Gigi1068

Follow up email received last night.

“I'm wrapping up the refunds with accounting and you should see them back in your account next week.”

Fingers still crossed.
 

I received another email response this evening.  Here’s a paragraph from the email.

“I've found the cause of the delay of your refund and sent the details to our accounting team to correct. I'm sorry for the hiccup in processing your funds back to you. We'll work on getting them back to you as quickly as possible.”

The response addressed a few other issues with my reservation, as well.

Fingers crossed.
 

What a mess!

Has anyone successfully disputed a charge from RCI without it messing up other things on your reservation?  I’m fearful of disputing charges for canceled items and something else goes awry.

My statement closes on the 7th so I have some time before I am forced to pay my cc.

47 minutes ago, katsn1011 said:

I did mine on Nov. 20th, did not get a confirmation of cancellation on old  orders, I can see  the order was cancelled in my planner, but one item is not there. If I try to purchase the item it wont let me.

Royal says they can see it. I have not gotten my refund yet either. 

Thanks for sharing.  I find it truly baffling for RCI to be such a large and established corporation that they have such inept IT.

I just received the following email response.

“Our teams are working diligently to process all refunds. These currently take around 14 business days from request or cancellation date, with some taking a little longer based on your financial institution. We appreciate your patience.”
 

31 minutes ago, nu_cruzer1 said:

On one credit card, I cancelled 3 excursions: 2 on Nov 18 and 1 on Nov 21.  The refund for the cancellation on Nov 21 posted this morning, still nothing from the ones cancelled on Nov 18. 

 

On another credit card, I cancelled 1 excursion on Nov 18 and 1 on Nov 20.  No refund as of this morning for either of these.  🤔

Thanks for sharing.  11/18 seems to be a common denominator, RCI was completely broken that day…lol. That seems to be the date most are waiting for refunds from.

I sent an email to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com this morning.  I’m hoping this helps my situation because I don’t feel like talking to another phone rep.

Looks like I will be calling again.  No refund and my cruise planner still doesn’t show the purchases made over the phone.

17 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Nope. Purchased 2 x 1 device internet packages on the 18th because the multiple device packages weren't priced correctly. On the 19th the problem had been fixed so I cancelled those two in order to be able to purchase the 2-device package. 

If it hadn't been for the fact that you can only buy the internet package once per person per voyage, I would just have bought the additional one and waited to cancel the unwanted ones on board. The one and only time in the past where I cancelled cruise planner items it took them 3 months to refund me and only after my TA intervened.

Oh my!

I called today and was told I should have it by Friday.  If not, I will call again Monday or Tuesday.  I really don’t want to pay my card and wait for a refund from AMEX.  I also don’t want to have to go the dispute route but we’ll see what happens over the next few days.

15 minutes ago, BobNoxious said:

Please follow up and keep us posted.  Waiting on a shore excursion refund myself from a 11/18 cancellation.  

Will do.  If you don’t mind, please let us know when yours is received.  Thanks!

8 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

 

I think I'd rather go the dispute route than pay an extra thousand+ for items I know will be refunded but are just delayed, if it gets to the end of the billing cycle with no movement on those refunds. You get a temp credit for anything you dispute while they investigate. I guess it also depends on how long ago you bought the original items. The items I purchased last week but cancelled when I changed my mind and purchased a different option posted back on my account pretty quickly. The "fake" charges (pending but didn't buy anything just cycled back to planner) on mine finally completely dropped off this morning - those took longer than the refunds. If they are still pending, you can't dispute them. I wonder if they are working backwards with refunds? Since the purchase/cancellations from last week seem to be posting already.

Thanks for sharing.  I’m glad things have worked out for you.  Not sure how they’re processing refunds but it looks like it’s different for everyone, or as folks like to say “YMMV”.  I’ll see what happens by next Friday then decide on which route to take.  I used my AMEX and have had to dispute things in the past so I’m familiar with their process.  

