Who Is Making Final Payments

[Empehi]

With final payments becoming due shortly for many November and December cruises in 2020,

what does the Cruise Critic universe think about making these payment?

 

I feel that there will be no cruises in November and December cruises seems highly unlikely.

 

I realize RCL needs the cash flow - but I believe they know there will be no cruising this year

and to take our money on cruises that will not happen seems they really do not respect their

customers.

 

[20165]

Had one scheduled in December and cancelled last week.  Getting concerned of a possible chapter 11 in their future and although i would think they would make every effort to refund the money as they reorganize their debt so they dont erode their customer base, i dont think thats a guarantee.  

[WeMissSeaView]

I finally moved my two December cruises last week because final payment was coming up and I no longer feel it will happen.

[molly361]

I made mine but it was only $59 after applying a FCC and an insurance credit

[cruiselvr04]

Unless you like giving them a short term loan without collecting interest, don’t do it. I’m still waiting on refunds ( about 2 months now).  

 

We cancelled 2 October cruises before final as we could see it coming but they were refundable.  Shifted spring 2021 to spring of 2022.  Now we wait for fall of 2021.  It’s refundable too.  We may never do non refundable again.  

 

 

[ATC cruiser]

I lifted and shifted a Thanksgiving cruise to November 2021. While I’m willing to let them sit on my money that they already have, I’m not willing to throw more money at what may become a black hole.

[Iamcruzin]

21 minutes ago, 20165 said:

Had one scheduled in December and cancelled last week.  Getting concerned of a possible chapter 11 in their future and although i would think they would make every effort to refund the money as they reorganize their debt so they don't erode their customer base, i don't think thats a guarantee.  

 I'm going through chapter 11 now with a company that I worked for for 24yrs. The plan was to restructure in hopes someone would buy the company. I can tell you the company has no say. The bank and court call the shots. 

Customers who purchased gift cards were given a 30 day period  from the time liquidation started to use them as per the court. We had closed for 3 months a week after the liquidation because of covid so the court extended the redemption date an extra 3 weeks when we reopened. Anyone who holds a store credit or gift card that wasn't redeemed is considered a creditor. We have been giving customers a link to the court case in order for them to file a claim. I can tell you that the customers will be the last ones on the list after they pay the liquidation company first. Landlords, utilities, and vendors will be next in line. Associates can file a claim for severance because we were not given 90 notice before we were terminated do to covid. The customers are last in line if there is any money left.  I decided to take their offer of a 50% pay increase and was hired back to finish the liquidation. 

 

My advise, with the retail apocalypse upon us do not purchase store brand gift cards. Lord and Taylor, Men's Warehouse and Joseph A Banks are some of the more recent retailers filing for bankruptcy.  It's not looking good for the cruise lines and those 125% FCCs may become worthless or expire by the time this is over.

 

If you have a refundable deposit don't wait to cancel. If you have a nonrefundable deposit accept the penalty and take whatever FCC that you are entitled to now. It's taking a long time for refunds. It's only going to get worse as bookings dry up. Remember those booking with FCC or lifting and shifting aren't putting new money into the RC accounts receivable column. The bigger the companies are the harder they fall. The privately owned company that I worked for stated the family business in 1889. It survived  the Spanish Flu, the depression, two world wars, and recessions. Online shopping and a change in consumer loyalty put them under.  The longer cruising takes to come back the more people will have moved on to other vacation choices. No one purchased the company and in 3 weeks we will be gone. Ironically a Florida based investment firm purchased the company name for 3.5 million to turn it into an e-commerce business along with some other well known retail names.  To put his into prospective we owe one vendor 8 million dollars so the 3.5 million is just pennies compared to the rest of the debt we owe. I'm happy that I still get a pay check each week. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

We didn’t. 

[Casino Comp Chick]

3 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

 I'm going through chapter 11 now with a company that I worked for for 24yrs. The plan was to restructure in hopes someone would buy the company. I can tell you the company has no say. The bank and court call the shots. 

Customers who purchased gift cards were given a 30 day period  from the time liquidation started to use them as per the court. We had closed for 3 months a week after the liquidation because of covid so the court extended the redemption date an extra 3 weeks when we reopened. Anyone who holds a store credit or gift card that wasn't redeemed is considered a creditor. We have been giving customers a link to the court case in order for them to file a claim. I can tell you that the customers will be the last ones on the list after they pay the liquidation company first. Landlords, utilities, and vendors will be next in line. Associates can file a claim for severance because we were not given 90 notice before we were terminated do to covid. The customers are last in line if there is any money left.  I decided to take their offer of a 50% pay increase and was hired back to finish the liquidation. 

