9 Sneaky Cruise Fees

Above, yours truly having an adult beverage aboard the Norwegian Sky in 2024.

When it comes to taking a cruise, many think that the advertised prices are what one pays. That's actually not the case. The current trend among cruise lines are higher prices.

There are addition add-on costs such as gratuities, excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi and dining. 

AOL posted an article on what travelers should look for when it comes to additional costs.

They begin it with: 

Cruise fares can look surprisingly affordable, but the price advertised is rarely the amount travelers ultimately pay. In 2026, rising gratuities and charges for drinks, WiFi, dining, and activities can quietly add hundreds of dollars to a vacation.

Anyone trying to save money on travel should calculate these expenses before booking, especially since a low base fare may cost more overall than a higher-priced cruise with extras included. Watch for these sneaky cruise fees before setting sail.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's Entry and Exit Fees To Rise

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall from Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those taking a trip to Japan will find that doing so will be a little more expensive starting next year.

Various fees will be hiked on foreign visitors to help pay for infrastructure needs and airport security.

Time Out reported:

Japan is an amazing place to visit. It’s bursting with culture, great food, and fascinating history – and its capital Tokyo is home to the world's coolest neighbourhood for 2025. However, if you’re currently planning a trip to Japan for 2026, there are a few things you should know, and a few extra costs you should account for.

As of next year, the government has announced a few changes to visas and fees for tourists. This includes increasing the exit tax, and the cost of single and multi-entry visas. According to Japanese financial newspaper the Nikkei, the money raised will go towards improving infrastructure and security in airports, as well as fund national projects like making high school free.

This will be the first time the exit tax will increase since its introduction six years ago, and the first upping of visa fees since 1978. No official announcements have been made yet about exactly when these new fares will be introduced. 

To read more, go here. 

Japan Considering Hiking Visa Fees For International Visitors

Above, Tokyo's Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan may end up paying more in visa fees.

This is one way the Japanese government is considering to fight overtourism, which, by the way, was of their own making.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya says that the government is considering raising visa fees for foreign visitors, as current fees remain low compared with those in the United States and European countries.

The government is reviewing visa fees, Iwaya told a press conference when asked about a report that Japan plans to raise them to levels seen in the United States and Europe as early as fiscal 2026.

"The details of the review are undecided, but we are considering various factors, including a possible impact on inbound tourism," the top diplomat said Friday. "We'll examine the fees set in other countries. I believe Japan's fees are quite low at present."

The number of foreign visitors to Japan from January to September rose 17.7 percent from a year earlier to around 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record for surpassing 30 million within a year, a government report showed Wednesday.

To read more, go here. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Quietly Adds Fee For Extra Entrées

Above, last year's cruise to the Bahamas with Norwegian Cruise Line. 

It appears that cruise lines are continuing to add extra charges to things usually complimentary or part of the cruise package. Cruise passengers are feeling that they are being "nickel and dimed" with extra fees by cruise lines.

During my cruise to the Bahamas last year, the only extra charge I paid was for a lobster dinner. For two lobster tails, I thought the $25.00 price was reasonable

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding (quietly) adding a $5.00 charge for additional entrees in complimentary main dining rooms.

According to Cruise Hive:

Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly added a new fee to their dining menu that may surprise guests. While it’s expected that specialty restaurants have an extra charge, the cruise line is now charging $5 for any second, third, or more entrees in their complimentary main dining rooms.

The charge is printed on dining room menus, in small print at the bottom, where it might not be noticed at first.

“One entree per guest. Additional entrees will incur a $5 charge,” the menu reads.

To read more, go here. 

Las Vegas Tourism Down 11%

Above, the Las Vegas Strip in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Las Vegas appears to be losing its appeal. 

Visitation and hotel bookings are down. Some say this is a harbinger of a looming recession. 

The reason is obvious. Las Vegas is no longer the top place to gamble. Casinos are sprouting up in several states, mainly on Native Americans lands.

