Getting RCI to Honor Price Drop Was Like Pulling Teeth.

[SargassoPirate]

I've had wonderful success with my big box warehouse club's travel department.  If I see a price drop, I call their service center and they get it done. I also get some generous OBCs from them as well.  Also, their website lets me search several cruise lines at once for the same destination.

[Tree_skier]

I've used a TA and booked direct.  I have not had any issue with getting price reductions with either.

[LuCruise]

Took me about 4 minutes last night on the phone with a Royal agent.  But of course, it depends who you get.

[johnjen]

8 hours ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

That's OK. Understand.

 

We learned many years ago that one bad apple doesn't spoil the basket. 

 

In addition, we now have more than a decade of using 3 different TA's, with one being our primary one. All provide the expected service levels, communicate well...and all have performed price drops without any haggle/delay/problem as reported by the OP. In fact, two (2) of them have been quite proactive on informing us of them and processing on our behalf.

Granted, it's something to take another look at perhaps - the only remaining factor being, I don't like a third party managing my own vacation when I feel quite comfortable doing it myself. Somewhere down the line, communication lines will get mixed up or forgotten about, I feel. I guess the main focal point of using a TA is getting that free bowl of fruit in the room, free drink package, free excursion, or those "smoke and mirrors" discounts.

Edited May 15, 2019 by johnjen

[ChollaChick]

I have had some issues with this as well.  Our cruise went down about $100 pp and it was like I was asking for a million bucks.  I did finally get the reduction but it was quite a challenge.

 

 

[CRUISEFAN0001]

1 hour ago, johnjen said:

Granted, it's something to take another look at perhaps - the only remaining factor being, I don't like a third party managing my own vacation when I feel quite comfortable doing it myself. Somewhere down the line, communication lines will get mixed up or forgotten about, I feel. I guess the main focal point of using a TA is getting that free bowl of fruit in the room, free drink package, free excursion, or those "smoke and mirrors" discounts.

Certainly understand - you are the customer after all.

 

Unfortunately there are definitely travel agents who do the minimum. Still others may not be well trained or informed about best practices and how to communicate in a service industry.

 

We are fortunate to have a Cruise Specialist office of the world's largest travel company located a mile from our home. That allows for us to go there 6 days a week in person and converse on any cruise-related topic. That entire staff knows there stuff, and is highly customer-service oriented. They also work quite well to not only save people money up front on a cruise, but also let their customers know when additional opportunities come up (price drops, special new promotions, specials on excursions or onboard services, etc.). 

 

We also have used an online cruise specialist division on one of the major airlines. They do nearly the same things, however, we obviously can't walk into their office when desired. Still, they have also been outstanding.

 

We have friends in 2 other cities that have cruised with us who also use local TA's that provide great service such as described above.

 

So not all TA's are created equal, and there are plenty of good ones to use. If someone comes across a TA that doesn't perform well on your behalf...they are not worthy of your business anymore. The wallet is the ultimate control.

[karena1]

As a rule, I have no issues with getting price drops. Once in a while I have to remind them to enter our C&A numbers, but normally, IF there is a price drop (very rare and I have 18 cruises booked) I have no issues getting the new price.  You have to make sure you are not going to lose any of the perks you already have.  If booked onboard, you will not lose your OBC, but if your OBC was related to a different promo and you are trying to get the new promo, you may lose your perk, so just make sure you look at all factors before you call and try to get a new price.

[panzafit]

Yeah, I've called 5 times because my brother-in-law's room has dropped $463.  Not a single one of them will give me a refund or any type of OBC or upgrade to make up the difference.  They keep telling me they can't since it's after final payment.  I keep pushing back but got no where with any of them.  Frustrating!!!!

[Clarea]

1 minute ago, panzafit said:

Yeah, I've called 5 times because my brother-in-law's room has dropped $463.  Not a single one of them will give me a refund or any type of OBC or upgrade to make up the difference.  They keep telling me they can't since it's after final payment.  I keep pushing back but got no where with any of them.  Frustrating!!!!

 

I don't think you will get anywhere with Royal once a booking is after final payment date.  However, you may find that an upgrade is possible for little or no extra cost.

[Ourusualbeach]

18 hours ago, johnjen said:

Granted, it's something to take another look at perhaps - the only remaining factor being, I don't like a third party managing my own vacation when I feel quite comfortable doing it myself. Somewhere down the line, communication lines will get mixed up or forgotten about, I feel. I guess the main focal point of using a TA is getting that free bowl of fruit in the room, free drink package, free excursion, or those "smoke and mirrors" discounts.

The right TA with group space available can save you hundreds, even thousands and when booking into a group it is very rare that you ever see prices drop below that rate.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Ourusualbeach

[Ourusualbeach]

8 minutes ago, panzafit said:

Yeah, I've called 5 times because my brother-in-law's room has dropped $463.  Not a single one of them will give me a refund or any type of OBC or upgrade to make up the difference.  They keep telling me they can't since it's after final payment.  I keep pushing back but got no where with any of them.  Frustrating!!!!

