We’re used by now to reading how many billions the airlines take in in baggage fees, change fees, seat fees and more…but it’s not the only place nickel-and-diming is becoming big.
Carnival Cruise lines, which a year ago started prohibiting passengers from bringing their own bottled water supplies on board, has now raised the price it charges them to buy from Carnival—for the second time in a year, and to a price 50% higher than the ‘discount’ price it started at. The new price is $4.50 for a 12-pack, up from $3.99 up from the original $2.99.
Added to changes in required gratuities on many lines and other bits and nibbles, it seems as if we may be headed toward the goal Ryanair’s Michael O’Reilly has talked about: All the revenue from fees and surcharges and subsidies from airports, along with practically free tickets. Perhaps it’s time for some real moves in that direction!
