Oasis - Junior Suites oversold for March sailing

[klove613]

12 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Again, ridiculous seems like too strong of word, though I understand that such an offer might might work for you. Consider that a cabin or cabins might have had to be taken out of service this week due to a plumbing or other unforeseen mechanical/ service issue.  Perhaps no earlier notice could have been given. 

 

The cruiseline is simply asking for volunteers with flexible schedules and is offering compensation for them to move to a comparable (or better) cruise at a lower price.  Admittedly, anyone accepting the offer would have to deal with rearranging dining, show and shore arrangements during the last week, so again, only flexible and/or lightly scheduled souls should consider the offer...those do exist.  More notice would be nicer, but as flexible Floridians, a week is quite possible for us...especially if the ship is better and the port is the same or closer.

I might be willing to give the benefit of the doubt that this was an unforeseen service issue if it weren't for the Junior Suite snafu. Also, when we are talking about a cruise a week away, I do not think an emailed survey is the best course of action. That warrants a phone call IMHO. I am very disappointed in Royal. People can disagree, but I don't think they are helping themselves with these weak compensation offers for what is admitted their fault (in the Junior Suite situation).

Edited February 2, 2020 by klove613

[blueeyescruiser]

I talked through the options with my spouse and know that we would enjoy the newer ship, but the additional cost just seemed a burden at this point. I spoke with RC and the credit that we would get back for the second person would be in the form of a credit back on our Future Cruise Certificate that I was given by RC after my Harmony Cruise this past summer. This is basically a “free cruise” for us, so we hate to start throwing money at it.  We are driving, but it is a two day trip for us, so we also have a hotel booked that is non refundable.  Here is a more comprehensive list of my negatives. 
We would be out a $189 hotel reservation.

We would have to repurchase onboard items such as deluxe beverage at higher offerings. ($47/ person to 60/person) 
We just sailed Mariner to Coco Cay in Dec and Harmony to Coco Cay, St Thomas, & St  Marteen in June, so the itinerary is not a big draw. 

I’m also worried that we might not get show bookings on Symphony. I tend to book those far in advance to ensure that we get the shows that we want so I have no idea what that would be like 7 days out from sailing! We just have never had this type of issue with RC before!  RC is going to be back in touch with me, so I would love to hear any more advice that anyone wants to share on this “overbooking” issue. 

[marci22]

32 minutes ago, blueeyescruiser said:

RC is going to be back in touch with me, so I would love to hear any more advice that anyone wants to share on this “overbooking” issue. 

I would just say 'no thank you'. Someone else will take their offer.

[Starry Eyes]

19 minutes ago, klove613 said:

I might be willing to give the benefit of the doubt that this was an unforeseen service issue if it weren't for the Junior Suite snafu. Also, when we are talking about a cruise a week away, I do not think an emailed survey is the best course of action. That warrants a phone call IMHO. I am very disappointed in Royal. People can disagree, but I don't think they are helping themselves with these weak compensation offers for what is admitted their fault (in the Junior Suite situation).

Well, I obviously do not know what the issue is or when it was discovered, but my point is it could be a recent problem.  And your point is valid...the 2/9 overbooking could be a similar IT glitch to the JS overbooking.  Certainly their IT dept is capable of multiple snafus.  If so, the snafu might be a recent discovery, as the JS issue appears to be.  In any case, the cruiseline is taking responsibility and is seeking volunteers...what is wrong with that?

 

Hmmm, phone call or email?  You’d want a phone call rather than an email (though you feel the offer a week out is ridiculous). As a person who would consider the offer, I’d much rather receive an email.  A phone call might come at an inopportune time, might make my decision feel rushed, and might result in miscommunications.  With an email, DH and I can talk it over, I can check our schedules carefully, the offer is already in writing, there is no sense of pressure with somebody on the phone.  Email is far more efficient for the cruiseline, so they are much more likely to find the right volunteers...in this case, the ones that a thrilled to take the offer...who’d love to leave a day sooner on a newer ship (even if they must get new reservations as soon as they board).  Maybe somebody who has an event come up after the cruise and the extra day will be a blessing.  I want the volunteers to be happy to take the offer, and mass email is far more likely to find that rare bird than phone calls

 

The offer for the JS overbooking  seemed weak to me, too, especially as they offered refund for the second passenger (who’s rate is already typically discounted at time of booking).  Still, at least one solo CC poster (no second passenger) seems to have been treated reasonably well, so perhaps others will be as well.  

 

 

[Starry Eyes]

54 minutes ago, blueeyescruiser said:

I talked through the options with my spouse and know that we would enjoy the newer ship, but the additional cost just seemed a burden at this point. I spoke with RC and the credit that we would get back for the second person would be in the form of a credit back on our Future Cruise Certificate that I was given by RC after my Harmony Cruise this past summer. This is basically a “free cruise” for us, so we hate to start throwing money at it.  We are driving, but it is a two day trip for us, so we also have a hotel booked that is non refundable.  Here is a more comprehensive list of my negatives. 
We would be out a $189 hotel reservation.

