quantum pax stitched up on bcn Dubai trip

[Ocean Boy]

"material change" is of course in the eye of the beholder, or something like that. I actually think they could have done all those changes and not offered any money.

 

Interesting discussion.

 

And the eye of the beholder probably is somewhat affected depending upon whether the person who the "eye" is attached to has a reservation on that cruise or not.

[CVU]

"material change" is of course in the eye of the beholder, or something like that. I actually think they could have done all those changes and not offered any money.

Interesting discussion.

 

You have to experience it while on board and then you will happily take the compensation money. We were on the Oasis TA and work was going on all day, the WJ was SO noisy etc. Other disruptions too, that were not what was expected when we paid for that cruise.

If venues are gone and other things are missing or cancelled, then it is not what you booked and paid for in advance.

[Ocean Boy]

I too understood the OP and their posting completely.

 

what on earth are RCI doing to their beautiful new ships when in a matter of months they have to be pulled to pieces when they move to China?

When they come to the UK the most they have to do is give us a kettle and we are on a different Continent and speak different languages.

 

No kidding. What does RCI have to change on a ship that is only a few months old? And I can't believe they are already changing out a major show considering the same shows have been on Independence for over 5 years.

[CVU]

No kidding. What does RCI have to change on a ship that is only a few months old? And I can't believe they are already changing out a major show considering the same shows have been on Independence for over 5 years.

 

Casino for sure, more tables I think?

More High end shops.

[Cindy]

Email sent out by RCI recently:

 

As we make our transition from the United States to China we will be doing some enhancements onboard to prepare for our arrival in China. Due to the extent of the work required in certain areas, some venues will need to be closed while these improvements are taking place...

 

We were going on this cruise but cancelled, knew this might happen! Now doing the Rhapsody the other way through the Suez instead.

 

Pete.

 

I don't understand RCI taking a brand new, extremely expensive ship, sailing it in the North American/European market for a few short months, and then making MAJOR alterations to suit the Chinese market. Why don't they just do a purpose-built ship since the different demographics call for different venues and amenities?:confused: This seems backwards and unnecessary, to say nothing of the major inconvenience to people who paid a premium for a Quantum cruise.:(

Edited April 11, 2015 by Cindy

[Odaat]

Am going on this cruise and feel equally aggrieved. A material change has been made to our cruise which in the eyes of UK laws requires a company to make suitable reparation, ie Cancel, Compensation or book something else.

 

We booked last September at what is now a considerable premium for a balcony which turns out to be more than a junior suite.

 

It is now clear that RCI does not care about its customers and is only focussed on revenue which leads to such unethical or sharp practices.

 

We are Diamond Plus and its clear that means nothing to the current RCI team at RCI UK HQ. Our deliberations with them have been unreal.

 

The current offer of $250 is an insult set alongside of being over charged $1100.

 

Shame on you RCI, You have followed the Peter Principal of how to lose customers.

 

We have 2 more cruises booked fortunately with Celebrity, which has a UK Call Centre.

 

A thought to help. I retired as a travel agent a few years back but it happened often that prices would drop closer to sailing. I was typically able to negotiate with the cruise line to provide an upgrade to a higher category at that point...i.e. if, in your case, you paid a fare which would now allow you to be accommodated in a junior suite...call your agent or Royal direct and ask for the upgrade. You are not asking for a refund but simply asking to be accommodated in the best available cabin for the monies you paid. Usually had no problem with this request...Good luck and let us know how you did!

[CVU]

I think Ovation is coming right from Dry Dock and going to China as it should be for that market. So, they figured it out.................

[Elizanessie]

RCCL have known since at least November last year that there would changes made to Quantum before she gets to her new homeport.

 

Staff were talking about the changes on the Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Cape Liberty so why it has taken so long for Royal to actually inform guests who will actually be affected by the changes ?

 

Did they learn nothing from Oasis TA and Quantum Maiden Voyage ?

[peteukmcr]

Shocking tactics by RCI. What about the next leg from Dubai, what will they closedown on that sailing? I know people taking that leg of the cruise.

 

With regard to any misunderstandings of phrases and sayings used by those from another country.

 

To all of you who berated the OP, remember there is diversity in the world.

 

The majority on this forum are from the US and so there are many times when we Brits may not understand your colloquialisms, but do we berate and chastise you? No, we don't as it is possibly against CC guidelines.

 

A little tolerance wouldn't go amiss on here at times instead of jumping down the OPs throat immediately. :mad:

[Elizanessie]

Shocking tactics by RCI. What about the next leg from Dubai, what will they closedown on that sailing? I know people taking that leg of the cruise.

