I am wondering who exactly is writing the articles at Conde Naste.  Why?

In the July issue of the prestigous travel magazine one of the articles is about the excessive charges incurred while onboard a Celebrity Cruise.  How can one argue about a charge for a bottle of wine they chose from the wine list (with prices) when dining in the alternative restaurant? 

The cruise editor of Travel Trade examined the article and analyzed many of the charges Ms. Perrin “complained” about.  The article was great was exactly what I thought when reading the Conde Naste article.  Unfortunately Travel Trade is a publication just for travel professionals.  The consumer will  never see the article.  I hope most readers are smart enough to know that the majority of the article is not true to what most people will experience unexpectedly when cruising.  I am really wondering how this writer can be caught off guard by the charges she incurred.  Was this her first cruise? 

Following are just a few of the areas in question:

• Travel Insurance she wanted included in the price
• Babysitting for $6 an hour ; I have never incured such a fee when cruising for daytime babysitting while in port and can only guess that this was for private in room services
• Soda package for $5 per day
• Alcholic beverage costs
• Shore Excursion fees
• Specialty coffees
• Internet fees

In retrospect I am wondering if this article was written after her vacation and she tried to have Conde Naste reimburse her for these fees and they would not. 

If you are a first time cruiser these fees may come as a shock to you.  But… if you have booked with a travel professional and they did not let you know what to expect then you would have a reason to be upset. 

Many travellers believe they can book their vacations without using a travel agent.  Most of the time this is true but why would you want to wing it when you get free advice from an agency.  The support and information saves so much of your time and usually at no additional cost to you.

Do yourself a favor and enlist an agent for your next vacation.  If you are lucky enough to find a good one they will become friends you can rely on for expert advice anytime!

Cheers!

1. Thou shall not expect to find things as you have at home; you left home to find things different.

2. Thou shall not take anything too seriously for a carefree mind is the beginning of a fine vacation.

3. Thou shall not let other passengers get on thy nerves

4. Remember thy boarding pass for a man without a boarding pass is a man without a ship

5. Remember to take only half of the clothes you think you need

6. Remember: If we were expected to stay in one place we would have been created with roots.

7. Thou shall not judge the people of a country by the one person with whom you have had trouble with.

8. Thou shall not make thyself too obviously a tourist.  When in the islands, do somewhat as the islanders do.

9. Remember thou are a guest in every land and that he who treats his host with respect shall in turn be treated as an honored guest.

10. While you are away, look around you and you will realize when you get home just how lucky you truly are!