We won a cruise but it doesn't look like we'll be going!

[uktraveller]

I posted this on the UK forum but wanted to vent over here too!

 

We entered a C&A competition last week to win a cruise. The prize was your choice of 7 nights on Navigator Eastern Med..29th April or Adventure Western Med...28th April. Yes...this coming weekend!

 

We got an email on Monday evening to say we had won the Navigator cruise leaving from Rome on Sunday. You can imagine how excited we were!

 

On Tuesday, after several attempts, Dh finally got to speak to the person at the UK head office who deals with competitions and she informed him that the Navigator was sold out, so no cabins for competition winners. She said there was to be a meeting to discuss options and she would be in touch. At 9pm last night she left a voicemail to say the prize had been changed to the same cruise leaving a week later.

 

There's just one problem......we could go on the original date but we can't go on the alternative!

 

Dh has left several messages for her today, and so far she hasn't returned the calls.

 

Why bother to run a competition if you can't do it properly?:mad:

[denamo]

I posted this on the UK forum but wanted to vent over here too!

 

We entered a C&A competition last week to win a cruise. The prize was your choice of 7 nights on Navigator Eastern Med..29th April or Adventure Western Med...28th April. Yes...this coming weekend!

 

We got an email on Monday evening to say we had won the Navigator cruise leaving from Rome on Sunday. You can imagine how excited we were!

 

On Tuesday, after several attempts, Dh finally got to speak to the person at the UK head office who deals with competitions and she informed him that the Navigator was sold out, so no cabins for competition winners. She said there was to be a meeting to discuss options and she would be in touch. At 9pm last night she left a voicemail to say the prize had been changed to the same cruise leaving a week later.

 

There's just one problem......we could go on the original date but we can't go on the alternative!

 

Dh has left several messages for her today, and so far she hasn't returned the calls.

 

Why bother to run a competition if you can't do it properly?:mad:

 

The change makes absolutely no sense! :confused: Totally agree with your sentiments. Hope it can be worked out and available when you can go. Keep us posted on the outcome. Sorry for your turn of events.

[reallyitsmema]

That is just crazy! It would be one thing if they said upfront that it would be either this week or next week, to change it after you won is really unfair. I would try to get at least a partial credit towards a future cruise since they messed this up so badly.:(

[marci22]

Maybe they should put you on the other April cruise, if there is room. If not, I would hope that they offer you alternate dates.

 

Who runs a contest and then doesn't leave room on the ship for the winners? That's just idiotic.

[livylotte]

Arrr! thats bad! I entered that competition and remember they stipulated that the winner MUST be able to travel on those specific dates. I had a quick look online at those sailings and they were selling cabins at a really low price - £299 pp so it's no wonder they sold out.

 

RCI should at least let you choose the alternative date.

 

Watchdog might be interested.

[megr1125]

that smells fishy a little...

 

at least give you a list of a few dates...or a FCC in the amount of the value of what you won.....

 

obviously i am not sure what the laws are for contests in the UK...but they should be able to work out something...:confused:

[uktraveller]

Thanks everyone for your support. I'll post an update when, and if, we get one!

[jennmaybe]

 

There's just one problem......we could go on the original date but we can't go on the alternative!

 

:mad:

 

What could possibly be more important than going on a cruise?? :D:)

 

Just kidding!

[LBumb]

hope it works out

[efields2]

Do you have a copy anywhere stating the contest rules and the dates that were part of the contest? If so, you will have an upper hand in getting it resolved more quickly.

 

Double check the fine print to see if they can substitute an alternative date.

 

Since the Navigator is sold out, couldn't they put you on the Adventure then?

[jackaboo]

I just checked the website.. there's still availability left on the 29th April....

[Elizanessie]

Royal Caribbean International cruise-only prize T & C's:

 

• The Prize Provider is Royal Caribbean International.

• The prize comprises: A cruise-only holiday for two people (must include one adult aged over 21 years) onboard either Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas, departing from Malaga, Spain or Navigator of the Seas, departing from Rome, Italy.

• The prize includes either a seven night Western Mediterranean cruise on board Adventure of the Seas departing 28 April 2012 or a seven night Eastern Mediterranean cruise on board Navigator of the Sea departing 29 April 2012, accommodation in an interior stateroom, onboard main meals, evening entertainment, use of the fitness centre and all applicable taxes.

• Gratuities not included.

• The following items will incur an extra cost: meals in the onboard speciality restaurants, alcoholic or speciality drinks, spa treatments, laundry, casino, shore excursions and onboard shopping.

• Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased before travel. Winners are responsible for making sure they are adequately insured.

• Both travellers must travel at the same time on the same itinerary.

• Only one entry per email address permitted.

• The prize is subject to availability and RCL Cruises Ltd. standard terms and booking conditions. For full booking terms and conditions please write to The Promoter, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Building 2, Aviator Park, Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2PG.

• The cruise prize has no cash value and it cannot be transferred, exchanged for cash or an alternative holiday, or combined with any other offer, promotion or discount.

• Once the booking is confirmed changes to the names, date or nature of the booking are not permitted.

• Holidays are redeemable only by the named winner and must not be sold on to any other party.

