idamae3218

I appreciate the responses from most. But the ones about how I could look for the refundable rate online or that over the phone some of you were asked, (I was not & the phone recording confirms that), or if…. I do not believe that because a company supposedly gives you a discount on a product, that you should be able to get a credit if you cancel. As I mentioned in another reply, I’ve booked several groups with them and deposits use to be fully refundable if you canceled before final payment. I probably didn’t pay attention to when NRD started as we’ve never cancelled (outside of Covid). Royal taking our money while providing no service versus giving a credit for a future cruise to keep their customers coming back, only leads me to believe that their business model includes collecting fees as a priority. If you’re ok with Royal doing business this way, cool. But please don’t try to make this policy sound ok. It’s not. Even they greedy dollar grabbing ($ for bags, seats, food) mainstream airlines give their customers credit.

Actually, that’s incorrect. NRD, non refundable deposit, you did not receive a refund, but a credit, minus the change fee. You can research this that as of 5/31/22 FCC was stopped. I have booked groups with Royal several times. Deposits use to be fully refundable if you cancelled before final payment. NRD is recent (last few years) and is the default for online reservations. No option for refundable deposits. Over the phone, they don’t offer refundable fares. Why is that? Without FCC, if you cancel, Royal can basically keep the deposit fees of anyone that doesn’t have another cruise to book. What reputable travel company does that? A booking almost a year away should be able to receive a refund or at least a credit. Btw, we have several other vacations planned over the next few years and do not have any availability. I would cancel the other cruise, that’s 5+ months away, but don’t want to lose another deposit. Royal’s business model has changed too much for my family. If it works for you, great.

I’m really disappointed in Royal. It’s been our go to cruise line for almost 20 years. First cruise was in 2001. I just learned that as of 6/1/22, their NRD program no longer gives Future Cruise Credit (FCC) if you cancel. I called on 6/2/22 and put three cabins on hold for our family vacation in June of 2023. My family was ok with the date and price, so on 6/3/22 I paid the deposits for all three. Last week we discovered the date in June no longer worked for us, so I called Royal to cancel. I expected at most to pay the $100pp penalty fee. But no, Royal kept the whole deposit. They said even though I called and no one told about the new policy, it was in the terms in the reservation they sent me when I put it on hold. Even though the $100pp change penalty is there, it doesn’t say they no longer give FCC. We are out $1500 and did not receive anything. After I cancelled I remembered my husband and I had another cruise planned with a group. So I called Royal back, asked for Resolution dept. I requested they apply my cabin’s deposit to this cruise. No go. I feel like it’s a money grab. Like airlines have with baggage and seat fees. They get the our deposit and 10 months to fill the three cabins. Royal could have shown some good will to a loyal customer by salvaging part of our $1500 deposit. Don’t get taken by Royal. Online reservations does not offer an option without NRD; and over the phone the agent does not mention a non NRD option. I can’t believe it. Almost twenty years of cruising with Royal is over. Their methods are sneaky and deceptive. Now we’re looking into MSC cruises. They have newer ships that leave from our area.