AlaskaNewbie68

THanks, all, refund has been done. If I cancelled, that's one thing...since this was THEIR decision, the onus is on them to get that refund done promptly. Not everyone can lay out thousands of dollars without a refund...we booked a different cruise. 

3 hours ago, chemmo said:

Must confess I was thinking exactly the same…So easy to just push passports in a pocket as you go from passport control to luggage collection or as you check in to drop them in the hand luggage that they shouldn’t be in ‘just until you get up to your room…’. 

🤞 for your parents. Please keep us updated…

 

I thought this too. Not being a thief, I guess I can't imagine what someone can do with another person's passport???

 

• Every day? I phoned on Thursday, that was the first time I called after getting an email stating 7-10 days to confirm it was all on track. And I was very pleasant as I always am (too nice for my own good usually).  Thanks, I won't bother anyone again here. I thought a few others might benefit from my experience. Enjoy cruising. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7 hours ago, _tacocat_ said:

Opening a dispute may delay the refund further- you’ll get a provisional credit on your statement, but it can take much longer to get it closed out.  This happens with canceled show tickets, order screwups or whatever too.  If they’re in the process of refunding you, that will pause and you may get pushed to the back of a new queue while they process straight refunds.

What choice do I have though if 20 days pass and still no refund? 

I called Amex to see what could be done. They said they are making a note of the issue and in 10 days we can file for a dispute, if the refund doesn't come in.

Just to update anyone considering Virgin: As I mentioned earlier they cancelled our January cruise...I was told 11 days ago we would get refund in 7-10 days. I called Thurs to check on it and was told "it will be there tomorrow". Called last night and told "the accounting dept is closed, I can't check." Told today there was a "glitch" and it never got pushed through and they just did it, which means it takes ANOTHER 7-10 days! I asked to speak to a manager (Just call me Karen!) who said there was nothing she can do to expedite it. This is called customer service????

On 9/21/2023 at 6:40 PM, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

Let me be CLEAR.  I was NOT nasty to ANYONE.  I just finally got through to them AGAIN.  They never called me back after placing me in their call back list.  It took 30 minutes on the phone for them to finally admit they allegedly had a "glitch" on their end and they never processed the refund to start with.  The rep on the phone today admitted the one I spoke to last week put me on hold and NEVER opened my file and checked where the refund was. I have made it crystal clear that their customer service has not been even remotely what the Virgin company has had in the past.  It should not take this much effort on the part of a consumer to get their refund.  I DID NOT CANCEL THIS CRUISE.  THEY DID.  The burden is on them to get the money back swiftly and they didn't do it.   I have EVERY RIGHT to be demanding after them holding my money for a total of 4 years for 2 yes TWO cancelled cruises and nothing to show for it.  You better believe I WANT MY MONEY BACK.  FYI:  they have an F rating with the BBB which tells you how bad their customer service really is.

 

 

Better call again.  When I got through this time the rep just now admitted the guy last week who said "the 20th or 21st" NEVER opened the file and find out about the refund never being processed.  Had he actually done his job it could have been processed last week.  Now they manually processed it.  Allegedly.  I am exhausted.  Hopefully you get your refund in time to pay Celebrity.  Fingers crossed for you.

Oh  I AM GETTING NASTY at this point, after being lied to, being nice is getting me nowhere. Has ANYONE seen their refund yet? She actually said "The person you spoke to Thursday probably never checked"...and that's oK?????

13 hours ago, AlaskaNewbie68 said:

Here we are...Day ten....yesterday I was told it would be done by today. Tonight I'm told accounting dept leaves at 6 so he's not sure if it was processed, "call back tomorrow." Oh, I will. 

This is NOT ok. I am now being told the refund was never pushed and now it will be another 7-10 days!!!! WHAT???

Here we are...Day ten....yesterday I was told it would be done by today. Tonight I'm told accounting dept leaves at 6 so he's not sure if it was processed, "call back tomorrow." Oh, I will. 

18 minutes ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

They actually answered?  I called at 9:15 my time and got in the "que" for a call back:  as of right now.  NOTHING.  I emailed.  No response.  I formally opened a BBB complaint for my own entertainment as they are a fox guarding the chicken coop (though Virgin as an F rating with them)  but If I don't hear by tomorrow I am filing in court.  I have had enough of this crap.

Well, they called me back but it was pretty fast. Hope they call you soon! 

1 hour ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

Just checked:  still no refund.  Angry does not even touch the level of pi****** off I am.  I will be calling after my work meeting.  They are NOT going to like me.

I called and was told "today or tomorrow"...we shall see!

17 hours ago, Cachecara said:

We have never sailed Carnival, so I can not fairly compare Celebrity or Royal with Carnival.  
Initially, we sailed RCI with teens and young adult children.  When we sailed by ourselves this was with X.  We had great cruises with each cruise.  Never a disappointment. 
For the last, 20 yrs we have sailed with X solely, 2-3 times a year.  We have chosen to sail with a verandah room, choosing deliberately NOT to sail suite, aqua or concierge class. Again, always a great cruise, with little to no disappointments.  
We have sailed X 3 times since Sept 2022, post Covid.  Lovely cruises with no complaints.  The latest on Summit in June. No stateroom, food or service issues.  Wonderful times.  
We sailed May 2019 on RCI Jewel to the Mediterranean.   It was wonderful and we plan on sailing on her again to Iceland/Scotland next June.
 I think itinerary and particular ship is extremely important when comparing cruises or cruise lines.
 We live right outside of NYC so are very accustomed to fine dining, Italian, seafood, steaks, sushi etc.  We realize we are not getting a comparable when cruising and do not expect such, but again, have never been disappointed as service has always been great to help if there was an issue( there has not really ever been).  
so many things are subjective, but I hope this helps, from our opinion.  
have fun! 

