It seems the travel industry has never seen a fee it didn’t like.
Airlines charge them for almost anything, and to the tune of $7 billion a year. More hotels have adopted ‘resort fees,’ even for travelers who use no facilities other than the bed. And now, at least some cruise ships are demanding a daily drinks package, even from some travelers who don’t plan to drink.
Cruises are not as all-inclusive as once they were, and many offer extra-cost packages that cover alcoholic drinks. Royal Caribbean cruisers found out this week that the ‘Deluxe Beverage Package’ is now mandatory for all adults in a cabin if one member of the party buys it. That’s $55 a day per person.
Norwegian Cruise Line just raised the daily cost of its booze plan to $89, but has not required cabin-mates to buy it.
Royal Caribbean is apparently upset that couple sometimes buy one plan and share drinks. It has indicated it will waive the charge for those with religious or medical objections to drinking or who are recovering alcoholics.
And for those who aren’t planning on heavy drinking of wine and cocktails…the cruise lines all have pay-in-advance water packages, too!
Photo: Goldycan/Wikimedia
