Tired of Royal lowering prices after final.

[cruisinfanatic]

Yep very smart of you! we were arranging an upgrade pre final but they wanted $800,3 days later they lowered the price of the mini suite to a our balcony price but would not budge on the $800 for upgrade.

If that happened then it was a new booking price. Did you check again to see if the price was the same a few days later when the sale was over?

Another fact is that the price you see on that mini suite is not lower than it has been in the past.

[cruisinfanatic]

This discussion has been going on for years. I don't actually know why people believe that an adjustment should be made if prices drop after final payment. My wife is going to NYC with friends. They booked a "non-refundable" rate as it was the lowest. The rates have gone down. Guess what.... too bad. It's non-refundable for a reason. Same with the cruise fares. They are fully refundable until 90 days out. If the rates drop you can change them anytime and as often as you like until that 90 day payment. Then you're locked in. That's the "deal." Everyone knows it. If you want to wait to book then go for it. Prices may go down, up, or they sell out. You get to select the cabins that are left. So when you sign onto that contract, knowing full well the regulations, why are you upset?

You can get a price drop anytime before final refund no matter how you booked. Refundable or non refundable initial booking has nothing to do with it. Same after final. No refund no matter how it was booked

[CI66774]

Just remember if you book last minute, any savings must be eclipsed by more expensive air fares.

[Dennis#1]

Just remember if you book last minute, any savings must be eclipsed by more expensive air fares.

 

Guess we are fortunate to live in Florida. We have 4 ports within a 3 1/2 drive from our residence (no air fares or hotels). We have booked cruises as short as 3 days prior to sailing, and have received some really discounted rates.

[dreadpirate3]

Sometimes, the lowered price after final payment results in a free or less expensive upgrade, as it did for us.

 

That is the first time in 5 cruises we've had that result. We tend to sail at more popular times of year due to our work schedules, and we accept that prices might change, not in our favor.

 

OP, I hope you enjoy Carnival. If you read their boards, there are many posts complaining about lower rates available and no price drops with some fare types.

[Candleonwater]

I just don't understand. Why does everyone seem to have their hand out these days expecting something? Safe to assume you booked the best price at the time you booked? You made that decision. You could have waited. Simple supply and demand. If they need to drop prices to fill cabins, they will. You aren't owed anything. Don't like it, you're free to go elsewhere. Plain and simple.

[mollyeilis]

When I book anything with a company that doesn’t do price drop matches. Or doesn’t do them after a period of time, I don’t check for them. Or don’t check after that period of time.

 

I used to check with Royal but I’m a whopping 5 cruises since 2003 I’ve never come across one. I do t check after final payment time, because why irritate myself?

 

I’ve never found one with Disney either, and I think they do honor them after final payment.

 

If I fly alaska or southwest, I check all the time, as they give credit if the price drops. I rarely check with other airlines because they have fees that are unlikely to be eclipsed by any fare drop.

 

It’s all about booking exactly what I want when I want to book it. If I wait until later I might not get that perfect stateroom. I’m very perfect-stateroom-focused, so...

 

 

 

This discussion has been going on for years. I don't actually know why people believe that an adjustment should be made if prices drop after final payment. My wife is going to NYC with friends. They booked a "non-refundable" rate as it was the lowest. The rates have gone down. Guess what.... too bad. It's non-refundable for a reason. Same with the cruise fares. They are fully refundable until 90 days out. If the rates drop you can change them anytime and as often as you like until that 90 day payment. Then you're locked in. That's the "deal." Everyone knows it. If you want to wait to book then go for it. Prices may go down, up, or they sell out. You get to select the cabins that are left. So when you sign onto that contract, knowing full well the regulations, why are you upset?

 

 

Yes and no. Many companies do allow it, so it’s ok to be irked that a company doesn’t. But if you k is a company doesn’t, don’t annoy yourself lol.

 

Last week I bought Cap’n Crunch for $2.99 on “sale”.

 

Yesterday I saw someone buying it at two boxes for $4.

 

I’m thinking of going back to Safeway and asking for money back.

 

 

Many stores do in fact allow that. Costco, I think. Not groceries, but IKEA does, too. It’s important to know your store’s policies.

