sm3ds

On 10/8/2023 at 2:39 PM, Cruiser99365Girl said:

Thus far, for the Odyssey sailings, the message from Royal has been that the ports in Israel are out, replaced by other ports in less dangerous places. Cancellation ( with refund) has not been offered as an option. 
 

 

We were supposed to go to Israel in May on Odyssey. They pulled out over a complete nothing burger. They offered us very little compensation. Odyssey was a nice ship, but I won't ever step foot on a royal ship again.

It wasn't just the Israel ports being canceled it was the whole ineptness of the staff to handle it. It was a complete cluster "you know what" and guest services was about as competent as dealing with a cell phone company. You would think that they would have been prepared for it since tensions had been escalating for weeks prior to the cruise. I would hate to see how this cruise line handles hurricanes. Never again. Definitely not Loyal to Royal. 

7 hours ago, vjmatty said:

The Mediterranean is huge….we’re heading from Greece to Italy right now, no where near the conflict. Spain and France are even farther away. 

Totally agree unless the unthinkable happens and then it won't really matter where you are.

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Yes, but that has little to do with the age of the customers. 

The majority of cruisers in that age group aren’t likely paying for their own cruise. Royal has to know most parents aren’t going to buy their teenagers drink packages. I’m actually surprised Royal would want teens drinking that much alcohol. It’s bad enough that some adults over due it.

On 1/18/2023 at 7:57 AM, Biker19 said:

Because the drinking age for sailings out of Europe is 18, not 21 like out of the US.

Yes I get that, but I don't believe other cruise lines allow you to book one for under 21 even in Europe. I know NCL doesn't and on Disney the guardian has to sign a consent for 18-20 year old's to drink in Europe. 

I doubt many parents buy unlimited drink packages for their teenagers. It seems like a money grab by RCCl forcing you to buy a refreshment package if you want the drink package yourself.

You probably disagree, but that's how I see it. 

I thought I'd provide and update. Maybe it will help someone in the future. I was able to change my cruise back to the Holy Land cruise. I was charged 100 change fee, but not another 100 dollar change fee.

In short I changed from a 12 night cruise in May to an 8 night cruise in August back to a 12 night cruise in May and only incurred one 100 pp change fee. Unfortunately the price of the cruise went up about 200 dollars pp since my original booking. I thought about waiting until after the PIF  next month to see if the price dropped. I'm not that familiar with Royals pricing and I was kind of in a hurry to get everything planned out with flights and hotels.

As far as the drink package I was able to add the drink package and the refreshment package for my 18 year old son. I still find it strange they insist teenagers book unlimited drink packages in Europe. I feel it should be optional without having to add on any beverage package. If an 18 year old can just drink water in the USA why can't they in Europe?  I'm not sure either package makes financial sense, but it sure is convenient. 

I'm not sure why I didn't get charged twice, but I went from a 900 dollar deposit to a 500 where they penalized the cruise fare and I didn't pay anything additional, back to a 900 deposit and they wanted me to pay an additional 100 pp to reserve the cruise. I went ahead and paid the whole thing off since payment was due in 3 weeks anyway. 

On 1/10/2023 at 4:46 AM, xcell said:

 

 

Back to the OP -- if I had not given a cruise company a chance, I would have not tried different ships and companies.  My first cruise on NCL was terrible -- I only booked it because the cost was half of what RCCL wanted for a Christmas cruise.  Then they offered specialty dining for all in the cabin every single night (sooooo long ago -- now it has been reduced down to the first two and only 2 nights), so I convinced my wife to try again and then we were hooked and didn't do RCCL for a long time.  Any ways, RCCL has a good product but like anything, it's new to you, so there will be hiccups along the way -- maybe you should get a TA who can guide you better.

 

I have cruised with RCCL once. It was a Caribbean cruise on the Allure. It was Ok, but nothing like the level of service I've experienced on Disney. Disney's itineraries are limited and I've done most of them including all their European ones. I need to branch out a little.  

