Royal Eliminates Neighborhood Balcony Perks

[perfect match]

Unhappy BoardwalkBalcony dweller here!  I agree with the previous posters here who  said that Royal needs to honor the perks on existing reservations. We do not drink alcohol, but we do enjoy soda & flavored water, the soda package is a big incentive for us to book a Boardwalk Balcony. The price for the two of us at current rate is $148.52 for the soda package for our seven day cruise on Harmony, and who knows what it will be when we sail in October 2020. Add in Johnny Rockets at $10.95 plus service charge and you’re up to around $175.00 (rounded off as I do not know how much for service charge).  The $50 OBC comes way short of the mark. Yes, my email has been sent! 

[momofmab]

My one and only incentive for booking a CP on Oasis was cost savings over the OV's across the hall (we needed 2 cabins, during Easter week).  We don't drink wine and didn't utilize the lunch coupon (I could have sworn it was just for Johnny Rockets, but I may be wrong.  Had there been a Jamie's on Oasis, I definitely would have used it).  My husband is the only soda drinker in the family - not enough incentive for me to book a BW.

 

I'd rather have the OBC.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

Well on a 14 night cruise they just stiffed you out of $300....😱

Has anybody had success in cancelling their non-refundable deposit for a FULL refund?🤔

[Clarea]

2 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

 ...

Has anybody had success in cancelling their non-refundable deposit for a FULL refund?🤔

 

That would be the fair option for Royal to offer.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

6 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

That would be the fair option for Royal to offer.

Do US laws allow the seller to alter the contract one-sided after it is signed?🤔

Doesn't the seller HAVE to provide what was part of the contract?🤔

[Cruise a holic]

10 hours ago, Judyrem said:

I had planned to take my granddaughter again on Oasis class ship's summer cruise, but I decided the prices were too high.

We are going to La Jolla/San Diego for a week with Airbnb plus airfare, we are coming in at 3200$ 

 

There are alternatives to cruise travel for me.  Hear that Royal?  I am sure they don't care.😏

Your granddaughter would have loved the Oasis class ships.  We took our grandchildren on the Oasis  and Allure and it was a wonderful experience for all.  So much better then a hotel or apartment for a week.  Worth a few extra dollars!   IMO

 

Enjoy your vacation.  

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

Do US laws allow the seller to alter the contract one-sided after it is signed?🤔

Doesn't the seller HAVE to provide what was part of the contract?🤔

 

I'll bet the contract we sign says something like the cruise line can do whatever it wants whenever they like.

[Sizzlechest]

36 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I'll bet the contract we sign says something like the cruise line can do whatever it wants whenever they like.

 

Unilaterally beneficial contracts are unenforceable, so I hope that's true.

[msmayor]

We had been seriously considering Harmony in December 2020 for a family cruise my husband and I are paying for to take our kids and their spouses on vacation between Christmas and New Year's.  We were looking specifically at the BW balcony in large part because the soda package and JR meal was already included.  Three staterooms, so a big chunk of change.

 

Now I'm really happy we passed and decided to give NCL a shot.  I'm paying less per stateroom for three ocean view balcony staterooms (mini-suites in their category list) and getting free alcohol package, $50 per port excursion credit per stateroom and $150 dining credit per stateroom for specialty.  More...for less.   Oh...and only $50/pp refundable deposit.

 

Royal is pricing themselves out of my budget.

[texmex.ferr]

A number of folks have booked these cabins because of the perks, and now they are being taken away from them, after they have agreed to the 'contract' between themselves and Royal.    Customers are not allowed to changed their bookings without penalty (especially in the UK), once a deposit is paid, so why should this be different for the Company.    Contracts should be honoured.    We have a Central Park balcony booked on Allure for the TA in November 2020, when we booked in December 2019, we had the Deluxe Drinks Package included in our booking, so this change does not directly affect us, but I believe in fairness, which this isn't.    Our sailing  is 14 nights, so $50 per cabin, does not go anywhere near to cover the cost of anyone who has booked a Boardwalk, (unsure of prices of wine etc for Central Park perks on offer) which was to include the Soda Package (£224.74 for 2 persons at current booking prices), and then there's the lunch price to be added to that figure.    So irrespective of how long the cruise is for everyone is being given $50 per cabin, whether it's a 3 night sailing or 14 + night sailing, this also seems an unfair compensation.   This should all have been worked on  pro rata sailing nights, or everyone who had booked before the announcement, had their original bookings honoured.

