Royal Kicked Us Off!!!

[praline3001]

I don't think the reasoning would be the 3 rooms as they are all connecting. As long as they are connecting rooms everything should be fine.

 

With my family of 5, we originally booked 2 balcony rooms. They put my husband, myself and our 11 year old on one reservation and our 15 and 17 year olds on a completely different reservation. I was told this is how they handle reservations for 5 as the system doesn't allow for 5 on 1 reservation.

 

I explained that the 2 boys on a reservation by themselves do not have a 21 year old in the room with them... I had read that and wanted to make sure there were no issues. I was told as long as the room is a connecting one or even near each other they waive that. She was clear to say that had we decided to put the boys in an inside room across from us we could do so without issue.

 

In the long run we ended up upgrading to the OS as the cost difference was not that big compared to 2 balcony rooms.

 

 

With these girls being 18-19 they are legal adults. There is no guardian needed. They can go to the casino and gamble their wee little hearts out if they would like. As said, my oldest is 17 and will be turning 18 3 days after we return. Had we waited to go on our cruise that next week, he would have been an adult and could do all of the adult things on the ship.

 

I am suspecting the problem may be with the wording that RC does not allow student trips? That is a lot of teenagers on one reservation.

[praline3001]

I guess I should explain that my 17 year old has a different last name. I did have to get a notarized letter ~ to be safe~ from my ex husband acknowledging we were taking him out of the country. RC reservation desk had told me if we had waited that extra week, when he turned 18, we would not need the letter. Since the letter wasn't a big deal, I got one just to be safe.

 

Here is the part in their policy I think is effecting this party:

 

Royal Caribbean International does not accept reservations for student groups.

[Moeve]

The line about the student trips actually appiles to the group bookings which this isn't!! This is a family and friends trip RCCL calls individual bookings

 

from a Stockholder point of view the way this was dealt with is dreadful and absolutely unacceptable in a time when ships are already not sailing full to unnecessarily cancel 7 passengers!!! Are you kidding me!!! They could have come up with a solution to make this work instead of huffing and making the passenger cancel.

 

This all besides the fact that they have had the booking for 6 months - notice there is a problem and then don't even contact the passenger in question until the client calls 6 days prior to departure. EXCUSE ME but that is completely unacceptable. If this were me I would not let this get swept under the rug!

[DonnaK]

Brook, the rules are different when it's your own children. You are allowed to book them into their own room, if it is next to or across from yours, without having an adult in each cabin. But, they have to be your own children.

 

"This age limit will be waived for children sailing with their parents or guardians in connecting staterooms..."

 

The OP is traveling with grandchildren and unrelated under-21 year olds.

[celle]

I don't think the reasoning would be the 3 rooms as they are all connecting. As long as they are connecting rooms everything should be fine.

 

With my family of 5, we originally booked 2 balcony rooms. They put my husband, myself and our 11 year old on one reservation and our 15 and 17 year olds on a completely different reservation. I was told this is how they handle reservations for 5 as the system doesn't allow for 5 on 1 reservation.

 

I explained that the 2 boys on a reservation by themselves do not have a 21 year old in the room with them... I had read that and wanted to make sure there were no issues. I was told as long as the room is a connecting one or even near each other they waive that. She was clear to say that had we decided to put the boys in an inside room across from us we could do so without issue.

 

In the long run we ended up upgrading to the OS as the cost difference was not that big compared to 2 balcony rooms.

 

 

With these girls being 18-19 they are legal adults. There is no guardian needed. They can go to the casino and gamble their wee little hearts out if they would like. As said, my oldest is 17 and will be turning 18 3 days after we return. Had we waited to go on our cruise that next week, he would have been an adult and could do all of the adult things on the ship.

 

I am suspecting the problem may be with the wording that RC does not allow student trips? That is a lot of teenagers on one reservation.

 

This is the problem, as already quoted above:

"No Guest younger than the age twenty-one (21) will be assigned to a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult twenty-one (21) years old or older. A guest's age is established upon the first date of sailing.

 

This age limit will be waived for children sailing with their parents or guardians in connecting staterooms..."

 

Your situation was different, because your children were sailing with their parents.

 

The OP is taking her grand-daughter and 4 of the grand-daughter's friends. She and her husband are not parents of guardians of any of the teenagers.

[Twolittleboys]

It does sound as if the problem is the 3 cabins /only 2 over 21. That being said, they should not have accepted the booking and should have notified you as soon as they noticed. While I disagree with the original rule it is RCI's right to make the rules. However, the way they are handling this is not acceptable.

