Free Blue chip Cruise

[Wanderlost]

Hello, We received an offer in June for a free Blue Chip cruise and booked it for mid November on the Summit. At the time of the booking, the agent explained we would be responsible for the port charges and taxes which amounted to $268.84, which was a great price for a four day cruise. I was assured we could cancel with no penalty. We decided it was not a good time for us and cancelled. A refund of $188.84 was issued to our credit card a few days later. I just received an email from Celebrity with a $40 pp FCC because of the cancellation. For those who have cancelled a free Blue Chip cruise, are you normally refunded the full amount of port charges and taxes?

[kwokpot]

4 hours ago, Wanderlost said:

Hello, We received an offer in June for a free Blue Chip cruise and booked it for mid November on the Summit. At the time of the booking, the agent explained we would be responsible for the port charges and taxes which amounted to $268.84, which was a great price for a four day cruise. I was assured we could cancel with no penalty. We decided it was not a good time for us and cancelled. A refund of $188.84 was issued to our credit card a few days later. I just received an email from Celebrity with a $40 pp FCC because of the cancellation. For those who have cancelled a free Blue Chip cruise, are you normally refunded the full amount of port charges and taxes?

That's not the norm. While other cruiselines' casino comped cabins may charge an administration fee(NCL) or a non-refundable deposit that given back onboard as OBC (Carnival) both Celebrity and  Royal always refund the entire port fees and taxes since there's no additional fees. It's never been an issue and I would call Blue Chip Club and inquire why $80 was given back as FCC. 

[Wanderlost]

Thanks 

[poffles]

Ditto kwokpot ... I have done this in the past prior to COVID as well as within the last year and have never had this happen.  The full amount I paid (fees/tax) was refunded.  Only difference I might see is due to it being paid in US $ with a CAD credit card and the later refund not exactly matching due to different exchange rate.  Mine was all done via direct booking by calling Blue Chip and not via another intermediate handler (if there is such a thing).

 

Very interesting and would love to hear the explanation on this.  Maybe this is something new they do distinguish as handling portion but that seems odd?

Edited October 21, 2021 by poffles

[Katieniesen]

Same thing happened to me when I had to cancel a Nov 21 cruise. I didn't spend the time calling to find out why, because I just applied the FCC to an April 22 cruise. Also had to cancel a cruise on RCCL, they have admitted that their system incorrectly applied a $100 penalty. They called me to tell me they messed up and they need my full CC to refund that $100