W o w is right!!!!

[American Bear]

I'm not a Newbie (actually D+) and I booked :mad: We wanted to cruise on Oasis in March. Lots of reasons I won't bore you with but only March 2015 would work.

 

I waited months to book hoping the stupid BOGOHO promotion would end. I hoped it would end Dec 31 but here it was January and it was still going and balcony cabins were nearly sold out, so I booked.

 

We wanted to cruise, we are cruising and we will enjoy it but I hate these stupid ongoing promotions and hate that I had to book during one.

 

 

That's the point most are making, someday you won't 'have' to book a specific time, just remember how you were treated!

Everyone with a brain can see the regular prices were for the most part raised for the BOBOHO!

[Starry Eyes]

They are actually abusing their loyal cruiser.

I was just cruise surfing and looked up a 5 nighter next January. It gave me a price bogoho and included $200 on board credit. I signed in and looked at the same cruise to add my balcony discount $150. The onboard credit went away.

So even if they went straight to the casino and took cash ($210 for $200). A first time cruiser would get the better deal.

This is what I deserve with 30+ cruises?

A year ago I would not even have thought about it, but with a few more enhancements. We will go elsewhere. After I get my Crystal block on the Quantum. We have nothing booked.

 

maybe you should at least call and speak to a rep before deciding you are being abused. the rep might be able to explain the options and then you can pick the one that works for you.

 

here's my example:I put a couple cabins on hold for a what I considered a good price. with cruise held I worked on hotel and airline. then I spoke to a rep to complete the bookings. The rep was was helpful and offered booking options. I could keep the booking the way it was online or I could pay a little higher price and get an OBC. half of the B2B I took the OBC, the second I kept it as held.

 

I would thus suspect if you want the deal offered before you signed it, you could get it with a simple phone call. Of course, our C&A discounts and shareholder OBC do not necessarily combine with other aspects of our bookings. if your complaint is one of combinabilty (so you cannot get a better deal than a newbie), I can empathize but not holding my breathe that it will change.

[Starry Eyes]

That's the point most are making, someday you won't 'have' to book a specific time, just remember how you were treated!

Everyone with a brain can see the regular prices were for the most part raised for the BOBOHO!

 

A company raised prices then offered a discount off the higher price? not exactly groundbreaking. If I stop doing business with company that pulls such stunts, I shall have a lot fewer businesses on my list.

 

some sales work well for one party and poorly for another. for example, when a line does a kids sail free promo, it does not help me and might well work against me (if they raise fares on first two passengers to offset free 3rd/4th passengers, I'd pay more). that sale is for somebody else. Execpt perhaps going, going, gone sale, most of their sales are for somebody else. that does not actually bother me.

[John&LaLa]

That's the point most are making, someday you won't 'have' to book a specific time, just remember how you were treated!

Everyone with a brain can see the regular prices were for the most part raised for the BOBOHO!

 

Maybe the prices needed to be raised. These low prices we are used to were during some different economic times. As economy strengthens, leisure travel may get more expensive than we would like.

[HesterMofet]

Maybe the prices needed to be raised. These low prices we are used to were during some different economic times. As economy strengthens, leisure travel may get more expensive than we would like.

 

Ah, but they are also reaping the benefits of cheap oil right now. That has to be a huge part of the cost-per-passenger.

[Starry Eyes]

Ah, but they are also reaping the benefits of cheap oil right now. That has to be a huge part of the cost-per-passenger.

Sure, but prices are not simply based on cost per passenger.

Generally low prices happen when supply outstrips demand. Granted if costs (like fuel) are high, most companies can only survive so long if prices are too long to cover costs. On the other hand, if demand is strong, prices may rise, even in the face of declining fuel prices.

[Starry Eyes]

You are loyal to a product that is not loyal to you. Kinda of makes no sense when you look at it..

 

Again, if the pricing is funky on the website, the PP only needs call and talk to a rep. odds are high they can happily get that loyal cruiser the other pricing method. granted loyal cruisers and shareholders may not be able to combine any or all their offers on the same cruise, but they can surely get the price and OBC that the newbie gets, plus they will get all their on board loyalty rewards (and those are very valuable to me!). I'm not sure that somebody who won't pick up a phone when they have an issue to let the cruise line try to set things right.(instead posting the story later to an Internet board) is showing much determination or loyalty. and a rather weak IT department may be suboptimal business practice, but it is not disloyal to the PP.

[rt1092]

You are loyal to a product that is not loyal to you. Kinda of makes no sense when you look at it..

 

The 3 free drinks are not very good for me. I rarely drink much if at all before 8:30. and my wife doesn't drink.

The complimentary bottle of wine always gets dragged home to give to someone

I'm not fond of the chocolate covered strawberries.