 

I would try to save the reservation by possibly adding on a third adult (maybe there is a friend/sibling/parent over 21 willing to go?) if possible. I think RCI should give you some OBC as an apology for messing up the reservation in this way (I realize they are not obligated to do this but think it would make good business sense) which would (largely) offset the cost for the additional adult.

 

Good luck getting this straigthened out or at least finding another fun destination!

[Moeve]

Ok I am going to nit pick now but what is difference about it being ones own kids or kids who parents have allow these girls on a trip with written consent?

 

Passed experience says that makes absolutely no difference since many parents out there on vacation think they are on parenting vacation too.

[uksimonusa]

There's 2 "rules" that are coming into play here,

 

The no under 21's in a cabin without a 21 year old and a rule that I hadn't heard of until the same kind of thing happened to me, and that is that you can only take 1 unrelated minor per related minor.

 

We have often taken our daughter, only child, and 2 friends with us on cruises, on 2 occasions, we have taken her and 3 friends, never a problem, until we tried to book Explorer for this summer, the booking was taken, no problem, it was only when I called C&A to have the balcony discounts added, that I was told, this wont work, you have to many unrelated minors.

 

It seems that if I had 10 kids of my own, i could take my 10 kids and 10 friends and supervise 20 kids without a problem, BUT as I only have 1 kid, then I can only take 1 friend.

 

After many emails and phone calls with the executive office, it was agreed that we could cruise if my daughter had a cabin with me, and her 2 friends shared a cabin with my wife.

 

I do see a way round this that may work, based on the above.

 

Your GD is a relative, therefore she can be in a cabin on her own, with 1 friend, as long as it is connected to, or across the hall from your cabin.

 

The remaining 3 "kids" can share the other 2 cabins with the 2 adults, they are over 18, so the relation thing should not come into play, and there will be an over 21 year old in each cabin with the non related minor.

 

Good Luck

[praline3001]

I understand the "ones own children" however they are on a reservation by themselves. RC has my 2 minor boys booked under their own ressies ...different numbers and everything.

 

Even when we upgraded and are now all in the same room, my boys are on separate reservations. Its kind of a pain in the butt to be honest! When booking our onboard things I have to make sure everything is correct for 2 reservations.

 

The computer and system sees no difference. As far as the computer system is concerned ~ my boys (15 and 17) are cruising by themselves lol

[mesci14]

If this is RCL's policy so be it, but of greater concern is no notification and allowing the booking to take place to begin with... RCL should offer a suite that allows all of them to stay in the same suite (to accomodate their rule AND to make up for RCCL's mistake) Wow in this economy they chould be looking to hang on to clientele.

[bajathree]

There's 2 "rules" that are coming into play here,

 

The no under 21's in a cabin without a 21 year old and a rule that I hadn't heard of until the same kind of thing happened to me, and that is that you can only take 1 unrelated minor per related minor.

 

We have often taken our daughter, only child, and 2 friends with us on cruises, on 2 occasions, we have taken her and 3 friends, never a problem, until we tried to book Explorer for this summer, the booking was taken, no problem, it was only when I called C&A to have the balcony discounts added, that I was told, this wont work, you have to many unrelated minors.

 

It seems that if I had 10 kids of my own, i could take my 10 kids and 10 friends and supervise 20 kids without a problem, BUT as I only have 1 kid, then I can only take 1 friend.

 

After many emails and phone calls with the executive office, it was agreed that we could cruise if my daughter had a cabin with me, and her 2 friends shared a cabin with my wife.

 

I do see a way round this that may work, based on the above.

 

Your GD is a relative, therefore she can be in a cabin on her own, with 1 friend, as long as it is connected to, or across the hall from your cabin.

 

The remaining 3 "kids" can share the other 2 cabins with the 2 adults, they are over 18, so the relation thing should not come into play, and there will be an over 21 year old in each cabin with the non related minor.

 

Good Luck

 

 

OK...this is making the most sense.... although I have to admit...I didn't even know of that policy. However I don't believe that your analogy that if you had 10 kids....you can take 10 friends would be correct.

I have talked to TA's in the past that book large Quinceañera groups. To make matters even more confusing the chaperon policy changes whether the reservation was booked in the US verse abroad....even when sailing on the same ship in the US. A US booking say on Monarch has much stricter chaperon rules than say a group booking that same Monarch sailing from Brazil. I was very surprised learning that....but it is apparently why when you see say a Quinceañera group from Brazil with 100 kids and only like 10 chaperons..it is allowed. But if it were a US Quinceañera group then they have to have many many more chaperons to confirm to the US policy.....also why when you see a US Quinceañera group you see so many parents.

