LindaO Posted December 10, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 10, 2013 The last night of our cruise I was in the casino seated next to a man who explained that "his friend" got taken by purchasing drink packages that were not through RCI... First let me say... that if your TA gives you a drink package... it is legit... RCI knows about it...and the sticker you receive is legit. It is also noted on your Seapass card... BUT... This man's friend purchased 15 drink packages from a 'supplier' and obtained 15 stickers... He then gave them to his clients and friends. For the first 3 nights all was well...drinks flowed... but on the 4th night.... bar staff started 'checking' the cards.. and no package was approved. After long talks with security and staff it was determined that these were counterfit. The stickers looked legit... but the ink was rubbing off. It was very embarrassing for the man who purchased and gave away the stickers... and it was determined that he was 'scammed'... I'm sure that RCI will be on the look out for this in the future!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingMachine Posted December 10, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 10, 2013 I've had the ink fade off mine during the cruise as well, but it was purchased on the ship, so it was legit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted December 10, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 10, 2013 The last night of our cruise I was in the casino seated next to a man who explained that "his friend" got taken by purchasing drink packages that were not through RCI... First let me say... that if your TA gives you a drink package... it is legit... RCI knows about it...and the sticker you receive is legit. It is also noted on your Seapass card... BUT... This man's friend purchased 15 drink packages from a 'supplier' and obtained 15 stickers... He then gave them to his clients and friends. For the first 3 nights all was well...drinks flowed... but on the 4th night.... bar staff started 'checking' the cards.. and no package was approved. After long talks with security and staff it was determined that these were counterfit. The stickers looked legit... but the ink was rubbing off. It was very embarrassing for the man who purchased and gave away the stickers... and it was determined that he was 'scammed'... I'm sure that RCI will be on the look out for this in the future!! Wow that sucks. Just curious, haw was it resolved between RCl & the gentleman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topnole Posted December 10, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 10, 2013 The last night of our cruise I was in the casino seated next to a man who explained that "his friend" got taken by purchasing drink packages that were not through RCI... First let me say... that if your TA gives you a drink package... it is legit... RCI knows about it...and the sticker you receive is legit. It is also noted on your Seapass card... BUT... This man's friend purchased 15 drink packages from a 'supplier' and obtained 15 stickers... He then gave them to his clients and friends. For the first 3 nights all was well...drinks flowed... but on the 4th night.... bar staff started 'checking' the cards.. and no package was approved. After long talks with security and staff it was determined that these were counterfit. The stickers looked legit... but the ink was rubbing off. It was very embarrassing for the man who purchased and gave away the stickers... and it was determined that he was 'scammed'... I'm sure that RCI will be on the look out for this in the future!! It is also possible the guy made up the story to protect his butt from Serious legal trouble. Buying a drink package from a third-party vendor doesn't even really make sense to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spring Valley Posted December 11, 2013 #5 Share Posted December 11, 2013 The sticker really means nothing as they swipe your card anyways to know that you bought the drink package. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMG Posted December 11, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Really? Someone actually bought stickers and attached them to their sea pass and expected RCI to honor those stickers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Reid Posted December 11, 2013 #7 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Fifteen drink package stickers from a "supplier"? He must buy his clients Gucci handbags from the open-air "suppliers" on the streets of NYC. As others have mentioned, I believe they are swiped to keep track of the program. No one got a few days of drinks from just the sticker. I would think the man who told you the story was a bit less than truthful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaO Posted December 11, 2013 Author #8 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I'm so sorry I posted this... I have no doubt that the person I talked to in the casino or the other members of his party were telling the truth. More than once on the cruise I noticed those with drink packages, flash their cards and bartenders brought drinks, without ever taking the card. I just posted hoping that it might warn others... but obviously it did not come across as that... and you can continue to doubt or think what you like. The man who actually "bought" the stickers did have "back up paperwork" and actually thought what he was doing was legit. Staff on board believed him... and felt really bad for all of them. The man was mortified... as he was part of a business group on board... and some of his clients were included in the investigation. Can you imagine trying to explain and expect your clients to trust you after such a 'mistake'? Many people are swindled each day... My hope is that anyone who so harshly judges someone who has had the misfortune to be swindled... never has to experience it themselves... thus the post. I won't be back here... I hope this thread dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted December 11, 2013 #9 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I'm so sorry I posted this... I won't be back here... I hope this thread dies. It can only die if you alert the mods, tell them you are the OP, and explain you want it deleted. Otherwise, it's fair game, I'm afraid. