Rccl let down!

[cruisin4kicks]

For what it's worth... for everyone that is telling the OP that since he/she has cruised on Royal quite a bit in the past and should know the rules, is it possible that all previous cruises were booked and then the cruise was taken with no booking changes between when the cruise was booked and when the cruise was taken?

 

If this is the first time the OP wanted to make a change after booking, I can see where the change fee would have been a surprise.

 

Tim

[klingoncruiser]

Sure glad I do not have to sail out of merry old England. I see more grumbles out of there about RCI than I see here in the Colonies. Looks like some odd rules, but wonder if they are RCI's or something the government creates.

[Rockfordcruiser]

Believe me we have some really memorable thoughts of our cruising experiences so far however my frame of mind won't let me talk about them right now, are you also ignorant to the fact we are doing this to accommodate more customers for RCCL, we don't need to do this as we're booked on Cruise, we can book any amount of cruises with our friends after this particular cruise and not suffer amendment fees.

Well thier's your answer then. After this cruise book one with your friends and hope you don't have any other friends that want to join you on the new booking. It's great you want to bring new friends and want to switch to another date to accomodate. Have your GOV change the law so it doesn't cost you to do so. Other wise the fee your complaining about would just be passed on to every one else to share. UK has some laws when traveling that we here on the other side of the pond wish were in place. 6 one way half a dozen the other. If this doesn't make sense to you it was on purpose. Sort of like your original post!

[Julesben]

Please forgive my ignorance. I really don't know. $150 fee to amend? Is that a UK thing or is it for all persons wanting to amend a RCI cruise? I've never had this happen and I have amended my reservation before. Also, why can't you just cancel and then re-book the other cruise?

 

I'm getting the idea it's a UK thing, when the whole idea of what we were doing was more beneficial to RCCL then I begrudge paying more monies for the date change.

[Julesben]

For what it's worth... for everyone that is telling the OP that since he/she has cruised on Royal quite a bit in the past and should know the rules, is it possible that all previous cruises were booked and then the cruise was taken with no booking changes between when the cruise was booked and when the cruise was taken?

 

If this is the first time the OP wanted to make a change after booking, I can see where the change fee would have been a surprise.

 

Tim

 

Thank you for that Tim.

 

We never had any booking issues in the last seven years, the disappointment here is the fact we were willing to change to accommodate more new cruisers, something RCCL would have had the benefit of financially.:)

[luvscruising2007]

I have a question. Did you just want to change sailing dates or would you be changing itineraries as well? Is it possible the price of the cruise is higher? Just curious.

[negc]

Thank you for that Tim.

 

We never had any booking issues in the last seven years, the disappointment here is the fact we were willing to change to accommodate more new cruisers, something RCCL would have had the benefit of financially.:)

 

Why do you persist in claiming that because RCCL would have benefit financially they are to blame when it is a UK policy that doesn't permit them to do what you want? If you are finally beginning to get "the idea that it's a UK thing" (in the US we might refer your enlightenment to "light dawning on Marblehead") perhaps you should redirect your focus from the cruiseline and aim it at UK authorities who might be able to do something about the policy.

[Julesben]

I don't know the OP and certainly don't need to defend him/her but I have seen posts like the one I quoted above before, trying to insinuate something with a poster having only one or two posts. If you take the time to look at the OP's bio you will see that the OP has sailed or booked at least 11 Royal Caribbean cruises since 2004 and the OP has been a member of cruise critic since 2010.

 

Both posts today by the OP are legitimate complaints. One that the Head Waiter never introduced himself on their cruise while they had pre-paid gratuities and this thread where they were going to be charged a change fee prior to final payment just to change to another sail date while adding additional cruisers to their party.

 

I would be miffed if the Head Waiter never bothered to stop by my table and introduce him/her self. I would also be miffed if Royal Carib. tried to charge me just to change to another date (before final pymt.) because I wanted to add additional passengers to our party. But then I have only been a member of CC for a matter of months and have very few posts so I suppose if I posted something negative about Royal Caribbean I would become suspect also, even though I have sailed on over 15 Royal Caribbean cruises, have several booked and will be Diamond Plus soon.

 

Why does it bother you that the OP only has 2 posts after many months as a member here? Not everyone has time to be on these boards everyday and posting all the time. Some of us only come here occasionally and post even less. What is wrong with that? And why do you care?

