As reported by the Calgary Herald, Royal Caribbean claims it’s not the crushing recession or low bookings that have forced it to take Serenades of the Sea off the Alaska cruise market.  No, it’s high taxes!

I guess it sounds better than simply saying your prices are too high to fill all of your ships.

It’s true that Alaskan cruising is made a lot more expensive by the head taxes charged for each passenger, not to mention local taxes and fees, corporate taxes, gaming taxes and the cost of marine pilots.

But all of these factors have existed for years, a period when more and more ships were brought online.  2008 was a record year for Alaskan cruising–and profits!

Just high taxes?  I’m not buying it.  Over capacity, plain and simple.  Royal Caribbean might have more luck offering more aggressive Alaska cruise deals.

Source: Calgary Herald

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