Fuel Supplement Charge

[dta87]

I was advised to not re-shop as well. I have 3 cabins booked 2 adjoining and 1 across the hall in 3 different categories. They told me if I re-shopped these rooms I could lose them and possibly end up on different decks. I am weighing the risks but it looks like I will be sticking with what I have and hoping for the OBC in May and just be happy for the people that got the deal.

 

[RhondaInMA]

I was advised to not re-shop as well. I have 3 cabins booked 2 adjoining and 1 across the hall in 3 different categories. They told me if I re-shopped these rooms I could lose them and possibly end up on different decks. I am weighing the risks but it looks like I will be sticking with what I have and hoping for the OBC in May and just be happy for the people that got the deal.

I think you're making the right decision. I have no choice because I am sailing Dec 14th but I've decided that I wasn't expecting the money back when I booked so I'm just going to let it go and enjoy my trip. It is what it is.

 

[Anjelica]

Hi, I was advised that if a booking is reshopped, then it is possible (though only a small chance) that we may lose our cabin reservation as well. This may not matter in general, but if it were a special cabin or say a SPH cabin, then it feels risky.

Just wondering if anyone here has had a cabin change due to a reshop and if anyone has any thoughts on how advisable it is to reshop a SPH. Thanks.

From our TA "Also, since your reservation price was the same as when you originally booked, I was able to have Disney Cruise Line re-shop your reservation (rebook it at today's price) which removed the $242.00 fuel charge from your reservation. Disney Cruise Line is not able to remove the fuel surcharge from a reservation without re-shopping. This did not change your reservation number, stateroom, dining, onboard credits, etc."

 

[MichelleB]

John, can you tell me what you've learned if anything for this December's cruisers? We fall in this category (sailing 12/13) and I've had no luck with DCL in getting my Fuel Surcharge credited. I do not oppose the charge if it were a fair charge. When they implemented it in May, there was fair warning that it was coming. However, it's now been removed for anyone that procrastinated and wants to take the same cruise I am booked for. I checked DCL's website and I can still book my category for the exact same price minus the fuel surcharge. I feel that removing a surcharge prior to the cruise taking place for those that book now, but not refunding it to those that have made final payment is so completely wrong. We're in the penalty phase (obviously since it's only 9 days away) so they don't have to worry about whether they're being fair to us - by us I mean anyone sailing from Dec. 1 to Dec. 18 since that's when the charge was removed for new bookings and when they'll consider removing it for others that have paid. I am a huge Disney fan, but this is leaving a very poor taste in my mouth and that's hard for me to say about Disney. I will recoup that amount one way or another, whether it's in a credit or not spending it on our cruise. I believe we can take this cruise with $0 out of pocket other than gratuities and I will make that my goal should this not be rectified. It has me that ticked off.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

John, can you tell me what you've learned if anything for this December's cruisers? We fall in this category (sailing 12/13) and I've had no luck with DCL in getting my Fuel Surcharge credited. I do not oppose the charge if it were a fair charge. When they implemented it in May, there was fair warning that it was coming. However, it's now been removed for anyone that procrastinated and wants to take the same cruise I am booked for. I checked DCL's website and I can still book my category for the exact same price minus the fuel surcharge. I feel that removing a surcharge prior to the cruise taking place for those that book now, but not refunding it to those that have made final payment is so completely wrong. We're in the penalty phase (obviously since it's only 9 days away) so they don't have to worry about whether they're being fair to us - by us I mean anyone sailing from Dec. 1 to Dec. 18 since that's when the charge was removed for new bookings and when they'll consider removing it for others that have paid. I am a huge Disney fan, but this is leaving a very poor taste in my mouth and that's hard for me to say about Disney. I will recoup that amount one way or another, whether it's in a credit or not spending it on our cruise. I believe we can take this cruise with $0 out of pocket other than gratuities and I will make that my goal should this not be rectified. It has me that ticked off.

I'm sorry to say I don't have good news. Disney Cruise Line is sticking to the policy that only cruises sailing after 12/18/2008 will get the OBC for the fuel surcharge (if it is removed).

I have been in discussions with them and pointed out that new bookings can be made without it, and some folks can get the same price as booking now, but they are not budging. And as you know if you cancel and rebook you are stuck with all the penalties - which are more than the fuel surcharge.