 

 

Pete I saw this earlier -

 

Received this email today at 17:08 Re the Dubai to Singapore Cruise

 

As we make our transition from the United States to China we will be doing some enhancements onboard to prepare for our arrival in China. Due to the extent of the work required in certain areas, some venues will need to be closed while these improvements are taking place. Music Hall will need to be closed for the duration of your sailing. The live entertainment usually presented in Music Hall will be relocated to other venues in the ship. “Mamma Mia” will not be in production during your sailing in order to prepare for our new show “Sequins and Feathers.” However, the theatre will be open and providing a variety of world-class guest entertainers Emperors of Soul, Westcoast and Masters of the House as well as our own singers and dancers. In addition, Johnny Rockets will be closed for some improvements, but you’ll still be able to enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs and fries at the Windjammer Marketplace or the poolside grill. North Star also will be closed for the first five days of your voyage, but will then open for regular operation for the remainder of your trip. The casino also will be going through a series of enhancements and will be closed for the first seven days of your voyage. A new and expanded casino will be available for your enjoyment on June 6, 2015.

 

As a gesture of goodwill, and to thank you for your patience with the closures and your understanding regarding the work that may be visible from time to time, Royal Caribbean International would like to provide you with an onboard credit. This credit will be automatically applied to your onboard account. You may spend these credits at any venue on the ship – from the spa and shops to the specialty restaurants, bars, lounges, and the casino – and on shore excursions. The choice is yours:

 

Onboard Credit Amount per Stateroom

 

Suites (Junior Suites & Above): $1,000

 

Balcony: $500

 

Interior and Ocean View: $400

 

We will do our very best to minimise any further inconvenience to you and our shipboard team looks forward to welcoming you onboard.

[deanamarie212]

Shocking tactics by RCI. What about the next leg from Dubai, what will they closedown on that sailing? I know people taking that leg of the cruise.

 

We are on the dubia to singapore leg. Music hall & JR closed for the whole sailing, North Star for the first 5 days & the casino will be closed for 7 days... And of course no mamma Mia...

 

Although we are getting compensated not happy with how RCl have dealt with this whole issue and the lateness of letting passengers know. If I'd have known what we know now I'd never have booked it... 😞

[Shoequeen]

A thought to help. I retired as a travel agent a few years back but it happened often that prices would drop closer to sailing. I was typically able to negotiate with the cruise line to provide an upgrade to a higher category at that point...i.e. if, in your case, you paid a fare which would now allow you to be accommodated in a junior suite...call your agent or Royal direct and ask for the upgrade. You are not asking for a refund but simply asking to be accommodated in the best available cabin for the monies you paid. Usually had no problem with this request...Good luck and let us know how you did!

 

That is exactly what I was going to suggest. Miss happened to us before, and they did move us up to a higher category.

[michele7.fw]

We're also disappointed to find venues will be shut and work will be going on while we are on board. Having followed all the adverse reports on cruise critic with a lot of apprehension we started to feel a bit more comfortable just before paying our final payment, then, only a month before we're due to go we find out that Mamma Mia, one of the only things people were raving about on cruise critic, had been cancelled. Also the Music Hall is shut down, and no doubt there will be a lot of noise and disruption from the upgrades of the area! This is supposed to be a very special occasion for us and is becoming increasingly worrying. it seems that 250 USD compensation is not a lot for the disruption to a 7500 USD holiday! Thanks to all those good and bad reviews of Quantum from previous pax we thought we had everything in hand.

[Kaks99]

RCCL have known since at least November last year that there would changes made to Quantum before she gets to her new homeport.

 

Staff were talking about the changes on the Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Cape Liberty so why it has taken so long for Royal to actually inform guests who will actually be affected by the changes ?

 

Did they learn nothing from Oasis TA and Quantum Maiden Voyage ?

.

And this, in my opinion, is the shocking thing! RCCL have been discussing these changes since November (approx 4 months before final payment). Many people sent emails to RCCL seeking clarification. I was one of those and I specifically stated that if venues were being closed then I would prefer to cancel when I could without losing money. The written response from RCCL was that Mamma Mia would be performed and Music Hall would be open. I therefore paid my balance and then 30 days before departure, oh dear, sorry, no Mamma Mia and no Music Hall!

I would suggest that lawyers would have a field day if I passed them the email as this is nothing other than deception! Somebody within RCCL knew these changes were happening months ago but witheld the information from paying customers. The OBC being offerred is peanuts and almost an insult after being conned over close to $5000 which includes flights and hotels.

I feel sick to the stomach the way I and others have been treated and in future, will be looking at pretty much every other company before I consider cruisjng with Royal Caribbean again!

[woodyren]

That would alleviate any misunderstanding with the Americans on this thread! We all understand that word. And it has nothing to do with joining two pieces of wood together. :D

 

And in Australia screwed would have a totally different meaning. While still referring somewhat to joining together. But then again I would use my reasoning powers to deduce what was meant by the term rather than "*have a go" at the OP about there language differences.

 

*for the sake of those who can't work it out for themselves "have a go" in this context means to admonish, belittle or abuse.

 

By the way I believe the OP has a point. RCL made the decision to change things and have been less than forthcoming with information on those changes. Some of their higher up customer service people have actually denied in emails I have received in reply to my inquiries on the changes that I had made before final payment that there will be changes to Music Hall (which is now gone) or told me how much I will enjoy Mama Mia (also gone) for example.

