Offers received from Club Royale (Royal Caribbean)

[RFerrington]

3 minutes ago, Daghis said:

So, the answer is that they took my three jackpot winnings that I had in February 2020 and duplicated them with 2021 dates and submitted them to the IRS. They have issued three "Corrected" W-2G forms to me that correctly show the dates of winning having been in February 2020, so I hope that will appease the IRS.

 

I am, of course, somewhat concerned that if this happened to me, how many others are going to be similarly affected? I would fear that anyone who got a taxable jackpot in the brief period in 2020 when cruises were going pre-pandemic, maybe they, too, will have this issue. 😟

Super glad that you were able to find the problem and rectify it.  Let's hope the Gestapo....I mean, IRS...will let it go....

[JessyCruises]

34 minutes ago, Daghis said:

I am, of course, somewhat concerned that if this happened to me, how many others are going to be similarly affected? I would fear that anyone who got a taxable jackpot in the brief period in 2020 when cruises were going pre-pandemic, maybe they, too, will have this issue. 😟

Glad you figured it out! The tax laws in the US seem so complicated!  Its times like these when I am glad that I live in Canada and do not have to worry about taxes on lottery/gambling. 

Edited May 11, 2023 by JessyCruises

[Daghis]

Just now, JessyCruises said:

The tax laws in the US seem so complicated!  Its times like these when I am glad that I live in Canada and do not have to worry about taxes on lottery/gambling. 

Oh, that's very true that the tax laws are dreadful here, but the IRS doesn't get the blame for this one as they're responding to what they thought was valid data. They had no idea they were being lied to by Royal Caribbean. 🙄

[JessyCruises]

1 hour ago, Daghis said:

Oh, that's very true that the tax laws are dreadful here, but the IRS doesn't get the blame for this one as they're responding to what they thought was valid data. They had no idea they were being lied to by Royal Caribbean. 🙄

Very true.  Royal Caribbean IT strikes again!!

[edrussell]

That is quite the object lesson!  I'd imagine it took quite a bit of time on your part to work it all out as well.

 

[Ralph298]

13 hours ago, Daghis said:

So, the answer is that they took my three jackpot winnings that I had in February 2020 and duplicated them with 2021 dates and submitted them to the IRS. They have issued three "Corrected" W-2G forms to me that correctly show the dates of winning having been in February 2020, so I hope that will appease the IRS.

 

I am, of course, somewhat concerned that if this happened to me, how many others are going to be similarly affected? I would fear that anyone who got a taxable jackpot in the brief period in 2020 when cruises were going pre-pandemic, maybe they, too, will have this issue. 😟

do W-2G list the ship and sail date? If so, I suppose it would be easy enough to refute an incorrect submission as you wouldn't be on that ship manifest?

[Daghis]

No, the IRS doesn't care about that sort of stuff. It does have a date on it, and that appears to be where Casino Royale screwed up. There is no reason that a jackpot won in 2020 should be entered on a 2021 W-2G with a 2021 date. Casino Royale could not tell me how the duplications caused the dates to be changed.

 

As far as your specific question, since I don't know what actual forms Royal Caribbean submitted to the IRS, I don't know what was on those W-2Gs other than they were associated with the 2021 tax year which for me was impossible to begin with. If someone else had W-2G income in both 2020 and 2021, a mistake like this might be much harder to find.

Edited May 12, 2023 by Daghis

[NRWPA]

4 hours ago, Daghis said:

No, the IRS doesn't care about that sort of stuff. It does have a date on it, and that appears to be where Casino Royale screwed up. There is no reason that a jackpot won in 2020 should be entered on a 2021 W-2G with a 2021 date. Casino Royale could not tell me how the duplications caused the dates to be changed.

 

As far as your specific question, since I don't know what actual forms Royal Caribbean submitted to the IRS, I don't know what was on those W-2Gs other than they were associated with the 2021 tax year which for me was impossible to begin with. If someone else had W-2G income in both 2020 and 2021, a mistake like this might be much harder to find.

I'd be in loads of trouble...I cruise about every 2 weeks and have won multiple jackpots. Trying to figure out where the mistake might be would be a nightmare. Also, if the date was off by a year, I may have been on board an RC ship so unable to use the excuse that I wasn't even on a cruise. I hope IRS gets this all straightened out for you. BTW, recently the casino on Harmony started having you come back on the last day of the cruise for your W2Gs. I know I forgot to pick one up at some point earlier this year. I never thought about it until about a month later so can't even remember which ship, date, etc. I think when I do taxes, I'll just add the approximate amount onto my 1099 because I asked if the casino will snail mail that form to me and was told "we don't do that".

[Lady Hudson]

So, my sister just got off Oasis and she was told she is now VIP in the casino.  Anyone else hear of this?  No one could really tell her what it means but a lot of things were comped on her bill.  Just wondering.

[Daghis]

I'm certainly curious what others will offer, but I remember when "VIP" was the only status as you were either an invited Club Royale member with all the perks it afforded or you weren't. The "VIP" sticker enabled the free drinks.

 

I wonder whether "VIP" means something more or if it was generic usage.

[Lady Hudson]

1 hour ago, Daghis said:

I'm certainly curious what others will offer, but I remember when "VIP" was the only status as you were either an invited Club Royale member with all the perks it afforded or you weren't. The "VIP" sticker enabled the free drinks.

 

I wonder whether "VIP" means something more or if it was generic usage.

My sister said there was a list of names that was referred to.  She is going on another ship on June 8 and is going to try to figure it out.  

Edited June 3, 2023 by Lady Hudson

[RFerrington]

Interesting change re: booking [onboard-earned] casino certificates at NextCruise…

 

NC can no longer apply casino certificates to onboard bookings !  NC can book the cruise but you then must call Club Royale and have the certificate(s) applied.  Not sure when this change occurred but today when we took our certificates to NC (Mariner) they could not/would not apply the certificates.  We will have to do that once we get home. They did permit a low ($100 PP) deposit.  That also surprised me.

