Cruise Lines Reverse Fuel Surcharges
I wasn't sure if it would ever happen since the cost of fuel has decreased so dramatically over recent months, but most of the major cruise lines have finally suspended the fuel surcharges for 2009 sailings and beyond. If you are booked on a cruise for 2009 or 2010 and have already paid fuel surcharges, more than likely you will be refunded in the form of onboard credit for your sailing. If you have not paid final payment on your cruise yet, the total rate will be decreased by the fuel surcharge amount.
Even though this is great news, there's a caveat: all of the cruise lines have stated in the fine print that they reserve the right to re-instate the fuel surcharge if the price of a barrel of oil exceeds a specific threshold. While this threshold varies by cruise line, most cruise lines are saying it will re-instate the fuel surcharge if and when the price exceeds $65 per barrel (RCI lines and NCL) or $70 per barrel (Carnival Corporation-owned lines).