pp, so I guess this announcement benefits me...!! :D

[kelz66]

How did I miss this thread?

 

:rolleyes::p:D

[VABeach]

 

You are forgetting that when they charged the fuel charge separately and your cruise price went down........your fuel charge stayed the same;) So in essence this is a better deal in the long run........

 

 

Oh good grief!!!

 

If you actually pay close enough attention, you know that prices can change several times in the same day!!! Prices change. It's mostly based on demand and availability.

 

Prices change for Hotels, Rental Cars, Plane Tickets, CRUISES, Gas - by the minute sometimes. It's the way this whole thing works. Now you know.

 

If you see a price you like, you need to book it. If you snooze and loose, then that's just how the game works. Sorry.

 

Nobody seems to be COMPLAINING that cruise prices are the lowest they have been in a really long time right now.

 

Just my personal opinion here, but if $63.00 makes or breaks your decision to go on vacation, you are probably too broke to go to begin with and should just take a "Staycation" instead. ~

[Kurbanfan]

 

Oh good grief!!!

 

If you actually pay close enough attention, you know that prices can change several times in the same day!!! Prices change. It's mostly based on demand and availability.

 

Prices change for Hotels, Rental Cars, Plane Tickets, CRUISES, Gas - by the minute sometimes. It's the way this whole thing works. Now you know.

 

If you see a price you like, you need to book it. If you snooze and loose, then that's just how the game works. Sorry.

 

Nobody seems to be COMPLAINING that cruise prices are the lowest they have been in a really long time right now.

 

Just my personal opinion here, but if $63.00 makes or breaks your decision to go on vacation, you are probably too broke to go to begin with and should just take a "Staycation" instead. ~

 

I can't tell if you are quoting me or not, because the quote is screwed up.....but if you are I have no idea what your post has to do with mine..........

[Tapi]

 

Just my personal opinion here, but if $63.00 makes or breaks your decision to go on vacation, you are probably too broke to go to begin with and should just take a "Staycation" instead. ~

 

Not really sure who this was directed to, but you just verbalized what I think every time I see someone write about the "surcharges" that will make cruising prohibitively expensive.

 

To put things into perspective, when I sailed on the Monarch of the Seas in 1993, We paid almost TWICE for an inside cabin compared to what we paid on the Carnival Liberty in 2008 for an oceanview cabin. This is NOT adjusted for inflation. It's mesmerizing that 15 years later pretty much everything is much more expensive, but I'm able to cruise for half!

[Rouge Wave]

Exactly. Geez, will this never end?[/quote]

 

I was thinking the same thing lol! Let's see how many threads do we have on this now:confused:

 

 

 

I swear, there is more "whine" in here than in the Napa Valley. These boards weren't always that way. It's sad..

 

 

Yeah, back when only "real" cruisers posted on these boards... it was SOOO much better. The nerve of the newbie’s not being cheerleading Pollyanna’s... CC should allow only the REAL cruisers to post here, if one does not have at lest 2000 posts , off with their heads! The nerve of some people to dare speak up…..

Like it or not Carnival DOES play insipid pricing games…

I agree, Carnival can be a good value. Not as good of one as it has been in the past.. BUT there are other options, such as AI's that are also a good value. Want to hear another good value, ... for about the cost of a 7 day cruise one can do 7 days white water rafting down the Grand Canyon.... and that is also all inclusive, the hardest part of doing that vacation is the sore neck you will have from trying to see all the incredible beauty. (Oh, the food is GREAT, and do you really think you can beat the scenery?)

Carnival’s latest pricing games irked me enough to not book a cruise I was just about to book. I am all for a company making a profit, Try to play me and I WILL take my money elsewhere. It is not just real-estate and new cars that the buyer has the heavy upper hand.

[firefly333]

for about the cost of a 7 day cruise one can do 7 days white water rafting down the Grand Canyon.... and that is also all inclusive' date=' the hardest part of doing that vacation is the sore neck you will have from trying to see all the incredible beauty. (Oh, the food is GREAT, and do you really think you can beat the scenery?) [/font'][/color]

 

Carnival’s latest pricing games irked me enough to not book a cruise I was just about to book. .

 

Having already hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and camped down there, I would rather cruise. I did have a awesome time down there, single females were at a premium :rolleyes: so I had a ball. oh errrr. Well, everyone should do it once, but been there done that.

 

Enjoy your land vacation.

[UpstateCruizer]

How did I miss this thread?