Las Vegas hotels are not cheap anymore. They used to be affordable. Hotels charging resort fees are also turn-offs to people.  Food is also more expensive. There was a time when great deals at restaurants could be easily found. Frankly, Las Vegas was more affordable and a lot more fun when the mob was running it.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Las Vegas is experiencing a significant downturn in tourism due to a combination of rising hotel prices and growing concerns over bedbug infestations. The city’s once-thriving tourism industry is being hit hard as visitors are deterred by the increasing costs of accommodations and reports of uncomfortable pest-related experiences at major resorts. As a result, many tourists are choosing to stay away, opting for alternative destinations that offer better value and peace of mind. This decline in visitors is further compounded by the negative impact on the city’s reputation, leaving hotel owners and businesses struggling to adapt to these new challenges.

Las Vegas is facing a significant downturn in tourism, with new figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) revealing a sharp drop in visitor numbers this summer. June saw only 3.1 million tourists, a marked 11.3 percent decline compared to the same month last year. This decrease is contributing to wider challenges within the local travel industry.

The bedbug infestation is another major crimp. Who wants to get married in Las Vegas and spend the honeymoon night with bedbugs?

To read more, go here.

Beware of "Sneaky" Resort Campground Fees

Above, Circus Circus RV Park didn't charge resort fees in 2015,
 but they did in 2017. So I went elsewhere. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I must be pretty lucky.

In the 10 years of RVing since I bought my motorhome, I have never been charged with "resort" camping fees. Circus Circus RV Park in Las Vegas started charging resort fees, which I declined and stayed elsewhere back in 2017. I stayed there two years prior and was not charged any such fees.

According to an article in RV Travel, these "sneaky" resort fees are cropping up on travelers.

They begin the article with:

Booking a campsite used to be simple, but times have changed. Instead of kicking back by the fire, campers now have to dodge complicated rules and unexpected costs. Picking a spot for your RV is starting to feel like some kind of strategic challenge, where you need a CPA, a lawyer, and a good blood pressure monitor just to make it through the reservation page.

In the video at the end of the post, Andy from The Camping Loop is on a rant, and he has tips for what to look out for. 

 To read more, go here.

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Implements Bold Measures To Conquer Overtourism

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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With the very favorable exchange rates between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar and other currencies, it is no wonder that foreign tourists are flocking to Japan. 

In Japan's eyes, this "overtourism" is causing problems and the government is taking steps to deal with it.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Japan is escalating its fight against overtourism with new fee hikes and tax reforms, impacting popular sites like Mount Fuji and Himeji Castle starting in 2026.

Japan is taking steps to address overtourism by introducing new fees and restrictions on certain travel perks.

For instance, the fee for foreign visitors wishing to climb Mount Fuji will increase significantly this summer, rising to 4,000 yen (approximately $28). Additionally, starting in March 2026, Himeji Castle will implement a higher admission fee for tourists from outside western Japan, charging between 2,000 and 3,000 yen, compared to just 1,000 yen for locals.

Japan’s Accommodation Tax In March, nine cities and two prefectures across Japan will begin enforcing an accommodation tax for the first time. This new tax will range from 100 yen ($0.70) to 500 yen ($3.50) per person, per night, in areas such as Miyagi, Hiroshima, and several locations in Hokkaido, Gifu, Miyagi, and Shimane prefectures.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Canyon Camping Fees Going Up

Above, Grand Canyon's Trailer Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like everything else these days, the cost to camp in a national park is going up.

The latest is Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. For the first time in 20 years, camping fees are going up.

AZCentral reported:

Grand Canyon National Park is raising fees at its campgrounds for the first time in 20 years.

Fees will increase for standard campsites at the Desert View and Mather campgrounds at the South Rim and at the North Rim Campground.

Prices will be going up for tent and RV sites. It's the first time Grand Canyon has increased these fees since 2005.

How much does it cost to camp at the Grand Canyon?

Starting May 1, 2025, standard campground fees at Grand Canyon will be $30 per night.

Certain national park passholders — seniors with the Senior pass and disabled visitors with the Access pass — receive a 50% discount on camping fees. Under the new rate, they'll pay $15 per night.

To read more, go here. 

$600 To Boondock On BLM Land?

 

Summary:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a large increase in fees for winter camping in Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) in Arizona. We have all the details. 

The BLM will host two virtual public information sessions about the proposals at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, and Wednesday, Sept. 25. The Yuma Field Office will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.; an in-person public meeting in Quartzsite on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.; and two public information sessions on Nov. 6 at Imperial Dam LTVA and Nov. 20 in Quartzsite from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Public meetings are interactive where attendees are invited to ask questions and provide comments. Information sessions are presentations where attendees can learn about planned updates from BLM experts. 

