Royal Eliminates Neighborhood Balcony Perks

[Dajbman22]

3 minutes ago, fletch1027 said:

Here's a scan of the statement. I can see how extensive research into how they can enhance guests expectations led them to figure that guests hated the free soda package? 🙄

 

 

Well, technically speaking lowering guest expectations is enhancing them from RCI's perspective as a business. The lower the guest expectations, the easier it is to please them. 

[CanadaRob]

I guess most disappointed in the $50 OBC, trying neighbourhood guarantee for the first time next year, booked these as a little cost saving measure to cruise more.  The perks were just that an added perk but now like others it doesn't seem worth it

[Dajbman22]

Has anyone booked on an Oasis Class CP/BW already received the $50 OBC in their Planner yet?

[fletch1027]

1 minute ago, Dajbman22 said:

Has anyone booked on an Oasis Class CP/BW already received the $50 OBC in their Planner yet?

 

We are on Harmony in Feb 2020 and have not gotten the $50 OBC yet... 

[Dajbman22]

Yeah still nothing for Oasis in January. It's the first sailing after the change in policy too -so frustrating!

Edited September 18, 2019 by Dajbman22

[dwelter59]

Thanks Dajbman22 for replying.  Have to say never had a bottle of wine in the room and never had any notifications of any free dinners.  Will have to keep an eye out for them on this trip.  Thanks again for replying.

[AshleyDillo]

16 minutes ago, fletch1027 said:

 

Any idea what the typical charge is for lunch for 2 at Jamie's/Gio's? My guess is the bottle of wine is worth $15-$20 tops? I'm curious because we have a cruise in Feb 2020 in a CP balcony and I'm thinking of calling to try and get the OBC bumped up...

 

 

 

My complimentary bottle of wine from Allure a few weeks ago..conveniently with a twist-off top.  Now you know what you're missing out on.

 

The letter was in the room.

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by AshleyDillo

[Dajbman22]

Yeah that is the same exact wine I got this past January... and that same letter.

 

The wine was ok - maybe a step up from Bota Box, maybe. But it was nice to have something to pour on the balcony without running out to a bar. 

The real treat was the lunch at Sabor, but now with that being gone from Oasis in November, it's not a huge loss. 

Strange that dwelter never got at least the letter in 4 sailings... 

Edited September 18, 2019 by Dajbman22
added detail

[John&LaLa]

28 minutes ago, fletch1027 said:

 

Any idea what the typical charge is for lunch for 2 at Jamie's/Gio's? My guess is the bottle of wine is worth $15-$20 tops? I'm curious because we have a cruise in Feb 2020 in a CP balcony and I'm thinking of calling to try and get the OBC bumped up...

 

 

 

Between $19 and $24

I can really only see BW folks getting more

[Sherri914]

The prior perks for Central Park Balcony included gaming lessons (not sure the value of that), lunch at Jamie's or Sabor, plus the bottle of wine.    So the value of OBC should be more than $50 per stateroom.  

 

That said, I haven't been notified of the change in perks either.  I guess i'll be on the lookout for a notice from RCI.

 

[DrewFoundLander]

So I wrote Mr. Bailey.

 

I said 

 

"I booked these (4) BW rooms while on board in April and the cost of the rooms and what was included was a major factor when the decision was made and to make matters worse, I booked Non Refundable Deposit so if I wish to cancel I have to pay a fee or if I wish to change rooms I get repriced to today's rate and then there is the availability issue.

 

The most significant insult is the offer of $50 USD on board credit (X 4 = $200). Seriously, I paid more for the room because of what was included and now I'm offered 50 bucks for the inconvenience? The cost of the soda alone for the same period would be $550!

 

I realize changes happen and you cannot personally be aware of all things at all times but this is genuinely unfair. I expect nothing more that what I booked or reasonable compensation, you would expect no less yourself."