[leaveitallbehind]

Something does seem wrong with this as we have - as parents, not grandparents - brought freinds of our children with us in the past with all the required notorized authorization from their parents, etc. Maybe it has something to do with the booking arrangements with who is occupying the staterooms? The RCI policy regarding this says:

 

"No Guest younger than the age twenty-one (21) will be assigned to a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult twenty-one (21) years old or older. A guest's age is established upon the first date of sailing.

 

This age limit will be waived for children sailing with their parents or guardians in connecting staterooms; for underage married couples; and for active duty members of the United States or Canadian military".

 

Maybe - and I am not the authority - since you are neither the parent or legal guardian of any one including the traveling companions AND (more importantly) as they are all under 21, they cannot occupy a stateroom together as indicated in the policy. (even though you meet the connecting room criteria).

 

You certainly are owed a correct explanation by RCI and clearly someone didn't understand your arrangement or the rules in place at the time of your booking. But they may in fact be correct in not allowing the reservation under your circumstances? Either way it is a shame and sorry to hear of the problems.

[praline3001]

OK...this is making the most sense.... although I have to admit...I didn't even know of that policy. However I don't believe that your analogy that if you had 10 kids....you can take 10 friends would be correct.

I have talked to TA's in the past that book large Quinceañera groups. To make matters even more confusing the chaperon policy changes whether the reservation was booked in the US verse abroad....even when sailing on the same ship in the US. A US booking say on Monarch has much stricter chaperon rules than say a group booking that same Monarch sailing from Brazil. I was very surprised learning that....but it is apparently why when you see say a Quinceañera group from Brazil with 100 kids and only like 10 chaperons..it is allowed. But if it were a US Quinceañera group then they have to have many many more chaperons to confirm to the US policy.....also why when you see a US Quinceañera group you see so many parents.

 

Yup, in my round about dingy way this is what I meant :o

I think the policy would be in the statement:

 

Royal Caribbean International does not accept reservations for student groups.

 

More then 1 unrelated minor per related minor would be covered under that statement. I don't think the student group has anything to do with group bookings but who is all related.

 

Now if they are all from Arkansas ... NO PROBLEM :D

[sanwin]

It is a real pain when there are 5 people in one stateroom and we have to have 2 reservation numbers......RC need to get a new computerised booking system !...if they have ststerooms that can sleep 5/6/7/8 etc then the system should allow us to book everyone on 1 invoice...

 

Sorry went off subject there but it such an inconvience when you try to book excursions /show reservations etc ( before sailing)

 

I think the only options for the OP is to complain at the top level and then if they are told to rearrange the cabin situation of 3 down to 2 ...then ask for some OBC as compensation for all the upset.

[praline3001]

It is a real pain when there are 5 people in one stateroom and we have to have 2 reservation numbers......RC need to get a new computerised booking system !...if they have ststerooms that can sleep 5/6/7/8 etc then the system should allow us to book everyone on 1 invoice...

 

Sorry went off subject there but it such an inconvience when you try to book excursions /show reservations etc ( before sailing)

 

I think the only options for the OP is to complain at the top level and then if they are told to rearrange the cabin situation of 3 down to 2 ...then ask for some OBC as compensation for all the upset.

 

I agree 100000000%!!! It is a pain!

We have 2 set sail passes, 2 bookings we have to make for shows and dining.

On a plus side ... we got TWO sets of luggage tags :D

[johneeo]

It is always interesting to see the RCI Sales Prevention Team in action.

[04mach1]

Keep us updated. I hope things work out.

[mickeysgal]

The booking man that day I gave the credit card # even said I had to have DH+me in the middle room, cause our walls had to physically adjoin both the girls' rooms. He also told me to get permission slips made out by parents giving us temporary guardianship, signed + notarized concerning all 5 18+19 yr old ladies! I have that but "specialist" says "no, that's no good, you would have to be court-ordered legal guardians forever of these young women!"

 

Sounds like this is part of the problem. You may have had adjoining rooms but not connecting rooms?

