Royal Eliminates Neighborhood Balcony Perks

[cruisegirl1]

So here is new spin.  We have a CP balcony  B2B next month.  Honestly I would prefer the OBC for each leg  rather than the perks.   With some of the other benefits we receive and after more than a week of eating,  there is often little time or incentive to use the lunches.  We don't want the crappy wine and never use the casino lessons offered for FREE TO EVERYBODY.

 

M

[Sherri914]

2 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

So here is new spin.  We have a CP balcony  B2B next month.  Honestly I would prefer the OBC for each leg  rather than the perks.   With some of the other benefits we receive and after more than a week of eating,  there is often little time or incentive to use the lunches.  We don't want the crappy wine and never use the casino lessons offered for FREE TO EVERYBODY.

 

M

 

I am happier with the OBC as well.  I'm not a cheap red wine drinker, and I couldn't care less about the specialty lunch (with a limited menu) either.  Don't get me wrong -- I would've used it, and DH probably would've consumed the wine.  The point for me is, the perks I booked with were taken away, and a 'compensation' that is valued at less than those perks was offered in return.  That's not right.  And mine is a CP balcony for two.   The folks who booked the BW balconies really took a hit - especially with families and multiple cabins - multiple soda packages is a big value to have taken away. 

 

I'm very satisfied with my $100 OBC since that covers the lost perks for my CP balcony.   Had I been in the BW cabin, I wouldn't be happy with RCI's offer of compensation.  $50 OBC per cabin is laughable in that case.   

[crusinpeg]

1 minute ago, Sherri914 said:

 

I am happier with the OBC as well.  I'm not a cheap red wine drinker, and I couldn't care less about the specialty lunch (with a limited menu) either.  Don't get me wrong -- I would've used it, and DH probably would've consumed the wine.  The point for me is, the perks I booked with were taken away, and a 'compensation' that is valued at less than those perks was offered in return.  That's not right.  And mine is a CP balcony for two.   The folks who booked the BW balconies really took a hit - especially with families and multiple cabins - multiple soda packages is a big value to have taken away. 

 

I'm very satisfied with my $100 OBC since that covers the lost perks for my CP balcony.   Had I been in the BW cabin, I wouldn't be happy with RCI's offer of compensation.  $50 OBC per cabin is laughable in that case.   

Why don't they give people the option  of either taking the OBC or keeping the perk?

[crusinpeg]

Cannot find anything about this on Facebook. I am probably looking in the wrong place. Where on Facebook can I go to voice my complaint?

[Sherri914]

Just now, crusinpeg said:

Why don't they give people the option  of either taking the OBC or keeping the perk?

 

Couldn't answer that.  But now that I have the OBC, I'll keep that even if they do offer to let you keep your original perks.  

[Sherri914]

Just now, crusinpeg said:

Cannot find anything about this on Facebook. I am probably looking in the wrong place. Where on Facebook can I go to voice my complaint?

 

Try searching FB for "Dine, Drink, Discover Discontinued" - or "Neighborhood Balcony Perks Discontinued".  Those both brought up results for me yesterday.  Some have had their comments answered by Royal, others have said Royal isn't really addressing the complaint comments.   I had luck calling Royal yesterday.   My OBC is already in my Cruise Planner.  

[CruiseLand]

6 minutes ago, crusinpeg said:

Cannot find anything about this on Facebook. I am probably looking in the wrong place. Where on Facebook can I go to voice my complaint?

Under the picture of Coco Cay on RCI Facebook, you will see "write a post" that is where you can post and it will pop up on visitor post on the right hand side under the bar that said "book now and message". HTH

[crusinpeg]

1 minute ago, CruiseLand said:

Under the picture of Coco Cay on RCI Facebook, you will see "write a post" that is where you can post and it will pop up on visitor post on the right hand side under the bar that said "book now and message". HTH

 

1 minute ago, CruiseLand said:

Under the picture of Coco Cay on RCI Facebook, you will see "write a post" that is where you can post and it will pop up on visitor post on the right hand side under the bar that said "book now and message". HTH

Thank you!

[mayleeman]

39 minutes ago, tomservo said:

 

But the contract protects them from breach of contract! 🤣

We learned that in law school, too: sometimes a wrong has no remedy. 🙁

[CruiseLand]

RCI did not answer any complain on Facebook anymore. They ignore it. They think this will go away in a few days. 