 

Just remember if you book last minute, any savings must be eclipsed by more expensive air fares.

 

 

 

Sometimes true, sometimes not.

[wilmingtech]

Our upcoming sailing... (less than 2 weeks away) was one we waited until after final payment to book.

 

If you think prices fluctuate much on week to week. How about fluctuations from RCI to TA's.

 

After final payment, Royal was selling balconeys for less than insides (599pp) and they had BOGO and KSF. So I looked on the website, did a mock booking and it priced at 4299.00 all in for 6 of us. I called Royal to get pricing (because I don't trust their website) and they said 4400.00 with 50$ per balcony (we booked two balconys) OBC. They did not have 2 balconies side by side though. They were on 2 different floors. (Same as on the website)

 

I called 3 different TA's and only 2 got back to me. One priced two balconys at 4700 with 100obc and free grats (for 2ppl) The other TA priced 2 balconies side by side for 4100 and 400obc.

 

This is all in an 8 hour period.

 

So it pays to call around, get some pricing and see if they can sweeten the deal for you.

 

Buying a cruise ticket is like online trading. Except there are no payouts.

 

-Sean

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Glide_Path]

Last week I bought Cap’n Crunch for $2.99 on “sale”.

 

Yesterday I saw someone buying it at two boxes for $4.

 

I’m thinking of going back to Safeway and asking for money back.

 

Not entirely accurate. As others have already pointed, Costco does, even on perishable items. Target also has price drop protection for 14 days, no need to return and rebuy. Some of the premium credit cards also offer price drop protection for 90 days for larger ticket items, regardless of where it was purchased. Of course it's always YMMV, but getting money/credit back after a price drop is not as crazy as it may seem.

[LuckyStar]

Cruise lines have conditioned people this way by offering refunds if prices fall so many expect this to continue. It doesn't happen in other industries, airlines, for one so I try to stay happy where I am at. But I know that on my latest cruise, I could book for about $200 less than I paid. But I'm happy cause I had to book when I did. I'm too much of a planner at this point in my life to book at the last minute.

[Husky1987]

Not entirely accurate. As others have already pointed, Costco does, even on perishable items. Target also has price drop protection for 14 days, no need to return and rebuy. Some of the premium credit cards also offer price drop protection for 90 days for larger ticket items, regardless of where it was purchased. Of course it's always YMMV, but getting money/credit back after a price drop is not as crazy as it may seem.

 

Thank you for helping make my point. Different companies have different policies about price drops. Obviously, Royal does one thing. Other companies do another. If it’s that important to you, do business with a cruise line that honors price drops, as the OP did. It’s really that simple.

[davekathy]

If you find it so aggravating, don't look.

 

Every time you fly, someone sitting near you paid less than you did.

 

Life facts.

 

Yup. We book early and pay the deposit. I don't make payments and don't pay the cruise off until the final payment due date. Once I pay the balance owed I stop looking.

[Glide_Path]

Thank you for helping make my point. Different companies have different policies about price drops. Obviously, Royal does one thing. Other companies do another. If it’s that important to you, do business with a cruise line that honors price drops, as the OP did. It’s really that simple.

 

I agree with you. know what you're buying, and the policies that go along it.

 

Slightly OT, Alaska and Southwest Airline offer credit for price drop up until check in, JetBlue same but for 14 days. All other airlines (US city travel) if booking directly with them, you can cancel without penalty within 24 hrs, DOT rules. Don't just book and forget about it, recheck the price at least for the first 24 hours.

[Lamar Cheeks]

I think getting the best price on a cruise is kind of like "hey, I went to the Casino and won!" Whenever people say that, I'm like yeah, but you lost the other three nights, probably. Someone might get the best price on a cruise, but the rest of us still got a pretty good deal. Just don't be penny wise and dollar foolish -- you saved some money on the price of a cruise, so don't blow it somewhere else.

[NEWLKAT]

I don't think the fare drops after final payment are just Royal. I booked on Princess and it happened to me this year on an Alaska cruise.

[papaflamingo]

You can get a price drop anytime before final refund no matter how you booked. Refundable or non refundable initial booking has nothing to do with it. Same after final. No refund no matter how it was booked

Thanks for the correction. I have never booked non-refundable so I was unaware of the rules. Good to know.

