Fuel supplements will be charged and will only be refunded as OBC

[Broch]

Many of you will probably have seen this Paragraph taken from the RCI site and it does not mention it is only for Non uk guests but then again they may not yet had time to change their site.

 

Fuel Supplement Charges Effective Monday, December 8, guests making new bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will not be charged the fuel supplement. Guests already booked on sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will receive a refund of any fuel supplement paid, as follows: Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are now paid in full, will have the supplement automatically refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their sailing. Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are not yet paid in full, will have the supplement automatically removed from their outstanding balance.

[Elizanessie]

Ally :D

 

RCCL UK havent even changed the recorded message on their phone lines with regard to the fuel supplement refund etc :rolleyes:

 

The staff I did speak to today had only just received a memo about the change this morning. :(

[Elizanessie]

I have had an email back from Exec at RCCL UK.

 

RCCL UK had a lot of positive feedback with regard to the fuel supplement being paid as OBC in requests from Cruisers and also due to logistics, RCCL UK made the decision to do the Fuel supplement refund as OBC rather than remove it from bookings.

 

If I hear anything else I will let you all know.

[newbiecruiser09]

Can't be - oil prices were WAYYYYY under the $65 mark on December 18th.

 

Yes, but as I understand it, if oil prices are up as of 3/31(or 6/30, etc) they can reinstate the charge. It may seem easier for them to leave the charge and take it off if oil prices stay low rather than take it off now and have to put it back on if the oil price on 3/31 is high again. Am I wrong?

[uktraveller]

I have had an email back from Exec at RCCL UK.

 

RCCL UK had a lot of positive feedback with regard to the fuel supplement being paid as OBC in requests from Cruisers and also due to logistics, RCCL UK made the decision to do the Fuel supplement refund as OBC rather than remove it from bookings.

 

If I hear anything else I will let you all know.

Thanks Liz,

I personally don't see how charging us the surcharge, calculating the OBC (and there are different rates if surcharge!) and applying it to our seapass a/cs can possibly be better than simply not charging us in the first place! BONKERS!

Plus, what's the chance of that OBC not turning up and Guest Relations claiming to know nothing about it because it only applies to UK pax?

:mad::mad:

[BroncosFan2010]

We asked that the fuel surcharge be removed the day we made our final payment (Dec. 12), because they had yet to remove it. They said they would, or we could just pay the remainder and it would show up as OBC. We asked that it be removed before we paid, and they did that. Our TA was great and took care of all of this for us.

[Elizanessie]

Thanks Liz,

I personally don't see how charging us the surcharge, calculating the OBC (and there are different rates if surcharge!) and applying it to our seapass a/cs can possibly be better than simply not charging us in the first place! BONKERS!

Plus, what's the chance of that OBC not turning up and Guest Relations claiming to know nothing about it because it only applies to UK pax?

:mad::mad:

 

I know my friends in UK office will be upset at me for this but...I think we need to say to TA/RCCL UK we need written proof of the Fuel supplement OBC on our docs or invoices.

 

I agree it is all bonkers but I can only report back what they tell me.:(

[uktraveller]

I know my friends in UK office will be upset at me for this but...I think we need to say to TA/RCCL UK we need written proof of the Fuel supplement OBC on our docs or invoices.

 

I agree it is all bonkers but I can only report back what they tell me.:(

I'm with you on that...if we don't have any docs to support our claim to the OBC I can foresee problems! Fortunately we don't cruise until October, so things will hopefully be clearer by then.

[cassieroll]

I just went and checked mine again.. we're sailing in June and the fuel charge has not been reinstated.

[Elizanessie]

I just went and checked mine again.. we're sailing in June and the fuel charge has not been reinstated.

 

Are you in the UK ?

[Broch]

I know my friends in UK office will be upset at me for this but...I think we need to say to TA/RCCL UK we need written proof of the Fuel supplement OBC on our docs or invoices.