Find the links for the virtual meetings here: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-...

You can provide comment on this draft business plan by emailing BLM_AZ_YFOWEB@blm.gov with the subject line "LTVA Fee Proposal Comment" or by delivering/mailing comments to:

BLM Yuma Field Office

7341 E 30th St, Suite A

Yuma, AZ 85365

Rising Credit Card Usage Giving Headaches To Japan's Merchants

Above, Shibuya Crossing in Shibuya's shopping district. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is generally known as a cash-only country. Credit cards have historically been rarely used.

However, since there is now a tourism boom of foreigners to Japan, credit card usage has been rising. Along with that, they come with a few headaches for merchants.

During my eight trips to Japan, I have never used a credit card. I strictly used cash obtained from the foreign exchange window at Narita Airport.

Nikkei Asia reported:

TOKYO -- As international visitors flock to Japan, their shopping and dining have put such a strain on credit card companies here that some are considering charging higher fees for foreign-issued cards.

When a foreign-issued credit card is used in Japan, the Japanese card company that processes transactions for the merchant must pay fees to both the overseas issuer and the international brand holder, such as Visa or MasterCard.

These payments can outweigh the merchant fees they collect in Japan, leaving losses that are expected to top 30 billion yen ($205 million) this year, about 50% more than in 2023.

Seven out of eight major Japanese credit card companies surveyed by Nikkei say their losses have grown from last year. Of these, six said they were considering or already had begun applying different fees to overseas cards.

To read more, go here. 

New Airline Rules On Refunds and Hidden Fees

Air travel has been more than a hassle these past few years, I have found.

I have had flights canceled and delayed on different occasions. Also, I have had airlines or TSA hold or misplace my luggage. 

All that may be changing for the better.

According to KRQE News 13:

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Getting travel refunds and avoiding extra fees could be easier for fliers soon, thanks to two new federal rules. On Wednesday, the Transportation Department announced regulations to require quick and automatic refunds and to crack down on hidden costs. 

When travel plans go wrong, it can be a hassle to get your money back. 

“In theory passengers are already supposed to be refunded for a cancellation or a major delay. In practice, it often doesn’t work that way,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. 

That’s why Sec. Buttigieg says the Biden administration is issuing a new refund rule that will force airlines to automatically refund travelers if their flights are significantly delayed or their baggage gets lost for an extended period of time. 

Passengers won’t have to fill out a bunch of online forms of wait hours on the phone for their refunds. Under the rule airlines must issue refunds within a week, offering cash or a credit card refund first instead of travel vouchers or flight credits. 

To read more, go here.

National Park Service Sued Over Cashless Policies

Above, the South Entrance gate to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What part of the U.S. dollar's being "legal tender" does the National Park Service not understand? 

Apparently, several parks (maybe all of them) under the National Park Service are refusing cash from visitors and are only accepting credit or debit cards. This has led to three lawsuits (at this time).

National Parks Traveler reported:

The National Park Service's increasing move to only accept credit cards for entrance to parks has driven three visitors to sue the agency, saying its policy is unreasonable and an abuse of discretion and that federal law states that legal tender is suitable "for all public charges."

Esther van der Werf of Ojai, California, Toby Stover, of High Falls, New York, and Elizabeth Dasburg, of Darien, Georgia, brought the lawsuit [attached below] earlier this month after being told their U.S. currency would not be accepted for entry into Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tonto National Monument, Saguaro National Park, Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site, and Fort Pulaski National Monument.

"NPS’s violation of federal law cannot be overlooked in favor of any purported benefit NPS cashless could hope to achieve, such as reducing logistics of handling cash collected," reads a section of the lawsuit. "Moreover, there is an increased cost to the NPS in going cashless, such as additional processing fees that will be borne by NPS and by visitors who ultimately fund the federal government through taxes, in addition to personal surcharges and bank fees visitors may incur under NPS cashless policy.

"However, plaintiffs do not ask the court to prohibit NPS from accepting credit cards, debit cards, or digital payment methods (such as ApplePay) should visitors to NPS sites prefer to use them. Rather, plaintiffs ask the court to restore entrance to NPS sites to those who cannot access non-cash payment methods (and those who choose not to) by declaring NPS cashless to be unlawful."

