Posted by: sunstonetours | April 1, 2008

No Joke - Fuel Charges Really Hurt

Sign of the timesDue to world economic factors, and the price of fuel, many cruise lines have been forced to implement a fuel surcharge to cover the additional operational expenses.

Most recently, Lindblad Expeditions recently announced that due to a decision made by the President of Ecuador ending subsidization of the cost of fuel in the Galapagos, they are forced to implement a $150 per person fuel surcharge on all Galapagos reservations effective for cruises embarking on or after June 1, 2008. That is a fairly sizable increase to the amount of a cruise.

Be aware that as the price remains at the current level or rises further, other cruise operators will likely follow suite.

Posted in News | Tags: , , , , ,

« A New, Red Icebreaker
Cruise Review: The Caribbean aboard Royal Clipper »

Responses

An extra $150.00 to go on a cruise???Listen we are truckers out here trying to make a living, and move America bringing in groceries, building supplies, clothes, text books etc {this is NO picnic} and you are worried about $150.00? that would fill half a tank for me…..absolutely outrageous

By: Cyndi Miller Gold Dust Carriers on April 2, 2008
at 8:31 am

Cyndi, you’re absolutely right. Gas prices have a trickle down effect, from our gas tanks (direct) to our dinner table (indirect). However, please realize that the context/topic of this blog is travel, specifically small ship cruises. So this item is focused on just one segment of the overall, bigger problem; a topic that some cruisers may not be aware of.

By: sunstonetours on April 2, 2008
at 8:48 am

While I understand that folks also need to be aware of the fact that they may not have the fuel to put into their cars to get to the cruise, because the truckers cant get it to the pumps. People are aware of surcharges everywhere, they got hit with it when they got on the planes to get to your boats. If folks have the money to travel $150.00 isent going to make a difference. When they get home and cant get groceries they will wish they had spent the money on other things. Because things are going to get worse before they get better. I appreciate you allowing me to further educate the public about what they are really going to be facing. They better the cruise they are on…it maybe their last.

By: Cyndi Miller Gold Dust Carriers on April 2, 2008
at 8:57 am

Regarding fuel sur-charges on small ships, i think that Lindblad in the past has always made their extra fuel charges voluntary. My friend who sailed with them to Antarctica received a letter explaining the fuel charges and the cost of operating their ship. It was explained so well that my friend was happy to donate to the fund. This charge for Galapagos sailing must be a different situation and maybe not completely under the control of Lindblad.

By: Whitney on April 2, 2008
at 9:54 pm

Leave a response






Your response:

Categories