Legal Question in Consumer Law in Florida

Cruise Surcharges

My husband booked us on a cruise over a year in advance and gave the cruiseline a deposit. Recently he's been notified that they are adding a fuel surcharge to our balance due. We do not see anything in the terms and conditions allowing them to do this; but nothing against it either. When he questioned them, he was told if we had already paid in full, we would not be being assessed this charge, yet they did not allow us an opportunity to do so. Shouldn't they have had to allow such a notice and a grace period for people in our circumstance to avoid the extra charge?

We feel that this is, in effect, an increase in the price of the cruise that we should be exempt from, versus people who have not booked yet. We are concerned that there is nothing to stop them from assessing another similar charge in a couple of months.


Asked on 11/20/07, 3:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Re: Cruise Surcharges

Ask them to show where in the contrafct it is permitted. The contract may say something like until it is paid in full it is only a deposit and subject to change. Sounds ike you can protect yourself by paying for the cruise now instead of waiting. Push a little harder for an explanation. You may be able to cancel the cruise altogether. I suspect they will bend a little.

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Answered on 11/21/07, 7:31 am


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