Additional fees??

[maryannb]

I was reading a reviewers comments on the CruiseReview for the ship we will be boarding in Sept.

She made the following statement "For our cruise, there was a $100 charge they claimed as "service fees", so just be prepared for that, depending on the cruise" She was refering to when they first boarded the ship and received their ship and sail cards.

I was wondering if anyone knew what this is? I'm assuming it is not the $10 per day gratuity as I was under the impression that charge was put on the last day of the cruise.

I thought when we made our final payment for our tickets, there would be no other charges except the gratuity and of course any drinks, pictures, gambling, etc.

This will be our first cruise and I need all the help I can get!!

Thanks!

[Karen Knowlton]

That should refer to the gratuities. If not, they should have questioned the charges with the purser's office before leaving the ship. Always go over your itemized bill when you get it (they usually slip it under your cabin door during the evening before the end of the cruise), as mistakes have been made. Other than standing in a long line waiting to talk with the purser staff, it's usually not a big deal to get your account corrected. It happened to me once (fortunately on a smaller ship, so the wait wasn't as long) and they very pleasantly went over it with me and made the required corrections.

[Jim C.]

The only service fees that they could be referring to would be the Automatic Gratutity. You are "charged" on your sign and sail account $10 per person per day for tips. Even these are adjustible should the service level warrant it.

There are no hidden fees on a cruise.

[carlg]

Never heard of service fees. Obviously any incidentals, gratuities etc are added to your shipboard account. Unless there was something in the original contract that specified, I think they would be hard pressed to get that $100 out of me.

[maryannb]

Thanks for such quick responses. I think I won't worry about it, but I will question any unusual charges. Thank you!

BTW, the ship is the Holiday out of Mobile to Cozumel.

[f-mattox]

maryannb,
you don't mention which ship or cruise line you are boarding.
I think we are all curious because if this is anything other than the automatic gratuity, it is something we are all going to junp on right away.
As Jim C. says, there are no "service fees" or hidden or last minute charges--at least there better not be.

[5String]

From the FAQ section on the Carnival web site:

"The dollar amount of the gratuities will appear in the Miscellaneous Charge field on the booking."

Hopefully that's all it is because no one needs last minute surprises like that.

[Cruise Specialist]

If it was $100.00 Service fee attached to the account for 2 people in the cabin, then of course this is the gratuities. $10.00/day per person for a 5 day cruise is $100.00.

The only cruiseline that is charging a mandatory service fee is Norwegian especially on the Hawaii cruises.

[maryannb]

I'm sorry I failed to mention it was the Carnival Holiday departing from Mobile, AL to Cozumel.

Here is a link to this ladies review:

http://www.cruisereviews.com/Carniva.../Holiday62.htm

[tncruiseman]

Some people call them service fees and others call them "fixed gratuities." Either way, it is an expense of cruising. If you have not prepaid your tips with your original reservation, you will be required to deposit AT LEAST the amount of $10 per person per day to activate your cruise card. True, the amount can be adjusted up or down depending on your experience, but you will be charged that amount up front if you are making a cash deposit for the sign and sail card. it would be hard to argue for any adjustment before the cruise has begun.