Non-refundable cruise change question.

[cublet]

3 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

Not on North American bookings.

Hello,

 

I'm afraid your posting was a little too brief for me to understand.

 

Are you saying what I said does not apply to NA PEOPLE (that is nearly what I said) or to NA ITINERARIES (such distinction/exclusion is not mentioned in the NextCruise presentation)?

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[RD64]

18 hours ago, sm3ds said:

Do airlines have change fees anymore? 

Air Canada does as well.

[Biker19]

45 minutes ago, cublet said:

Are you saying what I said does not apply to NA PEOPLE (that is nearly what I said) or to NA ITINERARIES (such distinction/exclusion is not mentioned in the NextCruise presentation)?

The former or more precisely for any booking made under NA rules (regardless of your nationality).

[Biker19]

3 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

I get what OP is asking: when  making the first change $100 was added to the new fare,on a second change $200 would be added to the new fare ($100 for the first change and another $100 for the second change) is that correct?

Yes, ANY/EVERY ship/date change will incur a cost of $100pp.

Edited January 8, 2023 by Biker19

[chiguypaul]

On 1/6/2023 at 8:30 PM, sm3ds said:

I changed my cruise to another date. They added 100.00 dollars pp to the cruise fare. I didn't have to pay any additional deposit. If I change it again do they add 200.00 to the cruise fare?

Good question. Should be listed in the terms section of your new reservation. Would think that the $100 charge pp would apply each time you change, but check the section called "DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE" in your new reservation and it should tell you there.

[sm3ds]

On 1/7/2023 at 3:10 PM, molly361 said:

 

Then why were  you asking?  

I wasn't asking it was sarcasm. 

[sm3ds]

19 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

I get what OP is asking: when  making the first change $100 was added to the new fare,on a second change $200 would be added to the new fare ($100 for the first change and another $100 for the second change) is that correct?

Yes that was what I was asking. I figured there had to be somebody on this forum that had made multiple changes and could give an answer based on what they had experienced. Instead I get a bunch of snippy comments on how I shouldn't have booked without reading the rules. I read the rules, but I didn't find them that clear and real life data points are more relevant. 

 

I was considering changing to a cruise that is 5 nights longer and 2k more, but I don't want to be penalized again for potentially spending more money.

 

I'm used to cruising on Disney which albeit cost more, but there is no such thing as non-refundable deposits. They also allow you to bring wine and beer onboard at every port which is way better than a drink package. If I want the drink package Royal expects me to buy a drink package for my 18 year old high school graduate because its a European cruise. Who in thier right mind would buy an 18 year old a unlimited drink package.

 

At this time I regret my 900.00 dollar investment. 

Edited January 9, 2023 by sm3ds

[SpainAlien]

3 hours ago, sm3ds said:

Yes that was what I was asking. I figured there had to be somebody on this forum that had made multiple changes and could give an answer based on what they had experienced. Instead I get a bunch of snippy comments on how I shouldn't have booked without reading the rules. I read the rules, but I didn't find them that clear and real life data points are more relevant. 

 

I was considering changing to a cruise that is 5 nights longer and 2k more, but I don't want to be penalized again for potentially spending more money.

 

I'm used to cruising on Disney which albeit cost more, but there is no such thing as non-refundable deposits. They also allow you to bring wine and beer onboard at every port which is way better than a drink package. If I want the drink package Royal expects me to buy a drink package for my 18 year old high school graduate because its a European cruise. Who in thier right mind would buy an 18 year old a unlimited drink package.

 

At this time I regret my 900.00 dollar investment. 

Thanks OP for coming back. So the answer is yes you would get penalized second time I'm afraid.

 

Regarding the drinks package for an 18 year old, we cruised with ncl around the med when my son was 20 and they would only allow him to have beer and wine not a full drinks package I'm surprised that Royal wouldn't do the same. 

 

[xcell]

Let's chalk this up for miscommunication.  Later in the posting, OP explained more about the issue -- post #32 -- more information at the beginning can help clarify the question being asked.

 

I think the backlash of OP's comment  " I think this will be the last Royal cruise I book. " will set some off because we have heard it 1000 times when something doesn't go our way. 

 

Any ways, I hope OP has a good cruise with Royal because it is still better than staying at home (at least for me) 🙂

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

35 minutes ago, xcell said:

 

I think the backlash of OP's comment  " I think this will be the last Royal cruise I book. " will set some off because we have heard it 1000 times when something doesn't go our way. 

 

🙂

That seems to be a definite trigger around here. 

[sm3ds]

15 hours ago, xcell said:

Let's chalk this up for miscommunication.  Later in the posting, OP explained more about the issue -- post #32 -- more information at the beginning can help clarify the question being asked.

 

I think the backlash of OP's comment  " I think this will be the last Royal cruise I book. " will set some off because we have heard it 1000 times when something doesn't go our way. 

