Warning uk clients -royal carribean

[brownianr]

Be advised there is an I.T. problem which Royal Caribbean are aware of but there is no timescale to fix it. The issue prevents U.K. clients from booking certain cruises. Only found out about it on our last cruise. Navigator of the seas 14th June. Had been trying to book this cruise some months previous. Went on website at least once per day. Then tried to book with Next Cruises literally just after we boarded. Tried to book Grand Suite on Explorer of the Seas "Transpacific" 5th October 2018. All sold out. Had to purchase Owners Suite costing £2500 more. Complained to Miami, that felt discriminated against due to US and UK market differences. Received a reply which stated in paragraph 2, they are aware of this problem but cannot say when it will be fixed. even spoke to Next Cruise manager, who said they could put a simple message on the webpage. By knowing they have the problem and doing nothing to make U.K clients aware they are discriminating. A simple message on web page advising of this issue, clients could then contact the call centre, who have access to ALL CRUISES. Even my travel agent was not aware of this issue, she is now contacting all other agencies to make aware. (Have forwarded her the email from Royal Caribbean confirming this). Miami office rung me last week, all they were prepared to offer was an extra $200 onboard credit or a "Specialist Meal with a bottle of wine.

They could have met halfway the price difference. Have been "Loyal to Royal" for many years, do not feel loyal now.

Have to take this cruise as it is the only departure date that fits in with our itinerary to be in Australia for the Invictus Games 2018. Otherwise I would willingly lose the deposit and take my custom elsewhere.:mad:

Thanks for nothing Royal Caribbean.

[wendychloecruiser]

I don't quite understand... the Invictus Games in Sydney is scheduled for October 20-27, 2018. The Explorer cruise departs from Seattle on October 5 and arrives into Sydney on October 27. I believe you'd arrive just in time for the closing ceremony.

 

Maybe there's another itinerary that could work?

[brownianr]

Off ship for 8.00'a.m. Hotel by 9. Then Afternoon games followed by closing ceremony:D

[Biker19]

Had to purchase Owners Suite costing £2500 more.

Wow, I didn't know RCI were holding a gun to customer's heads and making them book.

[swoopy2110]

So you couldn't book a cruise, which is bad and a justifiable complaint

 

But to then go on to complain that GS's are all sold out is ridiculous. Other people booked them first. What do you want them to do ? Build you a special GS for this sailing ?

 

They've sold them all already. Why are they going to meet you half way on the price?

[njkruzer]

If the Web site isn't working isn't there an 800 number to call or a travel agent to call? If so they might have had the information and been able to book it for you, assuming the cabin was actually available.

[Spurschick]

Be advised there is an I.T. problem which Royal Caribbean are aware of but there is no timescale to fix it. The issue prevents U.K. clients from booking certain cruises. Only found out about it on our last cruise. Navigator of the seas 14th June. Had been trying to book this cruise some months previous. Went on website at least once per day. Then tried to book with Next Cruises literally just after we boarded. Tried to book Grand Suite on Explorer of the Seas "Transpacific" 5th October 2018. All sold out. Had to purchase Owners Suite costing £2500 more. Complained to Miami, that felt discriminated against due to US and UK market differences. Received a reply which stated in paragraph 2, they are aware of this problem but cannot say when it will be fixed. even spoke to Next Cruise manager, who said they could put a simple message on the webpage. By knowing they have the problem and doing nothing to make U.K clients aware they are discriminating. A simple message on web page advising of this issue, clients could then contact the call centre, who have access to ALL CRUISES. Even my travel agent was not aware of this issue, she is now contacting all other agencies to make aware. (Have forwarded her the email from Royal Caribbean confirming this). Miami office rung me last week, all they were prepared to offer was an extra $200 onboard credit or a "Specialist Meal with a bottle of wine.

They could have met halfway the price difference. Have been "Loyal to Royal" for many years, do not feel loyal now.

Have to take this cruise as it is the only departure date that fits in with our itinerary to be in Australia for the Invictus Games 2018. Otherwise I would willingly lose the deposit and take my custom elsewhere.:mad:

Thanks for nothing Royal Caribbean.

 

If you didn't want to pay for an OS you didn't have to. I am sure there were other cabins available. No one said you had to book it. That was your choice. If you didn't like it you should gave tried to resolve before booking.

[lucymorgan]

I have some sympathy for you as there are different rules for us in Oz as well.