• Winners will be notified by RCL Cruises Ltd on 23 April 2012 by 16.00. Competition entries close at midnight on 22 April 2012

• Specific terms and conditions:

o Open to Crown and Anchor Society members only, who are adults aged 18 years or over and must be UK residents, with a valid passport excluding employees and their immediate families of RCL Cruises Ltd, their agencies or anyone else professionally associated with this promotion.

o Royal Caribbean International will not accept guests who are more than 24 weeks pregnant or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during their cruise holiday.

o The winner will be a correct entry selected at random from all entries.

o The holiday prize must be taken for either the 28 April 2012 or 29 April 2012 sailing, depending on which sailing the winner has been selected.

[Cotswold Eagle]

That's all well and good (actually it isn't, the availability clause is a bit dodgy in a contest when you control the inventory, and I think the OFT would take a dim view of it being invoked), but the thing is they are still selling interior guarantees on their website....

[uktraveller]

That's all well and good (actually it isn't, the availability clause is a bit dodgy in a contest when you control the inventory, and I think the OFT would take a dim view of it being invoked), but the thing is they are still selling interior guarantees on their website....

 

 

When I checked the website it looked like inside GTY was still available (there is a price shown on the front page), but when you go further in it tells you they are all sold out.

[uktraveller]

UPDATE....It's sorted...:D

 

OMG, we're sailing from Malaga on the Adventure on Saturday!!:eek::eek:

[Elizanessie]

UPDATE....It's sorted...:D

 

OMG, we're sailing from Malaga on the Adventure on Saturday!!:eek::eek:

 

Congrats, glad you got it sorted out:D...oh..so you are going on the Adventure from Malaga instead of the Navigator from Rome :eek:

 

I wonder what happened with the other Navigator prize winners.:confused:

 

Now go pack and do all your pre-cruise stuff..do you have to sort out flights ?

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

I am so sorry! That is terrible!:( I hope it all works out!

[jmf123]

UPDATE....It's sorted...:D

 

OMG, we're sailing from Malaga on the Adventure on Saturday!!:eek::eek:

 

Congratulations uktraveller, bon voyage and have a wonderful cruise! Really happy for you that it worked out. :)

[uktraveller]

Congrats, glad you got it sorted out:D...oh..so you are going on the Adventure from Malaga instead of the Navigator from Rome :eek:

 

I wonder what happened with the other Navigator prize winners.:confused:

 

Now go pack and do all your pre-cruise stuff..do you have to sort out flights ?

 

Thanks Liz

 

Yes, we have to arrange our own flights but fortunately there are reasonable ones available from our local airport. :)

OMG....I have so many things to do in the next 2 days!!!:D

[bonniboo1]

I am so happy that RCI did the right thing, have a wonderful time. I will be on the Adventure in January. Congrats and enjoy every minute!

[marci22]

That makes 3 people I've cruised with who have won free cruises! I'm going to enter the next contest. Congratulations~

[birdylady]

Congrats!!! We were just on the Adventure last month. You'll love it.

 

Have a super trip.

Erika

[efields2]

CONGRATS!!!

 

Have a great time :D

[EVALUATOR]

Royal Caribbean International cruise-only prize T & C's:

 

• The Prize Provider is Royal Caribbean International.

• The prize comprises: A cruise-only holiday for two people (must include one adult aged over 21 years) onboard either Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas, departing from Malaga, Spain or Navigator of the Seas, departing from Rome, Italy.

• The prize includes either a seven night Western Mediterranean cruise on board Adventure of the Seas departing 28 April 2012 or a seven night Eastern Mediterranean cruise on board Navigator of the Sea departing 29 April 2012, accommodation in an interior stateroom, onboard main meals, evening entertainment, use of the fitness centre and all applicable taxes.

• Gratuities not included.

• The following items will incur an extra cost: meals in the onboard speciality restaurants, alcoholic or speciality drinks, spa treatments, laundry, casino, shore excursions and onboard shopping.

• Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased before travel. Winners are responsible for making sure they are adequately insured.

• Both travellers must travel at the same time on the same itinerary.

• Only one entry per email address permitted.

• The prize is subject to availability and RCL Cruises Ltd. standard terms and booking conditions. For full booking terms and conditions please write to The Promoter, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Building 2, Aviator Park, Station Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2PG.

• The cruise prize has no cash value and it cannot be transferred, exchanged for cash or an alternative holiday, or combined with any other offer, promotion or discount.

• Once the booking is confirmed changes to the names, date or nature of the booking are not permitted.

• Holidays are redeemable only by the named winner and must not be sold on to any other party.

• Winners will be notified by RCL Cruises Ltd on 23 April 2012 by 16.00. Competition entries close at midnight on 22 April 2012

• Specific terms and conditions:

o Open to Crown and Anchor Society members only, who are adults aged 18 years or over and must be UK residents, with a valid passport excluding employees and their immediate families of RCL Cruises Ltd, their agencies or anyone else professionally associated with this promotion.

o Royal Caribbean International will not accept guests who are more than 24 weeks pregnant or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during their cruise holiday.

o The winner will be a correct entry selected at random from all entries.

o The holiday prize must be taken for either the 28 April 2012 or 29 April 2012 sailing, depending on which sailing the winner has been selected.

 

 

Bigger and Bolder.:)

 

They probably put them in an corner aft balcony and sent a sucks to be you email to somebody else.:eek:

[BillOh]

The change makes absolutely no sense! :confused: Totally agree with your sentiments. Hope it can be worked out and available when you can go. Keep us posted on the outcome. Sorry for your turn of events.

 

Or at the very least have several date options with caveats about blackout dates or availability.