Summary of "recent" changes on RCI

[goldie888]

Saving to read through later.

 

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[Paulxyz2004]

Thank you. I found it shocking that any consumer would cheer an unrefundable deposit on any product they are about to purchase. I, like many others, only book cruises I am intending to sail on, however I don't want any company to hold me hostage. RCCL isn't the only one doing it on the market. Last cruise with HAL was booked on the same terms.

 

It´s not a new concept in the travel industry. Might be quite new in the cruise industry, but others in the industry are doing it for a long time.

 

Most big chain Hotels will offer you non-refundable rates at a discount and fully refundable rates up until 24 hours prior to the date of arrival (the 24 hours can vary though).

 

 

Most airlines will offer tickets in various price buckets. Some of them are full fare and fully flexible and refundable, while others might be refundable and changeable with an attached fee and some cheap fares are non-flexible at all with no changes or refunds at all (except taxes). The airlines even take this a step further and depending on inventory they only offer so many reduced tickets and once they are gone it´s only the next higher available fare-bucket. A short notice booking might only have a full fare, full flexible ticket left.

 

I don´t see too many people mad about the hotels and airlines doing this. Maybe because people are used to it. At this point the long time cruisers will say "They are now making me pay a higher price to get what I used to get anyway (fully refund)".

OTOH the new cruiser will say "Hey I can save a few bucks with chosing the non-refundable fare, great".

 

 

On a side note, the refundable fares known in the US and Canada are not marketed worldwide and in many countries deposits have been non-refundable forever.

 

Myself, I have probably never in my life booked a full-flex airline ticket, but when booking a Hotel I book the fully refundable rate. I think it all depends on the price difference between the rates and the advantages / disadvanteges coming with it.

[SRF]

I have no problem with tier pricing, which is what this 'non-refundable deposit' RCL pricing scheme is mostly about. The rolling over of the 'non-refundable deposit' is great for RCL's bottom line (capital in the bank). However, charging $100 pp if a cancellation occurs is IMHO outrageous. I realize this might be chump change to Suite occupants, but the rest of on the lower decks are being milked. What it means to me is that I will delay booking till the last minute, consider alternative lines with more flexible (and honest) pricing and be less likely to respond to RCL 'sale' pitches.

 

Lastly, lets remember that the average age of cruisers isnt getting any younger and many of us are therefore more vulnerable to health issues impacting our trips. And, I just priced priced a TA balcony, the difference between the lowest advertised price (non-refundable ) and the refundable was pushing $300 per couple.

 

A cruise isnt a car rental folks.

 

So you have a choice, possibly a $100 fee for cancelling and pay $300 less for your cruise, or pay the extra $300 and be able to cancel for free.

 

How often have you canceled? Seems you can cancel 3 times and be even. Cancel once or twice, and you are ahead.

[SRF]

Cruises cost a lot more than typical flights or hotel rooms.

 

That depends on when you travel, and where you go.

 

I have a trip planning to Hawaii over Xmas/New Years. Air fare for two will be more than a 9 day cruise for two, in at least a balcony. And the hotel for the planned trip will be in the same price range.

 

Oh and no free food.

 

Oh, actually, since I have relatives in Hawaii, I will get SOME free food. :D

[perditax]

The positive: rolled out a new and wonderful ship Harmony with Symphony to come on a few months

 

 

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They're a cruise company; I think rolling out new ships is part of the baseline expectation.

[Smith0154]

TV now shows Fox News and CNN. Fair and Balanced. ��

 

Thank gawd, its about time!!!!!!!!!

 

Smitty

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Thank you. I found it shocking that any consumer would cheer an unrefundable deposit on any product they are about to purchase. I, like many others, only book cruises I am intending to sail on, however I don't want any company to hold me hostage. RCCL isn't the only one doing it on the market. Last cruise with HAL was booked on the same terms.

 

Shocking? Not sure why your shocked if you actually take the cruises you book, as this change in policy would not effect you. This policy is to stop and/or prevent those that book multiple suites on multiple dates w/ no intentions of using the cabins. And don't kid yourself, a penalty of $100 pp, per booking will indeed stop the selfishness of any and all types of cruisers, including suite level cruisers.

