Crystal Levies $5 Fuel Surcharge on all 2007 Cruises

Crystal Cruises will institute a daily fuel surcharge of $5 per person on all 2007 voyages, effective July 17, the company said earlier this week in a press release.

While the company cited a substantial increase in fuel prices since announcing its 2007 cruise fares, Crystal said that there would be no change to the current daily fuel surcharge of $4 per person that is currently in effect for all 2006 voyages.

Any bookings made and paid for prior to July 17, at the current fare, will not incur the 2007 fuel surcharge.

In the statement Crystal said that it had “hoped to continue absorbing the additional expenses associated with soaring fuel prices, but we find that this has not been possible while maintaining the integrity of our product.”

The other Carnival Corp. brands –Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruises and Windstar Cruises- have not decided whether to add a surcharge as well, but are assessing the situation, sources said.