Why liveaboards are adding fuel surcharges after the recent Middle East conflict
This article is being updated as new notices arrive from liveaboard operators. Information is based on direct operator communication received by Divebooker and may change as fuel prices shift.
Update received: April 10, 2026
The latest conflict in the Middle East is being felt far beyond the region itself. For the liveaboard industry, one of the clearest effects has been a sharp rise in fuel costs, with operators in destinations as varied as the Maldives, the Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Australia, and even the Arctic now adjusting prices to keep trips running. Liveaboards are especially exposed to this kind of change. Fuel powers not only long crossings between remote dive sites, but also generators, air-conditioning, compressors, tenders, desalination systems, and the day-to-day rhythm of life at sea. When oil prices climb quickly, the impact is immediate.
That is why a growing number of fleets have introduced temporary fuel surcharges, revised existing supplements, or warned that extra fees may still be added if market conditions remain unstable. In many cases, operators say they are covering part of the increase themselves, while passing on only a portion to guests. The result is a new layer of pricing across some of the world’s best-known dive destinations, and a reminder that even the most carefully planned liveaboard holiday can be shaped by events far from the reef.
Liveaboards that introduced a fuel surcharge
Update received: April 10, 2026
Blue Horizon Maldives — Horizon 3, Maldives
Blue Horizon Maldives has introduced a fuel surcharge for Horizon 3 in response to what it describes as a sharp rise in fuel prices linked to current geopolitical developments. The operator says the increase is beyond its control and has had a substantial effect on liveaboard operating costs, particularly for cruise operations in the Maldives.
The surcharge is set at USD 200 per person, per cruise, payable onboard, and applies immediately to both future and already confirmed trips. Blue Horizon Maldives notes that this follows a wider pattern across the industry, with other operators making similar adjustments under the same market conditions.
Update received: April 9, 2026
Royal Evolution — Egypt
Royal Evolution has introduced a new fuel surcharge following a series of official fuel price increases over the past year. The operator says it has already absorbed several earlier rises, including increases in April 2025, October 2025, and March 2026, but that the latest jump has made an additional charge unavoidable.
For all 7-night itineraries, the surcharge is set at €50 per person, while 10-night trips will carry a €65 per person supplement. Royal Evolution notes that higher fuel prices affect far more than navigation alone, with knock-on effects across catering, spare parts, lubricants, airport transfers, marina fees, transport, and crew-related costs. The surcharge is presented as a necessary step to maintain the standard of service guests expect on board.
Update received: April 6, 2026
Stella Maris Explorer – Philippines
This Philippines liveaboard says local diesel and other petroleum products have risen to more than three times their previous cost, with further increases still possible in the coming weeks. According to the operator, fuel price updates are being tracked publicly, while local restrictions have also made the situation harder for boat operators by limiting fuel purchases to retail pump prices rather than wholesale or bulk rates.
As a result, the boat says it is now operating under much higher costs that are beyond its control. From trips departing on April 23, 2026 onward, a fuel surcharge of USD 240 per person will apply, with the final amount potentially moving lower or higher depending on fuel prices at the time of departure. The operator adds that most of the unexpected increase has been absorbed internally, with around 75 percent of the added cost not being passed on to guests.
Update received: April 1, 2026
Infiniti — Philippines
Infiniti has raised its current fuel-related charge to USD 150 per person, while noting that the situation is still under review. The operator says it is hopeful fuel prices will stabilize before June, in which case no further increase may be needed.
If fuel prices remain high into June, Infiniti indicates that the fuel surcharge will stay at USD 150 per person rather than the previous USD 120 level. The message reflects a cautious approach, with the final cost tied closely to how fuel markets develop over the coming weeks.
Emperor Divers — Egypt, Maldives, Indonesia, British Virgin Islands
Emperor Divers is taking a slightly different approach to rising fuel costs. Rather than adding a separate fuel surcharge, the fleet has announced that trip prices will increase from April 10 across its operations in Egypt, the Maldives, Indonesia, and the British Virgin Islands. Until then, current rates remain available, with the operator stressing that bookings made now will keep the original price without later add-ons.