 

Received a call from someone in Miami within a hour on his behalf. Was told it was an executive decision, sorry for your disappointment, no one will receive more than $50 USD OBC as that was part of the executive decision. One nice piece the rep included was that I booked a room, not the perks, they were free. I said I booked the room because of the perks. She said she believes the changes to the program and the $50 OBC is fair. I politely ended the call.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2019 by DrewFoundLander

[Sherri914]

I called Royal just now.  The rep was polite, as always, but had no idea what I was even asking about, but that he'd heard other people calling in about this issue as well today.  After a hold of about 10 minutes, he came back and said that as of 1/1/20, they will no longer offer the neighborhood perks.  Those who have booked prior to 1/1/20 would still receive the perks they were offered at booking.  Those who book after 1/1/20 would receive a $50 OBC.    I politely told him that made no sense whatsoever.  Why would they offer $50 to people booking AFTER they've cut off the offer.  They simply wouldn't offer the perk and be don't with it.  No need for compensation.   First he said "you can just go to the customer service desk once onboard and ask for your perks".   Then he said "I see what you're saying, but all I can share is what I was just told by my supervisor.  We don't have any official announcement.  I see what you're saying - that doesn't really make sense.  So I would just wait and see when they make an official announcement."   

 

So that was a wasted 15 minutes.  Guess I'll wait and see.  I don't have anything in writing stating I won't be getting the perks yet.  

[grapau27]

37 minutes ago, Sherri914 said:

I called Royal just now.  The rep was polite, as always, but had no idea what I was even asking about, but that he'd heard other people calling in about this issue as well today.  After a hold of about 10 minutes, he came back and said that as of 1/1/20, they will no longer offer the neighborhood perks.  Those who have booked prior to 1/1/20 would still receive the perks they were offered at booking.  Those who book after 1/1/20 would receive a $50 OBC.    I politely told him that made no sense whatsoever.  Why would they offer $50 to people booking AFTER they've cut off the offer.  They simply wouldn't offer the perk and be don't with it.  No need for compensation.   First he said "you can just go to the customer service desk once onboard and ask for your perks".   Then he said "I see what you're saying, but all I can share is what I was just told by my supervisor.  We don't have any official announcement.  I see what you're saying - that doesn't really make sense.  So I would just wait and see when they make an official announcement."   

 

So that was a wasted 15 minutes.  Guess I'll wait and see.  I don't have anything in writing stating I won't be getting the perks yet.  

It would have been good PR if they honoured the perks for current bookings but stopped them for new bookings.

Central Park is our favourite part of the ship but we would never book a balcony overlooking an inside area.

It will be interesting to see what future bookings will be like on BW and CP balconies after these perks are withdrawn as a lot of people have said it was the perks which helped make their minds up to book these cabins.

I think a lot of these balconies will end up being sold on Royal Up.

Edited September 18, 2019 by grapau27

[Sherri914]

Tried to edit my post above but couldn't for some reason.   Wanted to say that I did call back to Royal because it just didn't sit right with me.  Held online for exactly 26 minutes to have the rep tell me that yes, for sailings after 1/1/20 the perks would be removed from existing reservations, and that $50 OBC would appear in all cruise planners sometime next week.  I voiced my displeasure in that offer of $50 OBC, and she put me through to a supervisor, who did offer an additional $50 OBC as a courtesy.  Better than nothing I guess.  Honestly, my CP balcony perks were a bottle of wine (probably $15 worth), lunch at Sabor or Jamies (I'm thinking worth maybe $15-$20) and gaming lessons (which I have no desire to take anyway as we don't use the casino).  So the $100 OBC will cover the cost of the lost perks for the two of us.  

[sjb317]

We are currently on Harmony and booked 4 cabins yesterday (Sept. 17) for a family cruise in June, 2020.   3 of them are Boardwalk balconies that we booked specifically because we knew the grandkids could use the soda packages and would enjoy Johnny Rockets.   14 people at a cost of $24,000.  And I am furious as the sales rep even pointed out how nice this would be for the kids. Surely they knew this was coming?