Us "geezers" don't have to worry about this as our national park Senior Pass gets us in without having to pay anything. Still, I agree that the NPS should also accept cash for entry fees.

To read more, go here. 

Fees and Cap On Mt. Fuji Climbers

Above, a Shinkansen (bullet train) view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Yamanashi prefectural government, in an effort to curb over tourism on Mount Fuji, has voted to implement fees and a cap on the number of people climbing the mountain per day.

USA Today reported:

Tourists looking to climb Mount Fuji will now have to pay a 2,000 yen ($13) fee per climber for entry. There will also be a cap of 4,000 visitors allowed to scale the mountain per day.

Likewise, stricter guidelines will be put in place to control the people who do hit the trails, including official guides who will supervise the trails and advise people who are engaging in dangerous or inappropriate behaviors such as sleeping beside the trails or wearing sandals for the hike (a more common problem than you'd think.)

To read more, go here. 

Pay To Play On Snake River?

Above, the raft trip I took on the Snake River in 2019.

Five years ago, while in the Jackson, Wyoming area, I took a raft trip down the Snake River south of Jackson. I had an excellent time and was pleased I was able to do so a year after a near-heart attack in Wells, Nevada. My cardiologist was also pleased when I told him about the trip.

Now, it seems that the Snake River is so popular that fees are being considered for people who partake in float trips. In other words, pay to play.

Above, another photo of our raft trip on the Snake River in 2019.

Jackson Hole Community Radio (KHOL) reported:

The Upper Snake River south of Jackson could become the first river in Wyoming to require a fee for access.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest held a meeting last week in Jackson for the proposed fees to give the public another chance to weigh in. If the program goes into place, floaters would need to pay to access the stretch between the mouth of the Hoback River to just upstream of the Alpine Junction.

David Cernicek, with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, said the fees are necessary to manage the river due to increased recreational use.

“Our funding is very limited on the river,” Cernicek said. “And we’re not really able to afford the river anymore. Our expenses exceed our costs in providing what we do down in Snake River Canyon.”

The national forest says the river can see over 200,000 people every season, and the fees are needed for maintaining and improving infrastructure like boat ramps, bathrooms and parking areas, among other needs.

The forest would charge $5 per vehicle per day and $3 per person for outfitters and larger groups over 15. Floaters could also choose to buy a season pass for $40, or get a discount for buying two season passes at the same time.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Proposes $25 Tourism Tax

Above, the battleship USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If there is a constant in this universe, it is that blue states (controlled by Democrats) will find any means to tax people using overtourism or climate change as an excuse.

Hawaii is considering a $25 tourism tax. Of course, Hawaii is a Democrat-controlled state.

According to Lonely Planet:

Spending time on Hawaii’s gorgeous beaches or traipsing through its vibrant forests could cost travelers just a little more in the future.

Joining other nations struggling with the heavy burden of over-tourism, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, proposed a $25 climate fee on tourists. The bill, HB206 is currently in committee in Hawaii’s legislature. 

What lawmakers call the green fee, or visitor impact fee, is intended to raise funds to help protect beaches, prevent wildfires and offset the repercussions of nearly 10 million visitors per year. Hawaii’s population hovers at 1.6 million, meaning tourists make up the vast majority of people on the islands at any given time.

“A Climate Impact Fee on visitors would provide the needed resources to protect our environment and increase awareness of the impacts of climate change,” Green said. “I believe this is not too much to ask of visitors to our islands… Hawaii’s natural resources – our beaches, forests, and waterfalls – are an essential part of our culture and way of life.”

The proposed fee would be added to a visitor’s accommodation charge in lieu of raising hotel and resort taxes, which in Hawaii are already some of the highest in the world. 

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Hotel Prices Up 70%, May Stifle Overtourism

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The "powers that be" in Hawaii are talking about stifling overtourism by adding fees lately.'

However, that may not be necessary since hotel room rates have risen 70% since the end of the pandemic. They may take care of the overtourism "problem".

According to Beat of Hawaii:

With the nightly cost of Hawaii hotels, the state may not need to worry much longer about over-tourism. Between high prices and the pressure on vacation rentals, the issue could become self-regulating. Regular commenter John W. said today that “Hawaii hotel prices are outlandish.” And we concur. The December numbers speak for themselves.

