No more price drops for RC?

[Jimbo]

What's the big deal, no more lowering the price after the final payment due date. Come on people get over it.

 

If you are not happy with the price of your cruise by the final payment date, just cancel your cruise and look elsewhere.

 

Really everyone is making this out to more then it really is.

 

Move on.

 

 

 

 

Jimbo:)

[Cliftoncruz]

Last night I contacted RCI on the C&A chat line and asked a few questions about this new policy.

 

ShannonRCCL[20:17]: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

Jim [20:17]: Could you please explain the new price protection plan, the way it is written is confusing. I am assuming that after 5/17/10 a lower rate must be advertised by RCL within 48 hours. My question is if I book a GS on 5/18/10 or 2100.00 per person, for cruise on 12/4/10. On 8/18/10 the cost for GS is lowered to 1800.00 per person, what will I receive from RCL. An OBC for the difference, are reduction on my final payment or nothing. Thanks

ShannonRCCL [20:18]: PI am checking into it for you please give me a moment

Jim [20:19]: Thank You, I understand you may be busy with this new policy.

ShannonRCCL [20:21]: If you find a lower rate you have different options

[20:22]: you may upgrade if offered

[20:22]: you may get an on board credit

[20:22]: you may get a refund or

[20:23]: the Best Price Protection program

[20:23]: where if you find a lower rate in 48 hours

[20:23]: you get 110% as an onboard credit

[20:25]: So to answer your first question directly - within 48 hours you would have the options listed above offered to you

Jim [20:26]: So would it be fair to say that 48 hours is only for the 110% credit. If there is a price reduction prior to final payment you have the first three options to choose from. After the final payment date no price reduction is possible.

ShannonRCCL [20:27]: You can after final payment be offered adn OBC for the difference...no refund though

[20:27]: Yes 48 hours if only for the 110% credit

[20:29]: May I be of further assistance?

Jim [20:30]: Or after the first 48 hours after booking the reservation a price reduction on a GS there is not option available. Strike that question, you answered while I was typing. So the only significant change is the 110 credit for the first 48 hours. Any price reduction in the same cabin category could be handled by the first three options.

ShannonRCCL[20:31]: yes and that after final payment refund is not an option, only offering onboard credit now.

Jim [20:33]: Thank You! I suggest that some one look at how the release was written, it allows for several different interpretations that could lead to some upset customers. Thank You again for responses!

ShannonRCCL [20:34]: My Pleasure and I will pass your suggestion on. Good Evening!

 

Again this response is different from the one posted by QTMichele. I tried to give a scenario that could help me understand this policy. I thought I had a good handle on these issues, but once again I am confused.

 

In my profession I must give clear, concise and understandable directions or someone could be seriously hurt. Apparently, RCI has a history of not providing understandable information about policy changes to all their employees or contractors, and potential customers.

 

During today's WOW sale I was possibly booking a B2B on the Voyager for 11/27/11 and 12/3/11 out New Orleans, in a GS. However, at this point with all the confusion I am not sure that will happen. Of course someone may point out that in a suite RCI normally does not reduce the cost per person. They have, significantly!

 

I know companies have a right to change their policies and programs, but the changes should be communicated to all those affected (employees and customers) before implementing. One of the worst things a company can do is alienate their customer base.

 

One more thought, as a shareholder, with RCI stock recovering nicely when will RCI re-start the dividends? ;)

 

Jim

[cruise wizard]

It will be interesting to see how future bookings will be affected.......if it is down.....like I suspect - how will the top management explain the lower future bookings during their quarterly earnings reports - Wall Street will want to know!!!!!

[Aquahound]

I was hoping I would log on this morning and everything would be cleared up. Nope.

[BroncosFan2010]

Still confused, but since I cannot convince DH to book our next cruise until we complete our B2B, I guess I will have 3 months to let everyone else figure this one out!

[patseacruiser]

COASTER - where is the link that says before May 17 because I looked in FAQ and didn't see it?

[OhioJeff]

I was hoping I would log on this morning and everything would be cleared up. Nope.

