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.

Can you get your friends and family to post on their Facebook pages relating to your comments as us lot too? If they see it gathering more attention then RC might take it more seriously

I’ve just checked these terms and on page 9 it says you’ll have 14 days. As it’s available elsewhere it’s not sold out so I’d hold your own for now personally and not pay!

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guest-terms/content/uploads/2022/08/Booking-Conditions-Other-Locations-ENGLISH.pdf

As I say, check the small print. The confirmation email may just be automatically generated to confirm that they have received your booking request and will be processing it. I hope I'm wrong, but it makes sense to check

If they’re advertising fares which are not available maybe the ASA (advertising standards agency) would be interested too

If you received that and they have taken money from your card then you have a contract.

Write to them stating a contract has been established.

You probably have 2 choices.

1. Continue with the cruise as booked and hope it goes well.

1. Offer them an opportunity to cancel but only if they cover the costs you won't get back.

This is super shady behavior from Royal Caribbean.

I agree with those who have said that it isn't an obviously low price that you paid, I've cruised for cheaper than that before and I'm in the process of booking another cruise for 2024 (not with RC thankfully) and I've seen plenty great deals. There's always massive variation in cruise prices. People saying it was too cheap either don't cruise or aren't bothered looking for good deals.

and on that very document

no binding contract if an error in pricing or no on reservation and works in favour of both parties

Have you received your confirmation invoice? According to those Ts and Cs linked above that is what completes the contract. Quote:

"Providing your chosen holiday is available, you have completed the booking process, agreed to our Booking Conditions and we have received all appropriate payments, we will send our confirmation invoice to you (if booking direct) or your travel agent). Please note it may not be possible to confirm your flight details at this point. If so, these will be confirmed to you at a later date. A binding contract between us only comes into existence when we send out our confirmation invoice to you or your travel agent."

@Bamboozleme you look absolutely desperate for the OPs attention now. Must be really annoying you she’s not responding directly to you.

This is what I received

Have added guest details and website is happy to let me proceed to payment at that price … absolutely shocking that they haven’t addressed this
Posters on FB have been saying that nothing happens when you get to payment and no money is taken, so comparing with today's prices is pointless.

They are not honouring because it wasn't one mistake with OP but with thousands of people. Also, in previous years, they gave offered price guaranteed if the price go down at alter stage, so if that's the case again this year, every booking could challenge.

It is very disappointing but many people booked after they heard through various media about the 'opportunity' knowing it was a glitch. How can they separate the genuine who didn't have a clue to the opportunists?

Sorry, it’s here

Huh? It’s a chat forum. On my lunch, mooching on mumsnet. No expectations. No pressure!

Op and indeed anyone can ignore me on an anonymous chat forum and it really doesn’t concern me and nor should it you.

in RL though… rather different 😂

Also sorry if you've mentioned before but due you pay the full fare or only the deposit?

I’m not one to blow smoke up posters bottoms and give them false hope

i have literally copied the RC t and c confirming no binding contract of a pricing error

but that seems to have riled you. Sorry? 😐

Sorry posted before your screen copy!

I paid the full amount. It didn’t give me any other option.

Also, you normally get 2 emails, one confirming payment and then one confirming the booking. Did you receive the second one?

@Bamboozleme you are keen for people to stop offering the OP help and that people shouldn’t be suggesting trading standards. The fact that the cruise is still bookable at the price the OP paid means that trading standards would be interested.
Just because they have clauses in their contracts doesn’t mean they can do what they want.

I doubt the price will change immediately.
Miami are only just getting out of bed - IT have probably haven't started work yet.

@Mum1976Mum wait an hour and call again. Wait for Miami staff to get into the office. I always call RC in the afternoon UK time because the operators you get put through to in the mornings are overseas don't have the authority to do anything.

Does this info from ABTA help?

https://www.abta.com/help-and-complaints/frequently-asked-questions/ive-been-told-price-bargain-holiday-i-booked-washttps://www.abta.com/help-and-complaints/frequently-asked-questions/ive-been-told-price-bargain-holiday-i-booked-was

It must be so incredibly stressful for you. 💐

And this one

😂