Royal Caribbean changing cruise price after paying

[Mum1976Mum]

So, we have just about scraped the money together for a holiday in July. Lots of holidays out of our price range but managed to book a 7 day cruise around Norway for 2.7k - 2 adults, 2 kids. Booked it yesterday morning, paid in full, all good. I booked the hotel, parking, pet sitter etc. yesterday afternoon all non refundable. Got an email at 9pm last night to say price was wrong on website, price would not be honoured and offering me $100 in onboard credit (which we don’t need).

So this morning they still haven’t got in touch to tell me how much more I will have to pay if I don’t cancel. I phone up, it’s £1500 extra!!! I’ve now been on hold to speak to a supervisor for an hour but they say they won’t be able to do anything.

What on earth do we do? If we cancel we are £500 out of pocket. Any advice welcome. I’m so sad.

I thought tips were added on as a per person per day sort of thing at the end? I may be wrong as I've never been on a cruise!

@Mum1976Mum whilst their customer service has been horrendous for you, I think you're getting a very small glimpse. Have a look at the RC Facebook groups or YouTube videos, it is one of the most popular cruise liners in the world with repeat visitors. It is one of the premium ones. They will transport hundreds of thousands of passengers a year and that trust pilot review is only 500 people.

Don't let it ruin your holiday, watch some YouTube videos of the ship you're going on and I guarantee you will get excited, is it Anthem of the Seas?

I am glad you got it sorted. Gratuities are the norm on cruises.
I hope you have a wonderful cruise - I am sure you will. Once on board the service is amazing and Anthem is a fabulous ship. Your kids will have an amazing time.

One thing I will say to you - do lots of research before you sail. There are a million and one things to do and places to visit and that's just on the ship. If you have booked my time dining - book your dining time online for every night before you go. The best times get booked up fast.
And don't just get off the ship and wander around port - have something planned.

@Cookerhood there's usually an option to pay up front and yes it's worked out as a set amount per day, per passenger.

This is on their FAQs. An amount per day per person & 18% on drinks etc so you might be better paying up front

1. the error has to be considered obvious to the buyer
2. if it cannot be argued that an error was obvious, once a booking confirmation has been sent, they are obliged to provide the holiday booked for the price agreed.

see the Kodak case https://marketinglaw.osborneclarke.com/online-advertising/camera-price-blunder-poses-e-contract-problems/

OP, I am glad this was sorted though I do feel very sorry for RC staff who ought to be paid a decent wage and not have to rely on gratuities.

Thanks for the tips! Yes it's Anthem of the Seas. I don't think we have My Time dining - we were just offered 5.30pm eating time - I think because he have booked late. No idea what this means and if we can choose the buffet. I hope we can as I have a child with SEN. I'm going into this clueless as we normally visit museums in the UK. I need to do some research.

I’m glad you’re sorted but it’s all disgraceful- I’ve commented on your fb post.
the most baffling thing is the delay in telling you how much extra you owed…and if it really was only £69 surely it’s better to just absorb it than have this pr disaster

This all sounds like a complete shit show. But I do hope you manage to put that behind you and have a great holiday.

Watch this OP 😊

P&I don't charge tips any more.

Glad you got sorted OP. Try to forget about it now. You will have a lovely time, I’ve got family and friend who have been on that ship and all said it was a great holiday. I’m shocked at how you’ve been treated but once onboard you’ll forget the faff.

Options for gratuities are either pay up front or at the end of your cruise.

These gratuities are added daily to your onboard account. You can see the charges on the TV in your cabin or on your mobile if you download their app. Keep an eye on it.

If don't want to pay tips you must go to Guest Services just before end of your cruise and have them removed from your onboard account. Otherwise they will debit the bank card you registered with them.

I agree with you about cruising being not an easy holiday but it most definitely is nice once you get all the planning out of the way.

OP you'll have a great time.
We did A of the S last year to Norway.
If your kids like fizzy drinks prepay before you go else it gets pricey on board

I don’t know but it seems it’s not a one off.

also posted aswell what a con try and enjoy i though

@ShowUs I'm not saying it's a one off, and I'm certainly not condoning it, I'm just trying to give the OP some hope she will have a lovely holiday. They have hundreds of thousands of happy customers, many repeat customers.

@ShowUs sorry just realised you were replying to my other question! Not be trying to perk the OP up lol. That is worrying.

*not me

I'm think RC will be contacting each of these other sites to say price is wrong and to let anyone who has booked through them know so OP will be in same situation

One of my best holidays ever, was a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords. I hope you have an amazing time and can relax. I truly think RC should be putting you in their best suite, to apologise for the way they’ve treated you!! Totally appalling. .

But, I hope you can put it all behind you once you sail away and enjoy the special time with your family.

Hi, you can eat at the buffet every night if you wish at any time you want.

I have been on Royal Carribean (pre covid) and enjoyed it very much.

5.30 is a fixed time every night in the main dining room. There are 2 sittings, early and late. We usually go for late sitting but it's does tend to drag on a bit so with kids early sitting is probably better. You will get the same table and waiters every night which is nice because they get to know you and what you like and don't like. If your child wants chips or pizza don't be afraid to ask the waiter - they will get you what you want. It doesn't have to be on the menu. Your table number will be on your Sea Pass which will be waiting for you in your cabin. We usually go and check out where our table is when we first get on board. if you don't like where your table is - tell them and they will move you to another. My friend's son is SEN and they cruise a lot. He likes to sit next to the window and watch the sea - I don't think they always get a window table but they always ask.

If you don't want to eat in the main dining room you can eat at the Windjammer any time you like. There are several other 'free' places to eat and a few more that you have to pay extra for but I'm sure you'll find them once you get on board.

I promise, customer service on board is a million times better than the shit show you have had to put up with today.

But travel insurance policy should cover her losses

P&O don't charge tips any more

True enough, but the staff still expect it on Arvia at least, which I've just come off (and due to the low standards will never cruise on again)

TBH I usually give the stateroom staff extra even when tips are charged, but the final day hovering on this one was very obvious