Why are Royal Caribbean's tax charges higher than Carnival's?
Is our agency the only one that is questioning Royal Caribbean's government tax increase for the Monarch of the Seas, or have others noticed it as well?
The price has gone up to $62.89 per person for a three- night cruise to Nassau and Coco Cay, Bahamas, sailing out of Port Canaveral.
In contrast, Carnival charges $39 for a three-night cruise on the Sensation. While I recognize that they do not go to Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean has always been within a few dollars of Carnival.
Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas is $75.78 or $87.25 per person, depending on whether it's an Eastern or Western itinerary, for a seven-night cruise.
Royal Caribbean's revenue department said that is the amount the government charges them. Did they get fined and are passing the cost on to our clients?
Our district sales manager for Royal Caribbean also thinks it is unusual but says she has had no complaints from any other agents in her territory. Also, the taxes for the Monarch of the Seas on May 2010 sailings, a year down the road, are $41.73.
In the meantime, Royal Caribbean has left travel agents holding the front line in explaining this outrageous increase without any solid guidance.
Cheryl Geller
Ocala Travel Service/American Express
Ocala, Fla.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. responds:
"The taxes and fees charged to guests are based on the amounts levied by the locations we visit. Those amounts are impacted by the ports visited and the number of ports in a given itinerary, and they can be influenced by the volume of activity a company has at a given port."
After disappointing '06 experience, kudos for Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Re: "A wealth of upgrades at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel" [April 20], I had gone over for the opening and was completely shocked at the wonderful job they did.
I had been there four days before the earthquake [in the fall of 2006, which forced the hotel to close] and cried when I left.
At that time, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was truly outdated and run down. I couldn't have put a client in there if I had wanted to.
I think the management team is outstanding. They truly understood that to bring her back they had to incorporate the things clients loved from the past as well as the needs of a luxury property today. They have exceeded my expectations.
The deluxe oceanview rooms are incredible. You can watch the whales go by from your shower. The food was fantastic, and the presentation was what you would expect in a fine dining establishment. The wine tasting bar was unique and wonderful.
And, of course, Mauna Kea has the best beach in Hawaii.
I was impressed and pleased to have experienced the new hotel, truly a remarkable resort that delivers the aloha feeling with the luxury of a five-star property.
Susan Tanzman
Martin's Travel and Tours
Los Angeles
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