New Policy

[Seagrove traveler]

I booked an Alaska cruise on my favorite online travel agency yesterday (July 17th) for a southbound cruise on the Millenium. Today I noticed the price dropped by $500.00 so I called the online agent only to be told it is Celebrity's policy to now offer an onboard credit equal to 110% of the price decrease. She also said if we don't inform Celebrity of the price drop within 48 hours, they won't honor it. NO More price adjustments. Can this be true? The agent said it went into effect on May 17, 2010. I had not even been invoiced for this and yes, it is within the final payment window. Is there anything I can do??? The agent offered to help with Celebrity management tomorrow to perhaps ask for an upgrade. I am an elite member. Will that make a difference?:cool:

[firstplacechef]

There have been many posts about this in the past couple of weeks. It is a bummer but with the economy the way it is I am not surprised. Keep on your TA as you are in the window! Best of luck with the outcome.

[tomatopa]

I love onboard credit......

[Seagrove traveler]

I do to but $500.00 in cash is always nice. Whatever the outcome, I LOVE CELEBRITY and can't wait for the trip.

[BBsails]

If I'm not mistaken, your unused OBC will be credited back to your credit card at the end of the cruise.

[ISABELLA]

Cancel and rebook

[PartyAllDaTyme]

I booked an Alaska cruise on my favorite online travel agency yesterday (July 17th) for a southbound cruise on the Millenium. Today I noticed the price dropped by $500.00 so I called the online agent only to be told it is Celebrity's policy to now offer an onboard credit equal to 110% of the price decrease. She also said if we don't inform Celebrity of the price drop within 48 hours, they won't honor it. NO More price adjustments. Can this be true? The agent said it went into effect on May 17, 2010. I had not even been invoiced for this and yes, it is within the final payment window. Is there anything I can do??? The agent offered to help with Celebrity management tomorrow to perhaps ask for an upgrade. I am an elite member. Will that make a difference?:cool:

 

You need to notify Celebrity via a form found on their website-- this is how they're determining if you meet the 48 hour criteria. BTW, they have said that they won't be strict about this but will decide each on a case-by-case basis, so 49 hours is probably okay, 60 hours, no. If, by "invoiced", you mean it hasn't shown up on your card statement yet, or that you haven't received confirmation from Celebrity yet, it goes by when final payment is made. If you've provided payment information, consider it paid. The policy does allow upgrades (if available) to a cabin that's now the same (or less) money than you originally paid, or you can upgrade to a higher priced cabin for the difference. Elite status should not be a factor (but you never know).

 

If I'm not mistaken, your unused OBC will be credited back to your credit card at the end of the cruise.

 

Unused OBC as a result of the Best Price Guarantee is nonrefundable.

 

Cancel and rebook

 

The OP is within the penalty period. He would lose his deposit, at least, so cancelling an rebooking will only save him money if the total price drop is more than the total deposit.

[Seagrove traveler]

I was told by Captain's Club and my TA that since I made final payment on the 18th and the price drop was on the 19th, Celebrity would honor their "best price guarantee" and issue an onboard credit for 110% of the difference ($550.00 credit). Had I not been in the final payment period, they would have made the adjustment. After final payment and if the price drops, you are only allowed 48 hours to ask for the adjustment. They will not do upgrades or deviate from this policy. According to Celebrity, the onboard credit can be used for anything purchased onboard, including money in the casino but it does not apply to gratuities (which are included in my booking). I hope their martini bar is as nice as the Solstice. I am a happy cruiser, although I would have preferred the price adjustment. :cool:

[bob278]

If you don't spend a dime of the $550 (what are the odds of that happening?) and get it all in cash at the casino (paying the 3%), you'll still net $533.50. That's pretty darned good.

[phoenix_dream]

I booked an Alaska cruise on my favorite online travel agency yesterday (July 17th) for a southbound cruise on the Millenium. Today I noticed the price dropped by $500.00 so I called the online agent only to be told it is Celebrity's policy to now offer an onboard credit equal to 110% of the price decrease. She also said if we don't inform Celebrity of the price drop within 48 hours, they won't honor it. NO More price adjustments. Can this be true? The agent said it went into effect on May 17, 2010. I had not even been invoiced for this and yes, it is within the final payment window. Is there anything I can do??? The agent offered to help with Celebrity management tomorrow to perhaps ask for an upgrade. I am an elite member. Will that make a difference?:cool:

 

I am not sure what the disconnect is here, but just this past week-end we had a price drop honored that amounted to over $600. It was an actual price drop, not an OBC. We booked this in March (for next March), so perhaps it was because it was an old booking?

[eandj]

I am not sure what the disconnect is here, but just this past week-end we had a price drop honored that amounted to over $600. It was an actual price drop, not an OBC. We booked this in March (for next March), so perhaps it was because it was an old booking?

 

 

The new policy is for bookings made after May 17th. So yes, you were covered under the old policy. Keep watching as you might see more drops. ;)

[PartyAllDaTyme]

After final payment and if the price drops, you are only allowed 48 hours to ask for the adjustment. They will not do upgrades or deviate from this policy.

 

Are you certain that they will not do an upgrade, if available? This contradicts information from Carol Cabezas, Celebrity's director of sales strategy and automation, as quoted in a Cruise Critic news article dated May 19--

 

Q: What if I book within the penalty period and the price drops after 48 hours?

 

A: If you book within the penalty period and the price drops after 48 hours, you will not receive the difference in onboard credit. However, if the price you paid is now equal to the rate for a higher-category cabin, you can request an upgrade and the line will try to accommodate you if a cabin is available.

 

(Here's the link to the complete article--

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3880)

 

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm now wondering if they've modified the policy, if the information was wrong to begin with, despite the source, or if whomever you dealt with at Celebrity was wrong.

[Alsmez]

I am not sure what the disconnect is here, but just this past week-end we had a price drop honored that amounted to over $600. It was an actual price drop, not an OBC. We booked this in March (for next March), so perhaps it was because it was an old booking?

 

Not only are you grandfathered under their old policy because you booked in March, but you're also not within the final payment window, which is really the only thing that is affected by the new policy. What people need to worry about now are price drops AFTER final payment.

[Seagrove traveler]

I think I was not offered an upgrade because the price for one was higher than the OBC of $550.00. Besides, I am very happy with the room we have since it has a large balcony.

[Seabee]

Hey Seagrove, Just a slight deviation from this thread to let you know of a funny story. Many years ago (1960s) my dad took me down to look at some property a couple of guys were considering buying. It was gulf front but out in the middle of nowhere and full of nothing but scrub oaks. Long story short...he didn't buy. And yep that is now Seagrove....I'd be cruising alot more if he had bought.:eek:

 

Beautiful beach and great area.

[C 2 C]

If I'm not mistaken, your unused OBC will be credited back to your credit card at the end of the cruise.

 

Some OBCs are in the form of "use it or lose it" but you can withdraw it/them out at the casino for a 3% charge. It seems these items are open to "discussion" depending on the people at the customer "service" desk and the ship. We have had some serious difference of opinion on some of our sailings.

[Seagrove traveler]

Hi Seabea, Yes, we wish we had bought in Seagrove way back when and can't imagine living anywhere else (long way to go for most cruises, however). Our beaches are still beautiful despite what you may hear in the media.:cool:

[tuggers]

In the verbage on your billing print out there will be two codes. One is for OBC that will be refunded, one is for OBC that can't be refunded. Use those codes to check which credits you need to withdraw from the casino or lose.:rolleyes: