Beware of RCCL Gift Certificates (issued by third party, Verizon, AARP, etc.)

[Crusingdiva62]

I guess this explains why the RCCL gift cards on AARP rewards never seem to sell out.I understand why now. Trying to get those Carnival ones are like trying to get a glimpse at Big foot. Note to self for my cruise next year on RCCL to just don't do giftcards.

[shopnagain]

Stay tuned. I ordered 20 of them $2000 worth for $1800. I emailed them on Monday and got an email within a couple of hours that they were received. I also called. The first rep was not helpful AT ALL. She told me I'd have to call Verizon to use them then told me I'd have to pay off my cruise on my credit card and wait to be refunded once they applied the certificates. She told me that when I booked, I was agreeing to meet the final payment! I told her that I sent them in, they have them, and if it's not their priority to apply them, then it was THEIR problem, not mine! I got someone in resolutions who was much more helpful. Waiting now.

[Galleon1234]

Please read the 2 pages of posts started by the OP. You will get the idea. It has taken numerous calls to get the certificates applied and I mean we spent $1000's of points and $10,000 in real money. Worst experience ever... The "Class act" we used to enjoy on RCCL has been ruined for us. They will not even give you price drops before final payment if you use these. I would cancel our 7 weeks of RCCL cruising because of how we have been treated, but we would not even get our money back... after paying for these gift certificates. Lesson well learned and want to save others from going through 4 weeks of h*ll.

[shopnagain]

I did read them but have not really heard anything specific other than the fact that they take a long time to be applied and once they are, it looks like it went through a travel agent

 

 

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[Galleon1234]

After continuous run arounds and escalations to get these certificates applied to full payment of $10,000 of cruises, we find out that if there is a price drop prior to final payment there is no refund even in OBC! Plus we lost $1000 in OBC from our TA because they are unable to use these "strange certificates" unlike we have done many times on Carnival with no run around at all through our TA. RCCL needs to look at their archaic system seriously. They are far behind the other cruise lines. We cruise often and are high up with several cruise lines. RCCL has turned from a once classy cruise line to a medium class cruise line. The one gorgeous promenades have become "flea markets" for watches that do not even last until you return home. Shame on us for trusting RCCL Certificates and shame on you if you purchase them.

[uksimonusa]

After continuous run arounds and escalations to get these certificates applied to full payment of $10,000 of cruises, we find out that if there is a price drop prior to final payment there is no refund even in OBC! Plus we lost $1000 in OBC from our TA because they are unable to use these "strange certificates" unlike we have done many times on Carnival with no run around at all through our TA. RCCL needs to look at their archaic system seriously. They are far behind the other cruise lines. We cruise often and are high up with several cruise lines. RCCL has turned from a once classy cruise line to a medium class cruise line. The one gorgeous promenades have become "flea markets" for watches that do not even last until you return home. Shame on us for trusting RCCL Certificates and shame on you if you purchase them.

 

Sounds like you need a new TA as well as a new cruiseline

[Galleon1234]

My TA is fabulous! The RCCL certificates are a vicious sham...with road blocks where you are not allowed to use your certificates. And, you are quite correct unless RCCL institutes a change in it's archaic rules we will never use them again when we can cruise friendly up to date cruise lines. Even though we are Diamond is 7 days and we have already spent $10,000 non refundable money.

[Paulxyz2004]

Hey shadow,not quite sure but By any Chance are you unhappy with RCI?:confused: :rolleyes:

 

It´s a shame they are making a soon to be Diamond unhappy.

 

Enjoy those other lines.

 

Bye.

[sr4mjc]

The difficulty in using these certificates has nothing to do with status and loyalty. They are equal opportunity in their difficulty of use.

[somerandomidiot]

I've used the "gift certs" from Verizon a few times. The biggest problem to me was, you can't access the booking on line. And when you call if you don't get a CVP with a lot of experience (very rare) . They tell you it was transferred to a travel agent.

On one cruise I sent them 22 $100 certificates. For final payment on the cruise. It took 2 weeks to show up as paid in full.

If you only use 1 or 2 certificates at a time it doesn't make much sense. Verizon charges about $10 for mailing.

The last few cruises I booked I went through the casino. So I don't think I could use the gift certificates.

 

 

It wouldn't be combinable since casino rates count as a group booking.

[waterbug123]

If you buy gift cards or gift certificates, you can save 10% on the purchase and lower your cruise costs.

 

The OP didn't base their decision on the discount either, and no one asked you to base your decision on the gift cards. :rolleyes:

 

Sure sounds to me like the motivating factor was the discount.

[shopnagain]

I'm freaking out. I purchased $2000 worth. I emailed them Monday, they sent an email back that they were received. I called too but they were not helpful. I also priority mailed them on Monday. They arrived in Miami yesterday. Delivery was attempted but they are now back at the Miami post office! My final payment is due Monday!!