Hello Neighbor! Also in Bergen County. We loved the Summit during our May cruise.

20 minutes ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

Just checked:  still no refund.  Angry does not even touch the level of pi****** off I am.  I will be calling after my work meeting.  They are NOT going to like me.

let me know what happens!  I have to say the AHOY SAILOR! is really getting on my nerves lol

15 hours ago, BeasleysMom66 said:

 

I have a very small balance.  The bank said I can leave it as a credit or ask for a check.  It just adds to the delay in getting my actual money back.  Thank you for the support.  🙂

yep, they have had my money since January...still no refund here. I'll be calling later today. I do need the refund on this month's bill as we just charged our Celebrity cruise to take the place of the Virgin one. 

We were all set on VV to give them a try in January. They cancelled our cruise. it's a mess there right now apparently with their new ship being delayed. So we booked on Celebrity Apex for the same week. 

1 hour ago, LadyLion_AP said:

We received ours (2 separate rooms) 3 days after cancellation.

Wow, that's great. Definitely calling Friday morning if we don't have it tomorrow.

I haven't been on Carnival (it seems obvious it's just not "for me") and we have only done one Celebrity (with another one coming up in January), but we really enjoyed our May trip on Summit. We are 55 yr old GenXers who like peace and quiet on our trips, with some good entertainment and some yummy cocktails and GOOD FOOD. Our itinerary attracted a much older crowd it seemed, but we enjoyed much about Celebrity. We've been on HAL, RC and Oceania. 

Thanks, yes, my email said 7-10. Today is day 7. Just curious. WOuld like it back before I have to pay in full for the Celebrity cruise we booked when this one fell through. 

I'll give them until Friday before calling, but curious if anyone else has received it. Thanks.

For anyone else who got that email, representative confirmed it was  a mistake. I feel bad for the people who have to deal with these calls.

I submitted my refund form after VIRGIN sent the notice of cancellation...just got an email which makes it seem like WE cancelled and says:

 

Sadly, since we're outside the 7 day window of purchase, you won't be receiving your deposit back. However, you will receive a future voyage credit

 

Calling them now. 

7 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

So instead of just canceling the maiden voyage and other bookings on the new ship, which would have made sense, they cancel cruises on the existing ships?  Something sounds a little fishy here.  My first thought is financial issues a possibility?  

That's my understanding...have to assume people were paying a higher rate than we were? I don't get it, but I bet they will lose customers over it. They lost us. They offered OBC for us to rebook, but there are no cruises similar to our itinerary during the timeframe we need and there is no way I'm letting Virgin hold on to my money for a year. 

32 minutes ago, Cruise till you drop said:

Just curious on the Virgin cancellation

 

Care to share more details ?

Sure. Here is an article about the mess over there. Virgin Cancellations  Apparently their new ship is indefinitely delayed and they, for some reason, cancelled those of us on an already existing ship, and put the passengers on the not-yet--ready ship on our ship. Not a good first impression. 

On 9/6/2023 at 5:22 PM, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

We went on our first Celebrity cruise last year after many with Royal. We have the Ascent booked for next year, and we are very much looking forward to it. We'll reevaluate after that cruise, but for now, I still view Celebrity as offering the experience we are looking for: more refined than Royal, better food drinks, and service (and based on the food reviews over on the RCI forum, that is still the case), and still at a good price point. For a 2025 cruise, we're actually seeing prices similar to or less than Royal from our TA. 

 

With that said, I am increasingly interested in Princess. It seems they've maintained a good level of service and food. They're adding some extra charges for some things, but if you go with one of their packages, most of it is included.

 

I'll be in the market for a milestone celebration cruise come 2026. I'll probably go with Celebrity or Princess based on itinerary. Not ready to make the leap to the luxury lines. 

Agreed. We've only done one Celebrity (in May) and really loved it overall. Was it perfect? No, but nothing is. We were just cancelled by Virgin for our 25th Anniv. trip so we quickly went over to the Celebrity site and found a trip on Apex the same week with an itinerary that made us happy. 

4 hours ago, aml3679 said:

I can only tell you that we first sailed Celebrity in May and LOVED it. We've done Oceania, Royal and Holland (one trip each). Celebrity was my favorite overall. The food on Oceania was outstanding, but the entertainment was lacking for us. Royal was just too busy, too many kids and I wasn't thrilled with the food. Honestly, we were booked to go on Virgin (wanted to give them a try) for January (our 25th anniversary) and they CANCELLED our cruise yesterday. We got lucky and booked a Celebrity Edge infinite verandah. I think everything happens for a reason. Have a wonderful time!!