Crystal Cruises has become the latest line to revise its fuel surcharges in the light of falling crude oil prices.
For voyages departing in 2009, it will continue to apply a $12 per passenger per day surcharge for Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
But, if crude oil drops below $65 a barrel on a specific quarterly date, the company will give customers sailing during the following quarter a refund in the form of a shipboard credit. The first date falls on December 18 for potential refunds in the first quarter of 2009.
Crystal Cruise’s decision follows similar action by several other cruiselines including Carnival UK and Norwegian Cruise Line. Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises also revised the surcharge for 2009 sailings and scrapped them for bookings made from November 10.
The adjustments will be made based on the closing price of crude oil as reported in the Wall Street Journal.
The company has not yet assessed its fuel charges for 2010 sailings.