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howlingwolf
Guest
I was told by RCCL that the port charges are based on the nights at sea and not the ports visited. Does this jive with everyone? If so, shouldn't they be called "nightly charges" and not "port charges"=huh
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Mbandy
Guest
Hmmmm... I never heard that one before. There was another thread about a week ago or so where the topic of "Port Charges" came up. Here is what I shared in that thread.
The "port charges" have always been included in an on line price quote but they are broken out of the cabin price in the actual booking because the cruise line does not pay commission to travel agencies on that portion of the booking. If you use a travel agent they can tell you what the "port charges" are.
Here at work we are not allowed to refer to them as "port charges". We have to call them "non-commissionable cruise fees" because there are other fees included in the amount in addition to what the cruise line has to pay for the use of a port. I have never seen a break down of what the actual port charge portion of the non commissionables actually is.
As far as the port charges being based on the nights at sea and not the ports visited? I've been in the travel business a long time and again, never heard that one before.
The "port charges" have always been included in an on line price quote but they are broken out of the cabin price in the actual booking because the cruise line does not pay commission to travel agencies on that portion of the booking. If you use a travel agent they can tell you what the "port charges" are.
Here at work we are not allowed to refer to them as "port charges". We have to call them "non-commissionable cruise fees" because there are other fees included in the amount in addition to what the cruise line has to pay for the use of a port. I have never seen a break down of what the actual port charge portion of the non commissionables actually is.
As far as the port charges being based on the nights at sea and not the ports visited? I've been in the travel business a long time and again, never heard that one before.
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howlingwolf
Guest
Thanks Mbandy, We are going on a 7 night cruise and everyone in the party are paying $317.23 that was originally for 4 ports and now it has changed to 3 ports. We called RCCL and they said that the port charges will not change although they dropped a port. Wouldn't you think there should be a price adjustment?
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Mbandy
Guest
I have seen it both ways. Sometimes they will refund you a bit but to be honest refunding everybody's card is a HUGE undertaking for their accounting departent. Sometimes they'll open the bars for free drinks for an hour or two...madhouse. Sometimes they issue on board credit...much easier than refunding credit cards. Sometimes they do nothing at all.
I can see why somebody told you that the charges were based on the number of nights....to get you off the phone. Those kind of agents give us all a bad name. =grrr
I'd call Royal Caribbean and ask again. Couldn't hurt. I'd be interested to hear what you find out.
I can see why somebody told you that the charges were based on the number of nights....to get you off the phone. Those kind of agents give us all a bad name. =grrr
I'd call Royal Caribbean and ask again. Couldn't hurt. I'd be interested to hear what you find out.
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howlingwolf
Guest
It is sad, but the people telling us that it is based on the number of nights are the agents a RCCL! We now have been told that twice by RCCL. But another person at RCCL said for us to contact our TA and maybe they can do something since they have a 'group' rate. I think it may be a lost cause, but....
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davidpxl
Guest
Awarded a cruise on the telephone
I was awarded a cruise due to a survey. It is from ft. Lauderdale, FL to Nassau, bahamas. The y included the state room, meals and entertainment. The only thing that was not included was the port charges and the government taxes. Can any one help me and tell me how much it is or is this just a scam. It is withImperial Majesty. Help. I would really like to go an a cruise but I am lost on this one. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
I was awarded a cruise due to a survey. It is from ft. Lauderdale, FL to Nassau, bahamas. The y included the state room, meals and entertainment. The only thing that was not included was the port charges and the government taxes. Can any one help me and tell me how much it is or is this just a scam. It is withImperial Majesty. Help. I would really like to go an a cruise but I am lost on this one. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
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Cruizer
Guest
Port charges and taxes are similar. They are monies paid by the cruise line to the government. Thus it represents real money out of the cruise line's pocket. That is why a "free" cruise does not include port charges and taxes. In all honesty, two more or less people on a ship is not going to make any difference. The ship will not set out any more or less food. The ship will not change the number of staff. It will have no effect on the amount of fuel used. It is like getting a product "free" except you have to pay for shipping.
To stamp out a CD or DVD with a program on it or music on it cost the company so little that a few here or there make no difference. But paying for shipping does. So, you get the product for free (which is only a few cents less than what it costs the company) but you have to pay for the shipping.
The reason the cruise lines are reducing ports is to save fuel. It takes less fuel to go 800 miles in two days than it does to go 800 miles in one day. In addition, as a bonus, the cruise line saves the port fees. However, they are doing this rather than raising the rates, so don't expect a refund. The cruise contract allows the cruise line to make these changes. If you don't like it, and you are outside the penalty period, you can cancel your cruise. The problem for the cruise line is simple, their costs are going up, but they cannot charge a booked customer more money (the Florida DA made that pretty clear). So, all they can do is reduce out of pocket expenses and not give a refund.
To stamp out a CD or DVD with a program on it or music on it cost the company so little that a few here or there make no difference. But paying for shipping does. So, you get the product for free (which is only a few cents less than what it costs the company) but you have to pay for the shipping.
The reason the cruise lines are reducing ports is to save fuel. It takes less fuel to go 800 miles in two days than it does to go 800 miles in one day. In addition, as a bonus, the cruise line saves the port fees. However, they are doing this rather than raising the rates, so don't expect a refund. The cruise contract allows the cruise line to make these changes. If you don't like it, and you are outside the penalty period, you can cancel your cruise. The problem for the cruise line is simple, their costs are going up, but they cannot charge a booked customer more money (the Florida DA made that pretty clear). So, all they can do is reduce out of pocket expenses and not give a refund.
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Mbandy
Guest
Regarding davidpxl's post, I have gone on several cruises taking advantage of a travel agent rate. Despite the discounted cruise fare, I have always had to pay full "port charges" and taxes.