jimmymed3 Posted September 15, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Ok, sorry for the rant, I'm a fairly new cruiser. We are going on the October 22 sailing of the Divina. We got what we thought was a decent rate for a fantastica balcony and we paid in full before the due date. Yesterday, I saw on Travelzoo the same cabin for $200 cheaper. I called MSC yesterday to get the difference back. The agent looked at my reservation and said someone called earlier about the same thing and shouldn't be a problem. However, I would have to talk with my agent who would be in the next day(today). Called the agent. He basically told me to pound sand because I paid in full. I've heard of other people on here getting a partial refund after finding out the fare lowered. Am I being silly wanting them to give me the difference back? Thanks for the help everyone. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nikkiw60 Posted September 15, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 15, 2016 We don't get anything back in the UK if the price is reduced! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOLDENBONNY Posted September 15, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Ok, sorry for the rant, I'm a fairly new cruiser. We are going on the October 22 sailing of the Divina. We got what we thought was a decent rate for a fantastica balcony and we paid in full before the due date. Yesterday, I saw on Travelzoo the same cabin for $200 cheaper. I called MSC yesterday to get the difference back. The agent looked at my reservation and said someone called earlier about the same thing and shouldn't be a problem. However, I would have to talk with my agent who would be in the next day(today). Called the agent. He basically told me to pound sand because I paid in full. I've heard of other people on here getting a partial refund after finding out the fare lowered. Am I being silly wanting them to give me the difference back? Thanks for the help everyone. Sent from my iPhone using Forums[/QUO No, no reason to be mad. nothing can be done after final payment. that is how cruise industry works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted September 15, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 15, 2016 If after final payment . I wouldn't expect anything back . Since you used a TA you have follow their rules not the cruise line's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymed3 Posted September 15, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I booked through MSC directly. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted September 15, 2016 #6 Share Posted September 15, 2016 I booked through MSC directly. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Many cruisers understand your frustration! However, you did, in fact, accept a "contractual" price... especially, when you made final payment! It is best to accept that you booked what you wanted and enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faze41 Posted September 15, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Every cruise line that I know of will not adjust your price after final payment is due. Only if there is a price drop before final. Be happy with your fare and go and have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arctic Ace Posted September 15, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 15, 2016 (edited) Sorry to hear this. You should not be mad because this is the way how travel and cruise industry work, prices goes up and down by supply and demand, and that's has to be accepted if you like to travel. Same goes with hotels, airline etc. Edited September 15, 2016 by Arctic Ace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidward Q Tentacles Posted September 15, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 15, 2016 You paid in full before the due date, is that correct? Are you still in the window where you can cancel and rebook it for a cheaper price? You would end up with a different cabin and and maybe any perks you got originally. I would probably just keep everything the same and enjoy your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnorkelBoy Posted September 15, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Your particular cruise is not selling well so the price has dropped to try to fill cabins last minute. My cruise two weeks earlier is nearly sold out and the prices rose and never came back down. That's how it is, if you are within driving distance to the port and have complete flexibility you can get some amazing deals but most of us have to pick a date and try to book the best deal for cruise and airfare and then live with it unless fares drop before final payment date (not be be confused with your final payment if made before the final payment is actually due). Enjoy your cruise. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisermom2nick Posted September 16, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Our price for the Divina dropped after the final payment and although I asked we also did not get anything back. At NCL we received a cabin upgrade but MSC works differently. Hopefully you got the cabin you want! :) You will have fun I am sure- the Divina is a beautiful ship! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted September 16, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Ok, sorry for the rant, I'm a fairly new cruiser. We are going on the October 22 sailing of the Divina. We got what we thought was a decent rate for a fantastica balcony and we paid in full before the due date. Yesterday, I saw on Travelzoo the same cabin for $200 cheaper. I called MSC yesterday to get the difference back. The agent looked at my reservation and said someone called earlier about the same thing and shouldn't be a problem. However, I would have to talk with my agent who would be in the next day(today). Called the agent. He basically told me to pound sand because I paid in full. I've heard of other people on here getting a partial refund after finding out the fare lowered. Am I being silly wanting them to give me the difference back? Thanks for the help everyone. You can only be mad at yourself for paying early. Sent from my iPhone using Forums You can only be mad at yourself for paying early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovelights Posted September 16, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 16, 2016 The cheapest I've seen a balcony for MSC Divina is $599 and that's what has been offered for over a month now on MSC's website. Of course that's for a guaranteed stateroom (Bella), and not (Fantastica), which you would be able to choose your