Yet another fuel surcharge story, I'm afraid, but read on because this time it's good news.
Travelmole reports that Peter Deilmann has promised there will be no fuel surcharge in 2009 and Viking River Cruises UK managing director Wendy Atkin-Smith tells me Viking has not imposed any fuel supplements this year or next, although she admits they might have to bring in a charge for 2009 later down the line.
Our past passengers are very loyal so we have brought out nest year's brochure two months earlier than usual so they can book 2009. There are no fuel surcharges now, but I can't promise that won't change.
It's also good to see that Deilmann is now including one excursion per day per cruise in the price. Viking includes daily excursions in the price. Everyone takes them and it seems to give the boats a feeling of camaraderie.
Yet funnily, when I asked Torstein Hagen, Mr Viking himself, why they don't include drinks in the cruise price - even just wine at dinner - guess what? He said it's because passengers don't want to pay for drinks they don't want.
I guess I can just about see the logic. But the other journo at the table nodding wisely in agreement? What is the profession coming to?
Jane Archer
