Mon 10 Nov 2008, 09:40 GMT

Cruise firm sued over fuel surcharge


Attorney General files lawsuit following Economic Crimes Division investigation.



Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum has filed a lawsuit against cruise shipping company Imperial Majesty Cruise Line for allegedly failing to adequately disclose fuel surcharge fees.

According to the lawsuit, Imperial Majesty has collected approximately $4 million in fuel surcharges since late 2006. The company, which offers two-day cruises to the Bahamas, is also accused of falsely representing those fees as governmental taxes or fees.

An investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division determined the company’s web site informs consumers that a “fuel/security” surcharge will be added to their onboard account “…only if [they] have not paid the governmental taxes and fees at the time of booking.”

The suit alleges that many travelers first learned of the $20 to $30 surcharge when they arrived to embark on their cruise.

The lawsuit follows agreements reached this spring with cruise line companies Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises over a similar issue. The Economic Crimes Division received several hundred complaints from customers who said the aforementioned cruise lines were retroactively charging a fuel supplement after cruises had been booked and deposits had already been made.

The Attorney General's office is asking customers who sailed with Imperial Majesty in the past two years to come forward if they feel that they were either not informed of the charge at the time of booking or that the charge was misrepresented.


TFG Marine relaunches operations in Trinidad and Tobago graphic. TFG Marine relaunches bunker supply operations in Trinidad and Tobago  

Marine fuel supplier returns to Caribbean location after operational hiatus.

Delivery ceremony of the Grande Istanbul vessel. Grimaldi takes delivery of fourth ammonia-ready car carrier Grande Istanbul  

Italian shipowner adds 9,241 CEU vessel to fleet for East Asia–Persian Gulf route.

LCO₂ carrier vessel render. Seven Japanese maritime firms sign MoU on standard design framework for LCO₂ carriers  

Major shipping lines and shipbuilders to collaborate on decarbonisation vessel designs through the MILES platform.

Washington State Hybrid-Electric 160-Auto Ferry vessel render. Washington State Ferries awards ABB hybrid-electric propulsion contract  

ABB to supply systems for first two hybrid-electric ferries in US electrification programme.

IBIA and Hong Kong Shipowners Association MoU signing. IBIA and Hong Kong Shipowners Association sign MoU on marine energy collaboration  

The two organisations have agreed to work together on sustainable shipping initiatives.

Nicklas Mikkelsen, Malik Supply. Malik Supply hires first trader for new Dubai office  

Nicklas Mikkelsen joins Danish bunker supplier ahead of January 2026 launch.

Tallink’s MyStar vessel. Tallink's MyStar joins Gasum's FuelEU Maritime compliance pool using bio-LNG  

Nordic energy company Gasum signs pooling agreement with Elenger to generate compliance surplus.

Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) speakers. Maritime coalition gathers in Brussels to advance methane measurement and abatement technologies  

MAMII convenes shipowners, engine makers, and policymakers to accelerate methane reduction from LNG-fueled vessels.

Green oil bubbles. BIMCO delays biofuel clause for time charters to spring 2026  

Maritime organisation pushes back publication to address safety, technical requirements, and industry feedback.

Group photo of participants at the REMPEC expert meeting. Mediterranean moves closer to nitrogen oxide emission controls  

Expert meeting endorses feasibility study with 2032 target for Med NOx ECA implementation.





 Recommended