Taxes / Port Charges changes

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lakings91

Guest
I've made a reservation back in January for Emerald Princess.
Back then my quote was stating $ 279.04 per person in taxes/port charges.
Out of curiosity I've just made up a fresh quote for similar arrangements (cabin type/deck etc) Amazingly overall price hadn't change much, but tax value is "only" $ 70.22 per person.

Was there any major monetary reassignment in general? My agent pretends that he does not understand a question.

I've gotr similar results from both Princess and Internet agency cites in both cases [today and back in January]

Any ideas?.

Sorry if posted in the wrong forum.

LaK91
 
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seagarsmoker

Guest
I read somewhere that Princess redid this as it has something to do with agents commission.
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
Many cruise lines change their port charges and government taxes. This happened to us with Princess once and we were charged an additional $7 or $8 (and change) each x the 4 of us. Months later, we got a check back for about half that amount. Really weird. And, I'm a Princess TA Specialist! =dunno None of us could figure it out, but it does happen.

I've seen other cruise lines increase their port charges the closer it gets to the sailing date. I suppose it has to do with what the ports are charging the cruise lines and changes that occur with those agreements between the port & cruise line.

What you need to watch for is a change in cruise fare. When you see that kind of a change, call your TA to get an upgrade, cash back or a shipboard credit. Princess is not good about it, but they will sometimes work with you.
 
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lakings91

Guest
Thanks for your replies.

As I said earlier my TA pretends to not understand the the question as total price is in-line and "cruise" portion of it now is grater as "port charges" so I had "made" a great deal back then.

Like seagarsmoker said must be something about comissions. Then again I've helluva (in my opinion) deal on ship credit right away, so it will be hard to get much more out of him.

It just seemed strange - that's all. :)

Thanks for replies.

lakings91
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
No, it has absolutely nothing to do with agent commission.
The agent's commission is based solely on the cruise fare - not the port charges or government taxes.
 
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lakings91

Guest
Thanks Lady Jag!

It's great to know these little details!

I'm still puzzled regarding my original question.

1,881 + 279.04 back in January vs 2,249.00 + 70.22 today.

Go figure :S I'd love to apply my today's port charges to January's reservation.
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
Without seeing your paperwork, I would guess that:

$279.04 is port charges and government taxes combined

$70.22 is government taxes

Sometimes a TA will combine the "non-commissionable" fees and sometimes they'll separate them. Just depends on how they're doing their accounting and it can change from time to time too.

Not sure if that helps, but it's my best guess. =dunno :)
 
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