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Seattle-based Windstar Cruises will increase its fuel surcharge from $8.50 to $10.00 per person, per day for future sailings due to the continued escalation in bunker prices.

The surcharge applies to all currently published sailings through spring 2009, for all new bookings, beginning May 19, 2008.

“We are disappointed that this adjustment is necessary, but we hope our guests understand the impact that soaring fuel prices are having on the cruise industry,” said Diane Moore, President of Windstar Cruises.

Windstar's fleet of ships cruise to nearly 50 countries, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas.

The company operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts. It first acquired the 148-passenger Wind Star, which was later joined by sister ships the msy Wind Song in 1987, and msy Wind Spirit in 1988. The 312-passenger msy Wind Surf [pictured] was then acquired by Windstar a decade later. Sailing originally as Club Med I, the Wind Surf was built in 1990 in the same shipyard to similar specifications as her sister ships.

The msy Wind Song was later retired to the Sea of the Moon in January 2003.