 

I would prefer my original perks for my Boardwalk Balcony because I will use the Soda packages and JR meals for 4. I see why people that book Central park Balcony want to get OBC instead because the valued of the perks were less. We paid more for Boardwalk Balcony for the perks over the Central park Balcony. At that time of booking, Central park Balcony is $100 pp cheaper than Boardwalk Balcony.

[Biker19]

38 minutes ago, CruiseLand said:

RCI did not answer any complain on Facebook anymore. They ignore it. They think this will go away in a few days. 

Fear not, it will endure on CC.

[3eaglesfam]

I wrote directly to Mr Bayley.  I recieved a letter back from Stephanie in the executive dept and she raised my OBC from 50 to $100.00

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

So here is new spin.  We have a CP balcony  B2B next month.  Honestly I would prefer the OBC for each leg  rather than the perks.   With some of the other benefits we receive and after more than a week of eating,  there is often little time or incentive to use the lunches.  We don't want the crappy wine and never use the casino lessons offered for FREE TO EVERYBODY.

 

M

 

You can get 4 Johnny Rocket lunches (or dinners 😉 ) for $50. 😁

[ONECRUISER]

On 9/18/2019 at 11:58 PM, rabidstoat said:

 

Somewhat related story: I work for a very large 100,000+ person company and there are rules for everything, including who is allowed to have a window in their cube or office. You have to have a certain level of seniority in employee rank to get one.

 

There was one location that had a lot of cubicles with windows, and not enough employees who were senior enough in rank to be 'allowed' to have one. So what they did, to be 'fair', was put those employees in the window cubicles and then covered the windows so that they didn't let any light in and you couldn't see out, effectively 'removing' the window!

 

Now don't tell Royal about that....

Should be surprised, but not. Thanks for sharing...

[jeepchick444]

Well add us to the long list of people getting what they booked for and now being  taken away!! being in our early 60's and retired we always look for specials to continue our addiction of cruising.  I normally book ocean balconies but wanted to try the BW balcony for something different and being a person that loves soda and also seltzer this package was perfect!! a free burgers never hurt!!

 

I am hoping that Royal will see how this is horrible customer service (haha don't laugh)and reinstate this package for those of us that have booked almost a year out!!

 

While we look for specials to book our cruises we normally do not have a budget while on board but this time we will!! On our Oasis sailing in May we will close our wallets as a response to this 'enhancement of the guest experience'!

 

No drink pkg, no souvenirs, no duty free liquor, no excursions, no specialty dining, spa treatments, photos etc....and most importantly will not spend a dime on COCO CAY!! Additional tips will be given as always to the great crew!! and I truly feel sorry for the customer service reps for all the grief they have to take from this "executive decision"!

 

Off to write my letter to corporate!!🚢😎

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, jeepchick444 said:

 

I am hoping that Royal will see how this is horrible customer service (haha don't laugh)and reinstate this package for those of us that have booked almost a year out!!

That ship has sailed- the best you can do is get a bit more OBC. 

[Iamcruzin]

18 minutes ago, 3eaglesfam said:

I wrote directly to Mr Bayley.  I recieved a letter back from Stephanie in the executive dept and she raised my OBC from 50 to $100.00

Congratulations. At least that's something.

[MoniMommy]

Don't forget the credit card company may be able to help. Companies hate chargebacks. If the value of your perks was say $500 the credit card company may be able to get you a $500 refund. Many Credit Cards allow you to start the process using an online form. If I were in a broadwalk, I would get the extra OBC from royal and then see what my credit card company could do. I was in a CP so the $100 covers what I lost. So, I can't complain. I can forgo the cheap wine and get what I want.

Edited September 20, 2019 by MoniMommy

[Illbcruzn4life]

2 hours ago, sjb317 said:

I agree with you.  We bought their product in good faith that we would receive these items and now we are not but we are getting $50 OBC per cabin to, according to their email, “spend on anything and anywhere we want! No limits, oh yeah!”  

 

I haven’t received any response to my emails from Royal. I’m hoping it’s because they’ve been flooded with complaints.😀

 

Sherri

 

 

 

I havent heard back either. Sent an email to mbayley and also facebook messaged them. My TA called on behalf of her affected pax and got us all an extra $50.