[olya1972]

It is not surprising at all that cruise companies are implementing non-refundable deposit. What is surprising is how the customers of cruise lines find it to be a positive change. Just because it's a gold standard in air lines and to some degree, in hotels business, does not mean that it's a good thing for consumer. It is a good change for cruise companies, though. Probably even better then they invisioned with so many advocates among very people whose money they are about to hold without refund.

[Paulxyz2004]

It is not surprising at all that cruise companies are implementing non-refundable deposit. What is surprising is how the customers of cruise lines find it to be a positive change. Just because it's a gold standard in air lines and to some degree, in hotels business, does not mean that it's a good thing for consumer. It is a good change for cruise companies, though. Probably even better then they invisioned with so many advocates among very people whose money they are about to hold without refund.

 

Just enlighten me why it is bad for me when I can get a discount on a cruise because I´m ready to commit into taking the cruise by agreeing to a non-refundable deposit?:confused: In almost 25 years of cruising I´ve never cancelled a cruise I had booked. It´s all about options.

[moopetguy]

Could you imagine if cruise lines took a page out of the airlines' business model by overbooking, counting on no-shows, falling short of staterooms at check-in and then start bumping people based on status and how much (little) they paid? :eek: Unlikely to happen (it's not like they could just bump people to the next or another cruise), but if they ran the numbers and figured they could get ahead, they'd probably do it...

[Biker19]

Could you imagine if cruise lines took a page out of the airlines' business model by overbooking, counting on no-shows, falling short of staterooms at check-in and then start bumping people based on status and how much (little) they paid? :eek: Unlikely to happen (it's not like they could just bump people to the next or another cruise), but if they ran the numbers and figured they could get ahead, they'd probably do it...

It's already happened, very rare, but it has happened.With RCI, it's unlikely to be intentional, more due to their IT system.

[moopetguy]

It's already happened, very rare, but it has happened.With RCI, it's unlikely to be intentional, more due to their IT system.

 

Yes, I seem to remember there being reports of it happening. I can't imagine it being intentional. Regardless of intent, getting bumped would make me swear off a cruise line forever unless they bent over backwards to compensate me. Something along the lines of a full refund plus a future equivalent cruise being free with lots of OBC in a grand suite or above, might do it.

[Paulxyz2004]

Could you imagine if cruise lines took a page out of the airlines' business model by overbooking, counting on no-shows, falling short of staterooms at check-in and then start bumping people based on status and how much (little) they paid? :eek: Unlikely to happen (it's not like they could just bump people to the next or another cruise), but if they ran the numbers and figured they could get ahead, they'd probably do it...

 

Probably not to the extend of airlines and not so much with assigned cabins, but I´m pretty sure they already do it with gty bookings.

 

Most certainly they are more conservative on it than the airlines with it though.

[FLSteve11]

It's already happened, very rare, but it has happened.With RCI, it's unlikely to be intentional, more due to their IT system.

 

 

 

It's happened on Celebrity if you read their boards. Princess has it where they send "Move over" offers to get you to switch ships

 

 

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[Biker19]

Princess has it where they send "Move over" offers to get you to switch ships

Like the airlines, they sweeten the offers enough till enough folks bite and the overbooking problem goes away. That's why it is very rare to be bumped because the overbooking issue is resolved before anyone is denied boarding.

[kesskj]

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[rukkian]

It is not surprising at all that cruise companies are implementing non-refundable deposit. What is surprising is how the customers of cruise lines find it to be a positive change. Just because it's a gold standard in air lines and to some degree, in hotels business, does not mean that it's a good thing for consumer. It is a good change for cruise companies, though. Probably even better then they invisioned with so many advocates among very people whose money they are about to hold without refund.

 

I have no problem with this change at all, and like to have the option. Getting $300 discount to have to forfeit $100 if I have to cancel is worth it imo, but since others may not agree, they have the option of paying more and getting a refundable rate. If there was no option and you forfeit your whole deposit (or worse yet your whole cruise fare) it would be a totally different argument.

