Pre cruise complaint (what's your view)

[Arrowdaz]

No they won't in my experience. I've e mailed him twice and each time one of his exec team from the USA has telephoned me to discuss a resolution :-)

 

Well ticktoneer,

 

I hope they do get in touch with me because today after reading all of your posts and weighing up the options I have decided that there is no harm in both e-mailing and sending a recorded letter to mr Goldstein, to at the very least, inform him of the incompetence of his UK sales force.

 

I have just got back from the post office and both of the above have now been done, so I will await to see what happens from this.

 

Regards

[NorbertsNiece]

Well ticktoneer,

 

I hope they do get in touch with me because today after reading all of your posts and weighing up the options I have decided that there is no harm in both e-mailing and sending a recorded letter to mr Goldstein, to at the very least, inform him of the incompetence of his UK sales force.

 

I have just got back from the post office and both of the above have now been done, so I will await to see what happens from this.

 

Regards

 

So much energy they're putting you to.

You will get a reply. Keep us in the loop.

 

Linda

[macruisefan]

No harm, no foul? Are YOU going to reimburse him his oneway airfare from the UK to the US? He is not acting crazy like some people do. He is merely expecting a promise to be upheld. I back him in his fight, it is nothing to the cruiseline and the right thing to do since it was their mistake, not his.

 

He has said NUMEROUS times that he booked the whole thing through RCI, and therefore wasn't out anything.

 

Even if that WAS the case, RCI can't be responsible for what other commitments the OP makes. That's for him to take up with the airline. RCI is offering him a competitive and fair offer. It's not like he doesn't have a reasonable option.

[gerif]

Hypothetical...

 

Let's say you were typing out an ad on Craigslist for a car... You meant to type $5000 but you accidentally typed $5... would you sell it to the first person who called for $5? No, you would be crazy to? You would say it was a mistake. Right?

 

Some of you are going to say you would sell it for $5... but come on, you wouldn't. Why? Because you don't HAVE to!

 

I know, apples and oranges... but in the end it is the same thing. It was a mistake. I agree it sucks but no amount of pressure is going to change their decision.

 

If it sounds to good to be true... It is!

 

Some years ago a department store ran a sale ad in the Sunday paper that included a bread machine originally costing $299. A misprint put the price at $99 rather than the $199 they intended (my sister was working there at the time so called to tell me when she saw this). To add insult to injury, the model number listed was for the $399 machine. Luckily for the store, it was limited to store stock, but I sure did enjoy my bread machine!

[teajak]

This is exactly why I use a TA that I know and trust. It is her job to handle all of this aggravation and she always does this.

[macruisefan]

Some years ago a department store ran a sale ad in the Sunday paper that included a bread machine originally costing $299. A misprint put the price at $99 rather than the $199 they intended (my sister was working there at the time so called to tell me when she saw this). To add insult to injury, the model number listed was for the $399 machine. Luckily for the store, it was limited to store stock, but I sure did enjoy my bread machine!

 

The store did that by choice. Contrary to popular opinion, they were under no obligation to honor an erroneous advertisement.

[Lettyanto]

Hi,

 

Just 2 days ago I made a booking direct with royal Caribbean international in the UK for a sailing on adventure of the seas on November 4th. It's a transatlantic crossing, I booked all flights transfers and a post cruise stay in Miami after our cruise.

 

As part Of our package we were offered an all inc premium drinks package and $200 OBC.

 

However, I received my documentation via e-mail and these two items were missing from it, so I rang up to get the details confirmed.

 

RCI have today said that the sales agent has made an error and should not have offered me either as these are not available on my sailing, they offered to cancel my booking and give me a full refund or keep the booking open but with just the $200 OBC.

 

They are adamant that's all they can offer.

 

Do you think I am with in my rights to demand exactly what was promised at the point of sale?

 

What would you do?

 

Please help me take this further and let me know what you think!

 

 

Hi Arrowdaz

Lettyanto From Ireland

We ve just got email telling us our cruise has extensive refit /remodelling work being carried out on a transatlantic on MARINER 21APRIL from GALVESTON , very little detail, except Casino Closed and or other Shopping venues.

So LIKE you called for details , they do not have SPECIFICS available , and AS a GOOD WILL GESTURE offering $100 OBC .

So like you I asked to CANCEL and re Book to another RCI Sailing and ship ,( As I did not want to chance all the disruption)

No , IF , I cancel , I loose, even though THEY are Disrupting Our Cruise

No she said it s all covered in the T & C apply

SO IF U CAN FIGHT THEM GET WHAT WAS PROMISED TO YOU,

FULL DRINKS PACKAGE THE LOT,

I m so angry, like you we ve booked flights to USA and Hotels pre Cruise, so there s not a damn thing we can do , just hope for the best.

Good luck to you Arrowdaz

[Paul65]

Hypothetical...

