When we book a fly cruise in the U.K. you almost get the return flight to Europe for free - after all Airtours does owns a Airline!

Thanks for your answer.
Yes, it seems to be a similar price.

Our tips are also included, and we fly with their Airline, in Sweden it´s named Premair.

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Originally posted by Green:
seems to me you folks in Europe and UK fare very well indeed.

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Green, It's a very complex subject!

As I've said before I can fly the 9 hours to the Carib for a cruise (flights included) cheaper than I can cruise Europe from my local port!

In Britain we have a very high tax burden, all consumer goods cost more than in the USA, as does our property and transport. We also earn less (on average) than Americans!

quote:

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Originally posted by recab:
[/b]nullWhatever gave you the impression that we have to may more in Sweden than in e.g. the UK?

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It was just a feeling I had, due to our very weak currency.

Speaking of weak currency I read in a Swedish newspaper, where the had interviewed American cruise passengers. They where recommended, by the cruise staff, to wait with their purchase until Stocholm.
One of the passengers told the newspaper "It´s even cheaper than in Europe"

Anders

As I've said before I can fly the 9 hours to the Carib for a cruise (flights included) cheaper than I can cruise Europe from my local port!

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Originally posted by Malcolm:
Green, It's a very complex subject!

As I've said before I can fly the 9 hours to the Carib for a cruise (flights included) cheaper than I can cruise Europe from my local port!

In Britain we have a very high tax burden, all consumer goods cost more than in the USA, as does our property and transport. We also earn less (on average) than Americans!

The reason we often have 'tips included' is because if we did not, we are likely not to book the cruise! We just don't like the concept of Tipping!

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Agreed that the subject is complex.

For the most part, I believe this is attributable to the fact that in the UK (and maybe also in Europe) the 'cruise package' is sold by a Tour Operator (Wholesaler), e.g. Thomson, Airtours, Sunquest.etc. that either own or have a considerable financial interest in the charter flights being used. As is the case with most commodities, cabins and airline seats are cheaper by the dozen.

The Wholesaler has negotiated and contracted with the Cruise Line to sell X number of cabins and air seats. The last minute 'good buys' appear when said Wholesaler has not met his quota.

Living and working in Canada, I know little, if anything, of taxes and earnings in the US. Human nature being what it is, we Canadians are convinced that Americans earn more than we do!! What I do know, however, is that our tax burden is high - on most airline tickets to the US we can expect to pay close to +/-CA$100.00 IN TAXES……depending on destination. We are very aware of taxes - they are quoted separately, not included in the marked price as yours are. I just came back from shopping - my purchases amounted to CA$159.40 - with tax added at check-out, I had to hand over CA$177.06!

'Tips included' does not concern me - we choose to cruise with Lines that leave that to our discretion and always book, through a TA, directly with a Cruise Line. Cruise fare, Port Taxes, Other Taxes, Air add-on if applicable (mandatory for most Eastern Canada residents) are itemized and spelled out…..adding up, of course, to the cost of the cruise. I might add that the cruise fare may be discounted - Port, other taxes, air and applicable taxes are not.

I'm a reasonably frequent visitor to the UK (a Passport holder) and am aware that 'tips' are added in many restaurants - it's convenient but I confess to feeling a bit guilty sometimes when I don't leave something 'under the plate'. I may be unique in having had a cash 'tip refund' offered to me - the waiter, in my mind, had earned it - I declined the proffered refund - in Scotland yet!

Having travelled extensively in Australia - its 'on land' system I like - people are paid for the job they do - you know where you're at! Of their cruise booking arrangements, I know nothing.

In all instances you have to be sure you're comparing apples with apples - oranges in the mix seem to be frequent!

ShiporShore,Shipplease!

Peter

I know a girl that works in a central London Pizza Hut. By her own admission, she gets a reasonable wage and on top of that, fantastic tips from tourists! She once told me should would do the job purely for the wage - but the tips do ice her cake!

She was going to teach, but she earns more serving Pizza - no one tips teachers, do they?

Now If I suggested that you save your money, I might just get hate mail from restaurant workers etc.

I know, pretend that you are British, then you can tip small!