The "first amphitheatre at sea" with nightly theatrical performances will be a feature of the huge Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas cruise ship sailing late next year. (Handout - Royal Caribbean)

Cruising to Alaska Cruising through Europe Famous ships on the sea

In these days of ever-increasing fuel prices, everyone is feeling the pinch -- including cruise lines that are sharing the pain with their guests.

With some lines facing a doubling of fuel costs this year, they've added surcharges reaching -- as of this week -- up to $15 a day and some with per-cruise maximums of up to $140 or so a person.

Many cruisers feel nickel-and-dimed as there are added fees for port charges and taxes, $10 to $30 a person for fine dining at alternative restaurants onboard and tipping charges of $10 or so a day a person added (with an option to change the amount or opt out).

There's also the 15 per cent added for service charges on alcoholic drinks, while soft drinks and bottled water usually carry a charge and the compulsory gratuity.

Travel agents say, however, the base price of a cruise is lower now than it was 10 years ago and even with the added fees, cruising is still a good deal for an unbeatable vacation.

Based on new bookings, Regent Seven Seas charges $15 a person, daily while Crystal's fuel surcharge is $12 a person, daily and Norwegian wants $11 for each of the first two passengers in a cabin and $5 daily a person for additional passengers in a cabin.

Celebrity is adding $10 a person, daily for the first two passengers and $5 daily for additional passengers.

Royal Caribbean wants $10 daily for each of the first two passengers and $5 daily for additional passengers while Silversea and Windstar charge $10 a person, a day.

Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Seabourn levy $9 a person daily for the first two passengers and $4 a person, a day for the third to fifth guests.

A long-time surcharge holdout, Disney Cruise Line now charges $8 a person daily for the first two guests and $3 for the third to fifth.

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Are you ready for a big-city cruise experience?

Royal Caribbean offers just that with its next generation of cruise ships led by Oasis of the Seas.

The maiden voyage sails on Dec. 12, 2009 for seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Fla. for the inaugural year.

As the "world's largest and most revolutionary ship," it will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tonnes, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy and have 2,700 staterooms.

It will feature a neighbourhood concept with seven distinct themed areas including Central Park, Boardwalk and the Royal Promenade.

There will be the first amphitheatre at sea with nightly theatrical performances, rock climbing walls, a zip-line and 37 types of accommodation including two-level loft suites. www.oasisoftheseas.com

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Princess Cruises will launch the Ruby Princess a week earlier than expected with an inaugural sailing on Nov. 8.

Speedy completion of the 3,070-passenger vessel allows the earlier seven-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale to the western Caribbean ports of Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays, the line's private island.

A sister to the Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, the ship will have a piazza-style atrium with small-bite eateries and an array of performing street entertainers.

The Sanctuary will be an adults-only retreat and there's an Italian trattoria, seafood and steak house, giant outdoor movie screen and 900 cabins with private balconies.

Fares for the maiden season begin at $699. www.princess.com

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Even though it's the largest Holland America ship, the just-launched Eurodam has a smaller feel with just 2,014 guests.

Pan-Asian cuisine is showcased at the Tamarind restaurant, high atop the ship, offering ocean views. This includes dim sum, satay and Rijsttafel -- a Dutch adaptation of the traditional Indonesia dinner.

The Silk Den, an adjacent lounge, overlooks the magradome and a "colourful poolside water feature."

Dinner at Tamarind costs $15 a person, $20 for Rijsttafel, while lunch is no additional charge.

The ship will cross the Atlantic Ocean and begin Canada/New England sailings in September, followed by Caribbean itineraries. www.hollandamerica.com

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Cruise ships will return to Costa Maya this fall when Mexico's Riviera Maya is rebuilt after heavy damage by Hurricane Dean last year.

The new docks can handle the largest ships, the first of which to arrive on Oct. 31 will be Holland America's Westerdam, followed in November and December by the Veendam and Statendam.

Others returning include Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, Carnival Legend and Carnival Glory, Norwegian Spirit, Oceana, Seven Seas Voyager and Navigator.