 

Sherri😠

[DrewFoundLander]

2 minutes ago, sjb317 said:

We are currently on Harmony and booked 4 cabins yesterday (Sept. 17) for a family cruise in June, 2020.   3 of them are Boardwalk balconies that we booked specifically because we knew the grandkids could use the soda packages and would enjoy Johnny Rockets.   14 people at a cost of $24,000.  And I am furious as the sales rep even pointed out how nice this would be for the kids. Surely they knew this was coming?

 

Sherri😠

You can try too if you'd like, maybe if more people speak up. Michael Bailey mbayley@rccl.com

[soremekun]

34 minutes ago, Sherri914 said:

Tried to edit my post above but couldn't for some reason.   Wanted to say that I did call back to Royal because it just didn't sit right with me.  Held online for exactly 26 minutes to have the rep tell me that yes, for sailings after 1/1/20 the perks would be removed from existing reservations, and that $50 OBC would appear in all cruise planners sometime next week.  I voiced my displeasure in that offer of $50 OBC, and she put me through to a supervisor, who did offer an additional $50 OBC as a courtesy.  Better than nothing I guess.  Honestly, my CP balcony perks were a bottle of wine (probably $15 worth), lunch at Sabor or Jamies (I'm thinking worth maybe $15-$20) and gaming lessons (which I have no desire to take anyway as we don't use the casino).  So the $100 OBC will cover the cost of the lost perks for the two of us.  

So since I am booked with a travel agent, she would have to call on my behalf?

[sjb317]

22 minutes ago, DrewFoundLander said:

You can try too if you'd like, maybe if more people speak up. Michael Bailey mbayley@rccl.com

 

22 minutes ago, DrewFoundLander said:

You can try too if you'd like, maybe if more people speak up. Michael Bailey mbayley@rccl.com

I will send an email and my husband is going to post on FB.  My husband feels people should contact the Florida Attorney General as these were part of the contract we all signed and totally different than changing an itinerary. 

 

Sherri😠

[time4u2go]

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

 

My complimentary bottle of wine from Allure a few weeks ago..conveniently with a twist-off top.  Now you know what you're missing out on.

...

 

That bottle retails for about $8.50.

[time4u2go]

11 minutes ago, sjb317 said:

 

I will send an email and my husband is going to post on FB.  My husband feels people should contact the Florida Attorney General as these were part of the contract we all signed and totally different than changing an itinerary. 

 

Sherri😠

I'll be curious to hear what the AG says.  Please let us know.

[Clarea]

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

 

My complimentary bottle of wine from Allure a few weeks ago..conveniently with a twist-off top....

 

I've seen that St. Martin offered as the "free" wine in the lounges, so you know that's likely the lowest end wine of that type that is stocked on the ship.

[Sizzlechest]

37 minutes ago, sjb317 said:

 

I will send an email and my husband is going to post on FB.  My husband feels people should contact the Florida Attorney General as these were part of the contract we all signed and totally different than changing an itinerary. 

 

Sherri😠

 

I agree. I also would honestly consider filing a lawsuit. I simply don't believe they can unilaterally set the terms. $50 doesn't cover ONE soda package for a 7 day cruise.

[Clarea]

8 minutes ago, Sizzlechest said:

 

I agree. I also would honestly consider filing a lawsuit. I simply don't believe they can unilaterally set the terms. $50 doesn't cover ONE soda package for a 7 day cruise.

 

I believe the cruise contract to which we all agree when we book requires arbitration.

[Sizzlechest]

35 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I believe the cruise contract to which we all agree when we book requires arbitration.

 

Tell that to John Travolta.

[CP3o]

Since the perks had some value it would seem cruise fare will decrease, or at least the price difference between BW and CP compared to an OV balcony will increase.  Some might prefer a cheaper cruise fare over the perks and it's one less thing to worry about administering.