Sadly, I doubt we will see any glimpse of clarity until a few pax actually test the process, rather than asking CSR for their version of the new policy.

 

 

 

 

Link to the May 17 date

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqId=4207&faqType=faq

[Ocean Boy]

What's the big deal, no more lowering the price after the final payment due date. Come on people get over it.

 

If you are not happy with the price of your cruise by the final payment date, just cancel your cruise and look elsewhere.

 

Really everyone is making this out to more then it really is.

 

Move on.

 

 

 

Jimbo:)

 

Feel free to take your own advice. For now the rest of us will stay right here.

[Ocean Boy]

Good morning all............as they said in Gone with the Wind........Tomorrow is another day!:)

 

You know in the end........Royal Caribbean has the absolute right to determine and develop any policy they want as a business. While I think this new policy is the most under thought policy they have come up with to date, they have the right to try and develop new industry standards.

 

I'm just amazed at the number who continue to think they can do no wrong and stand by them at any cost......

 

We all did this once over the last 20 years as we now accept as standard airline bag charges, smaller seats, $10 sandwiches etc in the airline industry......

 

It will be interesting to see where this ultimately ends.........I have been wrong before.........but be careful what you CHEER for.......you may be asking yourself in a few years............now tell me again how we got here?:)

 

Here is the problem as I see it. Some here will look at RCI's business decisions and side with them every time if it can in any way be seen as for the good of the company. So here is my question. If RCI is looking out for what is "supposedly" in the company's best interest and the customer is looking out for what is in the company's best interest, who is looking out for OUR interests?

 

Some people seem to be so complacent about everything that we are hit with whether it be from the comanies or governments that we deal with. Sometimes I can't do anything but shake my head.

[FloridaPalms]

What's the big deal, no more lowering the price after the final payment due date. Come on people get over it.

 

If you are not happy with the price of your cruise by the final payment date, just cancel your cruise and look elsewhere.

 

Really everyone is making this out to more then it really is.

 

Move on.

 

Jimbo:)

 

 

 

Sorry to disagree with you Jimbo (see my earlier post) but, because there are so many unanswered questions, or different answers depending upon who you talk with at RCI, THIS IS A BIG DEAL!!!

 

No lowering the price after the final payment due date? Fine, I think we can all live with that.

 

But nowhere is it printed in black & white that they will honor price drops BEFORE final payment for any cruises booked on or after May 17th!

 

Some have been told they will get the price drops (before final payment) but only if they cancel & rebook. RIDICULOUS! And wouldn't that cause anyone with an OBC issued for NCC, Visa Rewards Certificate, etc., to lose that OBC???!!! Not to mention the chance of losing their original cabin selection???!!!

 

And, if you combare the Price Protection Program announced last September (see cruisenfever's post) with the new Price Protection Programs announcement to TAs (see Madhouse24's post and crusinmama06's post) and as it now appears on RCCL's website, THERE WILL BE NO PRICE DROPS ON ANY CRUISES BOOKED AFTER MAY 17TH UNLESS YOU FIND ONE WITHIN 48 HOURS. IT STATES NOTHING ABOUT HONORING PRICE DROPS BEFORE FINAL PAYMENT.

 

Maybe this is NOT what the leaders of the nation of WHY NOT intend, but, for now, this is what is written. And it is enough to turn the WOW sale into a NOT NOW sale.

 

Disclaimer: Just MHO, your MMV, the opinions expressed are not necessarily the views of the management, don't operate heavy machinery until you know how this will affect you, etc., etc.

[bala1130]

I was all set to book on the Oasis today, but since this new pricing policy started yesterday I decided to hold off and see what else is out there. I found this site that lists a total of 21 new ships currently being built and will be launched over the next few years. New capacity being added totals just under 62,000 berths http://www.cruisenewsdaily.com/newships.html

 

That is a lot of capacity being added and it all will need to be filled each week! Economics says supply of rooms is going up, demand will be going down and pricing will need to go down to fill them. I'm sure this went into the planning for this new policy. There are going to be some great deals to come if you wait until 60 days prior to sailing. That is what I will be doing... :D

[seriously_subdued]

Maybe this is NOT what the leaders of the nation of WHY NOT intend, but, for now, this is what is written. And it is enough to turn the WOW sale into a NOT NOW sale.

