Surcharge causes couple to cancel

A Dorset couple say they have been forced to cancel a dream cruise holiday after they were landed with a £892 fuel surcharge. The Bennetts had paid a £900 deposit on a £9,000 Mediterranean cruise but were told by the travel company that a surcharge was also due. Because they could not afford the extra £892, they were forced to cancel. Voyages of Discovery, which runs the cruise, blamed the rising cost of fuel and currency exchanges. Because the surcharge was £8 less than 10% of the total cost of the holiday, the couple were not entitled to a refund of their deposit. Under travel industry rules issued by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), people are entitled to a refund on their holiday if the surcharge is 10% or more. In a statement, Voyages of Discovery said they had followed ABTA guidelines and had sought ABTA approval when applying the surcharge. The Bennett's were offered a shorter cruise or the option of a smaller cabin as a compromise, but Mr Bennett said, ‘We wanted the best cabin we could afford for the whole month. I've heard of people being upgraded many times but never heard of anyone being downgraded.’