BOH editors will be in West Maui in February to bring you more on-the-ground coverage. What we found, no matter how hard we tried, or where we looked, was what we deemed to be just too high pricing. In the end, given the cost, we chose not to book yet, waiting until the last minute. In addition to costs, the cancellation notice and penalties were too much to feel comfortable.

To read more, go here. 

High Dump Station Fees Discussed

Above, the dump station at Malibu Creek State Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The topic of campground charges for using their dump station came up at RV Travel.

This involves people stopping at a campground that they're not staying at while on the road. I had to do this in September while on the way home from Ridgway, Colorado. The sewer cap at my campsite was wedged tight and so was the empty neighboring campsite's. I decided I wasn't going to waste my time in struggling to get one or the other off. So I just left.

Along the way, I stopped at Alpen Rose RV Park in Durango and used theirs. They charged a fee of $15.00, even though I was in their computer as a two-time customer. I'm used to $10.00 fees for dump station usage, but felt $15.00 wasn't too outrageous. So I paid it, emptied my tanks and was on my way.

When I lived in California, I would use the dump station at the Malibu Creek State Park Campground. A $5.00 fee was charged.

The article begins with a couple's experience with a KOA Kampground that charged them $50.00 to use their dump station.

Here's a snippet:

John and Casey reported, “KOA charged us $50 to empty our tanks yesterday. Is that the going rate now?”

“Hold on,” Cliff interrupted. “You mean all you did was dump your holding tanks? $50 is outrageous!

In agreement about dump station fees

Almost everyone around the campfire agreed that KOA’s fee was far too expensive. Newbies Jeff and Marla wondered, “Why not just empty tanks at the campground where you spend the night?” Cliff explained that often small-town parks, for example, may not offer sewer hookups or a dump station.

There were reasons given why fees are charged by campgrounds. They include inconsiderate campers, environmental regulations and to help pay for amenities.

To read more, go here.

Why Do Some National Parks Charge An Entrance Fee?

Above, Yellowstone National Park's South Entrance Gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yahoo! News has posted an article on, "Why do some national parks charge an entrance fee?" 

Frankly, I think the better question would be, "Why do some national parks don't charge an entrance fee?"

Regardless, the article is informative as it explains where the money generated goes to and what for.

This has not been an issue for me, especially after I turned 62 and got the Senior Lifetime Pass. I got it for $10, before the cost went up to $80. Still, even at $80, it is well worth having. Visiting three national parks in one trip would essentially make the Pass pay for itself.

The article begins with:

(NEXSTAR) — There is no question that the more than 400 national parks, monuments, seashores, historic sites, recreation areas, and other sites overseen by the National Park Service are stunning.

But before you can visit some, you may have to pay.

Across the entire National Park Service, which includes 425 units, only 109 charge an entrance fee.

Nearly all have a park-specific annual pass, ranging from $35 to $70. Many also have fees per vehicle, person or motorcycle that vary from $5 to $35. If you’re a frequent visitor to many national parks or federal recreational lands, you may want the America The Beautiful annual pass worth $80.

At this point, you may have had a common realization: we pay federal taxes, which can be used to fund the National Park Service, so why do I need to pay to get into a national park at all?

To read more, go here.

RV Travel Newsletter

Above, my mom and grandparents camping in Oregon in 1940 in their homemade teardrop trailer.

The Sunday edition of the RV Travel Newsletter is now posted.

It starts off with an essay by Chuck Woodbury that should conjure up some memories of oldtimers. It looks back at the good old days when camping out, in a tent or RV, was much more affordable.

It begins with:

Once upon a time, camping was free or close to it. I speak from my own experience as a well-aged human and RVer. I began RV camping as a child with my parents and then as a 20-something adult on my own. By campgrounds, I am referring to public campgrounds, operated by the government. There were few RV parks early on as we know them now. Those that existed were called trailer parks or mobile home parks.  

KOA was the first big player. Its first RV park debuted in 1962 along the route west to the Seattle World’s Fair. Campers paid $1.75 a night. The concept was soon franchised and grew fast. But most other parks were still in the future. As long as the government provided free stays or very cheap stays in its campgrounds, how could a private operation compete, at least in a popular tourist area?

To read the Newsletter, go here.