We appreciate your thoughts Jill

 

Thanks

[Julesben]

Patti, Does this only effect RCL cruisers in the UK or does it effect all cruise lines? If it is all, his complaint is with the GOV then and not RCL

I think you are referring to ATOL or ABTA, this is not a cancellation as oppose to an amendment.

[Julesben]

I'm not clear as to why RCi is being criticized for conforming to a rule that apparently is a policy instituted by whatever agency in the UK has established it.

 

If this situation would have occurred regardless of what line was booked, the criticism is misplaced.

ABTA or ATOL are something to do with insurance in the event your flight company go bust or things like that, I'm pretty sure it's nothing to do with amendments to cruise bookings.

[negc]

ABTA or ATOL are something to do with insurance in the event your flight company go bust or things like that, I'm pretty sure it's nothing to do with amendments to cruise bookings.

 

You are 'pretty sure' but can't be bothered to actually find out the answer which might actually give your complaint legitimacy or show it to be without foundation. Perhaps you owe it to yourself and the others on this board to do so, and then come back and report on your findings. if you do that someone might owe an apology, whether it be your critics or you, but at least the issue would be resolved.:rolleyes:

[Julesben]

You are 'pretty sure' but can't be bothered to actually find out the answer which might actually give your complaint legitimacy or show it to be without foundation. Perhaps you owe it to yourself and the others on this board to do so, and then come back and report on your findings. if you do that someone might owe an apology, whether it be your critics or you, but at least the issue would be resolved.:rolleyes:

Nobody else is Sure yet, although I think the answer is coming next 24hrs.

[Merion_Mom]

Nobody else is Sure yet, although I think the answer is coming next 24hrs.

 

Less.

 

http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-holidays/cruise-line-terms-and-conditions/

[BMT]

I very much doubt that these are Government rules. In fact, the charges for changing reservations are relatively recent - only one change permitted free now.

 

No, I believe this is just another RIP OFF BRITAIN!!!! They CAN do it, so they DO!!!

[MJDMV]

Once again a lack of common sense from RCI's reps prevails. If you wish to cancel a cruise in order to take another cruise on the same ship two weeks later AND bring two new guests, why is it reasonable and legitimate to both lose your deposit on cruise 1 and then need to pay an admin charge of £150???

RCI is my favourite cruise line and I currently have 3 B to Bs booked for July/August. I have however met this type of RCI unwillingness to be flexible and a lack of goodwill on a few occasions. Let's face it, many visits to Onboard Guest Services have initial unsatisfactory outcomes!!! I admire loyalty to RCI and I have it, but sometimes they are wrong!! Simple! Sorry to disappoint the cheerleaders.

[MickD]

Dont think the op said they would lose their deposit, just an administration fee.
Unfortunately every uk based cruiseline holiday company, has in their terms and conditions a fee for ammendment to booking. This is not a law of any kind, but something they all do.
Rci could have done it for free if they had wanted to,and im sure if the op wanted to book 20 cabins they would have waived the fee.
It does seem unfair but this is something we in the uk are used to and all know about.
Ive just been quoted an extra $200 for a name change on a $80 flight !!!!

[LBcruzman]

[quote name='MJDMV']
RCI is my favourite cruise line and I currently have 3 B to Bs booked for July/August. I have however met this type of RCI unwillingness to be flexible and a lack of goodwill on a few occasions. Let's face it, many visits to Onboard Guest Services have initial unsatisfactory outcomes!!! I admire loyalty to RCI and I have it, but sometimes they are wrong!! Simple! Sorry to disappoint the cheerleaders.[/QUOTE]

You are absolutely correct. The OP has every right to criticize this policy and this is the correct forum to do such criticizing. It is after all cruise CRITIC(ize).

From Dictionary.com:
Criticize - to judge or discuss the merits or faults of

This is exactly the right type of discussion and the exact forum to discuss this type of issue.

Those posters who jump all over posters such as the OP, starting out by mentioning how few posts and raising the question of suspicion, well that is something that happens all the time here and by the usual suspects. It is a shame for everyone else and especially new members and many people who might otherwise dare to post on these boards but are too afraid of being jumped on just as this poster was.

[compman9]

For all the American EXPERTS, RCI's policy has nothing to do with government legislation.

A British holiday company has the right to make these rules.
They have chosen the greater profit route.
The OP has the right to complain about it.

