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Original poster

Royal Caribbean changing cruise price after paying

469 replies

Mum1976Mum · 04/05/2023 09:26

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
notangelinajolie · 04/05/2023 21:12

Forgot this. It's so long since we went with kids - there is a children's menu in the main dining room.
But you will definitely find something for even the pickiest eater in the Windjammer if the Dining Room is too formal for you.

AlphabetSue · 04/05/2023 21:14

Mum1976Mum · 04/05/2023 13:16

And this one

Crown & Anchor sounds like rhyming slang for their behaviour as a company…

IWantRebeccasConfidence · 04/05/2023 22:45

Glad you are still getting to go on holiday after your shit time. Thanks for the heads up, I’m trying to find a last minute cruise and won’t bother with them. I can’t magically increase my budget either. They really are “computer says no” people.

SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun · 04/05/2023 23:12

Did you get any onboard credit in the end? If so you will be able to put it towards the tips. Sounds awful and they should have honoured your booking but I hope you can put it behind you and have a good holiday. Were tips mentioned at any point during your first booking process? They normally suggest adding them in before you pay (paying them at this point as optional) but don’t quote them as part of the advertised cruise price.

You won’t need to spend anything (apart from tips) on the cruise ship unless you want to drink alcohol or coke etc. Excursions are cheaper booked independently but have a look at the port’s websites to see if you can just walk off the ship and enjoy the area. There will be lots of choice of included food either in the MDR where the waiter will get to know what you like or in the buffet if you prefer.

cushcosh · 05/05/2023 01:24

This happened to me. They honoured the price I booked it at. Keep pressurising

Mintyt · 05/05/2023 06:18

I have left a post on Facebook

PurpleFlower1983 · 05/05/2023 06:29

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/05/2023 21:11

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

We have just come off Arvia and didn’t find this to be the case. No staff expected tipping. We of course tipped our cabin steward heavily but it was never asked or expected.

Mrsherdwick · 05/05/2023 08:23

We’ve booked an eastern med cruise with RC for June. I’m already a bit pissed off as they’ve changed one of the port’s Mykonos for Athens. Hope you have a good cruise @Mum1976Mum .

OMG12 · 05/05/2023 08:30

PurpleFlower1983 · 05/05/2023 06:29

We have just come off Arvia and didn’t find this to be the case. No staff expected tipping. We of course tipped our cabin steward heavily but it was never asked or expected.

Show quote history

Yes I’ve cruised with P&o both before and after the inclusive gratuity policy. No one expected tips at all (although we did before). I know with RC you used to be able to remove the gratuities and tip as you went along. Not sure if still the policy (although this stops the non- public facing staff getting tips but at least ensures the tips go to staff).

hairdresserbreakup · 05/05/2023 08:33

I think they've deleted your comments from FB @Mum1976Mum !!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/05/2023 08:55

We have just come off Arvia and didn’t find this to be the case. No staff expected tipping. We of course tipped our cabin steward heavily but it was never asked or expected

Genuinely glad to hear it, PurpleFlower; it wasn't my experience, but it's good to know that some at least are sticking with whatever the latest guidelines are supposed to be

ConnieSaks · 05/05/2023 09:00

Anyone looking for a cruise I can recommend Ambassador - lovely staff and very good value for money.

I will definitely be avoiding Royal Caribbean - sound appalling!

IMustDoMoreExercise · 05/05/2023 09:24

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/05/2023 21:11

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

Really? We are going on the Arvia in July. On the Britannia, I always tip the room maid, but it certainly wasn't expected. I always tip her on the first few days so that I can forget about it.

What was wrong with the Arvia?

IMustDoMoreExercise · 05/05/2023 09:27

PurpleFlower1983 · 05/05/2023 06:29

We have just come off Arvia and didn’t find this to be the case. No staff expected tipping. We of course tipped our cabin steward heavily but it was never asked or expected.

Show quote history

Pleased to hear that. We are going on the Ariva in July.

On the Britannia, I always tip the room maid, but it certainly wasn't expected. I always tip her on the first few days so that I can forget about it.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 05/05/2023 09:37

What was wrong with the Arvia?