You are after final payment.  They won’t budge.  The only thing you can hope for is to upgrade.

[panzafit]

8 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I don't think you will get anywhere with Royal once a booking is after final payment date.  However, you may find that an upgrade is possible for little or no extra cost.

Yeah, I thought that I would get an upgrade opportunity because to upgrade to the next category up was only $120 (the price difference in his current room is $463) but they wouldn't let me do that either.  I even tested them to see if they would let me pay the difference but the answer was the same, no.   Oh well, guess you win some and lose some.

Edited May 16, 2019 by panzafit

[Clarea]

48 minutes ago, panzafit said:

Yeah, I thought that I would get an upgrade opportunity because to upgrade to the next category up was only $120 (the price difference in his current room is $463) but they wouldn't let me do that either.  I even tested them to see if they would let me pay the difference but the answer was the same, no.   Oh well, guess you win some and lose some.

You should be able to upgrade.  However, the price to upgrade will be the difference between the current price of the new stateroom and what you have paid. 

 

The only exception to this that I see reported occasionally is if the price of the new stateroom is part of the Tuesday sales flyer.  They seem to enforce the new booking restriction on these more often.

[MichellePerth]

5 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

You should be able to upgrade.  However, the price to upgrade will be the difference between the current price of the new stateroom and what you have paid. 

 

The only exception to this that I see reported occasionally is if the price of the new stateroom is part of the Tuesday sales flyer.  They seem to enforce the new booking restriction on these more often.

Can you tell me how to access the Tuesday sales flyer?  Thanks 🤗

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, MichellePerth said:

Can you tell me how to access the Tuesday sales flyer?  Thanks 🤗

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf

[karena1]

7 hours ago, panzafit said:

Yeah, I've called 5 times because my brother-in-law's room has dropped $463.  Not a single one of them will give me a refund or any type of OBC or upgrade to make up the difference.  They keep telling me they can't since it's after final payment.  I keep pushing back but got no where with any of them.  Frustrating!!!!

You will never get anything after final payment.  That is the rules.  The only thing you can get after final is an upgrade to a better cabin.  We have moved from a balcony to a JS when the price dropped below what we originally paid.  Had no problem doing that.  If you are just trying to move up to a different category, don't understand why they won't do that for you

[SAmome]

2 hours ago, karena1 said:

You will never get anything after final payment.  That is the rules.  The only thing you can get after final is an upgrade to a better cabin.  We have moved from a balcony to a JS when the price dropped below what we originally paid.  Had no problem doing that.  If you are just trying to move up to a different category, don't understand why they won't do that for you

I agree with this.  After final payment you have no leverage.  NCL will generally give you 25% of the price drop in obc after final payment but will first check to see if can upgrade you.

 

Nowadays I'm more likely to sail in a lesser catagory than prefer (but something acceptable, ie I chose my location) and then if price drops I look into upgrading later for less than I'd have gotten into that catagory had I booked it from the start.  Fun games.

[whitshel]

Also just to chime in, if it doesn't make a difference whether you book direct or with a T/A then you may want to book with a T/A to get the perks and support the T/A who is trying to make a living.  They make most of their money on commission so no sales, no money for them. 

 

I understand if you book direct, RCCL keeps that commission to pay for their employees but not everyone can live in Miami, Wichita, or Oregon.  Just a 1+ for those full time T/A's out there.  On the flip side, if you get bad service from a T/A then of course you should look for an alternative. 🙂

[FloridaMac]

On 5/10/2019 at 1:11 PM, Floridadude said:

This is why I have used an online travel agency for the last 12 yrs with zero problems and excellent customer service...I always check Royal before booking and it’s always $200-1600 more than I book it for...

I just tried to send you a PM to ask who you're using.  Apparently I haven't been on here long enough to be allowed to send messages :-/   If you can, PM me.   Thanks.

[Ourusualbeach]

3 minutes ago, FloridaMac said:

I just tried to send you a PM to ask who you're using.  Apparently I haven't been on here long enough to be allowed to send messages 😕  If you can, PM me.   Thanks.

PM is disabled for all users and we are not allowed to ask for or give recommendations. 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Ourusualbeach

[FloridaMac]

3 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

PM is disabled for all users 

Thanks for the info, where's that dislike button 

[Tree_skier]

I just got another price reduction again today. I called TA she checked price and confirmed the change via email. The whole process took 15 minutes. 

 

Saved 50 bucks today. So far I’m up to 143 dollars in savings by way of price reductions. . 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Tree_skier

[jrmende63]

I booked my cruises through RC. I have never had an issue with a price drop. They honor it right away.

 

[panzafit]

If you request a paid upgrade after final payment do you still get to keep the beverages packages, key program, etc....that you've already paid for? 

[Clarea]

6 minutes ago, panzafit said:

If you request a paid upgrade after final payment do you still get to keep the beverages packages, key program, etc....that you've already paid for? 

 

Yes.