Regent confirms a fuel surcharge for '08

**Ally** · 10-31-2007, 06:36 PM

In light of record oil prices, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is considering instituting a fuel surcharge for 2008 sailings. Oil futures topped $93 a barrel this week.

If Regent implements a surcharge, it would likely apply only to customers who have not yet paid in full, and they would be given a date by which to do so, Regent spokesman Andrew Poulton told media.

In October 2005, Regent announced a fuel surcharge for 2006 sailings that had not been paid in full. The per person, per day amount was $5 for Seven Seas Voyager, Mariner and Navigator and $12 for the Paul Gauguin. No fee was levied for 2007 as Regent had allowed for the cost increases in its published pricing.

This year, fuel costs have soared above expectations, so the issue is on the table again. ‘We expect to make a decision in the next few days, and the amount will most likely be higher than the $5 daily cost announced two years ago, given the current record cost of fuel,’ Poulton said.

‘With our smaller ships, the cost of fuel is obviously more significant on a per person basis than on the mega-ships,’ he added.

Last week Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. chairman and ceo Richard Fain said it is looking less likely that his company will need to institute a surcharge. Fain cited cost controls through the company’s hedging program and improvements in efficiencies.

Costa Crociere began implementing a fee in April in Germany for future bookings, extending the fee in September to the rest of continental Europe for existing and future bookings. In August, AIDA Cruises instituted a surcharge for new bookings.

During Carnival Corp. & plc’s earnings call in late September, chairman and ceo Micky Arison said consumers had been ‘completely understanding’ about the surcharge, which is why the topic is being discussed with the chief executives of Carnival’s U.S. brands.

Crystal Cruises implemented a surcharge in 2005, of $4 per person, per day for 2006 sailings. Last year, the amount was raised to $5 for 2007 sailings. A Crystal spokesman said there are no immediate plans to increase the amount.

This year, Hurtigruten has been levying a fuel charge of $6 per person, per day on all sailings.

NCCruzer · 11-02-2007, 12:52 PM

Ally,
Would you share the link where this article was posted?

Thx,

**middy** · 11-02-2007, 01:01 PM

Not sure where Ally got it from but found mention of it in this article Gas prices could rise by 35 cents as holidays approach -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

**Ally** · 11-02-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCCruzer

Ally,
Would you share the link where this article was posted?

Thx,

www.cruise-community.comsecurityunauthorized.asp coming soon!

NCCruzer · 11-02-2007, 01:16 PM

Thanks, Ally.

NCCruzer · 11-02-2007, 01:19 PM

Thanks to you, too, Middy.

**Ally** · 11-06-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

It’s official: Regent Seven Seas Cruises is implementing a fuel surcharge of $7.50 per person, per day for 2008 sailings. The charge applies to new bookings made after this Dec. 1 and to existing bookings that are not paid in full by the same date.

Regent announced its decision on a day when crude futures spiked to $97 a barrel in trading, a new high.

The line said published pricing for 2008 sailings allowed for an increase in fuel prices, but not nearly to the extent of current levels. Regent added that it is passing along only a portion of the higher costs to customers.

The move was foreshadowed in an earlier story here. Other lines that level fuel surcharges include AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere for tickets sold in continental Europe, Crystal Cruises ($5 per person, per day for 2007 sailings) and Hurtigruten ($6 per person, per day).

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