55 senior rate disappeared from UK RCI site

[heatherb1953]

Hello everyone
.
Okay, I have just got back from a fortnight in Corfu and was checking my up and coming cruises and noticed that the facility to check for senior rates has disappeared from the RCI UK site. I have done a search on CC and not found any references to it disappearing. Can someone enlighten me please? Are we being penalised yet again over on this side of the pond? I sincerely hope not.

[Elizanessie]

Hi

There was a thread about this-

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1076909

The check box for 55+ was removed for legal reasons apparently.

[Klettberg]

Originally Posted by heatherb1953

Hello everyone
.
Okay, I have just got back from a fortnight in Corfu and was checking my up and coming cruises and noticed that the facility to check for senior rates has disappeared from the RCI UK site. I have done a search on CC and not found any references to it disappearing. Can someone enlighten me please? Are we being penalised yet again over on this side of the pond? I sincerely hope not.

I don't know what penalty you a referring to for us folks this side of the pond, but this side of the channel (Germany) they will no longer make fare adjustments once you are booked. You can cancel (at a 10% fee) and then book anew. I always booked very early and stuck with RCCL/Celebrity throughout. But now I certainly will wait and see whether there are other cruise lines that have better rates. There goes my loyalty.

[livylotte]

If you look at this link below, RCI are still giving discounts to over 55's they just aren't offering it on their main booking page. It says to ring them for deals.

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/cust...d2uf?cS=NAVBAR

Interestingly, Celebrity UK still has the box you can check for over 55's discount. It must be something that just affects Royal Carribean.

[heatherb1953]

Originally Posted by Elizanessie

Hi

There was a thread about this-

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1076909

The check box for 55+ was removed for legal reasons apparently.

Thanks Liz , I knew I could rely on a prompt and precise reply from you . I read the other thread,doesn't look good. It takes seconds to check for 55+ rates online. I don't want to waste time making unnecessary phone calls to check if there is a discount on my cruise to be told there aren't. I suppose I will have to change the way I 'shop' for a cruise and use a lesson learnt a few years ago, when the price you see is what you are happy to pay then book it !!!

[heatherb1953]

Originally Posted by livylotte

If you look at this link below, RCI are still giving discounts to over 55's they just aren't offering it on their main booking page. It says to ring them for deals.

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/cust...d2uf?cS=NAVBAR

Interestingly, Celebrity UK still has the box you can check for over 55's discount. It must be something that just affects Royal Carribean.

Hi , the link just takes me to the RCI map

[C U Onboard]

Originally Posted by heatherb1953

Hi , the link just takes me to the RCI map

Hello Heather - just click through the map and it should appear - I think they call it progress
Charles

[heatherb1953]

Originally Posted by C U Onboard

Hello Heather - just click through the map and it should appear - I think they call it progress
Charles

Hi Charles, yes I know. Fed up of seeing that map every time I log on, even when I work through and save to favourites the page I want the next time I log on I still get the map asking me everytime "where do I live?" !!. I still haven't seen where it still says old codgers can get a discount

[mike@sea]

Originally Posted by Klettberg

I don't know what penalty you a referring to for us folks this side of the pond, but this side of the channel (Germany) they will no longer make fare adjustments once you are booked. You can cancel (at a 10% fee) and then book anew. I always booked very early and stuck with RCCL/Celebrity throughout. But now I certainly will wait and see whether there are other cruise lines that have better rates. There goes my loyalty.

Same here! I still can´t believe RCCL changed the rules to this. How short sighted! Once again US customers get the better deal, while our rules have gone worse. They need us for filling their ships but treat us like second class passengers. No more bookings on RCCL this means for me. They certainly have lost a very loyal customer.

[C U Onboard]

Originally Posted by heatherb1953

I still haven't seen where it still says old codgers can get a discount

It states:

"Great Deals
Are you flexible on your travel dates? Call our Personal Cruise Specialists who can advise on special senior rates on selected sailings for over 55’s or you can make savings by booking a guaranteed category and have your room number assigned nearer to the sail date."

Does this mean UK passengers wishing to avail themselves of special rates can no longer book online and must forfeit the 5% online discount as a result? Me thinks RCI really should think this one again.

[livylotte]

Originally Posted by C U Onboard

It states:

"Great Deals
Are you flexible on your travel dates? Call our Personal Cruise Specialists who can advise on special senior rates on selected sailings for over 55’s or you can make savings by booking a guaranteed category and have your room number assigned nearer to the sail date."

Does this mean UK passengers wishing to avail themselves of special rates can no longer book online and must forfeit the 5% online discount as a result? Me thinks RCI really should think this one again.

I had a slighty different reason for calling them - I wanted specific cabins which were not showing online. I mentioned the 5% discount to the man who was making my reservation and he said he would give me OBC to compensate... however I've yet to see this in writing. I have called 3 times requesting confirmation (1st operator couldn't see obc on my account yet and to call back another time) (2nd said she would look into it for me) (3rd said it wouldn't show up until I got on board and I would have to wait till then).

I'm not loosing sleep over it though as I've got the cabins I want which are priceless to me I could have booked the available cabins online and then called to switch to my prefered cabins but then I'd have used up my 'first free' admin charge which I think I'd rather save and use for a possible price drop.

I do wish they'd give us a level playing field, it would make life a lot simpler!

[heatherb1953]

Originally Posted by C U Onboard

It states:

"Great Deals
Are you flexible on your travel dates? Call our Personal Cruise Specialists who can advise on special senior rates on selected sailings for over 55’s or you can make savings by booking a guaranteed category and have your room number assigned nearer to the sail date."

Does this mean UK passengers wishing to avail themselves of special rates can no longer book online and must forfeit the 5% online discount as a result? Me thinks RCI really should think this one again.

thanks Charles, Found it under 'personal cruise specialist' on the home page which I have never clicked on before, first time for everything.