1. Executive Summary: A Regulatory Turning Point
The US travel industry faces a pivotal moment. The FTC's "Junk Fees Rule" (effective May 10, 2025) has forced hotels to disclose all mandatory fees upfront. Meanwhile, the cruise sector remains less regulated, requiring consumers to be vigilant about "drip pricing".
🏨 US HOTEL SECTOR
Regulation: FTC Rule (May 2025)
Consumer Savings: $11B projected (10 yrs)
Avg. Resort Fee: $38.82 / night
Impact: Prices appear higher upfront
Transparency: High (forced by law)
⛴️ US CRUISE SECTOR
Regulation: FMC (Limited Authority)
Hidden Fees: Gratuities, Port Taxes
Real Markup: +20-40% at checkout
Impact: Lower advertised base price
Transparency: Low (requires research)
2. The Hidden Cost Analysis
🚨 Consumer Warning: While hotel prices now look "honest" (and higher), cruise prices often exclude mandatory gratuities ($16/day) and taxes. A $399 cruise often becomes $800 at checkout.
| Fee Type |
Hotels (Post-FTC Rule) |
Cruises (Current Status) |
| Resort / Service Fee |
Must be included in price |
Auto-added daily ($16-20 pp) |
| Booking / Port Fee |
Included in total |
Added at checkout ($100-250) |
| Transparency Level |
High (By Law) |
Low (Industry Practice) |
3. TCO Calculation (Total Cost of Ownership)
Despite the lack of regulation, cruises often offer better value due to the "All-Inclusive" nature of food and entertainment, which are separate line items in US resorts (Las Vegas / Miami).
- Las Vegas Resort: Room + Resort Fee + Dining + Shows = $4,500 (Week).
- Caribbean Cruise: Cabin + Port Fees + Dining + Shows = $3,200 (Week).
Advertiser Disclosure: This report is published by GTAI (Global Travel Analytics Institute). Data sources include FTC, NerdWallet, and CLIA. We may earn commissions from partner links.