 

I agree it is all bonkers but I can only report back what they tell me.:(

 

Thanks Liz for for the info you received back from RCCL. If we get OBC at the rate that the Americans get when they have passed final date, we will be O.K. but as you say we would require written proof that this is to be done. I will phone to morrow and see what info I get because it could all change yet. I know you can only report back what you were told but can you honestly believe that a huge amount of cruisere would rather have OBC raher than have their invoices reduced.

[Elizanessie]

Thanks Liz for for the info you received back from RCCL. If we get OBC at the rate that the Americans get when they have passed final date, we will be O.K. but as you say we would require written proof that this is to be done. I will phone to morrow and see what info I get because it could all change yet. I know you can only report back what you were told but can you honestly believe that a huge amount of cruisere would rather have OBC raher than have their invoices reduced.

 

The thing that really bugs me about the OBC is if you wanted to take it out as cash...which really it is our cash...well there is a 3% charge in the casino for doing this. When I said this to RCCL yesterday on the phone the lady went into the speel about you can use the OBC for spa etc...yea right..no thanks I want my money to spend as I want when I want :(

 

When you think about it all..heck there are a lot less UK Cruisers than US/Canada cruisers so if Miami can give them the rebate why cant UK Cruisers get it also.

 

I did have another thought...gawd this one was really scary...do you think perhaps it has something to do with tips...as in there have been lots of reports that crew were unhappy on Med cruises as they werent getting their tips from UK Cruisers. Could this be somehow involved in why RCCL UK has decided to do this stupid thing? I think I am off base with that thought but hey you never know eh

[Ocean Boy]

Thanks Liz for for the info you received back from RCCL. If we get OBC at the rate that the Americans get when they have passed final date, we will be O.K. but as you say we would require written proof that this is to be done. I will phone to morrow and see what info I get because it could all change yet. I know you can only report back what you were told but can you honestly believe that a huge amount of cruisere would rather have OBC raher than have their invoices reduced.

I don't believe that for one second. Why would someone want his/her money under the control of RCI instead of his own control? That is right up there with instituting a charge for Johnny Rocket's in order to increase customer satisfaction.

[Lynnees]

I believe you are being given a line of such well.........let's just say don't get any on you - it stinks.

 

I really think as I said before, it has more to do with the fact that they may not be able to charge you down the road if they find the need, therefore they are charging you upfront. Easier for them to take it off or give you OBC later than argue with the UK government as happened before.

 

I will point out though you can get your money at guest services without the service charge but that really isn't the issue. Alos, if you don't take it back they will automatically put it back to the cc you used.

 

I would also point out that there are only 5% of cruisers who are Canadian so I don't think that even comes into play.

 

My best suggestion is to check the law that governs this type of thing. It will be the law that didn't let them back-charge you the first time. English booked cruisers were longer being charged than over here.

[Floflegs]

So what happens if you have prepaid gratuities and don't use all the OBC and paid your final invoice by cheque? This is what people who are on the same cruise as us have done.

[bajathree]

In the UK, deposits are not refundable so canceling and rebooking is not an option.

 

Well then there ya go....they realized they got ya.

[mammy]

We made final payment in Nov for our upcoming IOS cruise in feb......so we already paid the FS...and had to wait till dec 18 oil prices to see if we got it back......when I called RCI they told us because we made final payment they couldn't credit us back........we would have to wait until we were onboard and check our account for the OBC.......what happens if we get there and there is no OBC???? Shouldn't we have something in writing from RCI or some kind of confirmation???? You know how well they communicate with eachother........I am thinking it will be like pulling teeth trying to get it once onboard......:rolleyes: Any suggestions????

[SissasMomE]

I asked for them to take it off and was told they couldn't because of the new decision!

 

Kimberley

 

Contact the AG in Florida.

[Elizanessie]

Contact the AG in Florida.

 

The poster is in UK.

 

This new decision only affects those in UK who booked in UK.

