Expert: Curtis Thorsen - 12/3/2008

Question
Are port charges the same as govt fees/taxes or are they two different charges? We are thinking about taking a cruise on Carnivals Liberty to the Eastern Carribean and see fuel charges, government fees and taxes. Will we also get port charges on top?

Answer
Hi there.... GREAT SHIP you have selected... I have been on this ship numerous times with clients and family !

If you are checking rates thru the cruiseline website or various online TA's.... the port charges are 99% of the time figured into the cruise fare with the fuel supplement and gov't fees as an add on. Personally I prefer to provide the clients a more concise breakdown of the cruise fare (this is what a client can actually shop for and can vary from agency to agency), port charges(which should be the same regardless of where you book your cruise vacation) & taxes (taxes will vary if using cruiseline air vs. no air involved), and fuel supplement fees.

Hope this helps ya out a little bit.....Now is the time to book your cruise while rates are at the lowest they have been in 12 + years !