A couple of things to consider trying - I'm not sure if they will help

- perhaps book a cheaper cabin and see if any grand suites become available soon before final payment date (as US people cancel without penalty) - I once did this when my mother wanted to join us on a cruise later than we had booked - I told her she would have to wait to see if there were any openings (there were). If no grand suites become available, enjoy the cruise anyway and use the money saved to spend up in Oz :)

- use a US based TA?

- use a VPN to see if there are any other options

- pay for the cruise in the owners suite anyway, then forget about what it cost and enjoy the journey.

[wendychloecruiser]

Off ship for 8.00'a.m. Hotel by 9. Then Afternoon games followed by closing ceremony:D

 

 

The "afternoon games" will likely consist of the basketball final. That's it.

[beardedladies]

There does seem to be a serious problem here that it is good to be aware of - going on to the UK site and searching for explorer trips next October only reveals 1 trip, an 11 night on the 27th. The 21-night trip on the 5th simply doesn't exist. I can see it on another travel site though.

 

That's a serious deficiency in Royal's own site! If the OP had not mentioned it I would not know that trip existed. Another example of marvellous IT skills on Royal's site!

 

So for us UKers I think the take home message is that if a trip doesn't show that you were expecting, treat that with some suspicion and phone up, don't leave it and hope!

 

OP, you weren't very clear but is there a pattern to what does/doesn't show? For example is it the length of the trip or itinerary? Or is it just random?

[brownianr]

Wow, I didn't know RCI were holding a gun to customer's heads and making them book.

 

 

You completely missed the point:o

[brownianr]

If you didn't want to pay for an OS you didn't have to. I am sure there were other cabins available. No one said you had to book it. That was your choice. If you didn't like it you should gave tried to resolve before booking.

 

 

Did try to resolve. Booking was placed on 48 hour hold. Contacted travel agent and also emailed Miami, received email before booking that's how I found out problem with website.

[brownianr]

So you couldn't book a cruise, which is bad and a justifiable complaint

 

But to then go on to complain that GS's are all sold out is ridiculous. Other people booked them first. What do you want them to do ? Build you a special GS for this sailing ?

 

They've sold them all already. Why are they going to meet you half way on the price?

 

 

You missed the point. Had there been a small message on the web page about the issue, then this problem would not have arisen. I had been checking for some considerable time. I (wrongly) assumed that the cruise was not yet available. Even the next Cruise sales manager on board Navigator said Royal Caribbean could have sorted this better. This was also stated by Miami office in the phone call

[southerncalla]

Be advised there is an I.T. problem which Royal Caribbean are aware of but there is no timescale to fix it. The issue prevents U.K. clients from booking certain cruises. Only found out about it on our last cruise. Navigator of the seas 14th June. Had been trying to book this cruise some months previous. Went on website at least once per day. Then tried to book with Next Cruises literally just after we boarded. Tried to book Grand Suite on Explorer of the Seas "Transpacific" 5th October 2018. All sold out. Had to purchase Owners Suite costing £2500 more. Complained to Miami, that felt discriminated against due to US and UK market differences. Received a reply which stated in paragraph 2, they are aware of this problem but cannot say when it will be fixed. even spoke to Next Cruise manager, who said they could put a simple message on the webpage. By knowing they have the problem and doing nothing to make U.K clients aware they are discriminating. A simple message on web page advising of this issue, clients could then contact the call centre, who have access to ALL CRUISES. Even my travel agent was not aware of this issue, she is now contacting all other agencies to make aware. (Have forwarded her the email from Royal Caribbean confirming this). Miami office rung me last week, all they were prepared to offer was an extra $200 onboard credit or a "Specialist Meal with a bottle of wine.

 

 

 

They could have met halfway the price difference. Have been "Loyal to Royal" for many years, do not feel loyal now.

 

 

 

Have to take this cruise as it is the only departure date that fits in with our itinerary to be in Australia for the Invictus Games 2018. Otherwise I would willingly lose the deposit and take my custom elsewhere.:mad:

 

 

 

Thanks for nothing Royal Caribbean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This issue is impacting everyone not just those in the U.K but also those of us in the US. Try using Internet Explorer (I tried it on this IP and it worked) or Firefox. You must be on a computer. There are issues when you use a mobile device to log-in. If all else fails call.

 

There are too many instructions to remember to use their website currently. I fear if they don't resolve this quickly even the most loyal will "jump ship".