 

Any ways, I hope OP has a good cruise with Royal because it is still better than staying at home (at least for me) 🙂

 

 

It might be the last royal cruise I book because there's such a difference in price between booking a refundable deposit rate and a non- refundable. I also qualify for some non-public discounts, but to get the discounts you have to put down non-refundable deposit.

 

Like I said I'm not used to this. Disney doesn't do this. NCL doesn't do this. Carnival does but the difference in price in minimal. I originally booked the Holy land cruise in May, but my niece is getting married that month so I needed to change. I rebooked and then I found my sons college is starting earlier than usual. It's totally my fault for being impulsive. Being that I tend to be impulsive I'm thinking Royal may not be the best cruise line for me. 

[sm3ds]

19 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

Thanks OP for coming back. So the answer is yes you would get penalized second time I'm afraid.

 

Regarding the drinks package for an 18 year old, we cruised with ncl around the med when my son was 20 and they would only allow him to have beer and wine not a full drinks package I'm surprised that Royal wouldn't do the same. 

 

I emailed Royal about the issue, but I never got a response from them. Every time I've emailed Disney I've got an email or a personal call.

 

I get that Europeans drink at that age and I have no problem with 18 year olds having some drinks. Not all Americans kids drink at that age because it's not legal here. My son doesn't like alcohol. He doesn't like soda either. He likes water....weird I know. I was just like him at that age and then I had kids and I started drinking.

 

I know NCL only allows the drink packages for 21 and over in Europe. I haven't checked Carnival, but it does seem like an odd policy. I've only cruised Disney and Carnival in Europe and the ships were 80% American. Maybe Royal attracts more Europeans?

[Ocean Boy]

6 hours ago, sm3ds said:

I emailed Royal about the issue, but I never got a response from them. Every time I've emailed Disney I've got an email or a personal call.

 

I get that Europeans drink at that age and I have no problem with 18 year olds having some drinks. Not all Americans kids drink at that age because it's not legal here. My son doesn't like alcohol. He doesn't like soda either. He likes water....weird I know. I was just like him at that age and then I had kids and I started drinking.

 

I know NCL only allows the drink packages for 21 and over in Europe. I haven't checked Carnival, but it does seem like an odd policy. I've only cruised Disney and Carnival in Europe and the ships were 80% American. Maybe Royal attracts more Europeans?

I understand your concerns with the non refundable deposits. RCI wants people to book early and also want people to assume the risk of doing so.

 

Initially deposits were refundable until final payment date. Then RCI started non refundable deposits with suites and then it spread to all cabin catagories. Then to intice people to book non refundable the difference compared to refundable is sometimes eye popping. These days I tend to book much closer to, or within, final payment when my plans are less likely to change. 

[xcell]

7 hours ago, sm3ds said:

It might be the last royal cruise I book because there's such a difference in price between booking a refundable deposit rate and a non- refundable. I also qualify for some non-public discounts, but to get the discounts you have to put down non-refundable deposit.

Non refundable (NR) and redunable rates (R) vary all the time.  For my August 2023 cruise, the refundable cost is $300 more pp.   I have had some cruises where the rates are very similar, so it's a nobrainer to book refundable.

 

RCCL use to show the different rates on their website but for this August 2023 booking they didn't and I had to call it in -- had I not known about thie R and NR rates, I might have just booked online and got stuck with the NR rate.  The online booking does tell us that this is a NR but it's not very evident and you do have to read closely, which I don't.

 

Back to the OP -- if I had not given a cruise company a chance, I would have not tried different ships and companies.  My first cruise on NCL was terrible -- I only booked it because the cost was half of what RCCL wanted for a Christmas cruise.  Then they offered specialty dining for all in the cabin every single night (sooooo long ago -- now it has been reduced down to the first two and only 2 nights), so I convinced my wife to try again and then we were hooked and didn't do RCCL for a long time.  Any ways, RCCL has a good product but like anything, it's new to you, so there will be hiccups along the way -- maybe you should get a TA who can guide you better.

 

[Ourusualbeach]

8 hours ago, sm3ds said:

Being that I tend to be impulsive I'm thinking Royal may not be the best cruise line for me. 

There are lots of TA's out there that have group rates on balconies and below.  Those rates are refundable and are in nearly all cases less than what Royals Non refundable rates are.

[sm3ds]

On 1/10/2023 at 3:47 AM, Ocean Boy said:

I understand your concerns with the non refundable deposits. RCI wants people to book early and also want people to assume the risk of doing so.

 

Initially deposits were refundable until final payment date. Then RCI started non refundable deposits with suites and then it spread to all cabin catagories. Then to intice people to book non refundable the difference compared to refundable is sometimes eye popping. These days I tend to book much closer to, or within, final payment when my plans are less likely to change. 