We would have to repurchase onboard items such as deluxe beverage at higher offerings. ($47/ person to 60/person) 
We just sailed Mariner to Coco Cay in Dec and Harmony to Coco Cay, St Thomas, & St  Marteen in June, so the itinerary is not a big draw. 

I’m also worried that we might not get show bookings on Symphony. I tend to book those far in advance to ensure that we get the shows that we want so I have no idea what that would be like 7 days out from sailing! We just have never had this type of issue with RC before!  RC is going to be back in touch with me, so I would love to hear any more advice that anyone wants to share on this “overbooking” issue. 

Maybe you should let somebody else take this “move-over” offer.  Between the FCC and the pre-paid hotel, etc, it does not seem like a good deal for you.  

Edited February 2, 2020 by Starry Eyes

[klove613]

50 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Well, I obviously do not know what the issue is or when it was discovered, but my point is it could be a recent problem.  And your point is valid...the 2/9 overbooking could be a similar IT glitch to the JS overbooking.  Certainly their IT dept is capable of multiple snafus.  If so, the snafu might be a recent discovery, as the JS issue appears to be.  In any case, the cruiseline is taking responsibility and is seeking volunteers...what is wrong with that?

 

Hmmm, phone call or email?  You’d want a phone call rather than an email (though you feel the offer a week out is ridiculous). As a person who would consider the offer, I’d much rather receive an email.  A phone call might come at an inopportune time, might make my decision feel rushed, and might result in miscommunications.  With an email, DH and I can talk it over, I can check our schedules carefully, the offer is already in writing, there is no sense of pressure with somebody on the phone.  Email is far more efficient for the cruiseline, so they are much more likely to find the right volunteers...in this case, the ones that a thrilled to take the offer...who’d love to leave a day sooner on a newer ship (even if they must get new reservations as soon as they board).  Maybe somebody who has an event come up after the cruise and the extra day will be a blessing.  I want the volunteers to be happy to take the offer, and mass email is far more likely to find that rare bird than phone calls

 

The offer for the JS overbooking  seemed weak to me, too, especially as they offered refund for the second passenger (who’s rate is already typically discounted at time of booking).  Still, at least one solo CC poster (no second passenger) seems to have been treated reasonably well, so perhaps others will be as well.  

 

 

We will just have to agree to disagree on the taking responsibility portion. The issue is on their end, so they should IMHO be making the offer much more compelling. For the single cruiser, that was a good deal, but for the majority of us, not so much. If there are no upgrades available (which is the route they should take for the inconvenience), then they should be offering a minimum 50% refund of the TOTAL fare, the OBC, and maybe a FCC of some kind. 

 

As far as the email vs. phone. There are people that do not check their email on a daily basis. I know that is hard to believe for many of us, but I know them. Since the poster is a week out from his cruise, I believe there should be a greater sense of urgency on the matter. They could have sent an email and did a phone call. I thought the email survey was fine for those of us who had a bit more time to process the information and consider it.

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, klove613 said:

The issue is on their end, so they should IMHO be making the offer much more compelling.

They need to make the offer just high enough for someone to take it - apparently, few in this thread would, but, enough others will. RCI has the numbers and knows how much to offer to catch enough people.

[Cel_cruise]

I wonder if the coronavirus ban will end up freeing up some rooms!  Will be interesting to see how this plays out...I’m sure there will be many rooms on the cruises out of Australia but still might get a few for Caribbean sailings!

[suizas]

So what happens if we do not respond and accordingly we are booked in a specific junior suite cabin??? 

[JeffKoz]

16 hours ago, Colorado Babe said:

The Dplus priority boarding went to the wayside.  Only Suites, Pinnacles and Key get priority boarding now.

 

I still get DPlus priority boarding....not sure why you think it is gone. We have gotten dedicated checkin area and called as priority for boarding when they start the process. Have you been refused priority?

[Ourusualbeach]

1 minute ago, JeffKoz said:

 

I still get DPlus priority boarding....not sure why you think it is gone. We have gotten dedicated checkin area and called as priority for boarding when they start the process. Have you been refused priority?

They may have been thinking about the priority line through security that was never listed as a perk yet some ports provided it for D+ and above. Some get the two confused. 

[Ourusualbeach]

8 hours ago, suizas said:

So what happens if we do not respond and accordingly we are booked in a specific junior suite cabin??? 

Nothing.  You only need to respond if you want to accept the offer. 

[marci22]

11 hours ago, Biker19 said:

They need to make the offer just high enough for someone to take it - apparently, few in this thread would, but, enough others will. RCI has the numbers and knows how much to offer to catch enough people.

Also, I think they are being sneaky with their 'refund of 2nd passenger fare'. Sounds good until you look at your invoice.

Edited February 3, 2020 by marci22

[JeffKoz]

8 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

They may have been thinking about the priority line through security that was never listed as a perk yet some ports provided it for D+ and above. Some get the two confused. 

ah...right...some always thought we got that but most ports did away with it long time back...I personally never have issue there - i wanna get on board as quick as possible though 😄 

 

[JeffKoz]

8 minutes ago, marci22 said:

Also, I think they are being sneaky with their 'refund of 2nd passenger fare'. Sounds good until you look at your invoice.

