Jump to content

Future Cruise Credit (FCC) question


KenCP

Recommended Posts

I have a side by side cruise booked, if I cancel those 2 cruises and get FCC can I use the two credits to book 1 cruise before December 2021. 

I already have one booked for April 2021, I assume I can not use it for that cruise.  Going to be hard to get 3 cruises in the same year.

I am hoping that there are no outbreaks leading up to the end of April on RCL and I will feel more comfortable not being quarantined on a ship for 2 weeks.  I do not mind skipping ports of call, being on the ship for all days is perfectly fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, EnJay said:

It sounds like the FCC can only be applied to the base cruise cost; not port fees & gratuities, is that right? We booked at rather a high rate so if we cancel, can we use the FCC towards more than one cruise? 

Correct.  Only the base cruise fare. Yes, if the cruise you re-book does not consume all of the value of your FCC, the remainder will be reissued in a new FCC but it is my understanding  that the new FCC will have the original expiration date as the first FCC so you will still have to use the remainder by the original expiration date.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, EnJay said:

It sounds like the FCC can only be applied to the base cruise cost; not port fees & gratuities, is that right? We booked at rather a high rate so if we cancel, can we use the FCC towards more than one cruise? 

Historically FCC can be applied to more than one cruise but...  the first cruise that had FCC applied has to complete before the remaining FCC will be made available for another cruise.  It's not clear if this FCC will work in the same manner as traditional FCC has worked so we can only wait and see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, thanks. Still trying to decide what to do. I can't figure out if I'm being overwhelmed by the media or if it's actually a bad idea to be in a confined space with so many people for 7 days. We're healthy but what about transmitting it to other people. I hear the argument about other mass transit but you generally are in and out of those spaces and hopefully use preventative measures. I really don't know what to think. We saved up a long time for our first cruise and I'd had to have to cancel but I just want to do the right thing. You seem to cruise a lot, any thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know if this question has been answered but what if cruise is cheaper. Can the difference of the fcc be applied for other expenses such as excursions etc? If not it's too bad to have a left over that you hope to use someday but maybe won't....... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, gi333 said:

I don't know if this question has been answered but what if cruise is cheaper. Can the difference of the fcc be applied for other expenses such as excursions etc? If not it's too bad to have a left over that you hope to use someday but maybe won't....... 

No, it cannot. The FCC applies to cruise fare only.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, gi333 said:

Ok thanks then I will look for something same price or higher 

Per the RC website, if the cruise you use the FCC on is less than the FCC amount, a new FCC in the remaining amount will be issued.

"Alternatively, if the new cruise fare is lower than the Future Cruise Credit’s value, a new Future Cruise Credit will be issued for the remaining balance."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Yes, you absolutely CAN apply an FCC to the cruise you have booked in April 2021.  FCC does not have to be used to book a new cruise.  Can be applied to any existing cruise - even one that is paid in full.

Interesting. Thanks for the clarification, at least if my April cruise goes away I can apply it towards our November sailing. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a question-hopefully someone with much more knowledge than me would be able to answer.  Does the FCC have to be applied per person only?  For example-my husband and I book a cruise-cost is $4000 or $2000/person.  If he has $3000 in credit and I only have $1000.  Can he apply the entire $3000 to the total cruise fare or is he limited to only his per person fare and we would need to pay another $1000 out of pocket?  Just trying to figure this out before I cancel.  We have a suite-so the FCC will not distribute evenly and I’m finding it difficult to find an equivalent suite for a date we can sail. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, GlassSlipper said:

I have a question-hopefully someone with much more knowledge than me would be able to answer.  Does the FCC have to be applied per person only?  For example-my husband and I book a cruise-cost is $4000 or $2000/person.  If he has $3000 in credit and I only have $1000.  Can he apply the entire $3000 to the total cruise fare or is he limited to only his per person fare and we would need to pay another $1000 out of pocket?  Just trying to figure this out before I cancel.  We have a suite-so the FCC will not distribute evenly and I’m finding it difficult to find an equivalent suite for a date we can sail. 

