Surcharge shocks hit cruise passengers

Cruise passengers are being forced to find hundreds of pounds in additional charges on top of the cost of their already booked holidays. Holidaymakers booked on cruises and package tours face demands of up to £600. Trips to Europe are among the worst-hit by the surcharge surge. Twenty-nine travel companies have applied to Abta to impose surcharges on customers, saying they have been caught out by a sudden weakening of the pound against the euro, coupled with rising fuel costs, meaning they must go back to customers with increased demands. Under Abta rules, the tour operators must absorb costs equal to 2% of the total holiday price before imposing extra charges. Larger travel companies, like Thomson, have avoided surcharges on cruises so far. Travelling to non-euro countries will help those who haven’t get booked get the best from their sterling. Bookings for trips to the USA are up by 13%, while holidays to Turkey and north Africa increased by 3%.