price drops

[I&J Cruisers]

I'm looking into an eastern med cruise for July 2011. The prices showing are now at top dollar as one would expect. Haven't done RCL for several years. Does RCL honor price drops up to the cruise date as Celebrity does?

[yogimax]

I'm looking into an eastern med cruise for July 2011. The prices showing are now at top dollar as one would expect. Haven't done RCL for several years. Does RCL honor price drops up to the cruise date as Celebrity does?

 

If you book now, they will be honored until the final payment date. Nada after that.

[marci22]

On a past Med cruise, we got some price drops in the 2007 August-September period prior to the next year's 2008 August sailing. There were no more drops after that and the ship filled up.

 

I have a July 2011 Med cruise booked (booked early) and I have not seen any price drops yet but I'd be surprised if there were no price drops at all.

 

This summer I noticed a lot of after final price drops but that is not an option for me as I have to consider airfare.

 

The suites in particular are outrageously priced.

[3RoyalCruisers]

Just tried to take advantage of the 4th of July special price drops on the JS aboard the Mariner for 07/25/2010. We booked our cruise back in March. We are not allowed to upgrade for the special price (which would actually be less than our D1 balcony). This special is for new bookings only. Had a long conversation with a resolution specialist concerning the fact that RCI does not appreciate loyalty in its cruise guests. We are platnum C&A members, and we have reached that status in 3 years, so I believe that demonstrates extreme loyalty to a single cruise line, yet we can't take adavantage of specials and promotions. They give those to the people who wait around. So, I guess we will be looking elsewhere for our Hawaiian cruise next year.

[pcur]

After final payment you can get an upgrade to a better cabin if it's the same price, or lower, as the cabin you purchased. So, you don't get any money back, but you get a better cabin after final payment.

 

Personally, I am staying the course with my cruise planning: I always book way in advance to get the best cabin selection. I've been tracking many cruise prices for the last several years: ours and friends' cruises, too. I have found that prices drop in the 2 - 6 month window before the cruise, then they frequently INCREASE the prices. So, I've found that the price "reductions" after final payment are frequently more than what was paid initially for an early booking, or what was paid with a price drop months before the sailing.

[marci22]

So, I've found that the price "reductions" after final payment are frequently more than what was paid initially for an early booking, or what was paid with a price drop months before the sailing.

 

My experience has shown that for Explorer Bermuda and Western Med, the prices on some categories actually do decrease more than when bookings first open. These cruises seem to start out with insane prices overall so maybe that is a factor. I don't even book 5 night Bermuda when it first opens anymore because I want to see which categories will get cheaper (and it does vary by sailing; one may have cheaper suites, another cheaper D1s, etc)

[pcur]

My experience has shown that for Explorer Bermuda and Western Med, the prices on some categories actually do decrease more than when bookings first open. These cruises seem to start out with insane prices overall so maybe that is a factor. I don't even book 5 night Bermuda when it first opens anymore because I want to see which categories will get cheaper (and it does vary by sailing; one may have cheaper suites, another cheaper D1s, etc)

 

Yes, the shorter cruises to Bermuda especially always seem to be overpriced.

 

An example of what I was saying above: we have several cruises with deposits. Four of them have gone UP in price since I booked; two are the same.

 

Final payment is due on one this week, so it will be interesting to see if the prices drop. I booked it before 5/17/11 so I should be able to still get a price drop as an obc. However, based on my past experience it will probably "drop" back to what I paid originally, since it's one of the four that went up in price.

[yogimax]

After final payment you can get an upgrade to a better cabin if it's the same price, or lower, as the cabin you purchased. So, you don't get any money back, but you get a better cabin after final payment.

 

 

This is true only if you originally booked before the new policy went into effect.

[pcur]

This is true only if you originally booked before the new policy went into effect.

 

Yogimax, this true under the new policy, too. Here's the excerpt from the CruiseCritic article from 5/19/10:

 

Q: What if I book within the penalty period and the price drops after 48 hours?

 

A: If you book within the penalty period and the price drops after 48 hours, you will not receive the difference in onboard credit. However, if the price you paid is now equal to the rate for a higher-category cabin, you can request an upgrade and the line will try to accommodate you if a cabin is available.

Q: What if I book prior to the penalty period and the price drops after 48 hours?

