Overcharging catamarans and other wickeded prices etc. in Croatia

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by KC375

It's very common in large crowded cities (NYC, London, Paris) for parking garages to charge more for larger vehicles (minivans, vans, SUVs).

They do that when they have only a percentage of parking spaces that can accommodate a big vehicle.

Where all the spaces are of sufficient size for large vehicles it's not common to charge different rates.

This is very similar to the argument that a cat that needs a bigger slip can reasonably be charged extra but that is not comparable to a mooring field where the width has no impact

[moseriw]

Originally Posted by p435

Charge is in Croatia always by the meter of length.

which is STUPID! does a 30 footer need more something on the same buoy as a 50 footer? Or does a 50 footer monohull need more parking slots on the quay? So What?


Charging by square: for one slot? or Part of a buoy?


One can say these buoys are upto 15 tons and the more expensive ones up to 30 tons. But f. in Croatia they usually have 800 kg concrete block and give a sh.. if you crash as 800 kgs are good enough for 5-6 tons.



AND THEY CHARGE YOU BUT ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EQUIPMENT!

[Pilotswife62]

We just returned from a 2 week charter out of Dubrovnik on a Lagoon 42. We were surprised at being charged for anchoring and mooring buoys. We heard that it would cost in Mljet due to the national park, we anchored at Polace. We med moored at Sipan but not at a restaurant and were charged. We read that there were a few free mooring buoys in Hvar harbor (not Palmizana) but once on, port authority came by and told us we would be charged. It was a rocking and rolling day and night, due to all of the traffic (water taxis, tour boats, ferries, etc). We anchored in Vis and were charged. Lopud was the only island where we anchored and were not charged. I would not pass on Croatia just because of the expensive mooring fees. I felt it was not expensive once ashore, except for Hvar. It was a delightful vacation, could have been a bit more wind, but we enjoyed every day.

[Mike 440]

Looks like they (Croatia) have not changed their ways. I’ll never return due to the number of times I was forced to pay, let’s call it what it is EXTORTION. There is the cruising permit the hotel tax +++. then as soon as you anchor anywhere you are hounded by petty thieves demanding money. Most of the people resent anyone with money and looks like a few locals are posting here.

[GTom]

One has to look at the overall cost of cruising: Croatia is in driving distance for many mainland Europeans, thus instead of shelling out 600€ on air tickets for 3 people, you get there and back on <300€ with all the luggage you need (and you have a car for land transport!). Add this 3-4 times a year, where in the school holiday weeks the airfare would cost an arm and a leg...

Greece on the other hand would double the distance/time/costs needed to get there thus you have to fly. Shall you need a land vehicle, you need to hire.

[Franziska]

Basically the Croatians understood the value of their property and push it to see how far they can go.
Fair enough, but it's the same bad attitude as placing a pushy waiter in front of a restaurant. When I experience this it's a sure sign for me to head next door instead. The Greeks and Italians tend to be less pushy on average.
Apart from that I think it really sucks to have people charged who drop their own hook.

Then again there are people who are going for a 2 week charter holiday and spend loads of money in that time without feeling pain.
Folks in the game for the longer simply have a different attitude.
I feel for the latter but fear the money of the first ones rules....

[GTom]

Did a little research, given the huge increase in the sojourn tax:
an "average" 12m/39' boat, sailed 90days a year would pay 388€ sojourn tax and around 60€ other fees (Navigation safety, light dues, chart fee). This is in the same range as the Greek fees and taxes (~430€, payable for the full year).

The real differences are in the mooring costs, costs on land (transportation, restaurants, etc), "national park entries" (e.g.: Kornati: 34€/day). This could add up really quickly, practically I see little chance to spend below 20€/day even on your own hook if you want to be in the best places.

[GTom]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Basically the Croatians understood the value of their property and push it to see how far they can go.

Croatia is literally full in August. Got so far, that Dubrovnik plans to cap the number of tourists.
The problem has several roots: population in Europe is simply too much for such a short Mediterranean season. About half of the coast (Libya, Algeria) is off-limits, Tunisia, Morocco are for the adventurer. Millions travel by road: shores near the core of the continent (French riviera, Spain, Italy, Croatia, even mainland Greece) fill up quickly. Road access within a day from southern Germany/Austria even southern Poland is an asset, that the locals definitely want to capitalize on which will eventually diminish savings achieved on the lower travel costs.

[KC375]

Originally Posted by GTom

Croatia is literally full in August. Got so far, that Dubrovnik plans to cap the number of tourists.
The problem has several roots: population in Europe is simply too much for such a short Mediterranean season. About half of the coast (Libya, Algeria) is off-limits, Tunisia, Morocco are for the adventurer. Millions travel by road: shores near the core of the continent (French riviera, Spain, Italy, Croatia, even mainland Greece) fill up quickly. Road access within a day from southern Germany/Austria even southern Poland is an asset, that the locals definitely want to capitalize on which will eventually diminish savings achieved on the lower travel costs.

Well the economists would say that Croatia is not charging enough if demand exceeds supply. For those who feel they are over charged in Croatia, take your consumption elsewhere and eventually the prices may fall.

What surprises me is all the effort at calculating relative cost and assuming that should drive pricing. Almost no industries other than pure commodities set prices simply on costs...they set them to with an eye to maximizing profits (usually long run profits but not always...after all in the long run we are all dead).

[john61ct]

Yes costs have nothing to do with prices in a seller's market.

Originally Posted by Franziska

Basically the Croatians understood the value of their property and push it to see how far they can go.
Fair enough, but it's the same bad attitude as placing a pushy waiter in front of a restaurant.

No idea how they relate.

Any business or property owner seeks maximum profits, nothing to do with attitude, that is their function, what they do, fair and natural.

[Franziska]

Well some businesses fail because they overstretch the envelope.
Those with a more reasonable approach prevail.
By now I prefer Italy, France (Atlantic side) , Greece and Turkey. Done with Croatia.
But agree its a personal choice.