Royal's Flex Pay Program has some illogical requirements

[Tenderpaw]

We have a cruise scheduled on the Icon that we booked with a reduced deposit through the Future Cruise program.  I decided to set up a payment plan of $200/month through Royal's Flex Pay program to pay off the balance, but according to the rules, we can't do that because we didn't pay a "full" deposit of $500.  Since we paid a reduced deposit of $200, we have to pay $300 first, and then we can start making payments.

 

This is stupid.  Royal is fine with me waiting until the final payment date to pay the balance due, but won't allow me to do the automated payment plan where they would get their money faster.  Yes, i know i can pay every month, but I don't want to think about having to do that.  I also know i could just pay the $300 and then do the payment plan, but now I think i'll wait because the deposit requirement is stupid and illogical.

[Another_Critic]

You really shouldn't pay any more money until final payment when you have a reduced deposit.  If you need to cancel prior to final payment, you would only lose the $200 deposit.  If you pay more before final payment and cancel, you would lose up to $500. 

[PhillyFan33579]

To use your word, it is illogical to pay more than the minimum due prior to the final payment date…pretty much financial planning 101. 

[Ocean Boy]

6 hours ago, Tenderpaw said:

 I think i'll wait because the deposit requirement is stupid and illogical.

And how would you describe giving a corporation your money sooner than necessary?

[Tenderpaw]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

And how would you describe giving a corporation your money sooner than necessary?

Point taken, but i wanted to cash flow it and not think about it.  Sure, i could set the money aside monthly, but i didn't want to think about it.  The small amount of "interest" on that cash isn't worth it. 

 

 

[Starry Eyes]

So, you have two choices.  You can do the logical thing: do not pay until final payment.  Or you can pay $300 over the first month or two, then signing up for autopay.  

[Another_Critic]

8 hours ago, Tenderpaw said:

The small amount of "interest" on that cash isn't worth it. 

 

 

It's not the interest, it's the amount ($300) you would forfeit if you pay the full deposit amount and cancel prior to final payment.

[LeeW]

Credit unions and banks have the ability to set up automatic payments assuming you can get a routing number.