Cruise Pricing Appears Higher Due To New California State Law

Today, cruisers will see fully transparent cruise fares for the first time. California’s Senate Bill 478, known as the ‘Honest Pricing Law,’ goes into effect.

This means the advertised cruise fare will initially look more expensive, although it just means it will now include the mandatory extras upfront.

For instance, Carnival Cruise Line’s CHEERS! beverage package is now listed at $70.74 per day, inclusive of the 18 percent service charge. Previously, it was listed at $59.95 per day, with the service charge added separately.

The new law passed sent cruise lines scrambling to adjust back-end booking engines before the July 1 deadline. Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line both had theirs live before the July 1 deadline, and the others followed shortly after.

It should be noted that inclusive of taxes and fees does not include daily gratuities.

Cruise Lines’ Revise Pricing Policy for all US Cruise Bookings

This marked a big change in cruise lines’ pricing policy. Very few lines currently advertise their fares, including all additional fees. It won’t just affect customers in the Golden State.

While this is a state law requirement, the big cruise companies—Royal Caribbean Group (RCL), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), MSC, and Carnival Corp (CCL) brands—will adopt full price transparency nationwide. This will simplify the booking experience for all US customers and will not mean higher prices.

“This change will only impact the way we display our prices and will not affect the prices that our guests pay,” an NCL spokesperson told Forbes.

The California law is a separate measure from the federal government’s war on “junk fees.” The Biden Administration plans to roll out similar consumer safeguards to give shoppers full price transparency. This includes other areas of the travel sector, such as displaying upfront hotel resort fees and ancillary fees when flying.

Pricing Policy Change Supported by Cruisers

Adopting a total advertised price has consumer support and will simplify comparison shopping, especially for new cruisers.