On 1/10/2023 at 5:35 AM, Ourusualbeach said:

There are lots of TA's out there that have group rates on balconies and below.  Those rates are refundable and are in nearly all cases less than what Royals Non refundable rates are.

I did not book with a group rate. 

On 1/10/2023 at 3:47 AM, Ocean Boy said:

I understand your concerns with the non refundable deposits. RCI wants people to book early and also want people to assume the risk of doing so.

 

Initially deposits were refundable until final payment date. Then RCI started non refundable deposits with suites and then it spread to all cabin catagories. Then to intice people to book non refundable the difference compared to refundable is sometimes eye popping. These days I tend to book much closer to, or within, final payment when my plans are less likely to change. 

That's is probably the smart way to do it. Disney offers big discounts closer to the cruise and the whole cruise is non-refundable I'm used to booking those. I booked this cruise because the Holy land cruise is a bucket list cruise for me. Family obligations just over ride it. I may just switch it 2024. The 8 day greek Isles cruise I  switched to doesn't feel that special. I've cruised more than 30 times including many European cruises.  I'm not an inexperienced cruiser I'm just new to Royal. It's totally my fault I got excited about the itinerary and the price without thinking things through.     

19 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

Thanks OP for coming back. So the answer is yes you would get penalized second time I'm afraid.

 

Regarding the drinks package for an 18 year old, we cruised with ncl around the med when my son was 20 and they would only allow him to have beer and wine not a full drinks package I'm surprised that Royal wouldn't do the same. 

 

I emailed Royal about the issue, but I never got a response from them. Every time I've emailed Disney I've got an email or a personal call.

I get that Europeans drink at that age and I have no problem with 18 year olds having some drinks. Not all Americans kids drink at that age because it's not legal here. My son doesn't like alcohol. He doesn't like soda either. He likes water....weird I know. I was just like him at that age and then I had kids and I started drinking.

I know NCL only allows the drink packages for 21 and over in Europe. I haven't checked Carnival, but it does seem like an odd policy. I've only cruised Disney and Carnival in Europe and the ships were 80% American. Maybe Royal attracts more Europeans?

15 hours ago, xcell said:

Let's chalk this up for miscommunication.  Later in the posting, OP explained more about the issue -- post #32 -- more information at the beginning can help clarify the question being asked.

 

I think the backlash of OP's comment  " I think this will be the last Royal cruise I book. " will set some off because we have heard it 1000 times when something doesn't go our way. 

 

Any ways, I hope OP has a good cruise with Royal because it is still better than staying at home (at least for me) 🙂

 

 

It might be the last royal cruise I book because there's such a difference in price between booking a refundable deposit rate and a non- refundable. I also qualify for some non-public discounts, but to get the discounts you have to put down non-refundable deposit.

Like I said I'm not used to this. Disney doesn't do this. NCL doesn't do this. Carnival does but the difference in price in minimal. I originally booked the Holy land cruise in May, but my niece is getting married that month so I needed to change. I rebooked and then I found my sons college is starting earlier than usual. It's totally my fault for being impulsive. Being that I tend to be impulsive I'm thinking Royal may not be the best cruise line for me. 

19 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

I get what OP is asking: when  making the first change $100 was added to the new fare,on a second change $200 would be added to the new fare ($100 for the first change and another $100 for the second change) is that correct?

Yes that was what I was asking. I figured there had to be somebody on this forum that had made multiple changes and could give an answer based on what they had experienced. Instead I get a bunch of snippy comments on how I shouldn't have booked without reading the rules. I read the rules, but I didn't find them that clear and real life data points are more relevant. 

I was considering changing to a cruise that is 5 nights longer and 2k more, but I don't want to be penalized again for potentially spending more money.

I'm used to cruising on Disney which albeit cost more, but there is no such thing as non-refundable deposits. They also allow you to bring wine and beer onboard at every port which is way better than a drink package. If I want the drink package Royal expects me to buy a drink package for my 18 year old high school graduate because its a European cruise. Who in thier right mind would buy an 18 year old a unlimited drink package.

