MSC Journeys, the Italian company operating cruise and travel experiences, is facing scrutiny over a mandatory tip imposed on guests. The dispute centers on whether travelers should be required to pay a hotel service fee that is presented as part of the final booking price. A consumer association raised the issue with national regulators, arguing that the practice conflicts with consumer protection laws. The case has been reviewed by Alberto Garzón and the broader consumer rights group involved has signaled that it may pursue disciplinary action if the facts verify the alleged wrongdoing.
Reports submitted to Tüketim highlight that the alleged practice results in a higher final price for the customer. MSC Cruises describes the charge on its website as a typical hotel service or gratuity added to the overall cost of the cruise or hotel-like accommodation. The wording suggests that this fee functions as a service charge paid to staff for on-board assistance throughout the journey. The company explains that the hotel service charge is mandatory and forms a part of the total price, specifying approximately 12 euros per night for adults and 6 euros per night for children over two years old.
Advocates for consumers argue that customers pay extra for something that should be considered part of the merchant’s own costs, not an additional fee imposed unilaterally. Facua, a consumer rights organization, condemned the practice as an expense borne by the user in a manner that lacks a clear basis in the product or service purchased. According to Facua, the charge does not align with standard commercial concepts and appears to be an arbitrary cost that the company imposes on travelers.
Facua has framed its argument around several legal foundations that may apply to the case. It cites provisions in the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users that define obligations related to complementary goods and services or unwanted accessories, and it points to clauses that describe unjustified charges as a potential breach. The aim is to scrutinize whether the hotel service fee constitutes a genuine component of the price or an unfair add-on that deceives consumers about what they are paying for.
The Department of Consumer Affairs holds enforcement powers and has already used similar authority in other high-profile cases, such as sanction actions against organizers of large events. In one notable instance, regulators addressed issues at a prior Reggaeton Beach Festival, where rules on external food and drink and restrictions on cash payments were enforced. The current inquiry against MSC Journeys mirrors a broader effort to ensure transparency in pricing and to protect travelers from charges that may be deemed excessive or not clearly disclosed at the time of purchase. This ongoing scrutiny underlines the importance of clear, upfront pricing in the cruise and travel industry and highlights the attention regulators devote to consumer-friendly practices that align with established laws and consumer rights protections.