Future Cruise and Refundable Deposits?

[FloridaHockeyGuy]

Came off the Equinox Portugal-Spain cruise last week, and while we were on it, we got a Future Cruise certificate for the $200, figuring we would figure out which cruise we would take after we got back. You get your $200 back and $200 OBC, so why not. Yesterday, we booked a Japan cruise for next year. Our travel agent, who is very experienced and sharp, called me last night and said she was very frustrated because Celebrity told her that the Future Cruise certificate could NOT be used towards a refundable fare. If we wanted to apply it to our deposit on this new reservation, we had to put in another $700 and the deposit could NOT be refunded if canceled. (As I get older, who knows- life happens). So if I wanted to use the refundable fare (it was a group fare), I could NOT use the Future Cruise certificate. She had never heard that before, and will be contacting them back this morning to try to get this resolved, but has anybody here encountered this problem before? I ask because we never had a problem before, but Celebrity seems to be nickel and diming more and more with less regard to customers. Thanks.

 

(Not to mention that the Casino gave my wife a $300 certificate towards a future cruise, and although this cruise is on the list, they will NOT honor it because it is a "group" rate. Why bother?)

[Liao]

6 minutes ago, FloridaHockeyGuy said:

Came off the Equinox Portugal-Spain cruise last week, and while we were on it, we got a Future Cruise certificate for the $200, figuring we would figure out which cruise we would take after we got back. You get your $200 back and $200 OBC, so why not. Yesterday, we booked a Japan cruise for next year. Our travel agent, who is very experienced and sharp, called me last night and said she was very frustrated because Celebrity told her that the Future Cruise certificate could NOT be used towards a refundable fare. If we wanted to apply it to our deposit on this new reservation, we had to put in another $700 and the deposit could NOT be refunded if canceled. (As I get older, who knows- life happens). So if I wanted to use the refundable fare (it was a group fare), I could NOT use the Future Cruise certificate. She had never heard that before, and will be contacting them back this morning to try to get this resolved, but has anybody here encountered this problem before? I ask because we never had a problem before, but Celebrity seems to be nickel and diming more and more with less regard to customers. Thanks.

 

(Not to mention that the Casino gave my wife a $300 certificate towards a future cruise, and although this cruise is on the list, they will NOT honor it because it is a "group" rate. Why bother?)

I bought the same and a few months later I used both for B2B but we only had to use $100 FCC as the deposit for each.  They are no refundable but we got $400 OBC for both the 6 day cruise and the 12 day TA.  Seems very fair to me.

[wrk2cruise]

If you are selecting a group booking with your TA they deposit has always had to be increased to a full deposit but the onboard booking obc bonus has been retained.  Doesn't matter if it's a book now or book later reservation.

[wrk2cruise]

I have the brochure for the Book Now/Later program as I just received my documents for my June sailing.   I looked at the T&C and was very surprised to see that Book Later is restricted to non-refundable.

 

Book Now Program reservations can be made at non-refundable or refundable deposit fares; Book Later Program reservations require non-refundable deposit fares.

 

Book Later.pdf

[wrk2cruise]

I have never seen the "advantage" of the Book Later program (well other than the advantage to Celebrity).   If unsure of a future sailing I just make a refundable book now booking for something as far out as possible (more than a year).   Then when I select a sailing I want to take I just move the reservation.  At that point I can determine what rate refundable/non to take.   No 6 month limit on the OBC or lose the deposit if you haven't selected a sailing in 12 months.

[wrk2cruise]

To me the only reason to do a Book Later is if you are buying it for someone else as they allow all the names on the reservation to be changed.  And then they have to accept the non refundable deposit aspect.

Edited June 4 by wrk2cruise

[TinyG]

We just got off the Edge on her first cruise to Alaska. We went intending to purchase a FC certificate. The lady said that the deposit was non refundable before we even sat down. First time we left a X cruise without a future cruise booked. Here's the info on the card that was in our stateroom. No longer an incentive to book on board. The big box travel store would be better.

[FeliciaB]

We went in knowing I wanted to use it on a refundable group rate.  To do so I needed to book the specific cruise and cabin as a refundable rate at whatever the applicable non group Celebrity fare and give them my $200.  Then when I got home I contacted the travel agent and he had to collect the additional $700 but the cruise was adjusted down to the group rate and remained refundable with the extra OBC reflecting that $900 had been paid.

[FloridaHockeyGuy]

Thanks for everybody's input. I confess that the way I read it, that once the deposit of $200 was applied, it was not refundable, but could be changed, but that the balance could be refundable. Like I said, we never had an issue in the past, but just another thing that Celebrity (and most likely most cruise companies) is doing in moving the goalposts to their benefit and without caring about customers.

 

And although I am ultimately responsible, it was not clear, nor was that what the agent on board told us at all.

 

This was the first cruise that I came away feeling empty- NOT because of the food, the staff, or the condition of the ship for the most part, but just the accumulation of multiple little things that sent a message of "you don't count- like it or lump it". Again, though, I suspect most cruise lines have gone that way, and will continue until the next travel slowdown.

 

To answer some who have asked why get them, I figured I would soon book, and so I would get the $200 back, plus another $200 to $500 of OBC, which would be worth it. But I can guarantee you, that I will never, ever get another one.

Edited June 4 by FloridaHockeyGuy
Clarification

[Jeremiah1212]

Book Laters are essentially used to get the extra OBC if you're okay with the (now) required nonrefundable deposit. Most of them do qualify to transfer to a group. Some may not. You can also transfer the Book Later to someone else all together. You don't have to keep a name consistent until the cruise is selected. And you don't have to sit at the desk booking a cruise you know you may not really take. 

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

I have the brochure for the Book Now/Later program as I just received my documents for my June sailing.   I looked at the T&C and was very surprised to see that Book Later is restricted to non-refundable.

 

 

Book Now Program reservations can be made at non-refundable or refundable deposit fares; Book Later Program reservations require non-refundable deposit fares.

 

Book Later.pdf 158.97 kB · 8 downloads

 

Also unless it hasn't changed.   If you don't book something you no longer get a refund of the Future Cruise Certificate.   In the past if not used you were refunded after 1 year.

[wrk2cruise]

18 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Also unless it hasn't changed.   If you don't book something you no longer get a refund of the Future Cruise Certificate.   In the past if not used you were refunded after 1 year.

 

Correct.  If not applied to a sailing within 6 months you lose the OBC bonus.  If not applied in 12 months.  Poof/Gone.

 

Not for me....    I keep a couple "placeholder" reservations.