 

My advise, with the retail apocalypse upon us do not purchase store brand gift cards. Lord and Taylor, Men's Warehouse and Joseph A Banks are some of the more recent retailers filing for bankruptcy.  It's not looking good for the cruise lines and those 125% FCCs may become worthless or expire by the time this is over.

 

If you have a refundable deposit don't wait to cancel. If you have a nonrefundable deposit accept the penalty and take whatever FCC that you are entitled to now. It's taking a long time for refunds. It's only going to get worse as bookings dry up. Remember those booking with FCC or lifting and shifting aren't putting new money into the RC accounts receivable column. The bigger the companies are the harder they fall. The privately owned company that I worked for stated the family business in 1889. It survived  the Spanish Flu, the depression, two world wars, and recessions. Online shopping and a change in consumer loyalty put them under.  The longer cruising takes to come back the more people will have moved on to other vacation choices. No one purchased the company and in 3 weeks we will be gone. Ironically a Florida based investment firm purchased the company name for 3.5 million to turn it into an e-commerce business along with some other well known retail names.  To put his into prospective we owe one vendor 8 million dollars so the 3.5 million is just pennies compared to the rest of the debt we owe. I'm happy that I still get a pay check each week. 

Sorry to hear that. Good luck in your future endeavors.

[mek]

I had a November2020 Oasis cruise booked and final payment was due last week.  It was a NR deposit, so I had nothing to lose by doing a L&S for November 2021, but I wasn't going to throw any more money at them until the future of cruising is more certain.

There is absolutely no way I would make a final payment on a cruise in 2020.  I believe most lines will be in serious trouble by the end of the year and I wouldn't make bets on any of them delivering what people have booked..

[MaritimeR&R]

I went to the RC FB page and directly asked why Caribbean cruises that were 10,11, and 12 nights in Dec, Jan, and Feb. were not cancelled yet (Anthem and Vision) as they surely don't fit into what M. Bayley said would be the likely scenario once cruuises resume ( an employee only cruise first; followed by 3 to 5 night cruises probably to Coco Cay.) The response I got was that "the situation is still very fluid." I see nothing fluid about it.  The first 12 night sailing is Dec. 7th. Anyone with a NRD has their options limited.  

 

[Iamcruzin]

37 minutes ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

Sorry to hear that. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Thank you. Fortunately I was able to find a new job during the liquidation. I think Covid bought me more time.

[Mapleleafforever]

We have a cruise (2 JS's) and flights (Choice Air) booked for January on Indy and we will be making the final payment. We have a few reasons why we are doing so. 

 

1. If we get to cruise, great!!

2. We do not want an FCC that expires so soon.....prices are increased for those time frames. 

3. Non refundable fares so we lose money if we cancel and don't take said FCC. 

4. If Royal cancels we'll gladly take the full refund and consider cruising again when things are better, ie restrictions lifted (whatever they may be)

5. If Royal goes bankrupt and we lose our entire cruise and airfare than we will never consider a cruise with any company again and I suspect the majority of cruisers would probably do the same. 

6. I'm a gambler at times.

7. Going back to number 1 if the cruise is at half capacity that would be awesome!!!

 

Since we booked the price of our room is now 3x more. And for flights we got premium economy seats for cheaper than what it usually is for economy. And when we booked our flights we had no idea that Covid would turn out the way it has. 

 

Hotel prices in FLL for the winter would have you believing that cruises will be in full swing.

[Lionesss]

Our August Harmony cruise was paid in full.

 

When it cancelled we took the FCC and paid off our November Harmony cruise this past Friday. Final payment due tomorrow.

 

Now when they cancel the November cruise we will probably 

 

Apply to our August Allure cruise next year.

 

Just a side note, we got cash back to credit cards from our Delta flights we booked on our own from that August Harmony vacation..

 

Hoping that is the case when we cancel our November vacation.

 

Time will tell.

 

 

 

Oh, we are not sailing in November  even if RCI is.

 

We are waiting to see what the current offer will be.