 

 

LOL!

 

I was thinking about booking something during the WOW sale but if the price decreases before final payment and I have to cancel and rebook there goes the OBC. I am fine with no credit after the final payment, I do have a problem with the time between deposit and final payment.

 

BTW..how do you get a member's name to be associated with the quote?

[Mysticks1]

LOL!

 

I was thinking about booking something during the WOW sale but if the price decreases before final payment and I have to cancel and rebook there goes the OBC. I am fine with no credit after the final payment, I do have a problem with the time between deposit and final payment.

 

BTW..how do you get a member's name to be associated with the quote?

 

Go to the post you want to quote and hit the "quote" button at the bottom right - a post form will pop up and have that person's post at the top. You can edit the middle but don't edit the things within the [ ] or it won't work correctly. It must have a quote and end quote within those.

[teralin]

This is all rather worrying. How long before they change their cancellation policy? In the UK, you lose your deposit if you cancel anytime after you have booked. How long before this is applied in the US, thus making it more expensive to cancel and rebook cruises if the price drops?

[Ocean Boy]

LOL!

 

I was thinking about booking something during the WOW sale but if the price decreases before final payment and I have to cancel and rebook there goes the OBC. I am fine with no credit after the final payment, I do have a problem with the time between deposit and final payment.

 

BTW..how do you get a member's name to be associated with the quote?

 

Yes, if you have to rebook you will loose your OBC. However, if the price goes up you will pay more for the cruise and have no OBC. On a 7 night cruise it takes a price drop of $50.00 per person to break even on the loss of a $100.00 OBC per cabin from the WOW sale. You could book now and then decide if the deal if better when, or if, a price drop comes along.

 

Answer to your question.... when you want to respond to a specific post click the "QUOTE" button on the lower right corner of that particular post instead of the usualy button that you click to post to a thread.

[Ocean Boy]

This is all rather worrying. How long before they change their cancellation policy? In the UK, you lose your deposit if you cancel anytime after you have booked. How long before this is applied in the US, thus making it more expensive to cancel and rebook cruises if the price drops?

 

When that happens I will pick out several cruises that I am interested in around the same time frame and 30-60 days out I will pick the on that is the best value. The big shots at RCI will be swallowing bottles of aspirin and changing their underware several times a day when ships have no bookinging until 30-60 days prior to their sailing.

[marci22]

The big shots at RCI will be swallowing bottles of aspirin and changing their underware several times a day when ships have no bookinging until 30-60 days prior to their sailing.

 

lol

[seriously_subdued]

Go to the post you want to quote and hit the "quote" button at the bottom right - a post form will pop up and have that person's post at the top. You can edit the middle but don't edit the things within the [ ] or it won't work correctly. It must have a quote and end quote within those.

 

 

Thank you very much.

[QTMichele]

Again this response is different from the one posted by QTMichele. I tried to give a scenario that could help me understand this policy. I thought I had a good handle on these issues, but once again I am confused.

 

Jim

 

Hi, Jim. :) Thanks for posting your chat history. I'm so glad Royal is on the ball and gives clear as mud answers. ;)

 

By the way, are you from Clifton Springs? I have family there...

[tropicbird]

I have to wonder how much we have shot ourselves in the foot and are really the ones to blame for this. By posting on this very board every time we got a price reduction (how many posts have you seen with titles like "Just Got a Price Drop!") what probably started out as a policy to address situations that came up less frequently, became too much.

 

I suspect that in the past not as many passengers knew to look for price drops, so when one happened, a fraction of the passengers that might be eligible for a drop would call and claim it. Now I would not be surprised if hundreds of people call whenever a drop occurs on a sailing. I saved about $400 on a Bermuda cruise that we took on Enchantment a few weeks ago due to a drop. Imagine how much money was lost on that ship if even 1/3 of the passengers called for a reduction in fare? Well, as a result of this board and others, pretty much everyone knows about the policy and some jump on and brag about how much they saved and how cheap their cruise is.