The message stays consistent with Emperor Divers’ long-standing “No Hidden Extras” positioning. Instead of introducing an extra fee after booking, the fleet is choosing to adjust its trip pricing upfront, giving guests a clearer total cost from the start. For travellers, that means no separate surcharge line, but it also signals that today’s prices will only remain available for a limited time.
Update received: March 31, 2026
Oceanwide Expeditions — Hondius, Ortelius, and Plancius, Arctic Circle, Antarctica, Norway, Iceland
The pressure is reaching expedition cruising, too. Oceanwide Expeditions has announced a temporary surcharge of 25 EUR or USD per night for Arctic 2026 voyages aboard Hondius, Ortelius, and Plancius from June 5 onward. The company points to volatility in fuel markets, the premium cost of low-sulphur marine fuel, and the particularly expensive logistics of bunkering in Longyearbyen. Even in the polar regions, the ripple effects of today’s fuel market are impossible to ignore.
Spirit of Freedom — Australia
Australia’s Spirit of Freedom has introduced a fuel recovery surcharge of AUD 20 per person, per day for new bookings made from March 26, 2026, covering travel from April 1 to September 30, 2026. The payment will be collected directly by the operator, either before departure or onboard, as part of the broader effort to maintain safe and reliable operations despite higher energy costs.
Update received: March 28, 2026
Seadoors — Philippines
Seadoors says fuel remains available in the Philippines, but at a far higher cost than before. The fleet reports an increase of more than 100 percent and has therefore added a fuel charge of EUR 150 per person, with the possibility of future adjustment if prices keep moving. It is a straightforward response to a market that has become increasingly unpredictable.
Stella Maris Explorer — Philippines
Stella Maris Explorer has announced a surcharge beginning with its April 9 to 15, 2026 departures. The operator says fuel prices in the Philippines have risen by almost 300 percent, though management is covering half of that increase. Guests will therefore be asked to pay USD 180 each, a figure designed to share the burden rather than pass it on in full.
Update received: March 26, 2026
Deep Andaman Queen — Thailand
Deep Andaman Queen appears in the notes with two surcharge versions, both linked to the global oil shortage and political situation. One message refers to an added fee of 1,000 THB per night per space after fuel rose more than 25%, while another mentions 400 THB per night per space after fuel rose more than 40%. Both updates describe the surcharge as a response to increased operating costs.
Hammerhead I and Hammerhead II — Egypt
Hammerhead I and II, operating in Egypt, have introduced a fuel surcharge of 45 while keeping accommodation rates unchanged. The fleet also stresses that Egypt remains a safe destination and notes more flexible options in cases where official restrictions or airport issues affect travel, including rebooking, credit, or refunds, depending on the circumstances.
Sachika — Maldives
Sachika has not yet confirmed a fixed surcharge, but the Maldives liveaboard has made clear that one may still be introduced if fuel prices do not ease. For now, the operator says it is trying to preserve the original terms guests booked under, though it also hints that some contribution from travellers may become necessary if costs continue to rise into April.
Update received: March 23, 2026
Aggressor Fleet — Philippines, Maldives and Egypt
Aggressor has explained that trip prices for 2026 were originally set years ago, based on very different fuel assumptions. Now, with operational costs climbing, surcharges are being applied in multiple destinations. Philippines Aggressor I and II are charging USD 300 for 7-night trips and USD 428 for 10-night trips, while Maldives Aggressor II is charging USD 200 for 7 nights and USD 285 for 10 nights. The notes also indicate that the Red Sea Aggressor vessels in Egypt are among the yachts now affected by the same trend.
Update received: March 23, 2026
Carpe Diem, Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo — Maldives
The Carpe fleet has taken a more itinerary-based approach. For departures from March 22 through April 2026, Carpe Diem will carry a fuel supplement of USD 150 on 7-night trips and USD 180 on 10-night trips. Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo are set at USD 190 for 7 nights, USD 220 for 10 nights, and USD 350 for 12-night itineraries. For later departures, the fleet warns that a supplement may still apply, with the final amount confirmed closer to travel.
The cost of operating routes in Thailand has shifted enough to require an immediate pricing response.
