Cruise Lines Scrap Per Person Fuel Surcharge For 2010 Reservations

October 26, 2008 10:28 a.m. EST

Miami, Fl (AHN) - Two of the world's largest cruise liners, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean International, announced that they will scrap the per person per day fuel surcharge on 2010 bookings and will reimburse partial charges for some 2009 trips depending on oil price levels.

The change will apply for 2010 Carnival cruises booked after this week, and Royal Caribbean 2010 trips booked after Nov. 8. Refunds for 2009, however, will be in ship credit, not cash.

Carnival's daily fuel surcharge was $9, while Royal's charge was $10 per person per day for its Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises and $15 for Azamara Cruises.

Cruise lines implemented surcharges twice in 2007 in response to soaring fuel costs during the past year. However, oil prices have been on a downward trend.

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean were reportedly planning to hike 2010 published fares to reflect long-term higher fuel costs. In a statement, Royal Caribbean said: "Our pricing is determined by a broad variety of factors, and is highly dynamic."

But the cruise lines may reinstate the fuel surcharge in the future if necessary.