Resorts World Cruises have implemented a shocking new cost for travellers boarding their luxury voyages across Asia.
While seabound vacations might be all about getting away from the world, their travel announcement proves there’s simply no escaping the fuel crisis.
In response to “geopolitical developments in the Middle East”, the Malaysian company has begun applying fuel surcharges of up to $35 per day.
“Oil prices have increased significantly, leading to higher fuel and related costs,” the company’s announcement read.
Star and Dream Cruises, both owned by Resort World Cruises, implemented the new cost on March 20 across four different routes, and is applicable to any passenger over the age of two.
The dreamy floating resorts will now cost families of four an additional $980 “to the on-board account for settlement prior to disembarkation”, on top of their original booking price for a week long cruise.
Focusing on Asian itineraries, the most expensive daily surcharge – 200 HKD ($35.60) – has been applied to cruises departing from Hong Kong.
Passengers on cruises departing from Malaysia and Singapore are looking at a charge of almost $17 per day.
Resorts World Cruises assured customers the charges “will be reviewed in line with fuel price movements and may be adjusted downward if prices ease or revised for new bookings should prices continue to rise”.
“This surcharge is determined based on the operating requirements of each ship and itinerary; and therefore vary across our fleet.”
Cruise companies across the world have taken differing approaches to the continued US-Iran conflict and its cost implications; Pearl Expeditions, a cruise line operating across the Indo-Pacific, has confirmed it will not introduce any fuel surcharges in the next two years.
Being one of the largest operating costs for a cruise line, fuel prices are often hedged by companies to lock in lower rates.
These extra charges serve as a reminder that every cruise ticket comes with a contract and skipping the heavy reading might cost a couple hundred dollars.
Many cruise contracts often state that if the price of oil reaches a certain threshold, surcharges will be implemented.
