Fuel Surcharges are back

On Monday, I announced that fuel surcharges were likely to be reinstated on cruise ships due to current market conditions and the fuel spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

On Tuesday, Cunard announced that it was reinstating the fuel surcharges for new bookings made from May 10, 2010 on sailing after November 1, 2010.

Here is the email I received:
"Because of the continued rapid escalation of fuel prices, Cunard Line and P&O (UK) will introduce a fuel supplement of $3.85 (USD) per person per day. These brands will also implement this fuel supplement on third and fourth passengers.
The new fuel supplements will apply to all new bookings effective May 10, 2010 and will apply to all departures from November 1, 2010. The fuel supplements will not exceed $154.00 per person per voyage.
For bookings made prior to May 10, 2010, no fuel supplement will apply.
We regret having to take this action, but fuel price increases have continued, and we now find it necessary to implement a modest supplement.
Please remember that all of your bookings made on or before May 9, 2010 will not be subject to the new fuel supplement."

Since Cunard is a member of the Carnival family of cruise lines, I can virtually guarantee that the other members of the Carnival family (Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa and more) will follow suit.

I'll keep you posted but if you were getting ready to book a cruise, I would do it NOW.