Is the holiday company being short-sighted - one would suggest a thread like this on a respected message-board, plus dozens of other similar complaints on the same board, would indicate that yes, it is very short-sighted.

I have booked a cruise for next April, but were I to change my mind, it would cost us. The same company has different rules for the American arm of their company.

I was amazed that in signatures people had so many cruises booked in advance - that is because you can change your mind without financial penalty. In the UK, greedy holiday companies can make the decision to have different rules.

The OP even had the audacity (sic) to offer RCI more money and add new potential cheerleaders to the company's list.

Is it wrong of RCI to have these policies - No.
Is it short-sighted and taking advantage of their customers - Yes.
Is it necessary - No.
Are the 'expert' cheerleaders on this messageboard tiresome - ?

[Julesben]

[quote name='MJDMV']Once again a lack of common sense from RCI's reps prevails. If you wish to cancel a cruise in order to take another cruise on the same ship two weeks later AND bring two new guests, why is it reasonable and legitimate to both lose your deposit on cruise 1 and then need to pay an admin charge of £150???
RCI is my favourite cruise line and I currently have 3 B to Bs booked for July/August. I have however met this type of RCI unwillingness to be flexible and a lack of goodwill on a few occasions. Let's face it, many visits to Onboard Guest Services have initial unsatisfactory outcomes!!! I admire loyalty to RCI and I have it, but sometimes they are wrong!! Simple! Sorry to disappoint the cheerleaders.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for that friend, everyone who is jumping on the so called Gov policy will come to realise Prime Minister David Cameron has nothing to do with this RCCL charge apart from to collect his share of the proceeds year end.

I'm actually looking forward to receiving confirmation from RCCL later today as to who dreamt this ludicrous amendment charge up, I will return with their answer regardless of being right or wrong, if I'm right will all those " Cheerleaders" LOL and wrong answer participants be good enough to own up?....

To change a cruise vacation to an exact cruise itinerary 22 days later and adding 2 new
cruisers to the booking would normally please most business's but not RCCL, I would not pay £1.50 let alone £150 for this amendment, the privilege for me should have been all RCCL's along with the financial gain.

Greed takes it's place once more.

[CruisinGerman]

Dear friends:

I think the OP and any UK cruiser have grounds for formal complaint. I think you should ask one of the large consumer travel associations (one aimed at protecting the consumer not the travel operators) what their position on this is.

My position as somewhat of a specialist in EU travel laws would be the following:

1. EU travel protection laws are supposed to be somewhat uniform throughout the EU. This fee is not common practice in other EU countries. In fact, in countries such as Spain, where I live and practice, where consumers are not accustomed to booking trips in advance, RCCL's practice is so flexible that on many occasions you can even cancel a cruise a week before departure and they will not penalize you.

2. There is an antitrust/competition argument against charging this fee. If you say "nearly all" UK holiday operators charge this fee, it becomes highly suspicious as to whether they all reached a concerted decision to charge this fee. That would be illegal and, definitely, anti-competitive since by charging fees to customers who booked far in advance, they are basically stopping competition dead in its tracks if a better trip, or a better deal, should come along in the future.

3. The argument about getting better government protection doesn't work, because as I say this fee is not charged in most EU countries, and we are all subject to the same government-mandated travel protection.

4. My suspicion (not based on any real facts) about why this fee is charged in the UK would be that it is due to the customs in the UK of booking holidays very far in advance. I think the holiday operators are afraid to block out their space so far in advance and face the possibility that you are going to change your mind and not take the trip. So perhaps this very British efficiency works against you in this case. Nevertheless, I do believe this fee has its anti-competitive aspects and could be challenged on those grounds regardless of British customs and traditions.

Just my two euro cents.

Kind regards,

Gunther and Uta

[Julesben]

[quote name='MickD']Dont think the op said they would lose their deposit, just an administration fee.
Unfortunately every uk based cruiseline holiday company, has in their terms and conditions a fee for ammendment to booking. This is not a law of any kind, but something they all do.
Rci could have done it for free if they had wanted to,and im sure if the op wanted to book 20 cabins they would have waived the fee.
It does seem unfair but this is something we in the uk are used to and all know about.
Ive just been quoted an extra $200 for a name change on a $80 flight !!!![/QUOTE]
Would you pay this fee in these circumstances if you had strong principles, there's plenty of cruise lines to take future cruises with our friends.

