Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, whose Economic Crimes Division has reached a resolution with two cruise lines over fuel supplements on cruise passengers, said the refunds could total $21 million paid by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Those sister companies agreed to refund fuel surcharges collected retroactively from consumers after they had booked their cruises. McCollum also advised Florida consumers to check their hotel, cruise and airline bills for any surcharges not properly disclosed and to report any problems to the Attorney General's Office.

"Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are the first cruise lines to step forward and take actions to resolve this matter in their customers' best interest," McCollum said. "This resolution will serve as a model for the rest of the cruise line industry, and I expect the other companies to take this example and follow suit."

The agreements were reached after the Economic Crimes Division received several hundred complaints from around the country about the cruise line industry, alleging cruise lines were retroactively charging a fuel supplement charge after cruises had been booked and deposits had been made by consumers. The agreements allow for the imposition of the fuel supplement as long as the charges are disclosed in "a clear and conspicuous manner in advertising and bookings."

Under the agreements, all consumers who were retroactively charged a fuel supplement will be refunded the full cost of the surcharge. Consumers who have not yet sailed will receive their refund as an onboard credit. In the future, McCollum said, the cruise lines must also ensure "clear and conspicuous disclosure of any fuel supplement charges at the time the reservations are made, as well as in their advertisements." Royal Caribbean and Celebrity will contact consumers eligible for refunds and must report to the Attorney General's Office on the status of refunds within 30 days. Consumers who believe they have been improperly charged surcharges may file complaints with the Attorney General's Office by calling the fraud hotline at 866-966-7226 or by visiting the Attorney General's website at http://myfloridalegal.com.