 

This was my issue. I would be paying more for the balcony than if i had booked it originally...not worth it... as I have said, if you want to give me cruise fare back, i'll jump on it....but be like others and upgrade me - take my royalup bid...i'l not complain then 🙂

[Starry Eyes]

5 hours ago, marci22 said:

Also, I think they are being sneaky with their 'refund of 2nd passenger fare'. Sounds good until you look at your invoice.

That solo cruiser’s invoice showed zero for the second passenger, yet that cruiser evidently was treated well during the adjustment.  

 

Just curious: did you contact the cruiseline to ask what $ they would grant if you volunteered or are you assuming the lowest (aka sneakiest)?   Unless I were really motivated to take an offer, I wouldn’t bother to call and ask details, so maybe you did not either.

[Starry Eyes]

20 hours ago, klove613 said:

We will just have to agree to disagree on the taking responsibility portion. The issue is on their end, so they should IMHO be making the offer much more compelling. For the single cruiser, that was a good deal, but for the majority of us, not so much. If there are no upgrades available (which is the route they should take for the inconvenience), then they should be offering a minimum 50% refund of the TOTAL fare, the OBC, and maybe a FCC of some kind. 

 

As far as the email vs. phone. There are people that do not check their email on a daily basis. I know that is hard to believe for many of us, but I know them. Since the poster is a week out from his cruise, I believe there should be a greater sense of urgency on the matter. They could have sent an email and did a phone call. I thought the email survey was fine for those of us who had a bit more time to process the information and consider it.

Neither of us know severe the overbooking issue is, thus how many volunteers they need, this how rich they must make the offers.  I do agree the “second passenger refund” is stupid phrasing, as some of their fare sales greatly discount the second passenger.   Nothing to stop the customer from calling and expressing an interest in a better arrangement.

 

You don’t check your email daily.  Fine, you could decline a day or two later when you do look at email, as we know you would decline anyway.  On the other hand, many (perhaps most) people screen their phone calls, and won’t answer calls from an unfamiliar number, so calls will go to voice mail. Return calls likely hit busy phone lines as multiple guests call back at same time,  leading to guest frustration, not pleasure.  And again with email they cast a wide net to many people...the right people email back happily and quickly to accept the offer.  A good offer has been taken log before your name would come up on the follow up phone call list.

[marci22]

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

That solo cruiser’s invoice showed zero for the second passenger, yet that cruiser evidently was treated well during the adjustment.  

 

Just curious: did you contact the cruiseline to ask what $ they would grant if you volunteered or are you assuming the lowest (aka sneakiest)?   Unless I were really motivated to take an offer, I wouldn’t bother to call and ask details, so maybe you did not either.

I was just commenting on the sneaky factor. If I had received any offer, and I was interested, I would have called to ask details. 

[DAVLIB007]

Yes i heard that the sections of the JS were having backed up plumbing issues that couldn't be resolved. this is probably the issue for this.

[suizas]

5 hours ago, DAVLIB007 said:

Yes i heard that the sections of the JS were having backed up plumbing issues that couldn't be resolved. this is probably the issue for this.

 

What? Really?? This stinks, no pun intended. 

[chaswelf]

5 hours ago, DAVLIB007 said:

Yes i heard that the sections of the JS were having backed up plumbing issues that couldn't be resolved. this is probably the issue for this.

 

This is a booking issue with the Oasis..  I had this exact thing for my cruise last week and there was someone posting about the issue 2 cruises before that,  now this thread for March and I just saw a thread for Feb for inside cabins.  So something bigger must be going on.   We waited it out and they found others to move and we got our JS but it's stressful to deal with.

[SherriZ366]

53 minutes ago, chaswelf said:

 

This is a booking issue with the Oasis..  I had this exact thing for my cruise last week and there was someone posting about the issue 2 cruises before that,  now this thread for March and I just saw a thread for Feb for inside cabins.  So something bigger must be going on.   We waited it out and they found others to move and we got our JS but it's stressful to deal with.

Hope they get their booking system to work correctly.  We're in a JS for 4-19-2020 HM (know this is about Oasis) as are our traveling companions.

[klove613]

I received the following response from Royal today in regards to the Junior Suite offer survey:

 

Dear Guest,

 

Thank you for taking the time to complete the Oasis of the Seas Special Offer survey.

 

We’ve received your request to be excluded from this offer and will take no further action. Should you have any questions or concerns or have a change of heart, please call us. We’re ready to assist.

 

We can’t wait to welcome you for an amazing cruise!

 

Sincerely,

 

Royal Caribbean International

 

This is for the March 1 cruise. Hopefully they have all the volunteers they need. 

 

[jmh2006]

I heard from a resolution specialist last night who I spoke to last Friday night and she promised me she would call me back on Monday after she spoke with the revenue team who were working on this issue.  She confirmed that I will be keeping the Junior Suite I was booked in, so I am happy and relieved.  Also, I am satisfied that she actually fulfilled her promise to me in calling me back!  Now to start packing!!!

[Ourusualbeach]

Received the offer for a client booked into a JS guarantee on the March 1 sailing.  Did not respond to the offer and today received an assigned JS.