As long as you both are traveling on the new reservation then both of the FCCs should be able to be used even if the amounts don't line up exactly with the per person breakdown on the new reservation.  At least this is my understanding of how it works.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How long does it take for the FCC to be available?  I am scheduled to cruise in three days.  The current rate is half what I paid.  I was told before that they can't adjust the price after final payment has been made.  With the 48-hour coronavirus cancellation policy, can I cancel and immediately rebook at the lower rate?  There is mention above that the FCC can only be applied to the base fare and not to port fees.  If that is the case, if I cancel my current trip, will they refund the port fees and issue a FCC for the base fare?  Why would they issue the port fees as a FCC if it can't be used towards port fees in the future?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, CruiseWeaver said:

 The current rate is half what I paid. 

You are correct that your cruise fare cannot be adjusted after final payment date.  If the prices on cabins have fallen recently, your best bet is to try and get an upgrade.  If the price of a cabin category above yours has fallen sufficiently that the price of the upgraded cabin is equal to or less than what you paid for your cabin, they will often upgrade you to the higher cabin category at no charge.  They will NEVER give you any money back though.  An upgrade is the best you can hope for at this point, if you still intend to sail.

3 minutes ago, CruiseWeaver said:

With the 48-hour coronavirus cancellation policy, can I cancel and immediately rebook at the lower rate?

Yes, you can, but you would have to pay the entire cost of the "new" cruise up front.  You will receive the FCC later, which can be used to either book a new cruise or pay down an existing cruise, but the FCC would not be available quickly enough to use on the existing cruise.  There is also discussion on some threads that the cruise line would not allow you to use the FCC towards the cruise from which it was generated.  Again, your best bet is to try for an upgrade.

3 minutes ago, CruiseWeaver said:

 if I cancel my current trip, will they refund the port fees and issue a FCC for the base fare?  Why would they issue the port fees as a FCC if it can't be used towards port fees in the future?

Taxes, ports fees and prepaid gratuities are not included in any FCC.  They are refunded directly to the original form of payment (credit card used to pay for the cruise).  The only thing included in an FCC is the cruise fare.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info WAAAYTOOO.  You pretty much confirmed what I thought.  I am booked in a Junior Suite and Grand Suites were available for less than what I paid, but I was literally on hold with my TA (a large online consolidator) for 6 hours before I was able to speak with human.  By that time, the Grand Suites were sold out.  Naturally when I looked online a couple of hours later, the GS was again available for less than my JS. (sigh)  When I called RCCL directly, I was on hold for an hour before someone picked up which I don't consider unreasonable considering the circumstances, but 6 hours is a bit much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, CruiseWeaver said:

Thanks for the info WAAAYTOOO.  You pretty much confirmed what I thought.  I am booked in a Junior Suite and Grand Suites were available for less than what I paid, but I was literally on hold with my TA (a large online consolidator) for 6 hours before I was able to speak with human.  By that time, the Grand Suites were sold out.  Naturally when I looked online a couple of hours later, the GS was again available for less than my JS. (sigh)  When I called RCCL directly, I was on hold for an hour before someone picked up which I don't consider unreasonable considering the circumstances, but 6 hours is a bit much.

This is such a shame.  I will refrain from blaming this outcome on the Agency but I have just heard so many, many, many similar stories that it makes me think that those big box Agencies just don't care....

Just so that you have some misery, as company, this exact same thing happened to me, too...and I have an awesome Agent.  She was never able to get through and by the next day, all of the upper category suites had disappeared.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This is such a shame.  I will refrain from blaming this outcome on the Agency but I have just heard so many, many, many similar stories that it makes me think that those big box Agencies just don't care....

Just so that you have some misery, as company, this exact same thing happened to me, too...and I have an awesome Agent.  She was never able to get through and by the next day, all of the upper category suites had disappeared.

I have been convinced for years that the big consolidators don't care, but I have continued to book with them due to rates and perks being much better than booking directly with RCCL.  It would be nice if RCCL would match their rates.

Misery loves company.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, CruiseWeaver said:

Another FCC hypothetical question.  I have a FCC of $2000 and I need connecting cabins (one for parents and one for kids).  Each cabin costs $1000.  Can I use the full FCC to pay for both cabins or is that not permitted since the FCC is tied to me and I am only registered in one cabin?

