Did you know that cruise ships travel less than one-half mile on a gallon of fuel? And we think we have “pain at the pump!”
A typical 7-night cruise consumes between 50,000 to 70,000 gallons of fuel, if not more. With the rise in fuel costs and the unrest in the oil industry, the value of the dollar etc., the cruise lines have had no choice but to impose a fuel surcharge for sailings – both new bookings and for people already booked. The surcharge they have implemented covers about one-third of their rise in cost which they have been absorbing for many months now.
Although it will vary by cruise line, $5 per person per day ($35 per person for a 7 night cruise) seems to be the standard. This surcharge only applies to the 1st and 2nd passengers in the cabin - not the 3rd, 4th, or 5th. This charge is beyond our control as an agent so please don't shoot the messenger.
And, for most things we purchase that must be moved by rail, train, or air, prices have and will continue to rise. At least with a surcharge, it can be discontinued when fuel prices stabilize (at least we hope they will.) Even with this small additional cost, a cruise vacation is still the best value for a vacation.
"I'll play Bingo one less time and save that $20-30 to offset it" is what one client told me the other day. Now that's a plan.
Al
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