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November 16, 2007 – In
an effort to deal with the sharp increase in fuel prices, Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced the implementation of a
fuel supplement of $5 per guest per day for sailings that depart
on or after February 1, 2008.
“I thank our guests for understanding our need to implement this
fuel supplement,” said Brian Rice, executive vice president and
chief financial officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We
have gone to great lengths to minimize the impact of rising fuel
costs, for example, designing and building more fuel-efficient
ships, installing energy-saving lighting, and using air
conditioning more efficiently. Unfortunately, as fuel prices
have reached record highs, we are forced to take this
extraordinary step to offset those costs.”
The company has taken measures to soften the impact of this
decision. For example, the company will not apply the
supplement on any bookings where the guest has already paid the
full cost of the cruise. In addition, guests who were booked
before November 16, and who do not agree to pay the supplement,
may cancel their reservation prior to December 7, 2007, for a
full refund of all monies they have paid to the company, and
they will not be subject to any cancellation charges that would
normally apply. Those guests who do not cancel their
reservation and pay in full will receive one logo item per
stateroom, onboard their cruise. Finally, the supplement will
apply only to the first and second guests in each stateroom and
will not exceed $70 per person, per sailing.
The supplement will assist the company in offsetting the
widespread increases in fuel prices, which have more than
doubled in recent years. The supplement will be periodically
reviewed, with the intent of being temporary, and may be
adjusted as fuel prices fluctuate.
The company will provide travel agents with an administrative
fee of $12 per existing booking to help offset the costs
associated with contacting guests with existing reservations and
collecting payment of the supplement for each booking that sails
on or after February 1, 2008.
The charge will involve three Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and
Azamara Cruises. Pullmantur Cruises, the Madrid-based,
wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd, has also
implemented a fuel supplement of €50 for its tours and cruises
that depart on or after January 1, 2008.
“We know the rising cost of fuel has affected everyone, and,
unfortunately, our company is no different,” Rice said. “We
hope the options we are providing, including additional time for
guests to finalize vacation plans, will underscore our
commitment to our guests.”
The supplement is effective for new and existing North American
bookings. The company cannot predict the impact of the fuel
supplement on its earnings, as it does not know the number of
new or existing bookings that will accept the proposed
supplement.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company
that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises,
Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisières de France. The
company has a combined total of 35 ships in service and seven
under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations
in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin and South
America and New Zealand. Additional information can be found on
www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebrity.com. www.pullmantur.es,
www.azamaracruises.com, or www.rclinvestor.com.
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