BennyandBo

1 hour ago, TXcruzer said:

So you established an account just for this observation?

I'm happy they did. I won't avoid an entire section of the ship, but I will bring a towel to sit on. I welcome complaints, warnings, suggestions, and tips. Not just blind praise for Royal. 

I found this helpful. Can't believe this is the first I've heard of this. Been reading daily for a year. 

1 hour ago, Xaa said:

That's a lot!

I think you and I agree that he deserves compensation.  I just happen to think 30% is actually ok and his best bet is not to try and get more, but to alter the mthod in which he receives it.  

I only agree with myself 100%, so I guess you win.

 

My take I guess is 12% more to make this go away is a wise customer service move. And when you know this person is already booked and returning in the near future, having them return with previous attitude and grudge from last encounter, just is not smart business.

The form in which we get to 42% from 30% should be flexible. 

The compromise would be 30% to 42% vs fcc or obc. An alternative option for compromise should have been discussed. I would revisit this.

As far as suggesting future attitude on board? If there is no happy resolution, this will already be a given. And steps to avoid based on that obvious assumption should have already been made.

47 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

Legally, and contractually; Royal has the upper hand. 

30% is generous and should be taken, IMO 

Upper hand, yes. 

Legally and contractually, I could successfully argue that and win.

1 hour ago, Rackham said:

That sounds like a great way to get future cruises canceled and added to Royal's watch list with threatening to interrupt operations. Based upon section 12 of the cruise contract, Royal owes nothing due to the arguments OP is making in their email. Making threats if they provide FCC you're going to go on that cruise and make trouble is a surefire way of receiving absolutely nothing.

I will have to read section 12. 

I disagree with what they owe based on the OP argument and/or in general.

As far as a making threats. No threats were suggested or would be made. Merely observations on the underlying unnecessary unpleasantness of having already unhappy customers on board.

This is why most smart businesses bend to customer service as much as possible. Basically no smart business wants to offer a return visit as compensation to someone who already has a stick up their ***.

It's always in both parties best interest to come to a mutual agreement.

My point was based on the fact that part of my "cut the cord" included excursions with Royal. As it's always been said you can do better on your own vs there mark up.

I'm finding that the contracted rates they made in 2022 for 2023 are better than the current fluctuating prices on everything (including transportation).

Royals Megan's bay excursion. Was $54 pp. Now taxi at $15pp each way = $60. Plus $10 ($5 each) entry to beach = $70, plus $20 for 2 beach chairs = $90. (I believe more with umbrella). So much for savings. LOL.

2 hours ago, twangster said:

I guess that happens when there are no tourists for two years.  Plus gas prices on island are always higher than mainland.  

When gas hits $4 on the mainland it reaches $6 on St. Thomas.  

Thanks for the economics lesson. Was just looking for current rates. 

33 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

maybe i’m the strange one here but, growing up at the beach, we learned to always shower off and shake sand free from our bodies and equipment/stuff. then use your towel to dry off, and shake towels vigorously as well.

while it’s true there is some sand that inevitably clings and lingers, it certainly helps with avoiding sandcastles in your cabin 

Showers aren't always available before returning to cabin and we always try but still leave a trail behind. Always sand in cabin on a beach day. Very valid point. And twice as much work for the next day vs a light touch up in evening.

5 hours ago, Xaa said:

I hate how things went overall for you @TempoGL

I stated early on that I thought 30% was a good offer and I think you would have been better served arguing to have it converted for use on your next cruise than arguing for more compensation.  I understand that it impacted 3 days but you don't sleep 24 hours a day.  Part of your fare is being onboard, eating, moving to next destination.

I also think there is an assumption that the loud complainers received more, but they may not have, they may have received less than this.  I don't think it's known.  I also think you diluted your argument by pushing for the last 12% and bringing up taxes and port fees.  You're not getting port fees back, they were paid on your behalf.

You seem like a good guy trying to do your best. 

I would respond back to the executive request and begrudgingly accept the 30% and plead to be allowed to use it on your next cruise.  Your next cruise is Royal's chance to prove that they can perform and continue to earn your business.

I certainly understand if this next one is the end of the line for you with RCL.  Once bitten, twice shy.

4 hours ago, Xaa said:

I hate how things went overall for you @TempoGL

I stated early on that I thought 30% was a good offer and I think you would have been better served arguing to have it converted for use on your next cruise than arguing for more compensation.  I understand that it impacted 3 days but you don't sleep 24 hours a day.  Part of your fare is being onboard, eating, moving to next destination.

I also think there is an assumption that the loud complainers received more, but they may not have, they may have received less than this.  I don't think it's known.  I also think you diluted your argument by pushing for the last 12% and bringing up taxes and port fees.  You're not getting port fees back, they were paid on your behalf.

You seem like a good guy trying to do your best. 

I would respond back to the executive request and begrudgingly accept the 30% and plead to be allowed to use it on your next cruise.  Your next cruise is Royal's chance to prove that they can perform and continue to earn your business.

I certainly understand if this next one is the end of the line for you with RCL.  Once bitten, twice shy.

I disagree with all of this 101%. 

How many hours out of 24 you sleep is irrelevant.

How much of your fare is transportation, food, etc, is irrelevant.