 

very nice of her going to bat for us. Still never got an email from RCI about them taking away the perks for our sailing.

[ONECRUISER]

This is nothing new. Decades Perks are given when booked and taken away, or cost has changed. Diamond as top Tier had access to Concierge Lounge, then gone by time I sailed. Some Cruises have so many upper Tier Members they cancel Diamonds from going in own Lounge. 20yrs ago when Voyager first sailed Johnny Rockets was Free, by time I sailed month later JR was so crowded they added a cover charge. Passengers complained, even here on Cruise Critic, policy was adjusted as Cover Charge inc a Free Shake. Since was been changed several times again. More then few times prices of Cabins were listed incorrectly, Royal gave choice of cancel our Cruise or pay difference. Many times paid Shore Excursions are canceled, only to be offered again at a higher cost. Even those that had paid in Full. If I remember correctly the Perks for Neighborhood Balc were added because was hard to get these cabins filled. May not be right to change Perks after booking even if paid in Full, just pointing out that many times it's been done. Not the first, or the last...

[crusinpeg]

43 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

This is nothing new. Decades Perks are given when booked and taken away, or cost has changed. Diamond as top Tier had access to Concierge Lounge, then gone by time I sailed. Some Cruises have so many upper Tier Members they cancel Diamonds from going in own Lounge. 20yrs ago when Voyager first sailed Johnny Rockets was Free, by time I sailed month later JR was so crowded they added a cover charge. Passengers complained, even here on Cruise Critic, policy was adjusted as Cover Charge inc a Free Shake. Since was been changed several times again. More then few times prices of Cabins were listed incorrectly, Royal gave choice of cancel our Cruise or pay difference. Many times paid Shore Excursions are canceled, only to be offered again at a higher cost. Even those that had paid in Full. If I remember correctly the Perks for Neighborhood Balc were added because was hard to get these cabins filled. May not be right to change Perks after booking even if paid in Full, just pointing out that many times it's been done. Not the first, or the last...

The difference is that this perk was offered as an INCENTIVE to book this class cabin

[ONECRUISER]

36 minutes ago, crusinpeg said:

The difference is that this perk was offered as an INCENTIVE to book this class cabin

As said many others, just listed a few. Have also seen and experienced Cabins Change, When booked had Suite "Perks". Later by time sailed cabin lost those Perks. Was just pointing out that this is common 

[MightyMike]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

You can get 4 Johnny Rocket lunches (or dinners 😉 ) for $50. 😁

 

Yes, and you can purchase the two soda packages for $148.52. I'm not sure what they charge for a personal Rock Climbing Wall session. Therefore, using Royal Caribbean's own numbers, the value of the perk is at least $200. 

 

There are two fair and equatable resolutions: 1) honor the original deal and grandfather those who were promised these perks, or 2) offer a $200 credit as equivalent compensation. Offering "compensation" of 1/4 the value of the original deal is sheer arrogance.

[crusinpeg]

20 minutes ago, MightyMike said:

 

Yes, and you can purchase the two soda packages for $148.52. I'm not sure what they charge for a personal Rock Climbing Wall session. Therefore, using Royal Caribbean's own numbers, the value of the perk is at least $200. 

 

There are two fair and equatable resolutions: 1) honor the original deal and grandfather those who were promised these perks, or 2) offer a $200 credit as equivalent compensation. Offering "compensation" of 1/4 the value of the original deal is sheer arrogance.

Value for longer cruises is more than $200

[bgcruiser]

Wanted to share what I was told by a supervisor at RC when I called them just now. The OBC of $50 for discontinuing the Neighborhood balcony cabin perk will show in effected guest cruise planner's by next week. An additional $50 OBC is being given to guest who call and complain as "something for our inconvenience". I asked why can't you "grandfather in" already booked guest? Supervisor said because they had to make a cut off somewhere. They didn't want to cause other cruise guest who had booked the same cabin category without the perk to be disappointed if their neighbors had a Soda Cup but they didn't. 🤔.

So look out all of our fellow cruisers who are Diamond and above, with RC "syncopated logic" they may take away the Costal Kitchen and DL/ 3 drinks per day so the rest of us peons aren't disappointed 🤣🤣.

Anyway, everyone who had booked with this perk and has a cruise after Jan1, please call and get your additional credit now.