Booking online using a future cruise credit

[SECdawg]

I booked online using a future cruise credit. I tried the normal route but I was put on hold then sent to a cruise specialist voice mail. The reservation we had on hold was about to expire so I tried online. There is a drop down menu to select the future cruise credit option and you can enter the reference number.

My question is has anyone else done this and how long does this take to get posted to your account. I was inside the final payment window so I had to pay the cruise in full. Before I call again and wait to find the right person with the answer I thought I would ask the forum that has the most knowledge.

[goodycruising]

I don't know much about this, just that we have done a similar thing this week. We got our C&A balcony discount when we put the hold reservation in, but we needed to check we could get the time off. So once we had done that we rang up and asked to get the future credit applied, which did not show when we got the invoice by email later that day.

 

The hold on our credit card was hundreds more than the invoice also! So mad panic, we rang again, and got another person. The first person was a trainee, as we could hear someone coaching in the background, and we could tell they were a bit confused. So don't hesitate to ring and talk to someone different if you think your booking is not right.

 

We then got the OBC on our new invoice, but we were not sure the $100 deposit had been correctly applied for several days until we saw the credit card charge was correct. The extra few hundred dollars hold has now disappeared also.

 

Good luck with the booking, but don't worry about ringing and talking to someone else, you need to get your stuff fixed and all the things you are entitled to corrected.

Edited December 20, 2013 by kjsmith63

[Kroozen]

What website are you using to to pay with the Future Cruise Credit? Is it directly with RCCL?

[goodycruising]

Our experience this time was direct with RCI, whom we have booked with before. We had previously used a large online Aussie Cruise specialist TA and there was little difference except you can change things online on RCI direct.

 

We got a nice upgrade with one booking direct with RCI, but we don't expect that to happen again :)

[SECdawg]

What website are you using to to pay with the Future Cruise Credit? Is it directly with RCCL?

 

When booking online at the RCI website there is a drop down tab at the bottom of the page that says 'coupon' or something like that. If you click on the drop down tab there are several options and future cruise certificate is one of them. When you select this another box will appear for the reference number.

[SECdawg]

It doesn't appear a lot of people have much experience doing this online. At least they haven't seen this thread yet. I will be patient because I have seen it take a week or two just to have the credit card total settle after a cruise. I did send an email to C&A which usually takes a few days to get a reply. I will post a reply when the issue is settled. My guess is like most everything else with RCI it will take a week or so and everything will be fine.

[Kroozen]

I have a future cruise credit that I am trying to use, and when I called RCCL they told me that I had to pay in full first (since I'm within final payment), send in the certificate, and then I would be credited back within a few days of them getting the certificate. I'm going to photo copy my certificate, and then send it certified mail, with insurance.

[goodycruising]

I have a future cruise credit that I am trying to use, and when I called RCCL they told me that I had to pay in full first (since I'm within final payment), send in the certificate, and then I would be credited back within a few days of them getting the certificate. I'm going to photo copy my certificate, and then send it certified mail, with insurance.

 

Are you booking direct with RCI or through a TA. RCI should just need the code on the certificate as your certificate should be in their system as they issued it? Otherwise could you fax or email it?

 

We paid the balance after the $100 was taken off as it is a deposit. You shouldn't need to get a refund. That sounds weird.

 

If it is through a TA, then they will need a copy, we have had something similar with another credit and a TA and we faxed it.

 

As per previous poster a week or so and things usually sort out on the credit card side, but it shouldn't need to be like that. It is a stress that you don't need when planning a holiday!

[SECdawg]

OK, I have an answer. I was told that you cannot use the FCC when booking online. Since I was within final payment there is nothing they can do at this point. Not sure I believe this completely but it is a battle that is not worth fighting. I will use these credit on the next cruise. Since there were not many comments on this subject I'm guessing most people call to make the bookings.

[Ourusualbeach]

OK, I have an answer. I was told that you cannot use the FCC when booking online. Since I was within final payment there is nothing they can do at this point. Not sure I believe this completely but it is a battle that is not worth fighting. I will use these credit on the next cruise. Since there were not many comments on this subject I'm guessing most people call to make the bookings.

 

If I see the cabins I want I have put them on a 24 hour hold and then called in to book with my NCC. They have to cancel the hold and book them under the NCC booking number but at least I can call and do this when I have the time to be on the phone for a bit.

 

It would be nice if you old do it all on line.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Ourusualbeach