 

 

[Judyrem]

6 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Nope, been consistently filling all their ships above 105% capacity. Last time I was on Royal ship wasnt full was months after 9/11. Still when my kids were younger was cheaper spend week at Disney. Now the Cruise is Cheaper

That may be true for others, but I had not been cruising in over 16 years and decided to try it again, I love it but love my land based trips too.   I just don't like to be "hosed", I am too old for that and have traveled extensively.  

I also like that I have "control" over my land base trips.

[Judyrem]

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

Your granddaughter would have loved the Oasis class ships.  We took our grandchildren on the Oasis  and Allure and it was a wonderful experience for all.  So much better then a hotel or apartment for a week.  Worth a few extra dollars!   IMO

 

Enjoy your vacation.  

We (my grandaughter and I) loved 😍Harmony in July and I have a spring break trip in April on Oasis with her. I am not saying I won't cruise again, but I will be more cautious about where and when and how much.

 

Our Airbnb is an oceanfront cottage on La Jolla's Coast rd.  I can snorkel albeit it will be chilly, we can see the Zoo, Safari Park, go whale watching etc,  personally I think it will be a spectacular trip!

Edited September 19, 2019 by Judyrem

[sjb317]

7 hours ago, Host Jacquelyn said:

Who writes their copy anyway? Their email reads, as a consolation prize,  "And, you'll still be able to enjoy incredible views of our distinct neighborhood from your stateroom. "

 

Really? They will not take those away too?

I find the email to be rather insulting.  

 

Sherri😠

[Sherri914]

2 hours ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

Well on a 14 night cruise they just stiffed you out of $300....😱

Has anybody had success in cancelling their non-refundable deposit for a FULL refund?🤔

 

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

That would be the fair option for Royal to offer.

 

When I posted earlier (Pg 3 I think), I mentioned that I'd called RCI twice about this issue.  First time, the rep was completely unfamiliar w/ this new change and tried to tell me the perks would still be given...  he even said I could visit guest services aboard and they would give me the 'coupons' for these perks.  When I politely disagreed, he then started to back off a little, acknowledging that he was just parroting what his supervisor had told him and what he was interpreting from the information he was reading.  His interpretation was incorrect.  And when i called back to RCI shortly after (because we all know, if you don't get the answer you want on the first try, call back!), the rep (after 26 minutes on hold) told me they could only offer $50 OBC for my CP balcony perk loss.  I asked if I would be able to cancel my reservation if I chose, since Royal changed the terms, and she said "you have a non-refundable deposit, so yes, you can cancel, but it would cost you $100/person to cancel).   

 

For anyone who didn't see my earlier post, I was finally able to speak to a supervisor and she offered an additional $50 OBC giving me a total of $100 OBC for the loss of the CP perks.  I was satisfied with that amount.   Had I been in a BW balcony, the $100 OBC wouldn't have been satisfactory as the perks with those cabins were valued at more because of the drink packages.    One last sentiment -- at no time during my phone calls did I raise my voice or get ugly with the reps.  It's not their fault.  I was very polite, made my points clearly without ranting, and they, in turn, were very gracious and did their best to help me with what they all admitted seemed an unfair corporate decision.    The old saying about catching more flies with honey paid off for me.   

[Cruise a holic]

1 hour ago, msmayor said:

We had been seriously considering Harmony in December 2020 for a family cruise my husband and I are paying for to take our kids and their spouses on vacation between Christmas and New Year's.  We were looking specifically at the BW balcony in large part because the soda package and JR meal was already included.  Three staterooms, so a big chunk of change.

