** Shares of cruise operators up after falling on Friday, following comments by U.S. commerce secretary Lutnick on taxes on cruise ships on Thursday

** Norwegian Cruise Line NCLH.N up 3%, Carnival CCL.N and Royal Caribbean Group RCL.N shares rise ~2% each

** All three stocks fell between 3% and 6% on Friday

** Morningstar analyst Jaime Katz says the price action seems to be in tandem with the broader market rebound

** Brokerage UBS notes since cruise lines pay taxes, including port taxes, where they do business globally, hence international shipping cos have been historically exempted from income tax

** Cites tax experts to say that change in tax treatment would require revision of tax code, and that exemption cannot be eliminated by treasury regulation or executive order

** In 2024, NCLH rose ~28%, while CCL and RCL rose ~34% and ~78%, respectively

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru)

((Neil.JKanatt@thomsonreuters.com;))