And actually my reference to my wife's trip to NYC was a hotel "non-refundable" rate. I was really pointing out that many other businesses also don't refund price drops. So I was sort of "likening" it to after final payment on a cruise. Probably wasn't very clear on my analogy.

But again, thanks again for the info on non-refundable cruise bookings.

[papaflamingo]

It's possible to like cruising and agree to the terms and conditions to do so without liking each individual policy, or at least wishing they were more consumer favorable.

That goes without saying LMaxwell. But if you are aware of the booking rules, and book, then why complain that the booking rules that you agreed too should be waved for you and are unfair if they aren't? We see this all the time. Someone books, can't cruise because they get sick, didn't get insurance, and are angry that the cruise line (any cruise line) didn't refund their money or change their cruise. It's in the contract. It's a contract, not "suggested dress code." It's binding. You agreed to it without coercion. Sorry, it's how I feel. When I agree to a contract I agree to it's terms. If they live up to their end, I have no reason to complain.

[njm5378]

You booked a cabin to assure you got the on you wanted at a price point that you saw value in. The company has now counted on your reservation at the fare you paid. They are now discounting to fill the ship. If we look at the other side and this was a popular sailing that sold out early, there may be a waiting list for cancels. Would you be ok with them calling you and asking for more money to keep your cabin because someone else is willing to pay more for your cabin. Guessing not. As others have said, there are very few situations in life that someone else either paid more of lees that you for the same item. Now you know this occurs, so why not just wait and book last minute?

 

People seem to forget that this is a business and they employ the same strategies as all other businesses to minimize inventory and maximize profit.

[njm5378]

That goes without saying LMaxwell. But if you are aware of the booking rules, and book, then why complain that the booking rules that you agreed too should be waved for you and are unfair if they aren't? We see this all the time. Someone books, can't cruise because they get sick, didn't get insurance, and are angry that the cruise line (any cruise line) didn't refund their money or change their cruise. It's in the contract. It's a contract, not "suggested dress code." It's binding. You agreed to it without coercion. Sorry, it's how I feel. When I agree to a contract I agree to it's terms. If they live up to their end, I have no reason to complain.

 

I don't understand why this is so hard to grasp for some. They are not asking you to like the terms, but they are mandating that you have to agree to them if you wish to use their product.

[shred5]

All cruise lines lower the prices at the end if allot of rooms are available. If they are full it goes the other way also.

Usually Nov & Dec prices come down in the end to fill rooms except holiday like Thanksgiving.

 

I booked a cruise in March and the price went way up a month or so before sail.

 

 

You can take advantage of any sales drops up to final payment due. My last cruise I did it twice after initial booking.

[salmonoftheseas]

If you find it so aggravating, don't look.

 

Every time you fly, someone sitting near you paid less than you did.

 

Life facts.

If you find these forums so aggravating, don't look.

I think this is an informative thread.

[choppe]

Yep very smart of you! we were arranging an upgrade pre final but they wanted $800,3 days later they lowered the price of the mini suite to a our balcony price but would not budge on the $800 for upgrade.

 

One thing to consider is the cost of the cancellation penalty against the lower price. For instance, if the cancellation fee is $250 but you can get an $800 upgrade cabin for the same price of the cabin you already have, I would eat the cancellation fee and book the upgraded cabin.

[GUT2407]

Seems you’ve done what’s best for you, taken your business elsewhere.

 

Not sure what you’ll do if they do the same.

[LMaxwell]

why complain that the booking rules that you agreed too should be waved for you and are unfair if they aren't?

No one here said it should be waived or was unfair, just that they didn't like it. Two different things. I agree with the rest of your summation; I buy insurance to offset risks and be made whole in specific situations. I get a little irked when people who do not do the same get what amounts to "freebies" that come at the expense of increased fares for me, you, and the next person.

 

I think the WJ closing at 9PM is a sick joke and sucks. I still book the cruise knowing this. I don't think an exception should be made for me. I just wish they'd change that policy that I don't like. Simple.

[LMaxwell]

I wonder at what it costs RCI per person, per day, to have on the ship, or to go from 95% occupancy to 100% occupancy. $25 per day? $35?