sm3ds

We were supposed to go to Israel in May on Odyssey. They pulled out over a complete nothing burger. They offered us very little compensation. Odyssey was a nice ship, but I won't ever step foot on a royal ship again. It wasn't just the Israel ports being canceled it was the whole ineptness of the staff to handle it. It was a complete cluster "you know what" and guest services was about as competent as dealing with a cell phone company. You would think that they would have been prepared for it since tensions had been escalating for weeks prior to the cruise. I would hate to see how this cruise line handles hurricanes. Never again. Definitely not Loyal to Royal.

Totally agree unless the unthinkable happens and then it won't really matter where you are.

The majority of cruisers in that age group aren’t likely paying for their own cruise. Royal has to know most parents aren’t going to buy their teenagers drink packages. I’m actually surprised Royal would want teens drinking that much alcohol. It’s bad enough that some adults over due it.

Yes I get that, but I don't believe other cruise lines allow you to book one for under 21 even in Europe. I know NCL doesn't and on Disney the guardian has to sign a consent for 18-20 year old's to drink in Europe. I doubt many parents buy unlimited drink packages for their teenagers. It seems like a money grab by RCCl forcing you to buy a refreshment package if you want the drink package yourself. You probably disagree, but that's how I see it.

I thought I'd provide and update. Maybe it will help someone in the future. I was able to change my cruise back to the Holy Land cruise. I was charged 100 change fee, but not another 100 dollar change fee. In short I changed from a 12 night cruise in May to an 8 night cruise in August back to a 12 night cruise in May and only incurred one 100 pp change fee. Unfortunately the price of the cruise went up about 200 dollars pp since my original booking. I thought about waiting until after the PIF next month to see if the price dropped. I'm not that familiar with Royals pricing and I was kind of in a hurry to get everything planned out with flights and hotels. As far as the drink package I was able to add the drink package and the refreshment package for my 18 year old son. I still find it strange they insist teenagers book unlimited drink packages in Europe. I feel it should be optional without having to add on any beverage package. If an 18 year old can just drink water in the USA why can't they in Europe? I'm not sure either package makes financial sense, but it sure is convenient. I'm not sure why I didn't get charged twice, but I went from a 900 dollar deposit to a 500 where they penalized the cruise fare and I didn't pay anything additional, back to a 900 deposit and they wanted me to pay an additional 100 pp to reserve the cruise. I went ahead and paid the whole thing off since payment was due in 3 weeks anyway.

I have cruised with RCCL once. It was a Caribbean cruise on the Allure. It was Ok, but nothing like the level of service I've experienced on Disney. Disney's itineraries are limited and I've done most of them including all their European ones. I need to branch out a little.

I did not book with a group rate.

That's is probably the smart way to do it. Disney offers big discounts closer to the cruise and the whole cruise is non-refundable I'm used to booking those. I booked this cruise because the Holy land cruise is a bucket list cruise for me. Family obligations just over ride it. I may just switch it 2024. The 8 day greek Isles cruise I switched to doesn't feel that special. I've cruised more than 30 times including many European cruises. I'm not an inexperienced cruiser I'm just new to Royal. It's totally my fault I got excited about the itinerary and the price without thinking things through.

I emailed Royal about the issue, but I never got a response from them. Every time I've emailed Disney I've got an email or a personal call. I get that Europeans drink at that age and I have no problem with 18 year olds having some drinks. Not all Americans kids drink at that age because it's not legal here. My son doesn't like alcohol. He doesn't like soda either. He likes water....weird I know. I was just like him at that age and then I had kids and I started drinking. I know NCL only allows the drink packages for 21 and over in Europe. I haven't checked Carnival, but it does seem like an odd policy. I've only cruised Disney and Carnival in Europe and the ships were 80% American. Maybe Royal attracts more Europeans?

It might be the last royal cruise I book because there's such a difference in price between booking a refundable deposit rate and a non- refundable. I also qualify for some non-public discounts, but to get the discounts you have to put down non-refundable deposit. Like I said I'm not used to this. Disney doesn't do this. NCL doesn't do this. Carnival does but the difference in price in minimal. I originally booked the Holy land cruise in May, but my niece is getting married that month so I needed to change. I rebooked and then I found my sons college is starting earlier than usual. It's totally my fault for being impulsive. Being that I tend to be impulsive I'm thinking Royal may not be the best cruise line for me.

Yes that was what I was asking. I figured there had to be somebody on this forum that had made multiple changes and could give an answer based on what they had experienced. Instead I get a bunch of snippy comments on how I shouldn't have booked without reading the rules. I read the rules, but I didn't find them that clear and real life data points are more relevant. I was considering changing to a cruise that is 5 nights longer and 2k more, but I don't want to be penalized again for potentially spending more money. I'm used to cruising on Disney which albeit cost more, but there is no such thing as non-refundable deposits. They also allow you to bring wine and beer onboard at every port which is way better than a drink package. If I want the drink package Royal expects me to buy a drink package for my 18 year old high school graduate because its a European cruise. Who in thier right mind would buy an 18 year old a unlimited drink package. At this time I regret my 900.00 dollar investment.

I wasn't asking it was sarcasm.

Most Airlines got rid of change fees. I wasn’t asking what it was.

Do airlines have change fees anymore?

I did not get charged anything the first time I moved it they added 100 per person onto the cost. So if I move it again they’ll add 100 per person to the fare? It won’t be 200 per person? If it was clear on the Royal website I wouldn’t be asking.

Aren’t you sweet

Again not what I was asking. If you read my original post I was asking if each change multiplies the change fee. There are other cruise lines that don't have non-refundable and refundable deposits. I can't think of one where the price difference is so extreme. All of that is irrelevant and its not what I was asking.

Yes I read the rules no need to be insulting. I was asking about a second change which no one seems to be able to answer. I'm used to sailing on cruise lines that are more upfront with their policies.

I still don't get it. I think this will be the last Royal cruise I book.

I changed my cruise to another date. They added 100.00 dollars pp to the cruise fare. I didn't have to pay any additional deposit. If I change it again do they add 200.00 to the cruise fare?

If you paid a 900 dollar deposit and need to change to another date do they apply 700 to the new cruise and then you owe and additional 200 at time of booking?

I just wanted to give a quick update in case anybody else ever has the same question. I just noticed my full refund in showing up as pending on my Amex well actually it's broken down into 4 refunds for at total of 3400. It took 3 business days. It means Royal processed the refund the day I cancelled. If I would have paid with Chase or Citi or it would have problem taken a few more days. When I googled Royal refunds I read quite a few horror stories so I'm happy to report it looks like things are back to normal. I wish Royal would send out a cancellation email. I think that would eliminate a lot of the angst. It just feels odd expecting a large refund but having no receipt to prove it.

They used to cancel right away and the refund was back on your card within a week.

I was Paid in full cancelled 5 days before the deadline fully refundable including deposit. Just wondering if refunds are back to normal.