Royal Caribbean has set an end to the fuel supplement for 2010 sailings, and the criteria for eliminating it on 2009 and previously booked 2010 sailings. The announcement applies to worldwide sales of three of their brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.
For bookings made November 10, 2008 and after, the brands will no longer charge a supplement for sailings that depart January 1, 2010 and after.
For 2009 sailings and passengers who have already booked 2010 sailings with a supplement, the company will determine on a quarterly basis if fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds will be authorized "if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter." If that condition is met, refunds will be made in the form of an onboard credit.
The company made specific note that should fuel prices again begin to rise, they may reinstate a fuel supplement on new bookings.
Details appeared in the Ocotber 24, 2008 edition of Cruise News Daily.
