Courtesy Holds are being phased out

[John&LaLa]

My TA sometimes uses the word "placeholder". My problem is I'm like you. I tend to own them after they are booked:o

 

A good problem to have. ;)

[xxHadleyxx]

All of that in a 24hour period.....:rolleyes:

 

We get all that done in the 24 hours of a courtesy hold

 

Or check with the friends who often cruise with us to see who wants to join in and be a second in DS's cabin now that DD is off at university.

 

I won't book if I do not know I have those issues taken care of (and I can do so in 24 hours) and if the prices goes away in the meantime, well, I won't book at all. Seems like a poor policy, IMO.

[SherriZ366]

Sorry, I was in a hurry making coffee.

I was referring to the practice of doing a full booking for multiple trips and deciding later which one to take. It's a pet peeve of mine and as long as their is no penalty to cancel bookings, it will always be there. This ties up inventory at a far greater rate than 24 hour holds.

 

I believe it can only get worse with the new on board booking promo of taking OBC up front to match your deposit. As always, just my opinion

There are also large blocks held by TAs and Cruise Travel Agencies that get released close to final payment.

[Paulette3028]

 

I believe it can only get worse with the new on board booking promo of taking OBC up front to match your deposit. As always, just my opinion

 

But the onboard bookings prom with the ability to take the OBC upfront, has nothing to do with Courtesy Holds.

[John&LaLa]

But the onboard bookings prom with the ability to take the OBC upfront, has nothing to do with Courtesy Holds.

 

Ok, but we had moved on to discuss the cabins tied up through other methods.

[Hawaiifrank]

There is another use for the hold that I did not see mentioned--booking b2b cruises and trying to get the same cabin on both or trying to book adjacent cabins on the same cruise.

 

I haven't used the hold option much and probably won't miss it. It's usually easier to call and book on the phone for these type of bookings because the cruiseline's agent can see so many more cabins than you can in an online booking.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Yes. Not very hard to do these things in 24 hours

 

- Check time off of work

- Check if family wants to come

- Discuss with spouse

- check budget

- Check airfare

 

It is very common.

 

Check for time of work? Some can get this done in 24 hrs. Some can't. And if you can't, you shouldn't be placing courtesy holds anyway. This should be removed from list.

Discuss w/ spouse? This can easily be done prior to booking. This should be removed from the list.

Check budget? SeriouslY? People place courtesy holds on cabins thus tying up inventory when they don't even know if the cruise is in the budget? This should be removed from list.

Check airfare? Airfare changes daily, weekly, monthly. Another, this should be removed from list.

 

None of these things should be used as excuses and they could easily be handled prior to 'courtsey holds'. There might be a few good reasons to keep the 'courtesy holds' in play, but not for these reasons.

[MaritimeR&R]

It does not appear to be limited to any "random" or specific ships but rather to their itineraries. The courtesy hold option still appears for all itineraries I've checked except for Caribbean/Bermuda/Bahamas. I don't know why they started with them or if it will eventually be rolled out to the others like MaritimeR&R stated.

 

I do know I'm not particularly happy about it. :(:(:mad:

 

I don't use a TA. I like to "shop around" and have used the courtesy hold quite a bit. Not every hold resulted in a booking but probably most, if not all, of my cruises started with a hold. I like to "shop" in the late night hours but, if I need to call in for any reason to book the hold, I like to do that in the morning. Also, you are (or were) limited to a maximum of 4 cabin holds at a time so I don't see how these 24 hour holds really had that big an impact on inventory.

 

I don't know about the Casino Royale sales staff, but I thought the CVPs and C&As didn't get commissions. :confused:

 

There has to be a better solution.

 

~ Judy

 

Not sure about commissions for those depts. either, however I got the sense that when the Rep. was speaking that she was lumping the issues together. Receiving "Credit" is likely to be about meeting some magic number, a quota, which may entitle the dept. (or person within that dept.) to some sort of recognition which is common in businesses involving sales.

[marci22]

Well, courtesy holds is not an issue that is going to make or break someone's ability to cruise, but it is taking away a convenience. I have often put something on hold on a whim and then actually took the cruise. I have also often put things on hold and let them expire.

 

However, a lot of former courtesy holders are now probably going to just book and then cancel when they feel like it. It seems like a lot more work involved. Now the accounting department will be complaining that they have too much extra work.

 

And that's when deposits will become non-refundable.

Edited September 22, 2015 by marci22

[akcruz]

Check for time of work? Some can get this done in 24 hrs. Some can't. And if you can't, you shouldn't be placing courtesy holds anyway. This should be removed from list.

Discuss w/ spouse? This can easily be done prior to booking. This should be removed from the list.

Check budget? SeriouslY? People place courtesy holds on cabins thus tying up inventory when they don't even know if the cruise is in the budget? This should be removed from list.

Check airfare? Airfare changes daily, weekly, monthly. Another, this should be removed from list.