[Lynnees]

We made final payment in Nov for our upcoming IOS cruise in feb......so we already paid the FS...and had to wait till dec 18 oil prices to see if we got it back......when I called RCI they told us because we made final payment they couldn't credit us back........we would have to wait until we were onboard and check our account for the OBC.......what happens if we get there and there is no OBC???? Shouldn't we have something in writing from RCI or some kind of confirmation???? You know how well they communicate with eachother........I am thinking it will be like pulling teeth trying to get it once onboard......:rolleyes: Any suggestions????

 

Take a copy of your paid invoice with you. If you don't see the OBC on your account by the second day go to the purser's desk and have them investigate.

[Elizanessie]

This is from email I received today-

 

"Further to our communication dated the 5th December 2008 regarding the

suspension of the fuel supplement for all Royal Caribbean International

sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009; please be advised of the

following important information:

 

Please note that ALL guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart

on or after January 1, 2009, will now have the supplement automatically

refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their

sailing. Please be aware that this applies to both paid and unpaid

bookings, the original holiday price therefore remains unchanged.

 

Please note that this decision has been made to facilitate a smoother

reimbursement process for both our guests and trade partners.

 

The on board credit will be given at the same ROE as was paid for at the

time and means that we are able to reimburse the guests directly, rather

than go via the trade partner and adjust all the costs on the booking and

cause unecessary administration and invoicing."

[Broch]

This is from email I received today-

 

"Further to our communication dated the 5th December 2008 regarding the

suspension of the fuel supplement for all Royal Caribbean International

sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009; please be advised of the

following important information:

 

Please note that ALL guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart

on or after January 1, 2009, will now have the supplement automatically

refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their

sailing. Please be aware that this applies to both paid and unpaid

bookings, the original holiday price therefore remains unchanged.

 

Please note that this decision has been made to facilitate a smoother

reimbursement process for both our guests and trade partners.

 

The on board credit will be given at the same ROE as was paid for at the

time and means that we are able to reimburse the guests directly, rather

than go via the trade partner and adjust all the costs on the booking and

cause unecessary administration and invoicing."

 

 

Thanks Liz, I phoned this morning and I was told the same thing except that she could not tell me about the rate. I said don't be silly how can it be easier when my refund was already given and that an Invoice was sent to me. Why could it not be left at that instead of going through the process again and taking it off. Any way I would like to see some proof that it OBC will be credited and by how much $$$$$$$$$$

[uktraveller]

This ridiculous decision makes me wonder what's going on at RCCL. They are giving the impression that no-one knows what they're doing!

They are going to take £ several weeks before we sail for the surcharge and then give it back to us in $ whilst on board. :confused: That's a nice little stash of UK cruisers money they'll be sitting on! :mad: One thing is for sure... if the obc doesn't appear or if we lose out on the exchange, it'll be BYE BYE Royal Caribbean for us.

[Broch]

This ridiculous decision makes me wonder what's going on at RCCL. They are giving the impression that no-one knows what they're doing!

They are going to take £ several weeks before we sail for the surcharge and then give it back to us in $ whilst on board. :confused: That's a nice little stash of UK cruisers money they'll be sitting on! :mad: One thing is for sure... if the obc doesn't appear or if we lose out on the exchange, it'll be BYE BYE Royal Caribbean for us.

 

That is exactly what I told the girl on the phone this am. I do feel very strong about this and I do not think it should be left to drop. As Liz says it is our money not RCCL's as it is a fuel supplement and not part of the cruise fare. I feel the guest should be given the right to claim the money back off the total Invoice, or leave it as OBC, but the choice is not the cruise lines to make. What do others think. I also think that if the Exchange rate is not good then poor guest relations are going to have maany cruisers moaning at their staff and this will not do moral or or guest relations any good.

[bozza]

We have an e-mail from the person we originally booked with at RCCL UK and she has confirmed that we will receive OBC for our Fuel Supplement, we will be taking a copy of this e-mail with us, just in case!!!

 

We sail on 16th January and while I don't have a problem with them giving us the refund as an OBC I would like the exchange rate at the time we made our booking as the dollar has fallen greatly since we booked.

 

Of course, this won't happen, we will get the exchange rate on the date we sail, so therefore, we UK cruisers miss out once again.