You paid and were contracted for a cabin on a ship with the understanding that air conditioning was one of the amenities. Royal Caribbean has failed to provide and live up to there end of this contract. You are well within your rights as a party in this contract to seek and expect compensation.

I would go back to them with the argument of how you came to your figure. I would argue for a refund in this figure. I would point out how an unpleasant, already extremely unhappy, passenger on a future cruise with FCC could become more trouble to guest and crew alike, then would be worth to them to have on board. 

Keep in mind no business wants someone in it who is hell bent on causing aa much trouble as they legally can to everyone around them. That's bad business over what seems to be 12% at this point.

Then sadly I would seriously consider any new offer they may want to make. As well as what kind of future customer you want to be. 

So bring a towel to sit on? First I've heard of this. That stinks.

1 hour ago, Pattycruise said:

Despite numerous sailings this past year I still prefer the paper compass to the app.  During the restart you had to ask at guest services and they’d put in a request to have it delivered to your cabin.   There was one sailing they said absolutely no compass to the cabin so I always visited guest service after midnight to get it.  Later sailings  guest services said you must ask the stateroom attendant and that’s worked out fine.

I’m  on symphony-asked my attendant for a compass and  nothing was delivered. Asked Guest services at midnight  and I’m given the “save the waves”, not giving them out.  So I pressed, and was told “they are only giving them out to select people of a certain age”.  Then I’m told I can scan to get it.  I asked what happens when a grumpy middle aged woman wants a compass? She went and got me one. 
 

BTW, loved the midnight balloon drop! Are those biodegradable “save the waves” balloons?!

I love it! Soooo would have done the same.

OK, so I've been reading and it seems prices may have gone up. People were saying from port to Megan's bay was about $8 per person each way. Now I just read someone paid $15 pp each way. (Big jump) Anyone done it real recently?

7 hours ago, Matt said:

No, nothing has been announced. 

I miss quoted. 

This seems to be a popular question right now. Anyone know if there is a place along the boardwalk that rents lockers? Tons of places to rent beach chairs etc. Holland House looks particularly good, but am curious about a place with locker rentals for belongings while swimming. Thanks.

5 hours ago, Matt said:

It's not once a day

OK, about to be ....Once a day. 

19 hours ago, Xaa said:

Please don't steal my soda ice!   

This brings up an interesting point. With service now (about to go to) once a day, do you call for ice? Also, will there be a charge for it?

I have to add to the get a passport group. Multiple things can go wrong last minute with your documentation. Also, Multiple things can go wrong on a trip. If you need it, you will have it. It's also the best form of ID when applying for or renewing other forms of ID.

2 hours ago, msgauf said:

Going on Wonder of the Seas in May. Looking for recommendations For these ports. A few I wanted are already sold out. Do the sold out ones ever become available??

Going on Wonder in May as well. What excursions did you originally have in mind? What type of excursions are you considering now?

18 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

Call it a service fee

And

Do not allow it to be removed, that solves the problem

 

Ah, but it's not a problem. Royal is fine with it the way it is. Crew is fine with it the way it is. (Or they can move on) It's only a problem for people here. If everyone just does their own thing, what they feel is best, and leaves everyone else to do the same. Then no problem.

Pointless conversation. If you want to remove the automatic gratuities you can and should. If you don't want to remove them don't. Everyone is going to do what they want anyway. Why discuss it endlessly. Royal offers the choice. You are not forced to be part of the system if you do not wish to. 

I'll give this a bump up. Years ago it use to be a captain's cocktail party/hour on formal night before dinner. Free champagne (and other drinks if you ask the right person). Is this still a thing?

I'll add to the 45 min rule. Almost all flights I've been on over the past year have started boarding 50 minutes before stated departure time. So if you have a flight at 11:30am, you really need to be at the gate at 10:30. Not the airport, the gate. And they can and will start giving away those seats to stand by passengers by 11am for anyone still not on board for 11:30 departure. And doors close a good 20 min before at least. Almost all of mine doors closed 30 min before. 

1 hour ago, NoobCruise said:

It's a wonder cruise starting Feb 26th. We have 1 five year older and 1 overpacking wife. I plan on Ubering because I want to arrive when I want to arrive on embarkation day but I am scared with disembarkation. I spent 45 minutes standing on a curb waiting for an uber on our first cruise when we got off in NJ.  We did got off the ship as late as possible and didn't have a flight to catch.

Lots of schools have off end February beginning of March so OIA Orlando International Airport could be very busy. Many say rule is no flight before Noon, but 11:30am is doable. I would skip breakfast and self disembark. Be warned getting an elevator for you and luggage doesn't always happen when doing this. Many have had to carry everything up or down the stairs themselves. Make sure that's something you can handle. The earlier you get to whatever deck (3?) for departure the better chance you have with elevator vs luggage vs stairs. The early bird also gets the Uber. It's a great place for them to make money, so if off early I wouldn't worry about it. It's all about having enough hands and arms to carry/pull all the bags. I have straps that connect multiple bags together by handles so I can pull on wheels 2 large bags at once. 

19 minutes ago, NoobCruise said:

This is horrible news as we have an 11:30am flight. I guess we will skipping breakfast and self disembarking as early as possible.

11:30 isn't too bad, but I wouldn't stop for breakfast. When are you traveling and how many adults, children in party?

I also say Noon. 11am can be possible, but it's stress and rush. And families, kids, etc all take time at security etc.