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RCCL bait and switch - normal?

tunafish
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tunafish

tunafish

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I had a casino offer for a JS for a short carib cruise on Independence. Upon booking the agent offered a GS upgrade that we took. Will be sailing in GS for the first time. One of the upsell points was a bridge and gulley tour that is included with GS perks... or so I thought. Couple days ago concierge desk emails a generic letter checking in. I replied with a question on how to book this tour. His reply "sorry, we do not do this on this ship, but I will be happy to book you a $149pp tour for 3 of you and I can even give you a discount". Emailed him back with perks, he replies with a fine print that not everything listed is guaranteed and can change in any time. When I told him it was a selling point during the upgrade he replied that he needs a audio recording of the call to rectify the issue.

I feel like I deal with Barcelona gipsy scammers and not a reputable company. What may not be available in visiting the bridge? No resources needed for this, yet tour is available for extra $450. Had to downgrade two offers already with no compensation because JS are not available to book but available for an upgrade $$$. Sad.

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Mum2Mercury

Mum2Mercury

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I'd like to do that tour ... but I don't want to pay that price.  

 

Back to your question though, I suspect they slipped in a little qualifying phrase like "on participating ships".  They probably covered their butts.  Still, I hope you get the tour you wanted. 

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tunafish

tunafish

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5 minutes ago, shof515 said:

it seems like that agent was suppose to gift you the 149 tour but forgot. was this a royal agent or  a travel agency agent? 

it is part of the suite perk. Grand suite and up list it as an amenity

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tunafish

tunafish

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10 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I'd like to do that tour ... but I don't want to pay that price.  

 

Back to your question though, I suspect they slipped in a little qualifying phrase like "on participating ships".  They probably covered their butts.  Still, I hope you get the tour you wanted. 

Their butt is covered solid. But based on this phrase they can cancel pretty much any perk they offer. It is just like a banner in a bar "Free beer and wings tomorrow". 

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Biker19

Biker19

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19 minutes ago, tunafish said:

Grand suite and up list it as an amenity

Don't ever book a cabin based on one of the perks listed on the RCI site - yes, it is normal for the web site to be out of date or something has changed and RCI no longer provides that perk.

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cynt

cynt

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When I have perk concerns I board the ship and discuss with guest services.  Be nice and cordial. Ask them to book it for you because you didnt receive the invitation in your cabin as part of your perk. Print a copy and Bring it with you just in case. Guest services usually aims to please and will rectify most guest concerns within reason. 

 

Don't go to them demanding or anything like that. Just act like they forgot to do it and you would like to schedule it. 

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moposh "Live from...." Rare

moposh

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Just now, time4u2go said:

When the agent said that he needs an audio recording of the original call, did you tell him to go find the recording? I would think they record all calls.

Exactly.  What private citizen records their calls?  And in my state it is illegal to do so without other person's permission.

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Ourusualbeach

Ourusualbeach

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1 hour ago, tunafish said:

Their butt is covered solid. But based on this phrase they can cancel pretty much any perk they offer. It is just like a banner in a bar "Free beer and wings tomorrow". 

Unfortunately this rep did not realize that these tours have not taken place on any ship since they restart after Covid 

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mpdog42

mpdog42

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2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Unfortunately this rep did not realize that these tours have not taken place on any ship since they restart after Covid 

But if it is a listed suite perk, and their trying to sell you the Tour....The suite guest should be provided with that tour for free!!

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Donsyb

Donsyb

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2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Unfortunately this rep did not realize that these tours have not taken place on any ship since they restart after Covid 

I thought someone did the tour on the Bella cruise?

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topnole

topnole

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This tour has always been a maybe type of thing.  Been in two suites since December.  No invite to a tour.   Was in suites several years ago and we were invited most times, but not always.  Some they just didn’t do it.  
 

I think they have pretty much stopped doing the complementary version for suites guests since Covid.  Not so much a bait and switch and just bad information from someone IMO.  

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smokeybandit

smokeybandit

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On my last cruise in March, the concierge said it's not back to being a regular perk (yet) but if enough people ask and the bridge agrees, they can set something up.

And with that enough people asked and it was a great tour since the captain came up to talk to us.

Edited by smokeybandit
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Tin can

Tin can

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This is an interesting post to read for me today.

 

I booked a cruise two days ago and got a good deal. Yesterday email to say sorry there was a glitch here's the proper price and your new confirmation invoice.

 

Spent a very heated hour on the phone and no movement. It was a good deal but not in the realms of an obvious error. 

 

Bait and switch was my thought.

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topnole

topnole

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4 minutes ago, Tin can said:

This is an interesting post to read for me today.

 

I booked a cruise two days ago and got a good deal. Yesterday email to say sorry there was a glitch here's the proper price and your new confirmation invoice.

 

Spent a very heated hour on the phone and no movement. It was a good deal but not in the realms of an obvious error. 

 

Bait and switch was my thought.

Curious.  What was the cruise, cabin category, and price?   Do you mind sharing?

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twangster "Live from...." Rare

twangster

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Just now, HicksRA said:

They discontinued the bridge tour during Covid and conveniently (for them) never reinstated it. 
Just another Royal enhancement.  

 

Some ships do them.  None of us know why.  Captains call?   Who knows. 

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twangster "Live from...." Rare

twangster

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Just now, HicksRA said:

Yes. I was referring to free suite pax tours based on my own experience.  

 

Exactly.   I was in a suite on Oasis in December.  It was offered.   Not to CAS, just suites.  

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topnole

topnole

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51 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Exactly.   I was in a suite on Oasis in December.  It was offered.   Not to CAS, just suites.  

I was in a Suite in December on Harmony and there wasn’t one.   Also in a suite on Symphony in March and there wasn’t one.  Definitely seems to vary depending on the ship.  Glad

to hear at least some of them are doing it.  

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tunafish

tunafish

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4 hours ago, topnole said:

This tour has always been a maybe type of thing.  Been in two suites since December.  No invite to a tour.   Was in suites several years ago and we were invited most times, but not always.  Some they just didn’t do it.  
 

I think they have pretty much stopped doing the complementary version for suites guests since Covid.  Not so much a bait and switch and just bad information from someone IMO.  

well, it is still on their website, but I guess it means nothing

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