 

Let's say you were typing out an ad on Craigslist for a car... You meant to type $5000 but you accidentally typed $5... would you sell it to the first person who called for $5? No, you would be crazy to? You would say it was a mistake. Right?

 

Some of you are going to say you would sell it for $5... but come on, you wouldn't. Why? Because you don't HAVE to!

 

I know, apples and oranges... but in the end it is the same thing. It was a mistake. I agree it sucks but no amount of pressure is going to change their decision.

 

If it sounds to good to be true... It is!

 

I would say, in the end, your example is not even close to the same thing. RC has been advertising free drink packages on select transatlantic sailings. So, being offered one is hardly a "too good to be true" scenario. It's much different than getting a $5000 car for only $5.

[Arrowdaz]

Hi Arrowdaz

Lettyanto From Ireland

We ve just got email telling us our cruise has extensive refit /remodelling work being carried out on a transatlantic on MARINER 21APRIL from GALVESTON , very little detail, except Casino Closed and or other Shopping venues.

So LIKE you called for details , they do not have SPECIFICS available , and AS a GOOD WILL GESTURE offering $100 OBC .

So like you I asked to CANCEL and re Book to another RCI Sailing and ship ,( As I did not want to chance all the disruption)

No , IF , I cancel , I loose, even though THEY are Disrupting Our Cruise

No she said it s all covered in the T & C apply

SO IF U CAN FIGHT THEM GET WHAT WAS PROMISED TO YOU,

FULL DRINKS PACKAGE THE LOT,

I m so angry, like you we ve booked flights to USA and Hotels pre Cruise, so there s not a damn thing we can do , just hope for the best.

Good luck to you Arrowdaz

 

Hi,

 

I am really sorry to hear that, I cant believe that's what they have told you. I think your predicament is worse than mine by far, at least they are offering me the full refund if I so choose.

 

You are right to be furious!

 

I hope that the re-modelling works don't hinder or disrupt your cruise too much and that you have a fabulous time anyway. But this is another clear case of Diabolical Customer Service.

 

Regards

[Cotswold Eagle]

OP, sorry it worked out this way for you. As I explained (I hope reasonably and without getting into a pissing contest about qualifications), the legal situation was always clear, they had to put you right before their mistake, which they are offering.

 

Quite rightly you tried to get them to honour the offer made. It seems unlikely that Miami will overrule their UK office if it has gone to the top, but I guess no harm trying, except for the time and emotional energy you are spending.

 

Publicity works both ways too. Many folk here hope it will shame them into doing the 'right' thing. It could also be that they will take the view they don't want to create a precedent (albeit non-legally binding) in public view. Very often the best settlements are made in private....

 

Good luck and, most importantly, enjoy whichever cruise you end up on :)

[PattyG12]

This is exactly why I use a TA that I know and trust. It is her job to handle all of this aggravation and she always does this.

 

Yep, I was just thinking about the same thing!! She handles all the BS and I get my OBC!!

[NorbertsNiece]

Lettyanto : Casino closed!!! The whole voyage? That's a major revenue stream.... I would be fuming too.....

[Arrowdaz]

OP, sorry it worked out this way for you. As I explained (I hope reasonably and without getting into a pissing contest about qualifications), the legal situation was always clear, they had to put you right before their mistake, which they are offering.

 

Quite rightly you tried to get them to honour the offer made. It seems unlikely that Miami will overrule their UK office if it has gone to the top, but I guess no harm trying, except for the time and emotional energy you are spending.

 

Publicity works both ways too. Many folk here hope it will shame them into doing the 'right' thing. It could also be that they will take the view they don't want to create a precedent (albeit non-legally binding) in public view. Very often the best settlements are made in private....

 

Good luck and, most importantly, enjoy whichever cruise you end up on :)

 

That's sound advice Cotswold and I agree about the publicity thing, there is always two sides to everything.

 

Regards

[Cotswold Eagle]

Lettyanto : Casino closed!!! The whole voyage? That's a major revenue stream.... I would be fuming too.....

 

It's for 6 or 7 days - lots of information about this on their roll call for the past couple of weeks, at least.

[gelo7]

If wasn't in writing, I would let it go and take the $200 OBC.

[gerif]

Lettyanto : Casino closed!!! The whole voyage? That's a major revenue stream.... I would be fuming too.....

 

Are you kidding? I'd have the world's biggest hissy fit!

[Arrowdaz]

http://www.cruise1st.co.uk/images/www.cruise1st.co.uk/Press/sun23feb.pdf

 

So much for RCI not offering any AI packages!!

[macruisefan]

http://www.cruise1st.co.uk/images/www.cruise1st.co.uk/Press/sun23feb.pdf

 

So much for RCI not offering any AI packages!!

 

Ummm.... that's not RCI, it's a travel agent.

[Arrowdaz]

Ummm.... that's not RCI, it's a travel agent.