room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafig Posted September 16, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Can you upgrade? I know some cruiselines (for example Celebrity) allow you to upgrade if your price drops. Anything you like for $200 more than the current price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crzyfrk62 Posted September 17, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Maybe they will offer you an upgrade to the YC!! Hope for the best. I would probably be a little pissed to. Sent from my SM-G920T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trvlr37 Posted September 17, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Hard to get a refund after paid in full. Best to try for an upgrade to a higher level. Don't think you will get Yacht Club, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nikkiw60 Posted September 17, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Why should you expect a refund or an upgrade? You have paid a price for the cruise that you were happy with! As I have Said already, in the UK you pay your price and that is it! Tough s**t basically if the price goes down. Why should it be any different for any other nationality? I am the worst for buying / paying for something and then checking the price at a later date and it does make you mad but there is nothing you can do apart from being mad for a few minutes then it's just a case of having to accept it! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin B Posted September 17, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Nope, you have no reason to get mad. A price was set, agreed upon and paid and the deal was done at that point. It was worth trying your luck for a refund or upgrade but hardly surprising that they knocked you back. We did a similar thing on our May voyage: Because the Aussie dollar was looking shaky I pre-paid as much as I could as early as I could and loaded up my travel card to lock in the current exchange rate. Blow me if the rate didn't actually improve slightly before the sailing and, of course, I had foregone 4 months worth of earnings on that money. I must get new batteries for that crystal ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggership Posted September 18, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Why not ask for an obc,other lines will give you the obc Sent from my SM-T210R using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymed3 Posted September 18, 2016 Author #20 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Hey! Thanks for the advice everyone! One of the many reasons I love this site. The price went back up, so I don't think I'm going to call back. At least until it goes down again. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homosassa Posted September 18, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 18, 2016 When I booked my first Divina cruise, my travel agent told me that MSC did not honor price drops after booking and paying a deposit The price I paid at booking was my price. As I book a cruise at a price that I am happy to pay, I don't play the price drop game that some many seem to enjoy. I was actually happy to hear that this was MSC's policy and let me try to explain my reasoning. When someone sells a product, they want to make a profit on the product. For a cruise line, there must be a budget for each sailings expenses (labor, fuel, food,etc) and there must be an expected average income from the customers vs their expenses going out. (I am keeping this basic and not trying to factor in that the same cabins can sell for different prices on the same cruise or different times of the year). The quality of the on board experience offered by the line (food, entertainment, etc) will be based on that expected income. A cruise line that knows that it can expect to lose dollars from the time of initial booking through sailings due to honoring price drops (refunds, onboard credits, upgrades to a more expensive cabin) will of course factor this projected gross income against the outgoing money available for operating the cruise. And ultimately, the passenger "gets what they paid for." There is definitely a huge quality difference in what MSC offers in regards to the food (I know that some cruisers are not use to the type of food offered by MSC and therefore declare it inedible) and entertainment compared to what some price playing cruiselines offer. It is higher. It also shows up in other ways like in the price on an onboard drink or drink package. It is lower on MSC than Carnival, RCCL or NCL as the lose in booking revenue does not need t be made up on board by alcohol prices. By the way, does that Travelzoo price include the taxes and port fees? This might explain what you think is a lower price when it might be the same or higher than what you paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymed3 Posted September 18, 2016 Author #22 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I like your reasoning, however, I feel they could at least offer me something as a sorry gift(couple of drink coupons). Or offer to upgrade me at a discounted price. I just checked. The total on MSC site went down over $200 again. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nikkiw60 Posted September 18, 2016 #23 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Well said Homosassa! And again Jimmymed why should they do that? You paid a price you were happy with. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mafig Posted September 18, 2016 #24 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I understand what you are all saying. However, when it happens to you it really hurts.:p We were on a Costa cruise which I booked for the itinerary. I thought it was overpriced, but I booked it (and got the aft balcony I wanted). ONE DAY after final payment the price dropped by $400 p/p, so $800 total. That stung. I know I got the balcony I wanted, but we were annoyed. I felt Costa was just waiting for final to lower the price. It ended up that my TA got us a $500 obc. Bless her. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomNPB Posted September 18, 2016 #25 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I like your reasoning, however, I feel they could at least offer me something as a sorry gift(couple of drink coupons). Or offer to upgrade me at a discounted price. I just checked. The total on MSC site went down over $200 again. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Don't worry about it.. I'll buy you guys your first drink .😀 Tom 12239 Sent from my N9518 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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