When the price of a barrel of oil rose to $140, like the airlines all major cruise lines imposed surcharges to cover increased fuel costs. However, unlike the airlines, now that the cost of oil has gone down in a move to stimulate business in a depressed economy those cruise line fuel surcharges have been eliminated. Carnival Corporation representing Carnival, Princess, Holland-America, Cunard and Seabourn, was the first to announce the savings followed by Royal Caribbean International that owns Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara. Premier Cruise Lines owners of Regent Seven Sea, Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Lines followed suit along with Crystal and Silversea.

According to Daniel Mason, Cruise Consultant for Regent Seven Seas, “Guests who booked a future cruise will be refunded the fuel surcharge.” And he also added that starting in 2010 all port taxes will be included in the cruise price.