But cruise lines' pricing has become a total joke. First Class lines like Royal Caribbean (just to name one) are showing us and you "special offer" prices like $649 for an ocean view cabin on a 7 night cruise. In reality, this cabin costs you almost double that figure... about $1,000 not including airfare. The simplified explanation is that all their costs of "parking" at the various stops are referred to as "taxes"... and the price you saw does not include taxes or fees.
This is more than deceptive! If you paid $70 to park your car at the airport (government parking facility) for 4 days, is it a "tax"? Port costs are a normal cost of operation the same as their payroll costs or provisioning costs. So why is that not included when they determine what they need to sell that cabin for in order to make a nominal profit?
I have always defended the cruise industry against moronic criticisms. Look at my post "Travel Writers are Dinks" from two years ago for a good example!
Cruises are wonderful... but a good 7 day cruise with airfare is going to cost you at least $1,400 per person even with the great specials that are out there now.
Cheers,
Dick
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