Published on 11/11/08

After oil prices climbed to almost $150 a barrel, a substantial decline is now leading to decreased costs when sailing, as fuel surcharges are gradually being reduced. Several notable cruise lines have recently announced plans to America’s Vacation Center to drop and refund fuel surcharges that were initially put into place last year after oil costs skyrocketed. Below is a list of cruise lines and their updated policies on fuel surcharges.

• Carnival Corporation (Carnival Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and the Yachts of Seabourn) – Beginning October 31, fuel surcharges have been eliminated for all new bookings that depart after January 1, 2010. Customers on 2008 and 2009 itineraries will receive a refund in the form of shipboard credit, depending on the price of oil.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises) – Beginning November 10, fuel surcharges have been dropped for new bookings that depart in 2010, and refunds in the form of shipboard credit will be given for cruises already booked for 2009 and 2010, as well as those cruises that are booked for 2009 at a later time. Conditions for the refund will be based on a quarterly calendar – if the price remains less than $65 per barrel two weeks before the quarter in which the cruise departs, the fuel surcharges will be refunded through shipboard credit.
• Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Beginning November 10, fuel surcharges will be eliminated for new 2010 bookings. Previous bookings for 2009 and 2010, and future bookings for 2009, will be refunded if oil remains below $65 a barrel the two weeks before the beginning of the calendar quarter of when the cruise is set to sail.
• Regent Cruises and Oceania Cruises – Beginning November 10, fuel surcharges will be dropped on all new bookings for sailings departing after January 1, 2010. Prior bookings made for 2010 sailings will have the surcharge removed from the balance of a passenger’s final payment. For past and future bookings for 2009, refunds will be given in the form of shipboard credit if the oil remains below $65 a barrel.
• MSC Cruises – Policies for reduced fuel chargers to be announced soon.

For more information, call 1-888-447-8459 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an AVC Personal Vacation Planner today!