I knew Lift&Shift was too good to be true

[Ourusualbeach]

3 minutes ago, CRUISEFOUR said:

I’m thinking about doing a L&S from November 2020 to November 2021. My final payment is due in about one week. If I L&S to next November is my final payment still due in one week or do they delay final payment till next August?

Final payment gets adjusted until next year.

[KroozFoolz]

Delayed til next August

[MandyMooToo]

We did a L&S for our November 1, 2020, cruise out of San Juan and had a similar experience.  My son called first to move their reservation and the CS agent wanted to put him/us on an Allure cruise to totally different ports out of PC in October 2021.  He texted me while on hold and I told him to ask about the 11/28/21 sailing out of San Juan that is exactly the same as our current booking.  She told him that was not available to us even though it fits our criteria.  She then put him on hold to ask why and they were disconnected of course...so I called and got a different agent (within two minutes of calling BTW) and he said the same thing.  When I asked why they would put us on a higher class ship in a different month out of a different port to different places, etc., he put me on hold and came back to say it was approved and gave us our original cabin. 🤨  My son called back and gave the specifics of our L&S and was able to get rebooked with us.  I am wondering if they were pushing back because the SJ cruise on Freedom is or was higher in price. 

[jp2746]

My experience... I was on Freedom out of San Juan in August 2020.  Before it cancelled I called about three or four times to try to lift and shift.  But I was told that my cruise was a Southern Caribbean and there is no other Southern Caribbean within the dates allowed for lift and shift.  After several calls to with different agents I gave up and just waited for the cancellation so I could get a refund.  After they cancelled, I contacted my travel agent and told them that I would like to request my refund.  BUT... I said if they would shift our cruise to next year, I would do that, but it would have to be on the Symphony since we would need to go out of Florida.  To my surprise, they approved.  I don't know if it was because I was going to request my refund so I had the upper hand at the moment or what.  But, we are scheduled on the Symphony in August and I couldn't be happier!

[elvis007]

Be very careful with the so called "Lift & Shift" with Celebrity. I have just been refused due to the fact that the initial rate I got via my Travel Agent was simply so good that they would not accept it.

 

Clearly this goes against what the website says and I quote:

 

"We’ll protect your original cruise fare price and promotion when selecting an alternate sailing of the same itinerary type, ship series, cruise length, and stateroom category within 4 weeks of the original sail date. Simply make this change by September 30, 2020."

 

Response from Celebrity:

 

Thank you for contacting our office regarding the above-referenced sailing. Unfortunately, when the reservation is special-priced, we cannot apply the shift and lift. The pricing of this cruise has a unique and special pricing; therefore, it does not qualify for the regular pricing shift and lift.

As well, this reservation was booked through a travel agent; therefore, any further questions should be channeled through your travel agent. We have a line for the travel agent. Please contact your travel agent. 

 

"Lift & Shift"

 

Not if you got a bargain it seems!  Hmmm.....

[Ourusualbeach]

34 minutes ago, elvis007 said:

Be very careful with the so called "Lift & Shift" with Celebrity. I have just been refused due to the fact that the initial rate I got via my Travel Agent was simply so good that they would not accept it.

 

Clearly this goes against what the website says and I quote:

 

"We’ll protect your original cruise fare price and promotion when selecting an alternate sailing of the same itinerary type, ship series, cruise length, and stateroom category within 4 weeks of the original sail date. Simply make this change by September 30, 2020."

 

Response from Celebrity:

 

Thank you for contacting our office regarding the above-referenced sailing. Unfortunately, when the reservation is special-priced, we cannot apply the shift and lift. The pricing of this cruise has a unique and special pricing; therefore, it does not qualify for the regular pricing shift and lift.

As well, this reservation was booked through a travel agent; therefore, any further questions should be channeled through your travel agent. We have a line for the travel agent. Please contact your travel agent. 

 

"Lift & Shift"

 

Not if you got a bargain it seems!  Hmmm.....

Shifted a $3700 OS to one that would have been well over $10000  for a client today.

 

When they said special priced perhaps your TA booked you under a friends and family rate which is not eligible. 

[NateUpNorth]

On 7/23/2020 at 2:36 PM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Thank you, all, for the great advice!

I am happy to report that I've just received the confirmation that both my parents and my family were switched to Harmony of the Seas in November 2021. The balcony cabins have already been assigned, and they are perfectly located, on the same deck, a few cabins apart, just like we wanted!

The invoice price difference is what was expected with a slight change in itinerary. Kids Sail Free was honored, even though it is not offered on that particular Harmony sailing.

I am very happy with the outcome.

Our KSF when we inquired to L&S was also honored.... which makes sense..... had they not honored it we would have waited for them to cancel and chosen the full refund.

[elvis007]

Got our final reply on "Lift & Shift"

 

Wont be happening due to obscure conditions that cannot be found on the website anywhere.

 

So BYE Bye RC & Celebrity!

 

Seriously thought that given how Covid-19 has decimated this industry that all efforts would go towards looking after existing loyal passengers (only 17 cruise to date). Very poor service.

 

Dear Mr. Goudie.

Thank you for writing to Celebrity Cruises. I am very sorry I have not been able to reach you by phone nor your travel agent due to time difference.

Upon review on the pricing of your reservation and guidelines on our Lift and Shift terms and conditions, your reservation does not qualify for your request to lift and shift.

Please refer to the information below:

Lift and Shift Rate Exclusion

*Net Rates (deep discount, tactical nets and Net Rate) 

Unfortunately, your booking is under an excluded rate that is not eligible for the Lift and Shift / Best Rate Guarantee option." "I'm sorry for any disappointment. However, you still have the option to cancel up to 48 hours before your sail date and get a future cruise credit good for 12 months or more.

If you wish to speak with someone from the Executive Desk, we will have someone from Australia Office Executive Desk to contact you.

Again, we appreciate your patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,



Aurora Godfrey
Engagement Center
Celebrity Cruises, Executive Desk
316-554-5430

[mayleeman]

 

2 hours ago, elvis007 said:

So BYE Bye RC & Celebrity!

 

So if you will get FCC instead of shifting, or refund plus FCC, you will refuse to use it because your special fare was not eligible for L&S?

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, elvis007 said:

Wont be happening due to obscure conditions that cannot be found on the website anywhere.

In order to book a net rate I’m assuming that you had to go through a travel agent and they can certainly see that those are excluded from the L&S in the terms and conditions that they can see.

 

When opting for the Future Cruise Credit, all rate codes apply, with no restrictions. Select restricted rates are ineligible for Lift & Shift and Best Price Guarantee - including but not limited to Net rates, Casino rates, Travel AgentFriends&Familyrates,TravelAgentReducedrates,and complimentarystaterooms.

Edited August 10, 2020 by Ourusualbeach

[elvis007]

All I am saying is if there are exclusions to promotions (of any kind) they should be listed on the website.

 

I have requested a refund and will simply move on.

 

Life is too short to short, and there are too many other Cruise operators out there.

 

Stay safe and see you all at sea.....Phil