 

 

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[shopnagain]

Does anyone happen to have a scan of the BACK of one these they can send me? What a PITA this is! I mailed them priority to the 'express" address listed on the back and they were attempted by the post office to be delivered. For some reason they couldn't be delivered and are now sitting at some post office in Miami!! UGH!

[Flight Jacket]

Does anyone happen to have a scan of the BACK of one these they can send me? What a PITA this is! I mailed them priority to the 'express" address listed on the back and they were attempted by the post office to be delivered. For some reason they couldn't be delivered and are now sitting at some post office in Miami!! UGH!

 

Never tried to attach a file to a post but here's the back if it works.

back of RCCL Gift Cert001.pdf

[shopnagain]

Never tried to attach a file to a post but here's the back if it works.

That worked! Thanks Flight Jacket, I appreciate all your help!

[shopnagain]

I want to thank Flight Jacket for your help! I got in touch with Nathaniel and he was the only one who really helped me! I sent him the scans and he had the certificates applied within 24 hours! Now I can breathe easier because my cruise is paid off! It was nerve racking but hey $200 savings!

 

 

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[cruisegoal100]

All the posters who noted that RCCL doesn't care about their mid-to-high level loyal cruisers are clearly correct...when a cruise line is sailing consistently over 100% capacity, defined as 2 to a cabin, is there much incentive for them to care? Kind of snarky, but, probably true...

[nelblu]

If the terms & conditions are clearly identified on the certificates why is everyone having a "cow", to paraphrase Bart Simpson.:D Choice, go to a cruise line that meets your expectation.

[shopnagain]

Because what they don't tell you is the ridiculous amount of time and the act of God it takes to get them applied. I mailed them to the address listed and they are still sitting at the post office over two weeks later not picked up! It has nothing to do with the terms which I followed exactly.

 

 

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[SkiTeton]

It's been abundantly clear for several years now that "loyal cruisers" are very low on the priority list for RC corporate management. Their sights are laser focused on first time cruisers, who for the most part are unaware of the deceptive marketing techniques that RC currently uses.

 

Hey Bob, I see you all over this forum and I feel you can be trusted...at least I hope! Can you share with me the "deceptive marketing techniques"? I am not a first-time cruiser overall but just booked my first with RCCL and your statement makes me nervous!

[Clarea]

Hey Bob, I see you all over this forum and I feel you can be trusted...at least I hope! Can you share with me the "deceptive marketing techniques"? I am not a first-time cruiser overall but just booked my first with RCCL and your statement makes me nervous!

"Sales" that don't lower prices is the big one that comes to mind.

 

 

Other practices in place now are prices that include an "instant discount" that is not combinable with certain loyalty discounts, so in effect they have found ways to eliminate/reduce the beneficial effect of the loyalty discount.

 

 

I'm sure other folks here can add to this.

[kmorg1234]

This is yet another reason that I am about to take my last cruise on Royal. So many other cruise lines to choose from..... And we are the ones that consistently sail in the hughest suites, with the big perks, but no longer with RCI. They do have a great product, but others are catching up and doing better. It is sad. I hope they "get it" sooner rather than later. The website is the biggest disgrace.

[Crusingdiva62]

Now I see why those cards are never out of stock. It may as well say can't be used while breathing lol

 

 

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[richstowe]

Never buy RCCL giftcards/gift certificates. It is a "ROYAL SCR*W you deal" if you use them. They have the most archaic system with so many caveats in their rules and procedures it is obscene! Stay far away from them. Soon to be Diamond and we got scr*wed!

I guess this is the condensed , not so polite version of the original thread post . :D

 

A comment for the "well it says so in the fine print" and "well it's been discussed here lots" loyal royal crowd - I am eagerly waiting for the time that a RCCL policy harms you !

[zaherej]

    I know this appears to be an old topic and I only happened across it because a neighbor offered me one of these with $350 face value for $250.  I was a little skeptical after reading the details on the certificate so I emailed the 'Shared Services"  address on the certificate and asked them some questions.

Background of my situation:

• Booked a cruise through a T/A up front a year in advance of the cruise (going in Oct 2019)
• Made the down payment on a cc.

 

One of my emails to RCCL (Summarized)

 Hello Whitley,

  Sorry for all of the information:  The certificate specifically states the following so I'm not sure you will accept it for a reservation.  My reservation # is: XXXXXXX

 

"Certificate must be used as a form of payment towards a new reservation made directly with Royal Caribbean. Once the gift certificate is applied to the reservation made, the reservation may be transferred to your preferred travel agent"

 

RCCL's reply to me.

Hello,

          The 'new reservation' term basically means that the reservation cannot have already sailed. This needs to be a reservation for an upcoming cruise and not a past cruise. It also doesn't matter if it's booked with a travel agent or not anymore, despite what the certificate terms say. That reservation is fine.

 

Thank you,

 

Whitley Bearden

Corporate Certificates Specialist

 

I was then going to buy the cert from my neighbor only to find out he sold it to someone else. I missed out but wanted to share my experience with others.

Edited March 8, 2019 by zaherej