 

I am on a number of legs of this cruise and apart from Music Hall the changes wont worry me too much BUT I can empathise with the Brits who cannot cancel without severe penalties once booked and who have paid a much higher premium for the originally advertised product.

Edited April 11, 2015 by woodyren

[michele7.fw]

I have asked my TA for a full refund. Watch this space ....

[CVU]

If I had a letter or email in hand stating what I expected to have on a cruise before final payment and then it wasn't as the letter stated. eg Mama Mia and the Music Hall not there.

Then I would expect Resolutions to move the Paid Cruise to another of our choice??

 

Worth calling and trying, if you are unhappy and would have cancelled, I think....

[go fish 44]

As yet we have not received any emails from Royal or our Travel Agent but I am wondering is the $250 for the Balcony per person or per cabin?

 

 

 

We booked expecting to see Moma M. and are very disappointed. The$250 per cabin would not even buy us good ticket in Toronto to see the show.

[woodyren]

As yet we have not received any emails from Royal or our Travel Agent but I am wondering is the $250 for the Balcony per person or per cabin?

 

 

 

We booked expecting to see Moma M. and are very disappointed. The$250 per cabin would not even buy us good ticket in Toronto to see the show.

 

Per cabin.

Edited April 11, 2015 by woodyren

[BND]

As yet we have not received any emails from Royal or our Travel Agent but I am wondering is the $250 for the Balcony per person or per cabin?

 

 

 

We booked expecting to see Moma M. and are very disappointed. The$250 per cabin would not even buy us good ticket in Toronto to see the show.

 

Per cabin. On page one, it states that it's per stateroom in the email that was posted.

Edited April 11, 2015 by BND

[Ocean Boy]

Shocking tactics by RCI. What about the next leg from Dubai, what will they closedown on that sailing? I know people taking that leg of the cruise.

 

We are on the dubia to singapore leg. Music hall & JR closed for the whole sailing, North Star for the first 5 days & the casino will be closed for 7 days... And of course no mamma Mia...

 

Although we are getting compensated not happy with how RCl have dealt with this whole issue and the lateness of letting passengers know. If I'd have known what we know now I'd never have booked it...

 

I suspect that is the reason that RCI keeps a lot of info to itself. They don't want to let stuff out too early and risk loosing bookings. No one books a ship, especially a new one, expecting to have to deal with these types of issues and I completely understand your frustration with this. People choose a ship based partly on the amenities on of a particular ship. If those amenities are not going to be available RCI should let people know at the time of booking or give them the option to cancel. I would be very unhappy if I booked this ship and all of its amenities were not going to be available. I hope that OBC is not use it or loose it. People should not have to buy stuff they don't want just to use up the credit. If it is not used RCI should at least have the decency to refund it to the customers credit card.

 

It really makes me shake my head when people who have no stake in this matter see no issue with this at all.:rolleyes:

Edited April 11, 2015 by Ocean Boy

[dmills9228]

We are on this cruise and cannot believe the amount of work being undertaken. As we have paid for our flights independently and incurred the cost of Indian visas (nearly as much as the OBC) we have no choice but to go ahead. If the credit was per person it would be more reasonable compensation but still underhand to advise us so late in the day!!

[lizzy77]

We were on Mariner of the Seas 2 years ago when they did the same thing on the repo cruise. They had renovations going on everywhere which didn't really bother us. However we found that they had new Chinese staff on board to cater for the Chinese customers and they lacked in the service department and we found this to be be a bigger issue than the reconstruction. The shops were all renovated and high end so we saved our money there. We really couldn't complain too much as that cruise was the cheapest we have ever paid and we did get a small amount of OBC as well. The ports and the Suez Canal were amazing and we did get into Cairo which was a highlight.

[delirious9876]

Shocking tactics by RCI. What about the next leg from Dubai, what will they closedown on that sailing? I know people taking that leg of the cruise.

 

With regard to any misunderstandings of phrases and sayings used by those from another country.

 

To all of you who berated the OP, remember there is diversity in the world.

 

The majority on this forum are from the US and so there are many times when we Brits may not understand your colloquialisms, but do we berate and chastise you? No, we don't as it is possibly against CC guidelines.

 

A little tolerance wouldn't go amiss on here at times instead of jumping down the OPs throat immediately. :mad:

Well said !!!!!!!

[peteukmcr]

Pete I saw this earlier -

 

Shocking tactics by RCI. What about the next leg from Dubai, what will they closedown on that sailing? I know people taking that leg of the cruise.

 

We are on the dubia to singapore leg. Music hall & JR closed for the whole sailing, North Star for the first 5 days & the casino will be closed for 7 days... And of course no mamma Mia...

 

Although we are getting compensated not happy with how RCl have dealt with this whole issue and the lateness of letting passengers know. If I'd have known what we know now I'd never have booked it... 😞

I'm even more shocked now and I know how how much their visas are costing them for India alone. Once again with no refunds in the UK market, even more disgusting behaviour from RCI.