[PompeySailor]

6 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

Interesting change re: booking [onboard-earned] casino certificates at NextCruise…

 

NC can no longer apply casino certificates to onboard bookings !  NC can book the cruise but you then must call Club Royale and have the certificate(s) applied.  Not sure when this change occurred but today when we took our certificates to NC (Mariner) they could not/would not apply the certificates.  We will have to do that once we get home. They did permit a low ($100 PP) deposit.  That also surprised me.

That sounds like a PITA.

So you are basically left guessing on the final price or what particular cabin you could actually get once all is combined and calculated.

 

We just combined our offers for a 6 night on Symphony out of FLL for April 2024 and Abby booked a Solo on Radiance out of Tampa 

She got a balcony for $153.00 (PF& T’ + Gratuities) all in $38.25 a night 

 

What we also found strange was the ladies still got their free play, even though I thought you only kept the free play if booked through NC onboard

 

Be lucky 🍀 

[RFerrington]

9 hours ago, PompeySailor said:

That sounds like a PITA.

So you are basically left guessing on the final price or what particular cabin you could actually get once all is combined and calculated.

 

We just combined our offers for a 6 night on Symphony out of FLL for April 2024 and Abby booked a Solo on Radiance out of Tampa 

She got a balcony for $153.00 (PF& T’ + Gratuities) all in $38.25 a night 

 

What we also found strange was the ladies still got their free play, even though I thought you only kept the free play if booked through NC onboard

 

Be lucky 🍀 

It is a nuisance.  They did give us a confirmed cabin and quoted us a final price so hopefully no pricing surprises.  This change surprises me b/c they made such a big deal about making NC a “partner” in the casino comp process….and now a complete turnaround. 
 

I am actually leaving the ship with more money than I boarded with so I’m very happy !  Very unusual for me !

[RFerrington]

Follow-up on this subject.  I called today to have the certificate applied and it worked perfectly.  The price was exactly what the NC rep quoted.  Quick (once I finally got through) and easy.

[texasreb]

I called Sunday. Long wait then a dropped call. I called today Monday. Have had 3 dropped calls. 2 times the rep in Philippines had my callback number. No callback. All calls went to Philippines. Royal STINKS !

[texasreb]

4th call on Monday was dropped too. At least she phoned back. Still have gotten nothing completed. Yesterday I even sent a photo of the Instant Cruise Cert to club royale. Looks like they just want to keep my deposit and not give the cruise. Very childish operation.

[PompeySailor]

13 minutes ago, texasreb said:

4th call on Monday was dropped too. At least she phoned back. Still have gotten nothing completed. Yesterday I even sent a photo of the Instant Cruise Cert to club royale. Looks like they just want to keep my deposit and not give the cruise. Very childish operation.

We had a dropped call the other day too

and we were 90% on completing two bookings 🤬

 

When DW called back and was on with another rep, original rep called back and was able to complete the two bookings she was making. 
it’s a PITA though 

 

wait time surprisingly was only 7minutes 

Progress 👍🏻
And the call back was refreshing 😉

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by PompeySailor

[texasreb]

Twice yesterday we were nearly done. The 3rd call and we were down to giving the CC to finish. Dropped again. So far the emails have been no help. I was told one time by rep Monday. "Don't use the redeem offer feature when there is a next cruise booking involved". Good to know after the fact. Last Tuesday I did the redeem feature which got messed up. I did not get a new reservation email until Sat night. My deposit was not applied. Went downhill from there.

[texasreb]

I found this interesting. Monday I also called  the CC company to inquire on my bonus credit and a few items. That call went well. That rep was in Philippines too.

[OHCruisinDad]

I had a certificate that I received when onboard the Wonder in early May that was good for either an OV or a balcony cabin based on the sailing date.  I purchased a Future Cruise at Next Cruise while onboard.  I called mid afternoon earlier this week and was on hold nearly 45 minutes before the call dropped.  I called early the next morning and the call was picked up in less than 5 minutes.  My rep was good and the call was clear.  I had identified 3 sailings and the rep priced all three of them.  One was $810, another $3612 and the third was only $284, the first two for OV cabins with an upgrade to a balcony and the third choice for a balcony.  Needless to say I booked the cheapest one as it was for an Oasis class sailing with a better itinerary.  I am an agent and had checked inventory before calling to book.  It is amazing how far ahead sailings are nearly booked out.  Along with my booking I did receive the $200 NC OBC and $500 of freeplay.  In summary, its like a lottery to get a good call and a good rep.

[Vera/Lee]

Did anyone get offer code 23VAR5FB today? It says "not available". I wonder what it was for. 

[texasreb]

1 hour ago, Vera/Lee said:

Did anyone get offer code 23VAR5FB today? It says "not available". I wonder what it was for. 

I got a "Wildcard" 23VAR5.  Just inside cabin on 3-4 day sailings out of Florida. All the offers for us have been stinko since March.

[Vera/Lee]

1 minute ago, texasreb said:

I got a "Wildcard" 23VAR5.  Just inside cabin on 3-4 day sailings out of Florida. All the offers for us have been stinko since March.

Thanks! I've been able to put two or three short cruises together to make it worth driving to the Port. I have a b2b on Allure in October and would love to add one more. 

[texasreb]

2 minutes ago, Vera/Lee said:

Thanks! I've been able to put two or three short cruises together to make it worth driving to the Port. I have a b2b on Allure in October and would love to add one more. 

First week of May on Allure I had 2000+ plus cert "Free Inside cabin" . I could not book a 7 day on the Allure using that near worthless cert.