Be upfront with extra charges - Letters

Cruise Travel, July-August, 2003 by Leonard Malherbe

In his letter in the April 2003 Cruise Travel, Erwin Protter writes he feels that cruisers "only focus on the negative ... and decry it was never like this before ... explain to us why the cruise lines are not entitled to offer items that are optional and allow them the opportunity for increased revenue?"

We "old timers" have no objection to cruise lines attempting to make money, but we want to be advised previous to being onboard, so we know what to expect. For example, when they do not park the ship close to the city, do they tell you (when you buy your tickets) the price they charge for the bus to and from the city? They used to return all the money spent buying bingo cards to the players, with no rake-off. Or they used to say they were taking a certain amount for the "seamen's fund." Now the rake-off is so large, the players get less and less for winning. We have been charged for orange juice in the evening and told, "If you want it free, order it at breakfast." We want to be told upfront how much they charge for the alternative restaurants, and how much they automatically add for gratuities.

The cruise lines send a booklet listing all the tours with pricing. Why not a booklet listing all the extras available and the charge for each? People want to know, prior to becoming a "captive audience," what the price is going to be. Then they can prepare for the expense if they wish to participate. Hiding these extra charges certainly makes it appear the lines are fearful of telling the whole story. When a business raises its prices, they are generally posted--not hidden until the bill comes at the checkout counter.

Leonard Malherbe, Mill Valley, CA