 

None of these things should be used as excuses and they could easily be handled prior to 'courtsey holds'. There might be a few good reasons to keep the 'courtesy holds' in play, but not for these reasons.

 

They may be able to come off the list for you, but for others they are valid reasons.

 

Personally my DH is not into the whole cruise/vacation planning thing. I do the looking around and if I find something good I will hold it if possible, then check with him to see if he like my choices. He travels quite a bit and is not always just a phone call away.

 

Same goes for work. I usually don't have an issue taking the time I need, but do need to verify with co-workers that there is not a conflict in their plans.

 

The others don't play into it for me, but that doesn't mean they don't for others. Just because they aren't reasons for you doesn't mean they aren't for others.

 

We have used the hold a few times, most often booking but not always. I will definitely miss having them available.

[LMaxwell]

Check for time of work? Some can get this done in 24 hrs. Some can't. And if you can't, you shouldn't be placing courtesy holds anyway. This should be removed from list.

Discuss w/ spouse? This can easily be done prior to booking. This should be removed from the list.

Check budget? SeriouslY? People place courtesy holds on cabins thus tying up inventory when they don't even know if the cruise is in the budget? This should be removed from list.

Check airfare? Airfare changes daily, weekly, monthly. Another, this should be removed from list.

 

None of these things should be used as excuses and they could easily be handled prior to 'courtsey holds'. There might be a few good reasons to keep the 'courtesy holds' in play, but not for these reasons.

 

Thank you for showing me the error of my ways. All these years thinking about things I did not need to consider.

[cello56]

Here is an example of why I will miss the courtesy holds. On Sunday I was looking at booking a cruise. Found a price that we liked, and a cabin we were excited to try. Sounds great right? But .... I needed to check with my dog sitter to see if she had availability on those dates. Turns out my dog sitter was away for the weekend and could not check the dates for me until she returned the next day. A hold would have helped me out immensely right about then. Instead I was left in limbo, hoping that the price would not change overnight, and that the cabin would still be there. Couldn't go ahead and book it since we were past final payment, and my special needs dogs can only go to this one particular sitter.

[CaribSailor]

Check for time of work? Some can get this done in 24 hrs. Some can't. And if you can't, you shouldn't be placing courtesy holds anyway. This should be removed from list.

 

Discuss w/ spouse? This can easily be done prior to booking. This should be removed from the list.

 

Check budget? SeriouslY? People place courtesy holds on cabins thus tying up inventory when they don't even know if the cruise is in the budget? This should be removed from list.

 

Check airfare? Airfare changes daily, weekly, monthly. Another, this should be removed from list.

 

 

 

None of these things should be used as excuses and they could easily be handled prior to 'courtsey holds'. There might be a few good reasons to keep the 'courtesy holds' in play, but not for these reasons.

 

 

This is a joke. Some of us travel frequently for business and have higher priorities. I am one that does use the 24 hour hold to confirm schedules because yes...it does take that long. Usually my bookings come on a whim not planned months/years in advance. There are things that need to be confirmed prior to booking. Just to make you smile, I have held cabins for 3-4days just by talking directly with RC not through the courtesy hold and will continue to do so. I can careless what you believe is the right or wrong practice. Royal is a highly customer centric organization if you spend enough money :)

[cruisegirl1]

Check for time of work? Some can get this done in 24 hrs. Some can't. And if you can't, you shouldn't be placing courtesy holds anyway. This should be removed from list.

Discuss w/ spouse? This can easily be done prior to booking. This should be removed from the list.

Check budget? SeriouslY? People place courtesy holds on cabins thus tying up inventory when they don't even know if the cruise is in the budget? This should be removed from list.

Check airfare? Airfare changes daily, weekly, monthly. Another, this should be removed from list.

 

None of these things should be used as excuses and they could easily be handled prior to 'courtsey holds'. There might be a few good reasons to keep the 'courtesy holds' in play, but not for these reasons.

 

I often used a courtesy holds for all those original reasons you dispute. I would also add "to check scheduling". I used the hold mainly for cruises within the final payment time frame. More often than not, we booked the courtesy hold. Other times we have a cruise on hold only to find that it conflicts with some other obligation. We call and cancel the hold.

 

 

I am unhappy to see the option gone.

 

M

[MaritimeR&R]

This is a joke. Some of us travel frequently for business and have higher priorities. I am one that does use the 24 hour hold to confirm schedules because yes...it does take that long. Usually my bookings come on a whim not planned months/years in advance. There are things that need to be confirmed prior to booking. Just to make you smile, I have held cabins for 3-4days just by talking directly with RC not through the courtesy hold and will continue to do so. I can careless what you believe is the right or wrong practice. Royal is a highly customer centric organization if you spend enough money :)

 

 

Please let us know how you make out if you try to book a cruise via RC that is on the "no holds" list since I (not a millionaire by any means) do cruise often, am a higher tier loyalty member, and was told that there will be no exceptions from the D+ C&A desk, the Consumer Sales Supervisor, and Casino Royale. I wish you better luck than I had.