 

For those that say they just raised the rates on the refundable, if that is what you want, then shop their refundable against other lines refundable options. That will give an apples to apples comparison. If another line makes sense, then go for it. Carnival has had the same thing for many years.

[lazydayz]

Carnival's early saver program offers protection from price drops up to two days before cruising. Royal did not include this consumer friendly provision in its non-refundable fares. That is a huge difference in the two programs.

[rukkian]

Carnival's early saver program offers protection from price drops up to two days before cruising. Royal did not include this consumer friendly provision in its non-refundable fares. That is a huge difference in the two programs.

 

Then people also have the option to go book on Carnival. I was responding to somebody saying there is no way anybody could ever see a positive to NRD. Just like the fact you can shop the price of a RD to other lines, you can also shop a NRD against carnival. Choices are good in my experience.

[Tony20]

Curious about the beverage package. I just purchased the alcohol package for Harmony next month and there was no mention of my wife needing to purchase as well.

[Clarea]

Curious about the beverage package. I just purchased the alcohol package for Harmony next month and there was no mention of my wife needing to purchase as well.

Supposedly the requirement for all in a stateroom to purchase is being tested on selected Harmony cruises. If you were able to purchase only one package pre-cruise, I seriously doubt they will require you to purchase another onboard.

[rukkian]

Curious about the beverage package. I just purchased the alcohol package for Harmony next month and there was no mention of my wife needing to purchase as well.

 

I am pretty sure it is only for a few sailings in the fall, not all of them, but it probably depends on how it goes as to whether it will be rolled out further.

[John&LaLa]

Supposedly the requirement for all in a stateroom to purchase is being tested on selected Harmony cruises. If you were able to purchase only one package pre-cruise, I seriously doubt they will require you to purchase another onboard.

There is a thread discussing it is already active on Allure. Only required for those purchasing onboard. OP just followed up with some details from F&B Director

 

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[rj70056]

I agree. We asked Royal to do something about the cabin hogs. They did, we wished they would have applied it do JS as well.

 

Room Service Charge does not affect us.

 

Campaigning for Status Levels set by dollars spent. Includes fares (cabins), speciality dinning, Chefs Table, Spa Treatments, wine tasting, beer tasting, ship tours, galley lunches, casino, and Royal Excursions.

 

Status levels by dollars spent?....I priced a 10 day cruise for 2 for an interior cabin $2,059 and for a grand suite cabin $7,588. Someone needs to spend a lot of money ($5,529 to be exact) to make up that difference.

 

Status level is set by sea days and one of the few perks for suites is double points (which they more than paid for). Taking the figures above an individual in an interior cabin could take 3 1/2 cruises compared to the 1 cruise of someone in a suite. Then you get 35 days at sea compared to 10 receiving 35 points versus 20 points for the suite. And everyone spends on-board whether in an interior or suite.

[Milwaukee Eight]

Status levels by dollars spent?....I priced a 10 day cruise for 2 for an interior cabin $2,059 and for a grand suite cabin $7,588. Someone needs to spend a lot of money ($5,529 to be exact) to make up that difference.

 

 

 

Status level is set by sea days and one of the few perks for suites is double points (which they more than paid for). Taking the figures above an individual in an interior cabin could take 3 1/2 cruises compared to the 1 cruise of someone in a suite. Then you get 35 days at sea compared to 10 receiving 35 points versus 20 points for the suite. And everyone spends on-board whether in an interior or suite.

 

 

 

Those that spend the most money with Royal should be rewarded at a higher rate than those that do not. Don't forget the money we spend on all things Royal (Specialty Dinning, Chefs Table, Casino, Drink Packages, Galley tour and brunch, all access tours, cabanas, Royal Excursions, Park West Art and so on. ) I see this coming. Almost everything I have predicted seems to be coming true.

 

If you were Royal, who would you think they should perk up. Those spending it now or those who have spent far less in the past.

 

 

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