 

Now I'm really happy we passed and decided to give NCL a shot.  I'm paying less per stateroom for three ocean view balcony staterooms (mini-suites in their category list) and getting free alcohol package, $50 per port excursion credit per stateroom and $150 dining credit per stateroom for specialty.  More...for less.   Oh...and only $50/pp refundable deposit.

 

Royal is pricing themselves out of my budget.

However, having sailed on both, you cannot compare Royal to NCL, unless you are in the Haven.  The cabins on NCL are very small.  Crowds all over the ship- you have to get up at dawn to get a seat by the pool.  IMO food fair on NCL- so sometimes you get what you pay for!  I would go for an oceanview on Royal rather then a mini on NCL.

 

 Enjoy your vacation

Edited September 19, 2019 by Cruise a holic

[dianajo67]

It would not surprise me if prices for ocean view balconies go up in order for CP and BW balcony prices to look attractive going forward.  Highly doubt these now unattractive balconies without the perks would go down in price to get filled.

[cruisegirl1]

25 minutes ago, Sherri914 said:

 

 

When I posted earlier (Pg 3 I think), I mentioned that I'd called RCI twice about this issue.  First time, the rep was completely unfamiliar w/ this new change and tried to tell me the perks would still be given...  he even said I could visit guest services aboard and they would give me the 'coupons' for these perks.  When I politely disagreed, he then started to back off a little, acknowledging that he was just parroting what his supervisor had told him and what he was interpreting from the information he was reading.  His interpretation was incorrect.  And when i called back to RCI shortly after (because we all know, if you don't get the answer you want on the first try, call back!), the rep (after 26 minutes on hold) told me they could only offer $50 OBC for my CP balcony perk loss.  I asked if I would be able to cancel my reservation if I chose, since Royal changed the terms, and she said "you have a non-refundable deposit, so yes, you can cancel, but it would cost you $100/person to cancel).   

 

For anyone who didn't see my earlier post, I was finally able to speak to a supervisor and she offered an additional $50 OBC giving me a total of $100 OBC for the loss of the CP perks.  I was satisfied with that amount.   Had I been in a BW balcony, the $100 OBC wouldn't have been satisfactory as the perks with those cabins were valued at more because of the drink packages.    One last sentiment -- at no time during my phone calls did I raise my voice or get ugly with the reps.  It's not their fault.  I was very polite, made my points clearly without ranting, and they, in turn, were very gracious and did their best to help me with what they all admitted seemed an unfair corporate decision.    The old saying about catching more flies with honey paid off for me.   

 I am shocked that one passenger out of thousands was able to get an additional compensation from Royal Caribbean. While that is very nice for the poster, I don’t think that is fair to all the other people who have a financial loss. 

 

 $100 for loss of the Central Park park is an incredible offer. The lunches are only worth about $25 per person and  The red wine is super cheap and barely drinkable.  Casino lessons are available to everyone on the ship for free  

 

I hope that anyone who has an issue with the compensation, should copy and send Sherris post to Royal Caribbean and they too should receive $100 OBC compensation. 

 

M

[Sherri914]

16 minutes ago, dianajo67 said:

It would not surprise me if prices for ocean view balconies go up in order for CP and BW balcony prices to look attractive going forward.  Highly doubt these now unattractive balconies without the perks would go down in price to get filled.

 

I don't find the neighborhood balconies to be unattractive without the perks.  I've stayed in OV balconies -- I just like the neighborhood balconies better.    I loved the far aft BW balcony on Oasis -- it offered a wake and aquatheater view that I quite enjoyed.    I booked the CP balcony this time even before knowing of the perks being offered with it.   My issue is with them giving something as part of the booking, then taking it away without sufficient compensation for the loss.    