 

:rolleyes::p:D

 

 

:eek: This thread is like watching a train wreck. I've often wondered where the expression "beating a dead horse" comes from and I've concluded whoever thought of it had to be a cruise critic member. Now I know why I have to stop reading these threads and go back to the ones talking about booze lol

 

Paulie did you steal my pom poms? I need them to cheer ya know ;)

[basill1970f]

I am forever a carnival cruiser going on my 8th one in January and hopefully many many more. I received a 72 obc for 4 days of fuel ... yippeee yahhooo.. and i booked when military rate was low.. so i gained both ways... even if i didnt get an obc the price i pay to sail is well priceless!!!!!!!!!

[Rouge Wave]

 

 

Oh good grief!!!

 

If you actually pay close enough attention, you know that prices can change several times in the same day!!! Prices change. It's mostly based on demand and availability.

 

Prices change for Hotels, Rental Cars, Plane Tickets, CRUISES, Gas - by the minute sometimes. It's the way this whole thing works. Now you know.

 

If you see a price you like, you need to book it. If you snooze and loose, then that's just how the game works. Sorry.

 

Nobody seems to be COMPLAINING that cruise prices are the lowest they have been in a really long time right now.

 

Just my personal opinion here, but if $63.00 makes or breaks your decision to go on vacation, you are probably too broke to go to begin with and should just take a "Staycation" instead. ~

 

I do not agree… the base price may be lower, but what is offered for that base price has also decreased. Quality of food, quality of service are obvious areas that have decreased. The cabin steward that at one time had 8 cabins to take care of now has 10 or 12. Since the amount of hours in a day has been about the same for a few million years, when one has more work to do in a given amount of time, somewhere corners are cut, so the cabin steward spends less time in each cabin. Yes, it does show.

The same for DR wait staff, they now have more tables to watch over… it goes on and on.

Regarding if $63.00 makes or breaks… sometimes it is JUST THE PRINCIPLE! I don’t know about you, but getting played, being treated like a sucker, tends to irk me. I have even been known to spend more $$ elsewhere because some other business tried to play me.

[daddybuff]

The price of our cruise had not changed for a couple of months until yesterday when Carnival dropped the fuel surcharge. You guessed it the prices on every catagory went up exactly $70.00/pp. We came out like bandits since we got a lower price cruise and are getting OBC:p

[emmaco]

Hi,

E-mailed my TA yesterday and had my fuel supplement charge refunded for our April 09 cruise on the Freedom :) :D

[Rouge Wave]

Having already hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and camped down there, I would rather cruise. I did have a awesome time down there, single females were at a premium :rolleyes: so I had a ball. oh errrr. Well, everyone should do it once, but been there done that.

 

Enjoy your land vacation.

 

Who is talking about hiking.....?? That is work... and can not be compared to white water rafting the canyon for 7 days.. The outfitter does everything and you fly out by chopper....

So I already have done 7 cruises in 2008 will do 5 cruises in 09.. (1 of which is 15 days, another 21 days, the others 7 days) how many cruises you got booked for 2009?

I will also enjoy White Water rafting the Grand Canyon (again) in 09 as well.... and the outfitter I go with, the food served is every bit as good as anything you will find in the DR on ANY mass market cruise line.

Carnivals latest little pricing "sale" will cost them an easy 5 k of my GF and my $$. They can raise the prices.. I have no issue with that. But don’t raise the prices then try to tell me the now higher prices are in fact on sale, when they are for more then they were before the sale. That is treating the customer like a sucker.

I am sure wherever we decided to spend our $$, that business will be happy to take it. But since we enjoy both Land and Sea... there are many options! News flash, there are people (like myself, for instance) although I adore vanilla ice cream, I’ll go to 31 flavors and will get a flavor OTHER than Vanilla… So, just because I love to cruise does not mean I am blind to other options, it is a big world out there folks, and not every place worth seeing is in reach of a cruise ship.

[IDcruising]

You have the right to buy at the price you feel comfortable. If you don't like don't buy.

carnival is truly much cheaper than most cruise lines. They are doing the same. Most prices are still less than $100 a day. lodging, food, entertainment and a great envirnoment what more could you ask.

[Gma&Gpa]

I'm not trying to drag this on any further - and the fact is, with or without the fuel charge I'm going on my cruise - and I'll have a great time. Just tryng to understand this whole issue though. If my cruise in Feb is paid off - if I look at my account on-line, should it actually show that the fuel charges have been removed? In my case, they are still there - but maybe that is how it works and we'll just be surprised with a credit when we get on the ship. Just curious