5 minutes ago, cruisetorelax44 said:

7-10 days is lucky. Several times, my refunds have gotten "stuck". I've had to call to get things working again, and in some cases, it's taken a full month to get refunded.  They take your money in a second but wait FOREVER to give it back to you. 

That’s my fear.  Of course, I’ll post an update when this is resolved.

7 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

I just canceled and rebooked a shore excursion for my April Symphony of the Seas cruise last Saturday and received the credit to my Visa card on Friday...about a six day turnaround.

 

However, the much bigger problem is that Royal Caribbean overcharged me on the new booking!  The price had dropped from the originally booked $193.99 per person to $159.99 per person on the website...but, when it showed up in the cart, it showed as $182.99 per person and charged me that.  Several calls to Royal Caribbean...and all I got was a brick wall--no one able to correct it...with some agents telling me the correct price was $182.99.  Of course others saw the $159.99 price...but everyone, including "supervisors" or "Resolutions" kept saying they were either "unable" or "not authorized" to do anything.  Finally, yesterday, I called and had an agent cancel and re-book to get the correct price.  Now, I have to wait for a SECOND credit on the $182.99x2 amount paid...

I understand.  I think that’s what worries me most with Royal right now, all the glitches since the “sale”.  Glad you had a 6 day turnaround on the shore excursion refund.

25 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

If the payment date comes and you haven't gotte me the refund, I would just pay the whole balance. When they refund the money, it'll show a negative balance, so you'll have a credit towards the next bill. If it's not a credit card you use often, then you can request a check from the credit card company.

That’s the plan, but hoping it doesn’t come to that.  

10 minutes ago, bluecruise456 said:

yes I have the same issue with the delay in refunds to my credit card.  I have the old and new charges still in my balance.  I cancelled them on 11/18/22 in the cruise planner order history.

Thank you for sharing.  

7 minutes ago, shof515 said:

patience is a vital

 

refund credit card transaction always take longer and the 7-10 days is normal

You’re correct, patience is vital 🙂

I’ll give it more time, not that I have a choice…lol

I just wondered if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

Dealing/waiting for RCI refunds don't follow other business norms.

I’ve never experienced more than a 2-3 day process with RCI that’s why this time has me a little concerned.  I’m guessing the issue is the volume of refunds that have to be processed.

Hello.  Has anyone noticed a longer refund processing time for items purchased in the cruise planner then canceled?  I know the website says refunds should appear 7-10 business days after processing is complete.  I guess I’m a little anxious because I’ve never experienced a processing & credit card posting time longer than 2-3 days.  I purchased a few things before the “Black Friday” sale then canceled and repurchased for the lower price.  The new charges have posted to my credit card but no refund.  I have paid my credit card minus the $1,434 refund that I am waiting for from RCI.  Thankfully, I still have time before I have to pay the difference without incurring interest.  I hope I don’t end up having to go the dispute route.

20 hours ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

Ours was $74.99/day, on Black Friday it dropped to $62.99/day (BOGO50), bought it, card processed, then cancelled, and now it's $72.99/day. 

 

It's all BS. 

I purchased at $62.99 Friday morning, as well.  I haven’t been cancelled yet, but will be another unhappy customer if that happens because the price is now $72.99.

4 minutes ago, Gigi1068 said:

I was able to purchase the DBP for my daughter at $62.99 this morning without a problem.  Because there are 2 adults in my room, I had to wait to call to purchase the DBP for myself and the refreshment package for adult #2.  Unfortunately, the $62.99 price is no longer available and they’re trying to charge me $72.99.  I’m not buying it, I’ll just get the refreshment package since they’re standing firm on that price.

Now I can’t access my cruise planner, getting “Gone sailing, be back soon”.

I was able to purchase the DBP for my daughter at $62.99 this morning without a problem.  Because there are 2 adults in my room, I had to wait to call to purchase the DBP for myself and the refreshment package for adult #2.  Unfortunately, the $62.99 price is no longer available and they’re trying to charge me $72.99.  I’m not buying it, I’ll just get the refreshment package since they’re standing firm on that price.