At this time I regret my 900.00 dollar investment. 

On 1/7/2023 at 3:10 PM, molly361 said:

 

Then why were  you asking?  

I wasn't asking it was sarcasm. 

2 hours ago, molly361 said:

What is a change fee for airlines?

 

 

Change fees are charged by some airlines when you adjust your itinerary. Generally speaking, you'll need to pay a flat fee in addition to the fare difference for moving to a new flight. These fees can vary depending on the airline, destination or even how far in advance you make the change.Jul 17, 2021

Most Airlines got rid of change fees. I wasn’t asking what it was. 

12 hours ago, brillohead said:

It's not any different than an airline ticket with a change fee... the fee gets charged for every change.  It's not a one-time fee with unlimited changes.  It's all spelled out quite well, IMO.  It's actually in the name of the fee:  a change fee means a fee for a change.  

 

Do airlines have change fees anymore? 

13 hours ago, firefly333 said:

No they dont multiply. $100 pp each time before final. After that you cant change. The $100 pp is to move it. If you dont rebook the deposit is lost. 

I did not get charged anything the first time I moved it they added 100 per person onto the cost. So if I move it again they’ll add 100 per person to the fare? It won’t be 200 per person? If it was clear on the Royal website I wouldn’t be asking. 

13 hours ago, fredmdcruisers said:

You probably shouldn't book again until you understand your choices and how you are booking. Royal is okay with you leaving.

Aren’t you sweet

42 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

If you book non refundable it means no refunds. There is a charge to change. There are tas with refundable group rates or pay extra direct for refundable.  

 

Lots of other lines I could name have refundable and non refundable rates. What would be better about a nonrefundable rate on another line. 

Again not what I was asking. If you read my original post I was asking if each change multiplies the change fee. There are other cruise lines that don't have non-refundable and refundable deposits. I can't think of one where the price difference is so extreme. All of that is irrelevant and its not what I was asking. 

30 minutes ago, CruisingHogFan said:

Did you not read the non-refundable rules?
I’ve change one sailing over the years and paid the $100 fee. Feel like I still come out way ahead vs. booking refundable rates 

Yes I read the rules no need to be insulting. I was asking about a second change which no one seems to be able to answer. I'm used to sailing on cruise lines that are more upfront with their policies.  

I still don't get it. I think this will be the last Royal cruise I book. 

I changed my cruise to another date. They added 100.00 dollars pp to the cruise fare. I didn't have to pay any additional deposit. If I change it again do they add 200.00 to the cruise fare?

If you paid a 900 dollar deposit and need to change to another date do they apply 700 to the new cruise and then you owe and additional 200 at time of booking?

I just wanted to give a quick update in case anybody else ever has the same question. I just noticed my full refund in showing up as pending on my Amex well actually it's broken down into 4 refunds for at total of 3400. It took 3 business days. It means Royal processed the refund the day I cancelled. If I would have paid with Chase or Citi or it would have problem taken a few more days. 

When I googled Royal refunds I read quite a few horror stories so I'm happy to report it looks like things are back to normal. I wish Royal would send out a cancellation email. I think that would eliminate a lot of the angst. It just feels odd expecting a large refund but having no receipt to prove it. 

They used to cancel right away and the refund was back on your card within a week. 

I was Paid in full cancelled 5 days before the deadline fully refundable including deposit. Just wondering if refunds are back to normal. 

3 hours ago, K_e_short said:

 

I guess all the questions on this forum and other social media questions regarding not being able to get a test in time is wrong?

 

I've just been reading that many American cruisers are struggling to get a test in time for their cruise.

 

In regards to being able to walk into a store or pharmacy to get a vaccine, those that can get a vaccine that way have already done so. Vaccination rates will only increase when you reach out and meet people where they are (both literally and figuratively) in terms of vaccines.

Any cvs or Walgreens will test you results are usually under 48 hours. If you need same day test for travel you just have to pay for it. I’m not sure why people think they should get a free expedited PCR’s test for a cruise.