 

 

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[brownianr]

There does seem to be a serious problem here that it is good to be aware of - going on to the UK site and searching for explorer trips next October only reveals 1 trip, an 11 night on the 27th. The 21-night trip on the 5th simply doesn't exist. I can see it on another travel site though.

 

That's a serious deficiency in Royal's own site! If the OP had not mentioned it I would not know that trip existed. Another example of marvellous IT skills on Royal's site!

 

So for us UKers I think the take home message is that if a trip doesn't show that you were expecting, treat that with some suspicion and phone up, don't leave it and hope!

 

OP, you weren't very clear but is there a pattern to what does/doesn't show? For example is it the length of the trip or itinerary? Or is it just random?

 

The cruise is part of an itinerary that we are doing around Australia and New Zealand

[brownianr]

So you couldn't book a cruise, which is bad and a justifiable complaint

 

But to then go on to complain that GS's are all sold out is ridiculous. Other people booked them first. What do you want them to do ? Build you a special GS for this sailing ?

 

They've sold them all already. Why are they going to meet you half way on the price?

 

 

You missed the point.

[Paulxyz2004]

You completely missed the point:o

 

You missed the point.

 

I probably missed the point as well, especially after you playing the discrimination card in your OP. I don´t see anyone discriminated here, that´s totally ridiculous.

 

 

If it´s your point to inform people that´s fine, but could certainly have been done without your rant.

 

 

So what´s your point? If you don´t like how they do business follow your own advice and take your business elsewhere. I highly doubt you´ll be missed.

[lucymorgan]

I probably missed the point as well, especially after you playing the discrimination card in your OP. I don´t see anyone discriminated here, that´s totally ridiculous.

 

 

If it´s your point to inform people that´s fine, but could certainly have been done without your rant.

 

 

So what´s your point? If you don´t like how they do business follow your own advice and take your business elsewhere. I highly doubt you´ll be missed.

 

What a response. The OP was warning people about an issue - they only have the experience from their own country - that isn't discrimination. They are entitled to be upset about the issue without "rants" from people not affected.

[Paulxyz2004]

What a response. The OP was warning people about an issue - they only have the experience from their own country - that isn't discrimination. They are entitled to be upset about the issue without "rants" from people not affected.

 

And you know where I´m from and if I might be affected?:rolleyes:

[lucymorgan]

And you know where I´m from and if I might be affected?:rolleyes:

 

No I don't. Are you affected?

[Paulxyz2004]

No I don't. Are you affected?

 

Potentially yes.

[Biker19]

You completely missed the point:o

Did you notice how many times you had to reply with that meme?

 

Advice for next time, limit your explanation of your issue - RCI's web site sucks and it might not let you book.

 

Biker, who never does casual searches on RCI's web site because of the unreliability and difficulty in using it.

[brownianr]

I probably missed the point as well, especially after you playing the discrimination card in your OP. I don´t see anyone discriminated here, that´s totally ridiculous.

 

 

If it´s your point to inform people that´s fine, but could certainly have been done without your rant.

 

 

So what´s your point? If you don´t like how they do business follow your own advice and take your business elsewhere. I highly doubt you´ll be missed.

 

 

Discrimination is the practice of treating one person or group of people less fairly or less well than other people or groups.

Therefore Royal Caribbean being fully aware of this problem and failing to repair or make U.K clients aware of the issue are discriminating. Even travel agents when making a booking on their system cannot get the availability of the cruise.

I do not know where you live, I suspect it is not the U.K.

[southerncalla]

Discrimination is the practice of treating one person or group of people less fairly or less well than other people or groups.

 

 

 

Therefore Royal Caribbean being fully aware of this problem and failing to repair or make U.K clients aware of the issue are discriminating. Even travel agents when making a booking on their system cannot get the availability of the cruise.

 

 

 

I do not know where you live, I suspect it is not the U.K.

 

 

 

As I stated in an earlier post this is not a U.K. problem. I live in the US and we are also experiencing these issues with the system. So I think we can take discrimination against U.K. citizens off the table. Read some of the other boards.

 

 

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[Redrobo]

Discrimination is the practice of treating one person or group of people less fairly or less well than other people or groups.

Therefore Royal Caribbean being fully aware of this problem and failing to repair or make U.K clients aware of the issue are discriminating. Even travel agents when making a booking on their system cannot get the availability of the cruise.

I do not know where you live, I suspect it is not the U.K.

 

I think you are correct in your suspicion.