 

Mac,

 

You are right, it's an agent called cruise first (sunshine cruise) which is 100% owned, controlled and run by RCI

 

Regards

[Clio1610]

Well ticktoneer,

 

I hope they do get in touch with me because today after reading all of your posts and weighing up the options I have decided that there is no harm in both e-mailing and sending a recorded letter to mr Goldstein, to at the very least, inform him of the incompetence of his UK sales force.

 

I have just got back from the post office and both of the above have now been done, so I will await to see what happens from this.

 

Regards

 

This should get a positive response Arrowdaz !

 

I too had an 'issue' with the Personal Cruise Specialist' at RCI UK that I booked our cruise with on 15th Oct 2012. He quoted me including a certain amount of obc + the £50 Champagne & Strawberries package, however when the invoice arrived the obc was showing as $200 light. Fortunately I had got him to email all of this to me on the day I booked.

 

It has taken me 4 months of numerous emails + tel calls + a visit to see him at the Cruise Show - but all of these have been ignored - and he stopped taking my calls :-(

 

However after 1 x email to Adam Goldstein - I received another invoice showing the correct amount of obc.

 

I will be taking the original email from the PCS on board Indy with me - just in case...

 

Sometimes you just have to stand your ground.....

 

I hope you get a positive response back too !

[mturvey]

http://www.cruise1st.co.uk/images/www.cruise1st.co.uk/Press/sun23feb.pdf

 

So much for RCI not offering any AI packages!!

 

I'm with the op on this. Like anyone who's cruised a few times, I get regular emails from the cruiselines and travel agents, most of which offer extras, usually obc and/or drinks packages. I tend to weigh these up as a whole, when considering whether or not to enquire a little further and that, I think, is the point here - the op was drawn in by the deal offered and was then (it transpired) offered a lesser deal. I'm sure it was a mistake but I don't go with this' too good to be true' approach because, as I say, I've seen plenty of similar offers myself and I have every reason to believe that, if offered, they're genuine.

Btw, the $200 isn't a settlement figure is it? It was part of the original offer.

Best of luck, however it turns out.

[NorbertsNiece]

Mac,

 

You are right, it's an agent called cruise first (sunshine cruise) which is 100% owned, controlled and run by RCI

 

Regards

 

Not only that but UK TAs may not offer anything other than the same as being offered by RCCL now.... I think this came into their TA regs at the turn of the year.... I'm intrigued that this website allowed that website to show in full.....

[Arrowdaz]

This should get a positive response Arrowdaz !

 

I too had an 'issue' with the Personal Cruise Specialist' at RCI UK that I booked our cruise with on 15th Oct 2012. He quoted me including a certain amount of obc + the £50 Champagne & Strawberries package, however when the invoice arrived the obc was showing as $200 light. Fortunately I had got him to email all of this to me on the day I booked.

 

It has taken me 4 months of numerous emails + tel calls + a visit to see him at the Cruise Show - but all of these have been ignored - and he stopped taking my calls :-(

 

However after 1 x email to Adam Goldstein - I received another invoice showing the correct amount of obc.

 

I will be taking the original email from the PCS on board Indy with me - just in case...

 

Sometimes you just have to stand your ground.....

 

I hope you get a positive response back too !

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for that most people on here who have contacted him seem to have got some kind of a response, so that fairs well. Hopefully I will receive a response too.

 

Regards

[Arrowdaz]

Hi all,

 

Firstly I'd like to thank you all for replying to my thread and helping me resolve this issue. I wouldn't have been able to get a result without all of your help.

 

 

As you know I sent both an e-mail and a letter to A.Goldstein in Miami, I received an e-mail back from one of his executive team very quickly, they expressed threir personnal apologies and said they were looking into my complaint and would be in contact very soon.

 

Then today I received a call back from the UK offices, they have decided that they will honour the original package as described over the phone.

 

So I am now just awaiting my new confirmation to arrive but they have confirmed it will include the AI premium drinks package and the $200 OBC.

 

I'm so happy that they decided to honour the original package.

 

Thanks again for your comments and help.

 

Best wishes

 

Regards

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi all,

 

Firstly I'd like to thank you all for replying to my thread and helping me resolve this issue. I wouldn't have been able to get a result without all of your help.

 

 

As you know I sent both an e-mail and a letter to A.Goldstein in Miami, I received an e-mail back from one of his executive team very quickly, they expressed threir personnal apologies and said they were looking into my complaint and would be in contact very soon.

 

Then today I received a call back from the UK offices, they have decided that they will honour the original package as described over the phone.

 

So I am now just awaiting my new confirmation to arrive but they have confirmed it will include the AI premium drinks package and the $200 OBC.

 

I'm so happy that they decided to honour the original package.

 

Thanks again for your comments and help.

 

Best wishes

 

Regards

 

Doing a tigger impersonation here.

Yayyyy!!!!

 

:D