 

Stay Healthy

[kw2963]

The final payment on our end of September cruise on Rhapsody out of Venice was due on 4 July.  We knew at that time there was no way the Med season would happen so we cancelled all of our prepaid extras ie pre paid tips etc and made the payment.  Royal cancelled the cruise a week later and we have been told by the travel agent our refund will be made by the end of October.

I know the cruise companies are cash strapped at the moment but this has left us feeling a bit cheated by Royal as they intentionally waited until after the payments were due to cancel.  Not great customer loyalty.

Edited August 9, 2020 by kw2963

[pcur]

5 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said:

Unless you like giving them a short term loan without collecting interest, don’t do it. 

 

 

 

Interest?  What interest?  I was just talking to my husband about back-up plans for our cruises next Spring, and whether to get refunds or FCC.  I told him we would lose about $6 a month in interest.  $72 a year is worth getting a good cabin in advance if we have to move the cruises.  

34 minutes ago, kw2963 said:

The final payment on our end of September cruise on Rhapsody out of Venice was due on 4 July.  We knew at that time there was no way the Med season would happen so we cancelled all of our prepaid extras ie pre paid tips etc and made the payment.  Royal cancelled the cruise a week later and we have been told by the travel agent our refund will be made by the end of October.

I know the cruise companies are cash strapped at the moment but this has left us feeling a bit cheated by Royal as they intentionally waited until after the payments were due to cancel.  Not great customer loyalty.

 

I'm pretty sure all the cruise lines are doing this now.  Princess has moved final payment to 60 days before, and their no penalty cancellation deadline is 30 days before.  They want the money from 60 days before final to 60 days after cancellation.  

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, Mapleleafforever said:

5. If Royal goes bankrupt and we lose our entire cruise and airfare t

Based on your location if you booked with a local TA you are covered under TICO which protects you in the event of a cruiseline or airline failure. 

[Mapleleafforever]

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Based on your location if you booked with a local TA you are covered under TICO which protects you in the event of a cruiseline or airline failure. 

Aw we did (my parents and us) and I did not know that. Thanks! Funny, we used to book on our own always but the past 2 cruises we went through my parents' TA. More value than I originally thought. 

[Ourusualbeach]

4 minutes ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Aw we did (my parents and us) and I did not know that. Thanks! Funny, we used to book on our own always but the past 2 cruises we went through my parents' TA. More value than I originally thought. 

In these times it’s a huge “peace of mind”. TICO has also modified their policies and also cover FCC’s that have been applied to cruises.  

[Mapleleafforever]

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

In these times it’s a huge “peace of mind”. TICO has also modified their policies and also cover FCC’s that have been applied to cruises.  

That's awesome!! 

 

[SJ1_]

We have a Jan. cruise and we will cancel.

First year in years we are not cruising in Jan.

will really miss it but there is no way I can trust them with my money.

 

 

[bigrednole]

22 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

 I'm going through chapter 11 now with a company that I worked for for 24yrs.

That is what I see as the issue the longer the CDC delays cruising. The cruise lines made arrangements to secure enough cash and they may say they are OK for 12 months. If they file for bankruptcy, the FCCs are the first to go away. It is not going to be pretty. There are some hefty guarantees on the loans they have taken. The cruise lines will know when enough is enough, give the loan money back so they don't lose ships and private islands, pay the rest off, and file for bankruptcy. I think this will happen by the end of the year if there is still a stalemate with the CDC.

[Sunshine3601]

19 hours ago, MaritimeR&R said:

I went to the RC FB page and directly asked why Caribbean cruises that were 10,11, and 12 nights in Dec, Jan, and Feb. were not cancelled yet (Anthem and Vision) as they surely don't fit into what M. Bayley said would be the likely scenario once cruuises resume ( an employee only cruise first; followed by 3 to 5 night cruises probably to Coco Cay.) The response I got was that "the situation is still very fluid." I see nothing fluid about it.  The first 12 night sailing is Dec. 7th. Anyone with a NRD has their options limited.  

 

I am booked on 12 night for dec 7th on anthem that you mention.  It is a casino cruise and not eligible for l&s so I have no choice but to wait till its cancelled to get cash refund.  I wish it was a go as I love the itinerary for this sailing but 99.9% it wont go.

[drsel]

I am making final payment for my Costa Cruise in the middle East in October 2020

 

 

[Oxo]

26 minutes ago, drsel said:

I am making final payment for my Costa Cruise in the middle East in October 2020

 

 

Good Luck!