Royal Caribbean abolishes fuel supplements in 2010 cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises has become the latest cruise company to abolish fuel supplements.
The charge will no longer apply to new Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises bookings made on or after November 10 for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010.
“This decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices,†a statement said.
The move follows that of rival Carnival Corporation.
Royal Caribbean will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded for 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before November 10.
“The company has also established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to November 10, 2008, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold,†a statement said.
Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided 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, the statement said.
“When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all passengers on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter.â€
But Royal Caribbean said it would continue to closely monitor the movement of global fuel prices and “recognise that an upturn in those prices could necessitate the reinstatement of a fuel supplementâ€.
*The dates on which the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel will be measured, and the quarters during which refunds could apply are:
Fuel Price Determination Date Quarter of Possible Fuel Supplement Refunds
18th December 2008 First quarter 2009
18th March 2009 Second quarter 2009
17th June 2009 Third quarter 2009
17th September 2009 Fourth quarter 2009
18th December 2009 First quarter 2010
18th March 2010 Second quarter 2010
17th June 2010 Third quarter 2010
17th September 2010 Fourth quarter 2010
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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