 

Honestly, how long could this last before the cruise line had to do something? It's a love/hate relationship. We (well most of us anyway) love RCL, but we HATE to pay a thin dime more that we could otherwise. So many of these postings are about how to save a nickel on a cruise by smuggling in your own rum (do you wonder why they are starting to look for rum runners now? Yep, beacuse you told them exactly where to look while bragging on this very board about how much booze you smuggled on board and how much money you saved by doing so).

 

The cruise lines read these boards. 'Secrets' and practices to save $ will not stay that way for long. More examples? The 3% fee in the casino since folks were taking advantage of that as a way to artificially boost RCCL Visa points or get cash without paying ATM fees... Changing the minimum on Blackjack to $6 from $5 on the cheap tables to deal with the match play coupons...

 

I rather dislike the change, heck, it has saved me literally thousands of dollars, but we really can't expect to publicize all the little 'tricks' of the cruising trade, have everyone and their brother start doing it as well, and not expect the companies to adjust their policies accordingly. After all, they are in business to make, not lose, money. And the next time you fly, try to call the airline and have them honor a lower price you found... This really was intended to be the exception rather than the rule (though I agree that the whole 48 hours thing is rubbish... make it 30 days or something similar).

 

Waiting until later to book now...

[Jimbo]

When that happens I will pick out several cruises that I am interested in around the same time frame and 30-60 days out I will pick the on that is the best value. The big shots at RCI will be swallowing bottles of aspirin and changing their underware several times a day when ships have no bookinging until 30-60 days prior to their sailing.

 

Did something like you are thinking of doing just this past March.

 

First we found good air prices from Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

We always leave a 1 day prior to the cruise.

 

So we booked our flight going to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday morning, we were in Ft. Lauderdale by 11am. Our return flight was leaving the following Sunday at 1pm.

 

Since alot of cruiselines sail out Ft.Lauderdale we waited until last minute to book either a 7 day cruise leaving on a Saturday or a Sunday and still make our 1pm flight on Sunday.

 

So we just waited and watched prices up until about 2 weeks prior to the cruise before we booked it.

 

Ended up booking a Balcony GTY on Holland America Eurodam at a great price.

This was a Saturday to Saturday sailing so we just used priceline and got a cheap hotel for Saturday night and flew home on Sunday.

 

Worked out great.

[JaneyLynn]

well that took care of me researching the Europe routes. I was waiting until this "sale" to book for 2011. I'm not a fan of giving the cruise lines thousands of dollars to hold for a over a year

[estoyer]

ummm....wow....geesh...and me installing all that software to moniter all the price drops....bummer. I was looking forward to keeping an eye on it for the next year until we cruise. Wow.:(

 

Guess there will be no more daily price hunting for us. Glad we where able to get a $400 reduction on the cruise we've booked this year!

 

Happy Sailing @ Higher Costs!

Earl

[Into the Sun]

will be looking at Princess or Carnival, Holland, and Costa for the summer cruise. I was going to do the WOW today and surprise DH, but if the price goes down it is no benefit to me. I will just watch and wait as it is not esential for me to go, (just wanted to give him a nice Fathers Day gift). Oh well good thing there are other ships I wanted to try. (But I have sailed on Princess, Carnival, NCL, Disney, I just love RCCL and am D+ so they have earned my loyalty, apparently it is not enough for them now).

[Addictedtocruising]

If I book the Wow sale today just to get the reduced deposit do I have the option to decline the OBC and use my C&A balcony discount instead?

 

Then if there is a price reduction before final payment and they force me to cancel and rebook I would lose nothing..(other than maybe my preferred cabin)

And of course I would have to put down a full deposit down.

 

The cruise is a year away, I don't want to tie up a full deposit but do want a certain cabin.

 

Thanks

Donna