 

A: You actually have several options. If you book before final payment and the price drops on your itinerary, cabin category and sail date, you can request a fare adjustment or an upgrade if applicable, and the line will accommodate you. If you see a price drop on a different cabin category or sailing and you'd like to take advantage of that offer, you can cancel without penalty and rebook at the lower fare.

 

Once final payment is made, you are locked into the rate you paid and have no more opportunities to receive a price differential in onboard credit. However, as mentioned above, if the price drops such that a higher-category cabin now costs the same as what you paid, you can request an upgrade, if a cabin is available.

 

Here's the link to the whole article:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3880

 

I've been posting this again and again for a month, because a lot of people have missed this point. Everyone is saying you get nada, nothing, you're screwed, but you do have the option for an upgrade if the price is the same as yours or lower.

[yogimax]

I've been posting this again and again for a month, because a lot of people have missed this point. Everyone is saying you get nada, nothing, you're screwed, but you do have the option for an upgrade if the price is the same as yours or lower.

 

The problem is that what you quote is not from the RCCL website.

 

This situation happened to us three weeks ago and I spoke with multiple C&A agents.

 

The response was always the same...

 

No price reduction

No cabin upgrade

[pcur]

The problem is that what you quote is not from the RCCL website.

 

This situation happened to us three weeks ago and I spoke with multiple C&A agents.

 

The response was always the same...

 

No price reduction

No cabin upgrade

 

I think you need to call back. I just had a live chat with a C&A online rep, and here's the transcript:

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:31]: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

 

Peggy [19:31]: The CruiseCritic web site has an article dated 5/19/10 about your new price guarantee policy. In that article it states that if a higher cabin category has a price of equal or lower value, and is available after final payment date, the passenger can receive an upgrade to that higher category. I cannot find any confirmation on your web site for this. Here is the link to the article, which states it was an interview with an Royal Caribbean representative: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3880

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:33]: Hello Peggy. That is correct. If a higher category is available at a rate that is equal to or lower than the rate on the reservation, the guest may choose to be upgraded to the higher category. However, we will not provide refunds after the final payment date.

 

So, since this came from a live chat on the RCCL web site, I guess it counts. I'd tell whomever on the phone to check their facts, because it's being published and verified by other RCCL employees.

[bajathree]

I think you need to call back. I just had a live chat with a C&A online rep, and here's the transcript:

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:31]: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

 

Peggy [19:31]: The CruiseCritic web site has an article dated 5/19/10 about your new price guarantee policy. In that article it states that if a higher cabin category has a price of equal or lower value, and is available after final payment date, the passenger can receive an upgrade to that higher category. I cannot find any confirmation on your web site for this. Here is the link to the article, which states it was an interview with an Royal Caribbean representative: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3880

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:33]: Hello Peggy. That is correct. If a higher category is available at a rate that is equal to or lower than the rate on the reservation, the guest may choose to be upgraded to the higher category. However, we will not provide refunds after the final payment date.

 

So, since this came from a live chat on the RCCL web site, I guess it counts. I'd tell whomever on the phone to check their facts, because it's being published and verified by other RCCL employees.

 

 

She should of also added in that the rate CAN'T be a special sale event rate FOR NEW RESERVATIONS ONLY, such as the 4th sales event Royal has going on right now.

[yogimax]

I think you need to call back. I just had a live chat with a C&A online rep, and here's the transcript:

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:31]: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

 

Peggy [19:31]: The CruiseCritic web site has an article dated 5/19/10 about your new price guarantee policy. In that article it states that if a higher cabin category has a price of equal or lower value, and is available after final payment date, the passenger can receive an upgrade to that higher category. I cannot find any confirmation on your web site for this. Here is the link to the article, which states it was an interview with an Royal Caribbean representative: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3880

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:33]: Hello Peggy. That is correct. If a higher category is available at a rate that is equal to or lower than the rate on the reservation, the guest may choose to be upgraded to the higher category. However, we will not provide refunds after the final payment date.

 

So, since this came from a live chat on the RCCL web site, I guess it counts. I'd tell whomever on the phone to check their facts, because it's being published and verified by other RCCL employees.

 

Thanks PCUR!

 

Obviously, this issue needs to be clarified on the RCCL website.