The FCC can only be applied to the cabin that has the passenger with the FCC.  The balance of the FCC can be applied to another cruise in that passenger's name.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/10/2020 at 11:14 AM, twangster said:

Historically FCC can be applied to more than one cruise but...  the first cruise that had FCC applied has to complete before the remaining FCC will be made available for another cruise.  It's not clear if this FCC will work in the same manner as traditional FCC has worked so we can only wait and see.

Reasons why, if not the case, since the FCC is the course taken, Royal should either refund the remaining balance, should it occur after the newly replaced cruise is booked or provide an OBC on that newly replaced cruise....not double jeopardy in forcing passengers to have to book a 2nd cruise, for the sake of using all of the remaining FCC, one may have.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hi guys. just wanted to be clear before going ahead and postponing my cruise. if i paid 2500 total will i get that amount as a fcc? if not will the rest be reimbursed ? and that fcc applies to all pricing we see on rc website  on new bookings?  thank you 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WHO officially has called the Covid19 outbreak a Pandemic.

https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020

Not sure how that is going to effect travel in and out of the country now, but I have heard from different people that if they go south for Easter or March break that they will not be allowed to return to their offices for 14 days after they return to the country.  Not everyone wants to use 3 to 4 weeks of vacation time this time of the year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Assuming there are no agency fees/penalties, you should get a total refund/FCC for everything, eventually.

Pre-paid gratuities, taxes and ports fees will be immediately (5-7 business days) refunded to the original form of payment.  The remaining value is the cruise fare.  That will be presented in the form of a Future Cruise Credit(s).  Important to note:  EVERY cruiser will receive his/her own FCC in the amount of their individual cruise fare.  Only the person to whom the FCC is provided can "spend" the FCC.  So if there are 2 adults and 2 children on the original reservation, 4 FCC's will be provided.  Only the person's name on the FCC can "spend" it on another cruise.  In other words, you cannot take your children's FCCs and apply them to a cruise that just you and your husband are taking as a replacement cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Mr. Candyman said:

Just when I think I have a grasp I second guess myself.  If FCC is being issued for sailings until December 31, 2021, does that mean the sailing needs to be booked by then (meaning I can pick a sailing in 2022) or does the sailing need to be completed by 12/31/2021?

 

I read somewhere that the sailing had to be completed by 12/31/2021, however I'm not sure if this was for the Cruise with Confidence plan or the 125% FCC offered by Royal if they cancelled the cruise themselves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Matt V said:

Are we safe to book a new cruise and pay the deposit while we wait for the FCC to arrive? Then assume we apply the FCC to the cruise we put the deposit on? 

Yes.  I was just responding to this very idea on a different thread.  I think it is very wise to do this.  IMO, prices are just going to continue to rise.  As long as you book a fully refundable deposit, you really can’t go wrong.  You can add the FCC to your booking later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, KyleW2 said:

I read somewhere that the sailing had to be completed by 12/31/2021, however I'm not sure if this was for the Cruise with Confidence plan or the 125% FCC offered by Royal if they cancelled the cruise themselves.

That's where my uncertainty comes from.  It's definitely stated in the terms for the CWC offer but not really clear with the 125% deal.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just in case someone finds themselves in a situation similar to what I encountered and have now deciphered with help of the travel agency I booked a now-cancelled cruise with:

The cruise is scheduled for May 4 to Canada/New England. I cancelled under "Cruise With Confidence" last weekend (March 7, just after they announced Cruise With Confidence) because I decided I'd delay my trip until June and also change ships while I was at it. When I cancelled, I was in the 50% forfeiture period (I think I was at 68 days). So, 5 business days after cancellation, I got a refund for the taxes, prepaid gratuities, and 50% of my cruise fare back to my card. The remaining 50% of my cruise fare will be refunded to an FCC, which I will get, well...whenever I get it.

It took me a while to wrap my head around the math, and I just wanted to share this with people in case they're initially perplexed like I am -- which, admittedly doesn't take much! ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...