I know that this whole fuel surcharge is a mess for DCL becuase of how their systems are set-up. They basically can't just tell who has a fuel surcharge and who doesn't just by looking at the reservation - it has to be re-priced - but we know that reservations booked after a certain date have the fuel surcharge on them so that should give them a place to start.

I'm not trying to defend them I just know it's partly a systems issues that is causing so many problems. Hopefully they will correct the problem for the future.

Again, sorry I don't have good news for those traveling between now and 12/18 - looks like if you paid the fuel surcharge DCL is not giving you an OBC.

Let's hope the folks at DCL figure this out before your sailing and surprise you by doing something extra for you.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm sorry to say I don't have good news. Disney Cruise Line is sticking to the policy that only cruises sailing after 12/18/2008 will get the OBC for the fuel surcharge (if it is removed).

I have been in discussions with them and pointed out that new bookings can be made without it, and some folks can get the same price as booking now, but they are not budging. And as you know if you cancel and rebook you are stuck with all the penalties - which are more than the fuel surcharge.

I know that this whole fuel surcharge is a mess for DCL becuase of how their systems are set-up. They basically can't just tell who has a fuel surcharge and who doesn't just by looking at the reservation - it has to be re-priced - but we know that reservations booked after a certain date have the fuel surcharge on them so that should give them a place to start.

I'm not trying to defend them I just know it's partly a systems issues that is causing so many problems. Hopefully they will correct the problem for the future.

Again, sorry I don't have good news for those traveling between now and 12/18 - looks like if you paid the fuel surcharge DCL is not giving you an OBC.

Let's hope the folks at DCL figure this out before your sailing and surprise you by doing something extra for you.

I think everyone appreciates the personal interest and assistance you have put into this issue and I think everyone thanks you for this.

 

[MichelleB]

John, I appreciate your information and that you have tried. They just don't get the injustice in this whole situation. Again, I'd have no problem paying the fee if it were still being charged for bookings on my cruise. It's simply the fact that those booking now don't have to pay it. It won't impact my ability to enjoy my cruise, but they'll get no additional spending from my family. I'm only 1 family so I'm sure it's not going to make a difference to the company, but it will change my cruising, visiting, and spending habits for several years to come.

Unfortunately, the thing that upsets me most is that I've lost a lot of my respect for the Disney Company, as a whole, in this fiasco. Anyone that knows me knows what a die-hard Disney fan I am. I even had a friend ask me the other day if I own any clothes that don't have something Disney related on them! So, to be on the other side of the fence and not be happy with them is something totally foreign to me but something I'll adjust to versus condoning this kind-of business practice.

Again, though, I so appreciate the information you could give me and thank you for responding so quickly.

 

[mmmagic7754]

I don't mind the OBC, I look at it as having my tips paid for:

 

[MaryKLady]

I just spoke with DCL about the fuel charge on my 2010 cruise. She said the same thing, that I will recieve OBC if oil prices stay low. It doesn't bother me because I agreed to pay it when I booked. And I will probably spend it on the ship anyway.

I digress...my point, which I shared with her is that I believe oil prices will only stay this low until the economy gets better anyway. As soon as there is the slightest up turn, oil prices will be up again and they will be charging fuel surcharges again. She chuckled and said she thought the same thing...wink, wink. Be for warned fellow DIS cruisers, the full surcharge will be back!

 

[Suz D]

I know that this whole fuel surcharge is a mess for DCL becuase of how their systems are set-up. They basically can't just tell who has a fuel surcharge and who doesn't just by looking at the reservation - it has to be re-priced - but we know that reservations booked after a certain date have the fuel surcharge on them so that should give them a place to start.

So if they can't tell from the ressie who had the surcharge I wonder how they will know who to give OBC to? They will have to look at the booking date on each and every cruise unless people's TA gives DCL a heads up. What a hassle for everyone concerned! I'm still not holding my breath that they'll actually give those of us sailing on 12/18 the OBC. I'm assuming that oil will not come up $26 in 14 days.

On a happier note, we leave a week from tomorrow for WDW and then the cruise! We've also rebooked one of those fantastic prices on the category 12's for this summer. I'm hoping that the cat 12 will still be available when we sail so I can re-book and get the OBC! Keeping my fingers crossed on that one!

Suz D

 

[dta87]

This was just announced:

Six Cruise Lines to Suspend Fuel Supplement
Despisers of fuel surcharges, this is your moment. As the price of a barrel of oil continues to fall, Carnival Corp. has announced that it will suspend fuel surcharges for cruises on six of its lines departing on or after December 17, 2008.

