Disney Cruise Line, Along With Other Lines Notify Guests
of a Significant Price Increase in Hawaiian Cruises
Guests sailing to the State of Hawaii in 2026 are waking up
to some sticker shock. Before you start blaming the Cruise Lines check out what
the State of Hawaii has decided to do.
In an effort to raise funds, the State of Hawaii decided that
there will be a 11% Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) on the portion of the cruise
fare, equivalent to the days a ship is docked at a Hawaiian Port. Along with
that each local county where the ports stopped at are located can add another
3% Tax. This is a 14% increase in Port Taxes!
No Cruise Line has control of this increase and should not
be accused of Price Gouging. Cruise Lines have two choices. No longer go to
Hawaii or pay the fee. With Itineraries out until 2027 and beyond that would
require Cruise Lines to cancel entire itineraries that are scheduled. Where
would those ships go to? It may be too late to find other itineraries for them.
Many guests would be unhappy if their Hawaiian Cruise was canceled. Also, there
are contracts between the Ports and Cruise Lines to consider. If Cruise Lines
decided not to go to the Ports they are contracted to go to they may still have
to pay heavy fines. I know many cruise lines will absorb a small increase in
Port Fees/Taxes per guest. I also know when Port Fees/Taxes are reduced, many
lines, DCL included, will refund that amount to the guest. When the additional increased
amount is $300-500 per guest it is just not doable for a line to absorb it. For
example: If a cruise ship holds 2,600 guests at $300 per guest the increase is
$780,000. At $500 per guest, it is $1,300,000! Many ships carry more than 2,600
guests, so the total would be even more! No company can absorb that amount of an
increase without passing it onto the consumer.
What is the cruise industry doing about it? Individual Cruise
Lines are in discussion with the government of Hawaii expressing their
concerns. They are trying to work with the government on this. Some cruise
lines are most likely considering cutting Hawaiian itineraries from their future
plans. As well as the individual Cruise Lines, Cruise Line International
Association (CLIA), the Cruise Industry Trade Association is suing the State of
Hawaii over this increase. This will not solve the problem before the start date
of January 1st, 2026. This will be a hard-fought battle.
You may ask what is CLIA? As stated CLIA is the Cruise
Industry Trade Association. CLIA works behind the scenes to improve cruising worldwide.
CLIA forced Cruise Lines to adopt a Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights. CLIA demanded
cleaner and healthier ship standards. They got the Cruise Lines to work towards
a more sustainable future using cleaner and more renewable energy. CLIA
encouraged Cruise Lines to be more accessible to those with disabilities. They pushed to reduced pollution discharged by
ships at sea and in general made cruising safer and more accessible. Full
disclosure here. I am a CLIA Travel Agency Owner/Agent Member. They also have
rules for Agencies and Agents. They offer training and support to improve
service and knowledge.
International Air Travel Association (IATA) is the Airline equivalent
of CLIA. IATA refuses to work for an Air Passenger Bill of Rights for the Air
Travel Industry. I do not know of IATA pushing for any positive changes in Air
Travel. I have not joined and most likely will not join IATA. We will have to
wait for governmental involvement to force change in the Air Travel Industry.
What can you do about it if this effects your travel plans?
Make a vote with your pocketbook. Do not visit Hawaii until this is changed if
you don’t like it. Go if you ok with Hawaii increasing taxes by 14%, or just
don’t want to miss your planned cruise. Write to the Hawaii Tourism Board and tell
them how you feel about this.
I honestly believe the only way to make a change is standup
and say something. Let your opinion be known. I believe Hawaii will lose tourists
and therefore income. Only then will Hawaii change their decision.
Just so you know these taxes are already in place for land-based
hotels and short-term rentals in Hawaii. Hawaii just decided to add Cruise Ships
to the list they will Tax.
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