 

[Judyrem]

1 minute ago, Sherri914 said:

 

I don't find the neighborhood balconies to be unattractive without the perks.  I've stayed in OV balconies -- I just like the neighborhood balconies better.    I loved the far aft BW balcony on Oasis -- it offered a wake and aquatheater view that I quite enjoyed.    I booked the CP balcony this time even before knowing of the perks being offered with it.   My issue is with them giving something as part of the booking, then taking it away without sufficient compensation for the loss.    

 

I was looking at the far aft BW balconies when I was on Allure a few weeks ago and I thought they locked rather nice!

[Sherri914]

3 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

 I am shocked that one passenger out of thousands was able to get an additional compensation from Royal Caribbean. While that is very nice for the poster, I don’t think that is fair to all the other people who have a financial loss. 

 

 $100 for loss of the Central Park park is an incredible offer. The lunches are only worth about $25 per person and  The red wine is super cheap and barely drinkable.  Casino lessons are available to everyone on the ship for free  

 

I hope that anyone who has an issue with the compensation, should copy and send Sherris post to Royal Caribbean and they too should receive $100 OBC compensation. 

 

M

 

I'm not the only one who was given additional compensation by the way.   Somewhere in this growing thread was someone else who called and was given the additional.  Someone else said they had emailed Royal and were told they couldn't offer any more than the $50.  I suppose it's hit or miss.  Perhaps this will turn into another drink package type deal where initially Royal said they wouldn't honor the $18pp/pd then changed their tune w/ the all the negative backlash they received.  Who knows.  

[Sherri914]

1 minute ago, Judyrem said:

I was looking at the far aft BW balconies when I was on Allure a few weeks ago and I thought they locked rather nice!

They are... now.  I was initially going to book the same far aft we'd stayed in on Oasis last time when we sail on Allure next year.  What changed my  mind is that they're adding the Ultimate Abyss slides (the big purple ones) when she goes into drydock next year.  Our cruise is just after drydock, so the view will now be partially obstructed by the purple slides.  I'd been eyeing CP balconies because I spent so much time there in the evenings on Oasis, so I snagged one of the CP balconies with the double-sized balcony for the price of a regular one.  

[cruisegirl1]

2 minutes ago, Sherri914 said:

 

I'm not the only one who was given additional compensation by the way.   Somewhere in this growing thread was someone else who called and was given the additional.  Someone else said they had emailed Royal and were told they couldn't offer any more than the $50.  I suppose it's hit or miss.  Perhaps this will turn into another drink package type deal where initially Royal said they wouldn't honor the $18pp/pd then changed their tune w/ the all the negative backlash they received.  Who knows.  

I am glad you received additional compensation, and I hope others can also.  I have a CP balcony in October and would GLADLY give up the perks for $100! 

 

I do think $50 is fair compensation for the CP, but low for the BW balcony cabins.

 

M

[Sherri914]

5 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

I am glad you received additional compensation, and I hope others can also.  I have a CP balcony in October and would GLADLY give up the perks for $100! 

 

I do think $50 is fair compensation for the CP, but low for the BW balcony cabins.

 

M

 

I'm much happier with the OBC than the perks 😉     

[Judyrem]

8 minutes ago, Sherri914 said:

They are... now.  I was initially going to book the same far aft we'd stayed in on Oasis last time when we sail on Allure next year.  What changed my  mind is that they're adding the Ultimate Abyss slides (the big purple ones) when she goes into drydock next year.  Our cruise is just after drydock, so the view will now be partially obstructed by the purple slides.  I'd been eyeing CP balconies because I spent so much time there in the evenings on Oasis, so I snagged one of the CP balconies with the double-sized balcony for the price of a regular one.  

I love Central Park too, especially in the evenings when some type of music is playing, I think it is magical!

[AshleyDillo]

 

15 hours ago, sjb317 said:

 And I am furious as the sales rep even pointed out how nice this would be for the kids. Surely they knew this was coming?

Not likely.  Left hand doesn't speak to the right hand much at Royal.

 

8 hours ago, WeMissSeaView said:

I have also heard a lot of complaints about noise for CP and BW cabins.

 

Truth.  I heard tons of pool deck noise during the day from my deck 10 CP balcony.