On 5/30/2022 at 5:55 PM, willdra said:

Later on, we went back to the cabin so I could get my iPad and start reading one of the books that I downloaded. We were only there a few minutes when W declared that it was time for pre-dinner. As always, I’m intrigued. But where? We checked our options and decided on the Piazza Panini. We were out of the door 3 seconds later. You’d think we hadn’t just eaten a couple of hours before. The setup there was smart. They have the sandwiches premade, and they just heat them up when you order. Saves a lot of time. I did the Ham and Cheese, W did Turkey. Sorry no pics. We ran out of the cabin so fast; I forgot my phone and my camera. Blame it on W. We found seats outside, and it was calm and pretty out there. This ship had great seating areas. Did I mention that already? If so, blame it on the guppy. 🐟

 

 

After our “snack” we went back to chillax before the real dinner. I read some, and W sat on the balcony dozing off. In other words, dull old folks stuff. At about 8, I got up to shower, and W followed after me. At the start of my shower, the drain was slow and cloggy. Then I noticed that a clump of hair was clogging it.  We didn’t order our shower with preinstalled hair, so it had to go! I got out, and used a towel to clear the drain. The hair was blonde, so I could see why the steward didn’t see it. It blended in. Once the drain was free of debris, it worked a lot better. Balance was restored. 

 

We got dressed, then made our way to the steakhouse. We were about 10 minutes early for our reservation. We checked in then sat in the bar area until our table was ready. On the first night you can get a bottle of Merlot or Chardonnay free at the steakhouse. We chose the Merlot. It was really nice and smooth, which was a surprise for free Merlot. I’ve had my share of rough Merlot, and this was not one of them. Thankfully, it wasn’t as dry as the Sahara.  I had about 3/4 of the bottle, since W drinks way less wine than I do. Yay me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving your review.

Mu husband and I are booked on Mardi Gras 10/07/2023 (my birthday).  We are not regular Carnival cruisers, this will be his 2nd and my 3rd.  I appreciate you sharing the info about the free bottle of wine, so we will definitely book the steakhouse for night one.  We are not heavy drinkers and do not plan to purchase the beverage package; we’re bringing a couple bottles of wine and will pay as we go for his beer and my cocktails.  We’ve already ordered bottled water for our stateroom.

Thanks again for your awesome review and for sharing information for those of us who are not in the know.

31 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

So, why not cancel now because it won't change.

 

Can you expand on what your "aggravation" is? Why cancel? 

Being snarky is not becoming.  You don’t know that the final payment deadline will not change.  Like many others, I have decided to wait and see.  If the final payment for my cruise does not change from 120 days to 60 days by the end of October, I will cancel.  I do not want a FCC and I am not playing the submit a request between this date and that date game.  It is my hope that we will have a better idea of what the future of cruising will look like in the coming months and I will make a decision that best fits my needs when I see fit.

18 minutes ago, IrishKathy said:

If you want a cash refund of your deposit do you still have to cancel at the 120 day point?  We have reservations on the August 14, 2021 sailing of the Bliss.  Right now the balance due date is April 16, 2021.    If I wait and decide to cancel 60 days out will I still receive a cash refund or have to accept FCC? 

For all 2021 cruises through October 31, cancel up to 15 days prior and receive a Future Cruise Credit, or a full refund when you cancel up to 120 days before your vacation.

2 hours ago, PelicanBill said:

My conclusion is many people are canceling just before final payment. As I did. They are trying to keep the bookings they have. The longer the uncertainty the more people will cancel and avoid new bookings... so these actions are meant to retain bookings and provide some safety net on new ones.

 

I hope they extend final payment deadlines if November and/or December sailings get canceled. I am booked for Feb. 28 and not sure I will send final payment end of October if the restart is not happening.

I am booked on the Encore, 3/1/21.  If the final payment does not change for my cruise, I will save myself the aggravation and cancel the end of October.