The lines include Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.

Surcharges were first established in fall 2007, then increased, then increased again as the price of oil skyrocketed. But the barrel fell significantly during summer 2008, prompting lines to announce the demise of surcharges, with most targeting 2010 as the year when surcharge-free cruises would begin again. Most lines also enacted byzantine protocol for refunding fuel surcharges (in the form of onboard credit) if the price per barrel reached a certain value and stayed there for a certain amount of time.

For Carnival at least, no one will have to ponder the convoluted refund system anymore. Plain and simple, if you're cruising prior to December 17, you won't be eligible for any fuel surcharge refunds. Cruising after that date? You'll get a refund.

More specifically:

If passengers are within the "final payment period" on a cruise that departs on or after December 17, a refund will be issued in the form of onboard credit. The final payment period varies depending on line and when you've booked your cruise; Carnival's standard final payment period begins 75 days before departure date, for instance.

If your booking is outside of the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, the amount of the fuel supplement will be removed from the final payment total due.

As of today, if you make a new booking for a sailing leaving on or after December 17, you won't be charged a fuel supplement.

For all Carnival Corp. lines but Seabourn, if you're sailing before December 17, you'll be paying, or have already paid a fuel supplement of between $5 and $9 per person, per day for the first two passengers in a cabin and between $2 and $4 per person, per day for third, fourth and fifth passengers in a cabin. Seabourn's surcharge is between $5 and $15 per person, per day.

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Maybe Disney should have come out with a DEFINITIVE policy like this instead of what we got!

 

[MichelleB]

That would have been nice! And notice there's no window (17 day gap) where customers can book but the others don't get their fuel surcharge back. Seems to me Disney jumped without thinking.

 

[bones]

The FS should be suspended and refunded immediately.The price of oil is so cheap now the profit margin of each cruise is also increasing, they could even lower fares. Oil is at a 4 year low and getting cheaper by the day. 70% decline since the summer, could go below 40 a barrel by next week.

 

[MichelleB]

I just got home from work and on my way, there was a piece of the radio about how oil is expected to go to about $20 a barrel around the beginning of the year and gas around the $1 mark.

 

[LakeAriel]

Thanks John.

I received an E-mail also from DU about the OBC for the fuel charge refund...They told me if I wished to re-shop I could, by replying to the message. I did and explained that I wanted the same cabin and OBC. Within several hours I had the refund!!! Nice work!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

The FS should be suspended and refunded immediately.The price of oil is so cheap now the profit margin of each cruise is also increasing, they could even lower fares. Oil is at a 4 year low and getting cheaper by the day. 70% decline since the summer, could go below 40 a barrel by next week.

I wish the airlines would take note and drop the bag fees and lower the ticket prices

Rob

 

[MichelleB]

Mickeyhugger, I so agree. The here's your airline ticket, but if you want to take any luggage there's a fee is such baloney. We are a family of 5 and have started driving if at all possible. Sometimes we don't have that option as my DH is only allowed so many days off at a time so the extra 2 day drive time isn't something we can do all the time. I am seriously looking into what it would cost to ship our luggage next time. I think it may be cheaper than paying $15 per bag per person each way.

 

[BabyRN]

Hi, I was advised that if a booking is reshopped, then it is possible (though only a small chance) that we may lose our cabin reservation as well. This may not matter in general, but if it were a special cabin or say a SPH cabin, then it feels risky.

Just wondering if anyone here has had a cabin change due to a reshop and if anyone has any thoughts on how advisable it is to reshop a SPH. Thanks.

I reshopped my 2 SPH rooms and my friend did as well, and we kept the same rooms, same price but just had the fuel surcharge dropped. When my TA contacted Disney they cancelled my reservation and immediately re-reserved it. They made sure the price was going to be the same before they did anything.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Mickeyhugger, I so agree. The here's your airline ticket, but if you want to take any luggage there's a fee is such baloney. We are a family of 5 and have started driving if at all possible. Sometimes we don't have that option as my DH is only allowed so many days off at a time so the extra 2 day drive time isn't something we can do all the time. I am seriously looking into what it would cost to ship our luggage next time. I think it may be cheaper than paying $15 per bag per person each way.

We have canceled our March/spring break cruise because air fare from DFW to MIA is way to high and that is before adding in bag charges

Rob