Argh, really annoyed - Page 2

jbwaterski · #21 March 2nd, 2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteukmcr

So sorry this has happened, and it's another example of one rule for those who book in the US and for those of us who book in the UK. The details of the UK T&Cs http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_ima...cm16-11237.pdf Section 1.11 gives the details of the £75 change of sailing fee, and the £35 fee for changing cabins etc.

This is not exclusive to the UK. I live in the states, and the same type of thing just happened to us.
We booked an oceanview in December for our Easter Sunday cruise on Allure. On Tuesday, I saw that an Oceanview with a balcony was about $200 less than we paid. I called my TA and he called RCCL and he was told it was only for new bookings. I didn't even ask for a refund, I just wanted the better cabin. So I called C&A, told them I am a Diamond member and have brought many groups of friends and family on RCCL. As many as 31 have sailed with us and over 20 three times. That wasn't good enough.
As my TA said, it makes no business sense to upset some of your best customers and TA's to give those cabins to "new Bookings.

Jim

TEXASMUNK · #22 March 2nd, 2013, 08:00 PM

The UK's consumer protection laws. They are so strict and draconian that the cruise lines need to close any and all loopholes. Just you do not have the buying flexibility of the US consumer. Ain't our fault....sorry for the frustration.

chimaer · #23 March 4th, 2013, 05:09 AM

Well I've been on the phone to them again and as a goodwill gesture they have given me the same deal for the price I've paid already so I've got a free upgrade to a balcony stateroom. So it's worth phoning to see if they can do anything

ilanas · #24 March 4th, 2013, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulxyz2004

I´m from a Euro country and have purchased $NCC´s without a problem. But I don´t know if this makes a difference, I had booked the cruise I purchased those NCC´s on in the US and had them go to my US TA again. So it can be done, just not sure if it will depend on how the cruise you are on is booked.

We did this several years ago without problem for Celebrity but not all cruise companies would allow non US passengers to book. A year later we tried to book a Celebrity cruise with the same TA & weren't able to !!!! go figure.

Our first cruise went down in price a lot & after several phone calls to our TA, we were upgraded dramatically & got on OBC.

The last two cruises we've booked more than 6 months in advance, the prices have risen a great deal. Our current cruise at the end of May is sold out for balconies & the price of inside cabins that remain are more expensive than the price we paid.

LobstersLass · #25 March 4th, 2013, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chimaer

Well I've been on the phone to them again and as a goodwill gesture they have given me the same deal for the price I've paid already so I've got a free upgrade to a balcony stateroom. So it's worth phoning to see if they can do anything

Result! Enjoy your cruise.

purescottish · #26 March 4th, 2013, 08:00 AM

When we cruise, within a week of returning home, we book for the next year through a TA, get the price, pay it, and never ever look at other prices as we know the rules and restriction would make us lose out one way or another...
I would drive myself insane if I kept finding higher or lower prices, so I don't even want to know ! just pay what I'm happy with and cover my ears and eyes to pricing till it's time to pack LOL

wendy

chimaer · #27 March 4th, 2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purescottish

When we cruise, within a week of returning home, we book for the next year through a TA, get the price, pay it, and never ever look at other prices as we know the rules and restriction would make us lose out one way or another...
I would drive myself insane if I kept finding higher or lower prices, so I don't even want to know ! just pay what I'm happy with and cover my ears and eyes to pricing till it's time to pack LOL

wendy

I'm usually the same, never look as I don't want to know if it's gone cheaper. But my bloody mother decided to book a med cruise in July and saw the offer and that my cruise was in it lol. She thought she was doing me a favour bless her as I only booked 2 weeks ago so she thought it would be an easy change. Turned out ok in the end

purescottish · #28 March 4th, 2013, 12:01 PM

so glad it turned out ok for you this time....... you need to have a word with the mother for next time LOL,

have a great holiday though.we are doing Freedom west Caribbean in July and Liberty west med in Oct, and I'm covering my ears and singing la, la, la until we leave

wendy

SadmanCruiser · #29 March 4th, 2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villauk

Another reason to book via the States. I think I may even try to get my next cruise certificate in $. Has anyone not from the US ever been refused a $NCC when onboard - just wondered if you could purchase one without any issues?

In my experience they will not let a UK guest book a future cruise certificate in $$ unless you have a US adress or travel agent.

I would try talking to fellow guests about their travel agents and then email the agent to ask if they will work for you. Once you have a US agent you can get the NCC assigned to the agent and will then be able to get the US prices, and drops.

Pete

twinkle1980 · #30 March 6th, 2013, 08:16 AM

Been told they will make the exception for us too! £58 per cabin and now balcony cabins :-)

ticktoneer · #31 March 6th, 2013, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villauk

Another reason to book via the States. I think I may even try to get my next cruise certificate in $. Has anyone not from the US ever been refused a $NCC when onboard - just wondered if you could purchase one without any issues?

I've bought them in $'s no problem :-)

chimaer · #32 March 7th, 2013, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinkle1980

Been told they will make the exception for us too! £58 per cabin and now balcony cabins :-)

Glad it worked out for you too. Enjoy your cruise

Steppy08 · #33 March 7th, 2013, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbwaterski

This is not exclusive to the UK. I live in the states, and the same type of thing just happened to us.
We booked an oceanview in December for our Easter Sunday cruise on Allure. On Tuesday, I saw that an Oceanview with a balcony was about $200 less than we paid. I called my TA and he called RCCL and he was told it was only for new bookings. I didn't even ask for a refund, I just wanted the better cabin. So I called C&A, told them I am a Diamond member and have brought many groups of friends and family on RCCL. As many as 31 have sailed with us and over 20 three times. That wasn't good enough.
As my TA said, it makes no business sense to upset some of your best customers and TA's to give those cabins to "new Bookings.

Jim

They will upgrade you only if it is an additional cost. For example, our sailing on Allure we had booked an el cheapo interior cabin, then about 3 months prior the prices dropped and a sweet Boardwalk balcony came available for only $100 more pp.

We could not get the new price on the el cheapo cabin, but we did get the balcony. Even then, we were given the "new bookings only" line at first, but being persistent and asking to speak to supervisors paid off.

jenibor · #34 March 7th, 2013, 07:15 AM

Interesting post. It doesn't only apply to cruises. Our government has launched an inquiry into technology prices in Australia. We pay much more than in the US for technology and there is no reason related to costs to the companies (eg microsoft, apple etc). http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-3...starts/4163864