RCCL's common sense left on the back seat again.

[Julesben]

[quote name='CruisinGerman']Dear friends:

I think the OP and any UK cruiser have grounds for formal complaint. I think you should ask one of the large consumer travel associations (one aimed at protecting the consumer not the travel operators) what their position on this is.

My position as somewhat of a specialist in EU travel laws would be the following:

1. EU travel protection laws are supposed to be somewhat uniform throughout the EU. This fee is not common practice in other EU countries. In fact, in countries such as Spain, where I live and practice, where consumers are not accustomed to booking trips in advance, RCCL's practice is so flexible that on many occasions you can even cancel a cruise a week before departure and they will not penalize you.

2. There is an antitrust/competition argument against charging this fee. If you say "nearly all" UK holiday operators charge this fee, it becomes highly suspicious as to whether they all reached a concerted decision to charge this fee. That would be illegal and, definitely, anti-competitive since by charging fees to customers who booked far in advance, they are basically stopping competition dead in its tracks if a better trip, or a better deal, should come along in the future.

3. The argument about getting better government protection doesn't work, because as I say this fee is not charged in most EU countries, and we are all subject to the same government-mandated travel protection.

4. My suspicion (not based on any real facts) about why this fee is charged in the UK would be that it is due to the customs in the UK of booking holidays very far in advance. I think the holiday operators are afraid to block out their space so far in advance and face the possibility that you are going to change your mind and not take the trip. So perhaps this very British efficiency works against you in this case. Nevertheless, I do believe this fee has its anti-competitive aspects and could be challenged on those grounds regardless of British customs and traditions.

Just my two euro cents.

Kind regards,

Gunther and Uta[/QUOTE]
Thank you for this info, I am going to talk to our Solicitors regarding your very interesting points!.

[james90210]

You know I read so many helpful threads from people and this site is great.
There is however a number of people that in my opinion ruin this site.
It's sad how rude some people are and they don't even think they are being rude.
Time and time again an OP has said something, and so often they are jumped on like they have an agenda or are trolling etc.
It's funny when after being goaded and talked down to they snap and get accused of coming on the boards to attack people!!

Yes, there are trolls and yes 'some' complaints may not be all that bad to us. Remember though that its all relative to the person and sometimes it is just ignorance.
Amendment fee's are really stupid in the UK.
I would really really try to push RCC into waivering if I could. If not then it's up to you what you chose to do. Something tell's me they won't budge though.
Before people jump and say why should RCC? I work for a large company as a customer service supervisor. We can often do [I]more [/I]than people think in some circumstances so it is worth a try. In this case I do feel it is justified to waiver the fee especially as OP is a regular customer.

[Julesben]

[quote name='LBcruzman']You are absolutely correct. The OP has every right to criticize this policy and this is the correct forum to do such criticizing. It is after all cruise CRITIC(ize).

From Dictionary.com:
Criticize - to judge or discuss the merits or faults of

This is exactly the right type of discussion and the exact forum to discuss this type of issue.

Those posters who jump all over posters such as the OP, starting out by mentioning how few posts and raising the question of suspicion, well that is something that happens all the time here and by the usual suspects. It is a shame for everyone else and especially new members and many people who might otherwise dare to post on these boards but are too afraid of being jumped on just as this poster was.[/QUOTE]
Very well said my friend ;)

[Julesben]

[quote name='james90210']You know I read so many helpful threads from people and this site is great.
There is however a number of people that in my opinion ruin this site.
It's sad how rude some people are and they don't even think they are being rude.
Time and time again an OP has said something, and so often they are jumped on like they have an agenda or are trolling etc.
It's funny when after being goaded and talked down to they snap and get accused of coming on the boards to attack people!!

Yes, there are trolls and yes 'some' complaints may not be all that bad to us. Remember though that its all relative to the person and sometimes it is just ignorance.
Amendment fee's are really stupid in the UK.
I would really really try to push RCC into waivering if I could. If not then it's up to you what you chose to do. Something tell's me they won't budge though.
Before people jump and say why should RCC? I work for a large company as a customer service supervisor. We can often do [I]more [/I]than people think in some circumstances so it is worth a try. In this case I do feel it is justified to waiver the fee especially as OP is a regular customer.[/QUOTE]
Another positive one, thank you James.