 

I will send an email to RCCL with my specifics and see what they respond.

[pcur]

She should of also added in that the rate CAN'T be a special sale event rate FOR NEW RESERVATIONS ONLY, such as the 4th sales event Royal has going on right now.

 

I didn't ask her that. I specifically asked her about after final payment if there is a lower price.

[pcur]

Thanks PCUR!

 

Obviously, this issue needs to be clarified on the RCCL website.

 

I will send an email to RCCL with my specifics and see what they respond.

 

Good luck! I'd keep fighting the good fight for the upgrade. They are clearly stating they will accomodate you after final payment if they have a cheaper / higher cabin available.

 

I'd copy and paste the article info and my live chat in your email.

[bajathree]

Just tried to take advantage of the 4th of July special price drops on the JS aboard the Mariner for 07/25/2010. We booked our cruise back in March. We are not allowed to upgrade for the special price (which would actually be less than our D1 balcony). This special is for new bookings only. Had a long conversation with a resolution specialist concerning the fact that RCI does not appreciate loyalty in its cruise guests. We are platnum C&A members, and we have reached that status in 3 years, so I believe that demonstrates extreme loyalty to a single cruise line, yet we can't take adavantage of specials and promotions. They give those to the people who wait around. So, I guess we will be looking elsewhere for our Hawaiian cruise next year.

 

That is total BS that they wouldn't give you the upgrade. It's nothing sort of bad buisness and they have now pushed away a proven repeat customer....when are they going to learn:rolleyes: After seeing how they are dropping pricing this summer and what they are asking for 2011 summer sailings I have no idea how they think they are going to keep people booking in advance. They are their own worst enemy with pushing the customer into last minute booking.

 

ROYAL....WAKE UP!!!

[marci22]

Good luck! I'd keep fighting the good fight for the upgrade. They are clearly stating they will accomodate you after final payment if they have a cheaper / higher cabin available.

 

I'd copy and paste the article info and my live chat in your email.

 

I think they are going to deny the upgrade based on the fact that it is Sales Event pricing. They are very strict about sales events.

[pcur]

I've been posting for ages that I see RCCL increasing the price of a cruise, and then start a "special" price. It looks like a price drop, but it's really not. I found a perfect example of this when I check my cruise prices this morning.

 

One of the cruises that we thought about booking to make a b2b had a great price last week for $924 inside cabin. It is still a few more weeks until final payment date. This was their lowest price: the one that shows under the inside category when you are searching for a cruise.

 

Two days ago it showed up with a "senior special" for $1,442 for the same cabin. If you hadn't been keeping track you'd think this wasn't bad for a 12 night cruise, but I saw it as a $518 per person INCREASE!

[Jolimont]

I'm looking into an eastern med cruise for July 2011. The prices showing are now at top dollar as one would expect. Haven't done RCL for several years. Does RCL honor price drops up to the cruise date as Celebrity does?

No they don't. After final payment (which is 70 days before you cruise) no more. EVEN if they happen to have a sale on that particular sailing, they will tell you that price is for new bookings only. This has happened to me, if you look for my postings the last few days, you can read the whole sordid tale.

[pcur]

I think they are going to deny the upgrade based on the fact that it is Sales Event pricing. They are very strict about sales events.

 

I meant after the sale was over.

[Promise]

I think you need to call back. I just had a live chat with a C&A online rep, and here's the transcript:

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:31]: Welcome to our real-time support chat. How can I help you today?

 

Peggy [19:31]: The CruiseCritic web site has an article dated 5/19/10 about your new price guarantee policy. In that article it states that if a higher cabin category has a price of equal or lower value, and is available after final payment date, the passenger can receive an upgrade to that higher category. I cannot find any confirmation on your web site for this. Here is the link to the article, which states it was an interview with an Royal Caribbean representative: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3880

 

SamanthaRCCL [19:33]: Hello Peggy. That is correct. If a higher category is available at a rate that is equal to or lower than the rate on the reservation, the guest may choose to be upgraded to the higher category. However, we will not provide refunds after the final payment date.

 

So, since this came from a live chat on the RCCL web site, I guess it counts. I'd tell whomever on the phone to check their facts, because it's being published and verified by other RCCL employees.

 

 

Thanks for your information! I will keep this in mind,

Wanda