Royal Caribbean Drops Retroactive Fuel Surcharge

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has reached an agreement with the Florida's Attorney General office whereby it will refund the $5 per-day fuel supplement customers were forced to pay on cruises booked before November 16, the day the initial fuel supplement charge was implemented. The total refund amounts to $20 million.

Those who have already paid the fee and taken their cruise will receive a refund, while those who booked trips before November 16 but have yet to cruise will receive their refunds in the form of an onboard credit. The fuel surcharge is still in effect for North American bookings made on or after November 16 for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises and cannot exceed $70 per person. It is also only applied to first and second passengers in a stateroom.

It is believed that other cruise lines will follow Royal Caribbean's lead in refunding. (DE)