Adora Liveaboard — Maldives
Adora Liveaboard has introduced a surcharge of USD 20 per person, per night, effective immediately. The operator states that this follows a rise of more than 120 percent in Maldives fuel rates, linking the increase to the ongoing war in Iran. It is presented as a temporary measure, with the promise that the charge will be removed if fuel prices return to more familiar levels.
Update received: March 21, 2026
Felicity and Ariyal — Maldives
Felicity and Ariyal, both operating in the Maldives, have introduced a temporary surcharge of USD 150 per person per week for all bookings on departures from March 20, 2026. The extra amount is payable at the end of the trip and will be reviewed regularly. It is another sign of how quickly operators in the Indian Ocean have had to respond to the changing cost of fuel.
White Manta and Blue Manta — Indonesia
In Indonesia, White Manta and Blue Manta have adjusted their fuel policy for both existing and future guests. Existing bookings for departures from March 22, 2026 now carry an additional USD 50 per person, payable onboard, while new bookings will see the fleet’s surcharge rise by USD 100 per person. The measure is being described as temporary and adjustable, a practical response to conditions that remain fluid.
Update received: March 20, 2026
Macana Maldives Liveaboards — Princess Rani, Princess Dhonkamana, Princess Haleema, Maldives
In the Maldives, Macana Maldives has linked its new surcharge directly to a dramatic jump in local fuel prices, explaining that operating costs for each vessel have risen steeply as a result. Princess Rani, Princess Dhonkamana, and Princess Haleema will now carry a temporary supplement of €120 per person per week from April 12, 2026. The fleet notes that the real increase is even higher, but part of it is being absorbed internally in an effort to soften the impact on guests.
Update received: March 18, 2026
White Pearl Maldives and Black Pearl Palau — Maldives and Palau
Pearl Fleet has also responded to the rising cost of fuel, applying a surcharge of USD 35 per person, per night aboard White Pearl Maldives and Black Pearl Palau. The amount will be settled onboard and may move up or down depending on how global energy prices develop in the weeks ahead. It is a flexible measure, shaped by a market that remains anything but steady.
Navis 1 — Philippines
In the Philippines, Navis 1 has introduced a fuel surcharge of USD 150 per person for confirmed departures and new bookings. The additional charge will be collected onboard, reflecting the mounting pressure operators are facing as fuel becomes a significantly larger part of trip costs.
Update received: March 14, 2026
Valentina — Mexico
Mexico has not been immune to the same pressure. M/V Valentina has revised its fuel surcharge from USD 20 to USD 25 per person, per night, effective March 16, 2026. The updated rate applies across its itineraries, including Sea of Cortez routes, Discover Baja departures, Cabo Pulmo trips, and voyages to Socorro. It is a relatively modest increase on paper, but one that reflects a wider pattern across the industry.
Resolute — Philippines
Resolute has taken a similar step, adding a USD 50 fuel surcharge per guest. The operator describes the fee as only a partial response to the real increase in costs, introduced so that operations can continue reliably while the market remains unsettled. If prices ease, the surcharge may disappear just as quickly as it arrived.
Palau Sport — Philippines
Palau Sport has raised its fuel surcharge from USD 100 to USD 150 per guest, pointing directly to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global oil prices. It is one of the clearest examples of how international events are feeding into the everyday economics of liveaboard diving, even in destinations thousands of kilometres away.
Update received: March 13, 2026
Master Liveaboards
Master Liveaboards has also announced that rising global fuel prices are affecting the cost of operating its fleet.
According to the operator, efforts were made behind the scenes to absorb these additional costs and avoid passing them on to guests. However, the continued volatility in fuel pricing has now made it necessary to introduce a temporary fuel surcharge on upcoming departures.
A changing cost landscape for dive travel
For divers planning a liveaboard trip this year, these updates are a reminder that pricing is no longer shaped only by destination, season, or cabin category. Fuel has become one of the most unpredictable variables in the market, and operators across the world are being forced to respond in real time. Some are absorbing part of the increase, others are applying temporary supplements, and a few are still waiting to see whether prices settle before making a final decision.
What remains clear is that this is not limited to one region. From the Maldives to Mexico, from Indonesia to the Arctic, liveaboards are adjusting to a new operating reality created by a conflict taking place far from many of their home ports. For travellers, it adds one more factor to watch. For operators, it is now part of the cost of staying at sea