[cruisegirl1]

This is a joke. Some of us travel frequently for business and have higher priorities. I am one that does use the 24 hour hold to confirm schedules because yes...it does take that long. Usually my bookings come on a whim not planned months/years in advance. There are things that need to be confirmed prior to booking. Just to make you smile, I have held cabins for 3-4days just by talking directly with RC not through the courtesy hold and will continue to do so. I can careless what you believe is the right or wrong practice. Royal is a highly customer centric organization if you spend enough money :)

 

What is "enough money"? I called RCCL (D+ desk) for a 24 hour hold on a (non holiday) cruise in November and was denied. The next day, the cabin category was gone. I've decided not to take the cruise. Had I been able to hold the cabin, I probably would have booked.

 

M

[CaribSailor]

Please let us know how you make out if you try to book a cruise via RC that is on the "no holds" list since I (not a millionaire by any means) do cruise often, am a higher tier loyalty member, and was told that there will be no exceptions from the D+ C&A desk, the Consumer Sales Supervisor, and Casino Royale. I wish you better luck than I had.

 

 

We have been doing this for the last 3-4 years when 24 hours is not enough time for a hold. C&A really has no bearing on any of this. It's amazing how many people actually think because they are diamond/+/super duper onyx or whatever that they are special to Royal. It's a LOYALTY program that is just enough to keep you LOYAL. How many times a year do you cruise? Try cruising 3-4 and 2 or 3 of those are b2b always in full suites. Do this for 5 years straight and see where it gets you. How much do you spend onboard? How much do you actually gamble on a cruise? If you spend a minimum of say 10k onboard a cruise outside of your cabin expense it gets noticed. Just like Royal calls us to see if WE want to cruise last minute. Just to give you an idea, my soon to be 4 year old son is 7pts away from being diamond plus on his own.

[CaribSailor]

What is "enough money"? I called RCCL (D+ desk) for a 24 hour hold on a (non holiday) cruise in November and was denied. The next day, the cabin category was gone. I've decided not to take the cruise. Had I been able to hold the cabin, I probably would have booked.

 

 

 

M

 

 

And I bet that is how you start the conversation "I am diamond plus".......

[marci22]

If you spend a minimum of say 10k onboard a cruise outside of your cabin expense it gets noticed.

 

How are you able to spend so much? Especially travelling with a 4yo.

 

What you do?

[CaribSailor]

How are you able to spend so much? Especially travelling with a 4yo.

 

 

 

What you do?

 

 

What do I do for a living? I work in technology.

Edited September 22, 2015 by CaribSailor

[marci22]

What do I do for a living? I work in technology.

 

No, I meant what do you do in order to spend at least 10K outside of your cabin? I can't imagine doing it even if I tried.

[MaritimeR&R]

We have been doing this for the last 3-4 years when 24 hours is not enough time for a hold. C&A really has no bearing on any of this. It's amazing how many people actually think because they are diamond/+/super duper onyx or whatever that they are special to Royal. It's a LOYALTY program that is just enough to keep you LOYAL. How many times a year do you cruise? Try cruising 3-4 and 2 or 3 of those are b2b always in full suites. Do this for 5 years straight and see where it gets you. How much do you spend onboard? How much do you actually gamble on a cruise? If you spend a minimum of say 10k onboard a cruise outside of your cabin expense it gets noticed. Just like Royal calls us to see if WE want to cruise last minute. Just to give you an idea, my soon to be 4 year old son is 7pts away from being diamond plus on his own.

 

If this post was directed at me, then you misunderstood the tone of my reply to the poster who stated "and will continue to do so," who by that statement seems to feel that the new policy will not apply to him/her. The point I was trying to make is that the new policy will apply to everyone, regardless of loyalty status, money spent on past cruises, or a relationship with Casino Royale.

P.S. I do average 5 to 6 cruises a year in suites, but don't feel any more entitled than the next person.

[CaribSailor]

No, I meant what do you do in order to spend at least 10K outside of your cabin? I can't imagine doing it even if I tried.

 

 

My wife likes to shop. She likes nice wine, champagne and watches. Buy a few nice bottles of wine on a cruise and your off to a good start. We sometimes bring other family members with us who might not be as fortunate as we are and like to spoil them.

[CaribSailor]

If this post was directed at me, then you misunderstood the tone of my reply to the poster who stated "and will continue to do so," who by that statement seems to feel that the new policy will not apply to him/her. The point I was trying to make is that the new policy will apply to everyone, regardless of loyalty status, money spent on past cruises, or a relationship with Casino Royale.

 

P.S. I do average 5 to 6 cruises a year in suites, but don't feel any more entitled than the next person.

 

I was simply responding to you. We don't feel entitled at all. All we do is ask. I don't call any special line or even CA. They can say no but never have. And yes, we will continue to do so :)

Edited September 22, 2015 by CaribSailor

[John&LaLa]

Airfare isn't even available yet on the one cruise we have booked that requires a flight, so no need to check that prior to hold.