No Refundable Deposits

[jcg4550]

I am planning on booking a cruise for my son and his family. I wanted to think that you could have selected a Refundable Deposit or a Non Refundable Deposit. However, now I see in the reservation build that it just stated NO REF Dep. only.

Is this the only option available now? Would hate to lose $500.00 should they not be able to go. Is this the same on other lines?

[Clarea]

I am planning on booking a cruise for my son and his family. I wanted to think that you could have selected a Refundable Deposit or a Non Refundable Deposit. However, now I see in the reservation build that it just stated NO REF Dep. only.

Is this the only option available now? Would hate to lose $500.00 should they not be able to go. Is this the same on other lines?

If you are booking a Junior Suite or less, then you can still get a refundable deposit. You have to go through the reservation and enter the guest names and then you will see an option to have a refundable deposit.

[fred30]

Try using a TA's website for pricing. The one I use does list both.

[Petroplex]

Try using a TA's website for pricing. The one I use does list both.

 

I would be careful if the agent says it is a refundable rate. I was booking a suite in November, and I acknowledge that the policy is different on a suite. However, I was also booking directly with Royal Caribbean (through the casino). The agent assured me that my rate was refundable. On his screen, that rate was the same price as a non-refundable rate and they were listed differently. I was later informed that it was non-refundable. I was given the option of cancelling my booking, but that didn't work because it was a group rate. My dissatisfaction aside, I would get it in writing that the rate is refundable- my experience was to the contrary despite what they told me.

[maryjaden]

All suites are only refundable.

[Clarea]

All suites are only refundable.

I think you meant non-refundable, and that's for Grand Suite or better. Junior Suites can still be booked with refundable deposits, assuming one can enter the 1000 clicks it takes to do that on Royal's website.

[maryjaden]

I think you meant non-refundable, and that's for Grand Suite or better. Junior Suites can still be booked with refundable deposits, assuming one can enter the 1000 clicks it takes to do that on Royal's website.

 

Yes darn auto spell. Sorry for the misprint..

[fred30]

I would be careful if the agent says it is a refundable rate. I was booking a suite in November, and I acknowledge that the policy is different on a suite. However, I was also booking directly with Royal Caribbean (through the casino). The agent assured me that my rate was refundable. On his screen, that rate was the same price as a non-refundable rate and they were listed differently. I was later informed that it was non-refundable. I was given the option of cancelling my booking, but that didn't work because it was a group rate. My dissatisfaction aside, I would get it in writing that the rate is refundable- my experience was to the contrary despite what they told me.

 

My TA's website is pretty clear but I will definitely pay close attention before and once we receive conformation. I normally find my cabin/cruise on their site and then book directly with Royal. I keep any open bookings or other credits in Royal's name. Within 60 days I'll transfer back to TA for incentives.

[shipshapertoo]

Yes be very careful when booking directly with Royal. This past Spring I called RCCL and booked a cabin directly with a rep who assured me the reservation had a refundable deposit. I didnt bother looking closely at the invoice that was emailed to me until a few weeks later when I had to cancel. I called and was told I was losing $100 of the $250 deposit with $150 to be used as credit for future cruises. I said I was assured when I booked that it was a refundable deposit. No way would I ever book a nonrefundable deposit. I sent emails to the executive offices protesting their mistake. I got a call back but executive refused to budge on their mistake. They said it was in the rep's notes that it was nonrefundable and I said it was in my notes that it was refundable. I asked if they pulled the call to hear the conversation and of course they didnt. I had to get my credit card company involved to get a credit put back on my card. So beware.

[molly361]

Yes be very careful when booking directly with Royal. This past Spring I called RCCL and booked a cabin directly with a rep who assured me the reservation had a refundable deposit. I didnt bother looking closely at the invoice that was emailed to me until a few weeks later when I had to cancel. I called and was told I was losing $100 of the $250 deposit with $150 to be used as credit for future cruises. I said I was assured when I booked that it was a refundable deposit. No way would I ever book a nonrefundable deposit. I sent emails to the executive offices protesting their mistake. I got a call back but executive refused to budge on their mistake. They said it was in the rep's notes that it was nonrefundable and I said it was in my notes that it was refundable. I asked if they pulled the call to hear the conversation and of course they didnt. I had to get my credit card company involved to get a credit put back on my card. So beware.

 

That almost happened to me but luckily I caught it before we hung up.

 

I can't get a refundable price now. When I follow thru on the booking and enter my name it says that my C and A number is invalid although when I first enter it on an earlier screen it accepts it.

[Clarea]

That almost happened to me but luckily I caught it before we hung up.

 

I can't get a refundable price now. When I follow thru on the booking and enter my name it says that my C and A number is invalid although when I first enter it on an earlier screen it accepts it.

Lovely.:rolleyes:

[nelblu]

I am planning on booking a cruise for my son and his family. I wanted to think that you could have selected a Refundable Deposit or a Non Refundable Deposit. However, now I see in the reservation build that it just stated NO REF Dep. only.

Is this the only option available now? Would hate to lose $500.00 should they not be able to go. Is this the same on other lines?

 

You think that is bad. I was doing a mock booking for Anthem sailing in Aug.-Sept. '19, a 9 niter to Bermuda & Carib. Looking at balconies and to my surprise, like the airlines, there was "We'll pick your cabin" and "You pick your cabin" choices. Don't know if both were NR or Ref. Difference in price was $200+ cheaper for RCL to pick the cabin.

 

Not sure if it only applies to certain Anthem bookings, because I did another mock booking for a Medit cruise for Aug.-Sept. '19 and it was the normal options.;p

[ONECRUISER]

You think that is bad. I was doing a mock booking for Anthem sailing in Aug.-Sept. '19, a 9 niter to Bermuda & Carib. Looking at balconies and to my surprise, like the airlines, there was "We'll pick your cabin" and "You pick your cabin" choices. Don't know if both were NR or Ref. Difference in price was $200+ cheaper for RCL to pick the cabin.

 

Not sure if it only applies to certain Anthem bookings, because I did another mock booking for a Medit cruise for Aug.-Sept. '19 and it was the normal options.;p

Those price differences been around for while, on some ships/sailings. I booked cabin last year that was cheaper for me to pick cabin then Royal...

[nelblu]

Those price differences been around for while, on some ships/sailings. I booked cabin last year that was cheaper for me to pick cabin then Royal...

 

 

Learn something new every day. For all of my live and mock bookings, this is the first time that I've come across this.