Hardly ever in the concierge or diamond lounges. Or the welcome back parties

The only perks I really use are the balcony discount and the free internet minutes. And if they take that away I don't know if I'll continue to sail with them.

We really like the entertainment royal offers. But I've heard some of the other lines are just as good.

[rt1092]

Again, if the pricing is funky on the website, the PP only needs call and talk to a rep. odds are high they can happily get that loyal cruiser the other pricing method. granted loyal cruisers and shareholders may not be able to combine any or all their offers on the same cruise, but they can surely get the price and OBC that the newbie gets, plus they will get all their on board loyalty rewards (and those are very valuable to me!). I'm not sure that somebody who won't pick up a phone when they have an issue to let the cruise line try to set things right.(instead posting the story later to an Internet board) is showing much determination or loyalty. and a rather weak IT department may be suboptimal business practice, but it is not disloyal to the PP.

I did call and at first they told me I couldn't use the $200 on board credit at all. That it was not meant for C&A members. Then when I insisted on talking to someone else they said it was one or the other. So my $150 balcony credit was worthless to me.

[papaflamingo]

They are actually abusing their loyal cruiser.

I was just cruise surfing and looked up a 5 nighter next January. It gave me a price bogoho and included $200 on board credit. I signed in and looked at the same cruise to add my balcony discount $150. The onboard credit went away.

So even if they went straight to the casino and took cash ($210 for $200). A first time cruiser would get the better deal.

This is what I deserve with 30+ cruises?

A year ago I would not even have thought about it, but with a few more enhancements. We will go elsewhere. After I get my Crystal block on the Quantum. We have nothing booked.

 

You do realize that Royal Caribbean is a business that's goal is "profit?" They exist to make a profit, not to give away the store. They price the cost of a cruise to whatever the market will bear. That is what businesses do. They maximize profits.

I like Royal and I'm D+. I get free drinks every night. I may not be able to use my D+ discount with every rate, but still get free WiFi time, Free drinks, Priority Boarding and Debarkation, use of the Diamond and Concierge lounges, etc. So, I don't really feel "abused."

The cost of the cruise is "bottom line." If there is a discount, OBC, etc. then it's simple... take the cabin rate, subtract all discounts including OBC. and see what the bottom line is. If you like the rate, book it. If you don't, then don't.

But, come on, being "abused???" Really?? Check out the other cruise line loyalty programs and compare. Royal Caribbean's is, IMHO, heads and tails above any other. Gee, you can pay $50 on Carnival and get FTTF. Sure it's free for Platinum and Diamond members, but for a mere $50 per stateroom, a brand new first time cruiser can get the same benefits that the high time loyal cruiser gets. Now that's "valuing loyal passengers."

[Starry Eyes]

I did call and at first they told me I couldn't use the $200 on board credit at all. That it was not meant for C&A members. Then when I insisted on talking to someone else they said it was one or the other. So my $150 balcony credit was worthless to me.

 

So, in the end, you learned that you could not combine the OBC offer with the balcony discount. So very few things are combinable, not many people here will be surprised that these were not combinable. Nobody likes it, but the cruiseline is trying to turn a profit. anyway, happy travels, whether on this line or some other vacation.

[loveJake]

Ok, now you have made me feel bad. I am not a novice to cruising, but have only 1 Royal cruise, bad experience so did not go again. Now I was ready to give another try because I liked the ports and wanted a ship to entertain 4 grandkids. I bit for their WOW sail, thought the price was high, compaired to our last cruise, 10 day mini suite on Royal Princess. Price for a 7 day on RCI in balcony was just $400 total less. So now that I am booked with 2 cabins do I watch the price, will RCI give me the lower price just like the other lines before final payment date? Guess I should have read the boards before I booked.

[SnorkelBoy]

Ok, now you have made me feel bad. I am not a novice to cruising, but have only 1 Royal cruise, bad experience so did not go again. Now I was ready to give another try because I liked the ports and wanted a ship to entertain 4 grandkids. I bit for their WOW sail, thought the price was high, compaired to our last cruise, 10 day mini suite on Royal Princess. Price for a 7 day on RCI in balcony was just $400 total less. So now that I am booked with 2 cabins do I watch the price, will RCI give me the lower price just like the other lines before final payment date? Guess I should have read the boards before I booked.

 

Yes, normally they will before the final payment date. Remember though if you have OBC with your current deal, the new lower price may or may not include the same amount. You may also be required to cancel and rebook as well. But definitely worth it to check periodically.

Edited January 13, 2015 by SnorkelBoy
grammer

[Toddcan]

Pricing strategies and Pricing models fascinate me. The average, or even advanced cruiser, has no idea of how complex/convoluted pricing strategies can get, is my guess.

 

But, it DOES boil down to the old truth we all learned in our earlier years at school: Supply and Demand.

