Royal Caribbean admits they were wrong about fuel surcharges

Remember late last fall when the cruise lines started levying fuel surcharges to all passengers sailing after February 1 2008? If you booked before they announced the surcharge, too bad. The cruise lines forced all cruisers to cough $5 per day, per guest.

Royal Caribbean Give it Back!If you sailed with Royal Caribbean though, you're in for a treat. If you paid - or put a deposit down - before November 16, 2007, for a Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Azamara cruise, you're eligible for a refund or onboard credit.

Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa, NCL and MSC have not reported repayment of charges yet.

The controversy and bad publicity wasn't so much about the fuel surcharge, but the fact that the fees were forced retroactively. Regardless of when you booked your cruise - or paid the final deposit - the fee was levied on all cruises sailing after February 1, 2008. Dirty pool, if you ask us.

News of the refund follows fast on the heels of a lawsuit against several Miami-based cruise giants: Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. New York resident, Jason Ablelove, claims that a string of nearly identical fuel hikes is proof that cruise lines are involved in price fixing.

If you've already sailed, you'll get a full refund for the surcharge. If you haven't sailed yet, but paid before the specified date, you're eligible for an onboard credit. Spa anyone?

For more information, contact your travel agent.

Wonder if the other cruise lines will take the hint and ante up the fees? These news outlets are also following the story:

• CNN.com - Royal Caribbean to Drop Some Surcharges
• USAToday.com - Royal Caribbean Reverses Course on Fuel Surcharges