 

I agree with the others - call back but don't speak to whoever answers the phone. Escalate this to a supervisor right away. Make RCL fix it. 6/7 days before the cruise and you just happened to stumble across this problem because you happeneded to be the one to call? If you had shown up at the pier do you really think they would have denied you or been forced to fix it right then and there? RCL needs to fix this now. They need to assign you to two rooms - one that sleeps 4 and one that sleeps 3. Assign you in one and your DH in another. Or a family stateroom or a suite. Whatever it takes.

[emelvee]

It is always interesting to see the RCI Sales Prevention Team in action.

 

lol

[mommaof 3]

I was not able to book connecting rooms for our family of five on the Monarch, not sure that ship has that option....

 

Regardless, it appears that they really do not want that many unrelated 18-19 yo's on the ship without their families. Considering what can happen with teenagers passing drinks to each other, or coming back onto the ship wasted - maybe RC just considers it not worth the trouble.

 

Also - is it even possible for an 18 yo (who is not unable for mental reasons) to have a LEGAL guardian. Maybe RC realized this is a whole can of worms due to a prior experience, who knows. Any lawyers out there who could clarify?

 

Good luck finding a rental home, it is too bad you found out so late, it sounds like you got bad info to start with.

[akcruz]

I understand the "ones own children" however they are on a reservation by themselves. RC has my 2 minor boys booked under their own ressies ...different numbers and everything.

 

Even when we upgraded and are now all in the same room, my boys are on separate reservations. Its kind of a pain in the butt to be honest! When booking our onboard things I have to make sure everything is correct for 2 reservations.

 

The computer and system sees no difference. As far as the computer system is concerned ~ my boys (15 and 17) are cruising by themselves lol

 

The difference is the 2 bookings are linked so they do know your boys are sailing with you. Unless they are linked you wouldn't be able to combine your show bookings, etc.

 

To the OP, sorry to hear this happened and believe they never should have taken your booking if this truly was a problem. Fight for something for your troubles!

[JimShockz]

I was not able to book connecting rooms for our family of five on the Monarch, not sure that ship has that option....

 

Regardless, it appears that they really do not want that many unrelated 18-19 yo's on the ship without their families.

 

On a personal note,It may be a challenge having a relaxing time knowing that you will be on point during the entire trip,hopefully it works out well.

 

Best wishes:)

 

-JH

[lysolqn]

Eighteen is the age of majority in the US, however, I believe most cruise lines will not allow anyone under the age of 21 to book unless there is an adult over the age of 25 booked in the same cabin. The motivation for the rule is self-explanatory and clearly, families with more children than just two are permitted some leeway. I'm guessing the issue at hand has nothing to do with the OP taking his/her granddaughter but rather with the OP taking FOUR NON-RELATED 18/19-year-olds who are booked in cabins without someone over the age of 25 booked in there with them. The OP has my sympathies and admittedly, this situation should have been spotted and appropriately handled, i.e., reservation denied, long before a week out from the cruise.

[praline3001]

The difference is the 2 bookings are linked so they do know your boys are sailing with you. Unless they are linked you wouldn't be able to combine your show bookings, etc.

 

To the OP, sorry to hear this happened and believe they never should have taken your booking if this truly was a problem. Fight for something for your troubles!

 

I understand what your saying however its not like that for us.

On my RC account page we have the 2 separate reservations listed as our booked cruises. When I make a show or dining reservation the page asks if I would like to add another reservation number to the event. I then have to add my sons' ressie number for it to come up. It does this for anyone who is traveling with non family members. When we went on a cruise with our neighbors (who are well over the age of 21) we had to do the same exact thing. I am sure there is a notation on my boys' reservation somewhere but as far as the computer system is concerned, it treats them like they are their own little group.

 

The only reason I bring it up is due to how much of a pain it is. Is it really that hard to add 5 or 6 to 1 reservation in this day and age of technology?! LOL many of their suites and many families have more then 4.

[bajathree]

It is a real pain when there are 5 people in one stateroom and we have to have 2 reservation numbers......RC need to get a new computerised booking system !...if they have ststerooms that can sleep 5/6/7/8 etc then the system should allow us to book everyone on 1 invoice...

 

Sorry went off subject there but it such an inconvience when you try to book excursions /show reservations etc ( before sailing)

 

I think the only options for the OP is to complain at the top level and then if they are told to rearrange the cabin situation of 3 down to 2 ...then ask for some OBC as compensation for all the upset.

 

It's actually very easy....when you book the first shore excursion or specialty dining reservation on-line it will ask if you would like to include someone from another reservation...you just put in that other reservation # and the names of the people in that reservation will populate....once you do that the first time the guests from that other booking will always pop right up when you try to make any other reservations.