 

I have seen multiple news bits now about how the price of gas at the pump is resulting in a tangible increase in vacation bookings. I live in Canada, but live 5 minutes from the US border in Niagara, so I often fill up in New York State. When we see gas at $2.70/gallon in the US, and $0.86/litre in Canada (used to be $1.30), it gives people a little more incentive to get out there and vacation. Ie.. demand is higher.

[SICruiseGirlNYC]

I just booked while onboard the Quantum of the Seas during the wow sale. I got a Jr. Suite and $400 onboard credit for $2,358. I thought it was a great price.

[John&LaLa]

I just booked while onboard the Quantum of the Seas during the wow sale. I got a Jr. Suite and $400 onboard credit for $2,358. I thought it was a great price.

 

Sounds good, any details

[MrsPete]

If people were not booking at these high prices they would not be still running the sale.

Yeah, people like to think they're getting a deal. If we -- general we, meaning society -- if we were better, more cautious consumers, this stuff wouldn't fly.

[John&LaLa]

If people were not booking at these high prices they would not be still running the sale.

 

They are only high if you can't afford them. :o

This could be the new norm

[SICruiseGirlNYC]

Sounds good, any details

 

Sorry. I should have been a little more specific - While onboard the Quantum of the Seas I decided to book another cruise. I booked on the Independence of the Seas for September 20, 2015 (7 nights) in a junior suite for myself and my husband. The itinerary is Labadee, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Total cost - $2,358 (including a platinum discount of $125) with a $400 onboard credit. My friend booked the same cruise in a junior suite for $2,150 with a $200 onboard credit (diamond plus discount of $250).

 

The loyalty ambassador stated that Royal Caribbean was running a special 2 day sale in addition to the WOW sale. We booked it on Saturday, January 10. I was all set to take a balcony room but when I heard the price of the Junior Suite I decided that it was a better deal. The double points will put me well over Emerald and only 2 cruises away from Diamond.

Edited January 14, 2015 by SICruiseGirlNYC

[molly361]

Sorry. I should have been a little more specific - While onboard the Quantum of the Seas I decided to book another cruise. I booked on the Independence of the Seas for September 20, 2015 (7 nights) in a junior suite for myself and my husband. The itinerary is Labadee, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Total cost - $2,358 (including a platinum discount of $125) with a $400 onboard credit. My friend booked the same cruise in a junior suite for $2,150 with a $200 onboard credit (diamond plus discount of $250).

 

The loyalty ambassador stated that Royal Caribbean was running a special 2 day sale in addition to the WOW sale. We booked it on Saturday, January 10. I was all set to take a balcony room but when I heard the price of the Junior Suite I decided that it was a better deal. The double points will put me well over Emerald and only 2 cruises away from Diamond.

 

I was not allowed to combine my balcony discount with the $400OBC for the JS on our upcoming EX cruise.

[John&LaLa]

I was not allowed to combine my balcony discount with the $400OBC for the JS on our upcoming EX cruise.

 

Our upcoming JS on Oasis includes $200 OBC with a $250 C&A discount. The obc was pre BOGO, but the discount was still honored when we jumped on new price during BOGO 1

[SICruiseGirlNYC]

I don't know how she did it but I have the invoice and it states a $400 onboard credit. She said that there was a special 2 day sale going on and that's how she was able to get the JS for such a good price with the $400 onboard credit.

[molly361]

I don't know how she did it but I have the invoice and it states a $400 onboard credit. She said that there was a special 2 day sale going on and that's how she was able to get the JS for such a good price with the $400 onboard credit.

 

That's great that you got the $400 AND your balcony discount.

 

We already had a reservation for a JS and when I saw that 2 day sale I called and had the reservations re-priced. They told me that I could not have BOTH the OBC and balcony discount.

 

I had them take off the $150 balcony discount and put on the $400 OBC so I am still ahead $250.

[SICruiseGirlNYC]

That's great that you got the $400 AND your balcony discount.

 

We already had a reservation for a JS and when I saw that 2 day sale I called and had the reservations re-priced. They told me that I could not have BOTH the OBC and balcony discount.

 

I had them take off the $150 balcony discount and put on the $400 OBC so I am still ahead $250.

 

I wasn't going to question it. I expected to pay that for a balcony room and instead I'm in a Junior Suite. I'm loving the $400 OBC. As long as I have it in writing I think I'm okay. I'm going to make a couple of copies of the invoice just in case I misplace it.

[joandian]

I wasn't going to question it. I expected to pay that for a balcony room and instead I'm in a Junior Suite. I'm loving the $400 OBC. As long as I have it in writing I think I'm okay. I'm going to make a couple of copies of the invoice just in case I misplace it.

 

You usually get extra OBC when you book onboard. Am I wrong in thinking you said you booked onboard? If so, that is probably how you got extra.