Where to start? Sad Different things suit different people of course, but overall I found very low standards compared to the many others I've been on, obvious lack of training in too many areas, indifferent food and a general lack of ambience (to me it looked more like a ferry than a cruise ship)

The one big plus was the entertainment, as in there always being something to do; at least it would have been a plus if most hadn't been delivered at an absolutely deafening volume, to the point where I couldn't sit in the theatre or SkyDome

As said, each to their own, but cast an eye over recent reviews on Cruise Critic and the like - I hoped most were being over-pessimistic, but I was wrong

Janey14 · 05/05/2023 10:03

How long would he considered reasonable after discovering the error - I am caught int he same issue but an upgrade to a current booking rather than a new cruise booked . RC have not yet contacted me so surely now it’s over 48hours after they have discovered the error they cannot expect to change my pricing- they won’t be able to give me back my original booking if they sell out my original cabin class

HurryShadow · 05/05/2023 10:27

While the customer service has been shocking, at least it is sorted now and I hope you can draw a line under it.

Your experience has really put me off, even though I've sailed with RCI a number of times now and relatives sailed last year and we all have loved it. The experience on the ship is massively different to dealing with the shore based teams, so I am sure you will have a fabulous time. The kids will definitely love it.

We've switched to P&O this year (Arvia too!) as after sailing RCI a number of times the itineraries were just getting too repetitive (once in Vigo is enough!)

Original poster
Mum1976Mum · 05/05/2023 13:17

Update
just had a chap ring me up from their “resolution team’. He was obviously a properly paid individual from the States rather than one of the people they no doubt exploit in the call centres. I went through it all, he apologised and I said ‘is that it?’ No offer to forgo the £69. Nope! He can’t do that apparently. What a pile of shite!

Off I go now to ping off another email. Abysmal

OP posts:
CoozudBoyuPuak · 05/05/2023 13:36

Well I think managing to change them from insisting on £1500 extra to only £69 extra counts as a massive win. Well done. I think it's best not to fight the £69, it's not worth further agro and the better part of the victory is yours in any case, so let them have that tiny win.

Enjoy your holiday

PinkCast · 05/05/2023 13:41

I understand that it was a horrible experience for you @Mum1976Mum, but it's resolved now, you didn't have to pay the extra 1.5k, so I think the best thing is to forget about it & just enjoy your holiday - it sounds like it's well deserved 💐💐

Susurrar · 05/05/2023 13:45

Glad you managed to get it all sorted OP!
RC seem to be having an incredible amount of online “glitches” this year, some worse than others and they’re really not handling them well at all. However, please don’t let this impact your actual holiday. I’ve cruised with them several times and staff on the ship are always helpful and lovely, they can’t do enough for you.
As pp said, if you’re not bothered about the main dining room, buffet (Windjammer) doesn’t have set times and there’s always a decent selection. You also have other places where you can eat at no extra charge - Sorrento which serves nice pizza, Cafe Promenade with plenty of cakes, a hot dog place (I can’t recall then name) and probably some others, I can’t think off the top of my head what else is on Anthem.
You can already view the menus online for each day if you log in on their website or download the app.
Hope you have a wonderful time!

Susurrar · 05/05/2023 13:49

Forgot to say, there are numerous FB groups, if you search by your sailing date, you’ll probably find one specific to your cruise. They’re not affiliated with RC, just created for chats, exciting countdown and hints and tips.

purpleboy · 05/05/2023 13:51

So glad you got it sorted, the run up has been a nightmare, but I'm sure your holiday will be great.

Hobert · 05/05/2023 13:54

@Bamboozleme do you still feel OP was being foolish to challenge it and should just have paid up?

RobinStrike · 05/05/2023 13:58

So pleased you managed to sort most of the problems and you can go, but oh, the stress!! They should offer you some on board credit or free drinks for all of that as compensation. I'm sure you will love it once you are on board and able to put all of this behind you. Lots for you and you DC. I'd love to have an update from you when you get back to find out if it was all worth it.