Carnival: New Fuel Supplement

[Chucksta63]

November 7, 2007

We want to inform you that because of rapidly escalating fuel prices, Carnival Corporation & plc’s six North American brands - Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn - have implemented a fuel supplement of $5 per person per day.

The fuel supplement, which applies to the first and second guests in a stateroom, not to exceed $70 per person per voyage, is effective on all bookings for voyages departing on, or after February 1, 2008.

The fuel supplement is necessitated by significant rises in fuel prices which have dramatically increased Carnival Corporation & plc’s operating costs. In fact, over the past three years, the price the company pays for fuel has increased by 140 percent, with a 50 percent increase occurring in just the last seven months.

Until now, the company has been absorbing this significant increase in fuel costs. Unfortunately, we cannot continue to shoulder this huge cost burden and now find it necessary to implement a supplement to partially offset a portion of soaring fuel costs. The implementation of the fuel supplement beginning February 1, 2008 for our North American brands will result in consumers paying approximately one-third of our year-over-year fuel cost increases over the first sixth months of the fiscal year.

The total fuel supplement will be required to be paid as part of the final payment. If final payment has already been made, we will require that an additional payment is made to cover the fuel supplement amount.

Implementing this fuel supplement was a difficult decision but one that we feel was necessary in today’s challenging economic environment. We thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Vicki L. Freed, CTC

Senior Vice President – Sales and Guest Services

[sailingrose]

Double that!

[CanadianCruiser]

I agree Rose....

[Chucksta63]

So on an 8 day cruise it will be $40 per person or $80 a cabin, & on 7 day cruises it will be $35pp or $70 a cabin. Next they will want Alaska tax.....lol

It is starting to seam like a comerical I saw....$5 to use the public restrooms....$1 for a chair.....$0.50 to use the elavators.....what next....lol

I guess what buggs me is that we are under 90 days to sail & we are paid in full. It just does not seem right. They need to do this with a lead time of like 6 months but not less than 90 days.

[GalaxySilver]

If you can't afford to run a cruise line, then DON'T. I bought a cruise for my parents and now I have to deal with this. Where is that thread that talks about the BILLIONS of dollars that CCL made in profit last year?

[Chucksta63]

What happens if the fuel costs go back down will we get a credit?....lol

Will they stop the sur-charge... I think not...Bottom line raise your prices but this is starting to be nickle & dime deal...

Carnival sell your cruise for a higher price but this is not the answer.

[CanadianCruiser]

well said....

[TheSkipper]

Damn, just made the cut for my Group Cruise that departs on January 25th. I'd have had 69 people all over my back.

I remember when Hotels tried this.

This is a major bummer

[GalaxySilver]

I was talking with a Carnival rep yesterday and she advised me about the new tax and asked me what I thought about it. I actually said the line I posted earlier ("If you can't afford to run a cruise line..."). Her response was, "Well you always find a way to fill up your tank right?"

"...yea."

"Well that's what we're doing, finding a way to fill up our tank."

Like that was supposed to make me feel better?? I fill up my tank at MY expense. She fills her tank... AT MY EXPENSE.

[Peddler]

Don't forget about the $5 per head port fee that Mexico has passed.