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolimits Posted December 11, 2013 #10 Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) Was the third party a TA that may just not of pd RCI.My last cruise we had specialty dinner and spa credit .After Chops waiter told us there was no record of TA paying. Took a couple Emails by RCI to TA and was fixed. We left chops no prob .They sorted it out next day. Thank You for warning it is hard to believe but have seen slicker things happen to nice people . Edited December 11, 2013 by nolimits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCruiser33 Posted December 11, 2013 #11 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Thanks for the post LindaO. Very useful information to be aware of. I feel terrible for that gentleman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillLovesTravel Posted December 11, 2013 #12 Share Posted December 11, 2013 When I was on our last cruise in October my sea pass card became ineffective as a key to the cabin so they exchanged it for me. When the Royal rep at Guest Services opened the drawer to get a new Premium Drinks package sticker for me she pulled out a HUGE roll of stickers. I thought then…oh my... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonTehGreat Posted December 11, 2013 #13 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Drink packages cost way more than the commission we (TA's) get, well the alcoholic ones do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted December 11, 2013 #14 Share Posted December 11, 2013 For RCI, and us, to "look out for it in the future" we need to know who this "Supplier" is. As it stands, it reads more like a mystery than trying to pass on useful information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micmacmissy Posted December 11, 2013 #15 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Did he buy them on the ship? In port? From an employee? Off the internet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaofwonder Posted December 11, 2013 #16 Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) The sticker really means nothing as they swipe your card anyways to know that you bought the drink package. Keith Not true at all. I've walked up to many a bar and have NEVER had my card swiped. Indeed, many people on here talk about how they save their sea pass cards with the sticker and flash it to the bartender, covering the name of the ship. ETA - My apologies....I thought folks were talking about the soda packages, but it appears it is in reference to the alcohol packages. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Edited December 11, 2013 by seaofwonder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trev71 Posted December 11, 2013 #17 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Nothing wrong posting this even if they were lying at least, better to be safe then sorry. so many scams out there. I think most people if they were going to buy any type of drink package would do it online on royals site or while onboard. At least any Cruise Critic members :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmac Posted December 11, 2013 #18 Share Posted December 11, 2013 When I was on Liberty in June I saw at least four people refused their drinks as the sticker had faded and wouldn't go through the machine. The barman just told them to go get new ones at Customer Services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahliasmom Posted December 11, 2013 #19 Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) I can't imagine why someone would buy a drink package through a third party and not a TA or RCCL. I would immediately doubt the legitimacy of such a transaction if it was offered to me. Where would someone even come across such an offer? Anything can happen but it just seems weird. Edited December 11, 2013 by kahliasmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spring Valley Posted December 11, 2013 #20 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Not true at all. I've walked up to many a bar and have NEVER had my card swiped. Indeed, many people on here talk about how they save their sea pass cards with the sticker and flash it to the bartender, covering the name of the ship. ETA - My apologies....I thought folks were talking about the soda packages, but it appears it is in reference to the alcohol packages. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app I believe when we last had the Coke sticker, that they didn't swipe our cards, but for the liquor package, they always did. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m*u*g* Posted December 11, 2013 #21 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I believe the OP posted all the info they knew so why all the interrogation-like followup questions and comments? OP, ignore the idiots in here, including me, if you wish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kahliasmom Posted December 11, 2013 #22 Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) It's called having a conversation. OP makes a statement, we read that statement, then are moved to post what we think about that statement. I don't think anyone has been rude. It's just a very strange story, that has moved many to want to comment. Thank you for the information, OP, I just need to express my shock over someone being so naive as to purchase a drink package from a third party vendor. Edited December 11, 2013 by kahliasmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted December 11, 2013 #23 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Here....I'm throwing you a "Thick Skin" which you have to develop to post on CC.:D I have learned many times that letting what people post here get under your skin is fruitless....keep coming and keep posting. But in their defense, skepticism can be your friend in most cases. I believe every word you said and I think the others did also, they were just questioning whether you got the whole truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaofwonder Posted December 12, 2013 #24 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Keith, Makes sense. I keep forgetting about the alcohol package. When people say "drink package" I automatically think of the soda package. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiiCruz2 Posted December 12, 2013 #25 Share Posted December 12, 2013 My experience in November, after the new drink packages became available, is that they swipe at every bar, every time for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic packages ... Didn't have to actually sign anything, but they always swiped our cards and said thank you when they handed the cards back. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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