That's is probably the smart way to do it. Disney offers big discounts closer to the cruise and the whole cruise is non-refundable I'm used to booking those. I booked this cruise because the Holy land cruise is a bucket list cruise for me. Family obligations just over ride it. I may just switch it 2024. The 8 day greek Isles cruise I  switched to doesn't feel that special. I've cruised more than 30 times including many European cruises.  I'm not an inexperienced cruiser I'm just new to Royal. It's totally my fault I got excited about the itinerary and the price without thinking things through.     

[sm3ds]

On 1/10/2023 at 5:35 AM, Ourusualbeach said:

There are lots of TA's out there that have group rates on balconies and below.  Those rates are refundable and are in nearly all cases less than what Royals Non refundable rates are.

I did not book with a group rate. 

[sm3ds]

On 1/10/2023 at 4:46 AM, xcell said:

 

 

Back to the OP -- if I had not given a cruise company a chance, I would have not tried different ships and companies.  My first cruise on NCL was terrible -- I only booked it because the cost was half of what RCCL wanted for a Christmas cruise.  Then they offered specialty dining for all in the cabin every single night (sooooo long ago -- now it has been reduced down to the first two and only 2 nights), so I convinced my wife to try again and then we were hooked and didn't do RCCL for a long time.  Any ways, RCCL has a good product but like anything, it's new to you, so there will be hiccups along the way -- maybe you should get a TA who can guide you better.

 

I have cruised with RCCL once. It was a Caribbean cruise on the Allure. It was Ok, but nothing like the level of service I've experienced on Disney. Disney's itineraries are limited and I've done most of them including all their European ones. I need to branch out a little.  

[nimbex1970]

In the past, RCCL had all non-refundable rates.  Like you, I was surprised by the change fee.  I have varied experiences in booking with another company.  So change fee it was for us... for 7 people.  I get it.

[Biker19]

6 hours ago, nimbex1970 said:

In the past, RCCL had all non-refundable rates. 

It may have been hard to find but non-suite cabins usually always had refundable rates ever since RCI introduced NRD bookings. 

[xcell]

7 hours ago, nimbex1970 said:

In the past, RCCL had all non-refundable rates.  Like you, I was surprised by the change fee.  I have varied experiences in booking with another company.  So change fee it was for us... for 7 people.  I get it.

They use to have it online the refundable and non-refundable rates, but it looks like now, it is only non- refundable.

 

MSC, if you book YC has a non-refundable deposit -- in case OP or anyone wants to try that line.  The non refundable only applies to the YC bookings.

Edited January 15, 2023 by xcell

[Ocean Boy]

1 minute ago, xcell said:

The use to have it online the refundable and non-refundable rates, but it looks like now, it is only non-fundable.

Only suites are completely non-refundable. Quoted rates on the website are non-refundable. You have to get fairly deep into the booking process to choose the refundable option and see the cost of doing so. 

[cruisekap]

On 1/10/2023 at 6:46 AM, xcell said:

RCCL use to show the different rates on their website but for this August 2023 booking they didn't and I had to call it in -- had I not known about thie R and NR rates, I might have just booked online and got stuck with the NR rate.  The online booking does tell us that this is a NR but it's not very evident and you do have to read closely, which I don't.

You can see the refundable rate on their website. You have to pick the "non refundable" first and enter all of the passenger information. When you get to the payment stage you have the option to pick dining time, prepaid gratuities and refundable rate. I just booked a transatlantic this way and paid an additional $360CD.

[xcell]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Only suites are completely non-refundable. Quoted rates on the website are non-refundable. You have to get fairly deep into the booking process to choose the refundable option and see the cost of doing so. 

 

2 minutes ago, cruisekap said:

You can see the refundable rate on their website. You have to pick the "non refundable" first and enter all of the passenger information. When you get to the payment stage you have the option to pick dining time, prepaid gratuities and refundable rate. I just booked a transatlantic this way and paid an additional $360CD.

thanks -- i never get that far into the booking.

[ARandomTraveler]

On 1/9/2023 at 8:38 PM, sm3ds said:

It might be the last royal cruise I book because there's such a difference in price between booking a refundable deposit rate and a non- refundable. I also qualify for some non-public discounts, but to get the discounts you have to put down non-refundable deposit.

 

Like I said I'm not used to this. Disney doesn't do this. NCL doesn't do this. Carnival does but the difference in price in minimal. I originally booked the Holy land cruise in May, but my niece is getting married that month so I needed to change. I rebooked and then I found my sons college is starting earlier than usual. It's totally my fault for being impulsive. Being that I tend to be impulsive I'm thinking Royal may not be the best cruise line for me. 

I don't even consider the non-refundable price when booking. It's easier to book refundable if you have your mind set to thinking the listed price is the discounted price that Royal Caribbean will give you if you're willing to sacrifice flexibility, and the "real" price is the one you get at the very end of the booking once you get to the shopping cart and can click the box for "refundable deposit."

Edited January 15, 2023 by ARandomTraveler