Careful with Cancelled FCC Details

[deep1]

Got my Indy trip cancelled... Ok not end of world. Generous FCC offered. Great! Go to book another cruise... FCC can't be used for deposit??? I did not know that. FCC is already more than next trip by 500 and now 1000 more cash out of pocket to make booking. That means after this next trip I have 1500 FCC that has to be used within 6 months of my next sailing or lose it forever ??? That was another "detail " I wasn't privy to. This is not the same as that widely advertised cancellation policy... Careful...

[twangster]

Sorry you didn't know but the FCC process has been discussed quite a lot recently including that it doesn't pay the deposit.  It also doesn't pay any taxes or port fees nor can it be used for prepaid gratuity.  FCC can be applied to base cruise fare only.

Any left over FCC unused for a cruise has typically been re-issued once your cruise completes.  In my case it was a new FCC certificate with a new one year date.  

[twangster]

 

[twangster]

 

[twangster]

 

[karl_nj]

I wonder if the FCC I get for my cancelled spring break easter cruise is going to have the same language that the last FCC I received had:

FCCs are redeemable towards cruise fare only and are not valid on Complimentary cruises, Incentive bookings, Charter sailings, and holiday sailings (Easter, Christmas, & New Year's).

If so, it means I won't be able to use it to book a Spring Break cruise for next year, which would be unfortunate.  Especially since they are issuing the FCC because they canceled a holiday sailing...

 

[RCIfan1912]

1 hour ago, karl_nj said:

I wonder if the FCC I get for my cancelled spring break easter cruise is going to have the same language that the last FCC I received had:

FCCs are redeemable towards cruise fare only and are not valid on Complimentary cruises, Incentive bookings, Charter sailings, and holiday sailings (Easter, Christmas, & New Year's).

If so, it means I won't be able to use it to book a Spring Break cruise for next year, which would be unfortunate.  Especially since they are issuing the FCC because they canceled a holiday sailing...

 

So in the end this policy or program is sneaky and not fair. I LOVE Royal but this program is a lot of BS. I don't like it and I do not think its fair or is it what it initially sounded like it was. We are gonna ride it out see if our Oasis cruise May 10th goes on.  

[deep1]

8 hours ago, twangster said:

Sorry you didn't know but the FCC process has been discussed quite a lot recently including that it doesn't pay the deposit.  It also doesn't pay any taxes or port fees nor can it be used for prepaid gratuity.  FCC can be applied to base cruise fare only.

Any left over FCC unused for a cruise has typically been re-issued once your cruise completes.  In my case it was a new FCC certificate with a new one year date.  

I was told that mine is only good 6 months... I'll have enough for another cruise but need to come up with deposits again so will still be off track...

 

[Matt V]

Do they make it clear that it's a holiday cruise? We can only go during spring break which ends with Easter? 

[deep1]

2 minutes ago, Matt V said:

Do they make it clear that it's a holiday cruise? We can only go during spring break which ends with Easter? 

They did not with me...

[Matt V]

The FAQ says FCC under the cancel within 48 hours can be used for ANY sailing through 2021. The fine print says FCC cannot be used for chartered sailings. Didn't say anything about holidays. I took screen shots in case this becomes an issue when I have to book. Wondering if I can get help from the credit card company. I just want my money back at this point. The new compensation plan needs to be retroactive in my opinion. 

[RCVoyager]

8 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I just made a thread asking questions about all this tonight and quite frankly its all bullshit. We have all paid in full for a cruise that did not happen, or we don't feel comfortable taking. The 2,000 or 3,000 or whatever should just go to the new cruise. The fact you have to shell out 750 bucks for a deposit is bullshit. That is sneaky and wrong in my opinion. They are making this more complicated then it needs to be.

We are loyal to both Carnival and RCCL.  In this case, Carnival wins hands down.  We cancelled and rebooked our March 21st sailing on the Breeze before it was cancelled but after options to rebook were announced.  We took a slightly more expensive cruise.  Carnival transferred all of our cruise fare, deposit, taxes, and prepaid gratuities with no questions asked.  We just have to pay the difference which is about $100 each. 

[TXcruzer]

1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

So in the end this policy or program is sneaky and not fair. I LOVE Royal but this program is a lot of BS. I don't like it and I do not think its fair or is it what it initially sounded like it was. We are gonna ride it out see if our Oasis cruise May 10th goes on.  

You can always ask for the cash refund. 

[Zambia-Zaire]

1 hour ago, RCVoyager said:

We are loyal to both Carnival and RCCL.  In this case, Carnival wins hands down.  We cancelled and rebooked our March 21st sailing on the Breeze before it was cancelled but after options to rebook were announced.  We took a slightly more expensive cruise.  Carnival transferred all of our cruise fare, deposit, taxes, and prepaid gratuities with no questions asked.  We just have to pay the difference which is about $100 each. 

How it should be...if really value customers.

[deep1]

5 hours ago, Zambia-Zaire said:

How it should be...if really value customers.

Clear that it doesn't... At times... One thing I have found though with RCL is their inconsistency... A gal in one of my Facebook groups was told that they will "return the deposit to the card it was drawn from" when the FCC actually becomes available...  I have no idea... I do know that when I recently went for an upgrade I had five different stories from five reps and the last one  made me happy as can be...  Its with reasonable certainty that I will use the same tenacity I did negotiating the upgrade. (Which by the way is always done with full respect and cordiality to the person on the other end of the line...)

 

 

 

[Atlantix2000]

I really wouldn't expect consistent knowledge, handling, or policies at this point.  Maybe in a week they'll sort out all details but for now, I would recommend just waiting to call.  There's nothing to be gained by getting upset that Royal doesn't have all the answers on how to handle this unprecedented situation.

[hail73]

Sooo my cruise leaves April 12, the day after this suspension. Do you think it would be effected or should I plan on sailing like normal?

[RCVoyager]

9 minutes ago, hail73 said:

Sooo my cruise leaves April 12, the day after this suspension. Do you think it would be effected or should I plan on sailing like normal?

I you want to change it, you should be able to.  If you want to sail as planned, I would watch for notifications and closely monitor this board.  The good people here know things before they happen sometimes.

[FoxboroCruiser]

The dates of the current policy are more likely to change than not.  Wait and see is hard but right now patience is the best strategy to navigating this entire situation both an land and at sea

[AshleyDillo]

5 hours ago, hail73 said:

Sooo my cruise leaves April 12, the day after this suspension. Do you think it would be effected or should I plan on sailing like normal?

Can't really speculate on what will happen as this situation evolves.

I will stress that currently if you cancel today, you will get the same 100% FCC as you would if you wait and cancel on April 9.  However, if Royal cancels the cruise for you there is the possibility of a larger sum of FCC or a 100% cash refund.  Basically you don't need to make a decision until April 9 as to whether or not you feel comfortable still going.  You may find that Royal or the situation makes the decision for you.

[hail73]

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

Can't really speculate on what will happen as this situation evolves.

I will stress that currently if you cancel today, you will get the same 100% FCC as you would if you wait and cancel on April 9.  However, if Royal cancels the cruise for you there is the possibility of a larger sum of FCC or a 100% cash refund.  Basically you don't need to make a decision until April 9 as to whether or not you feel comfortable still going.  You may find that Royal or the situation makes the decision for you.

Hoping this will all blow over by then. But if not we’ll get a refund either way. From what I’ve heard the refund only works for the base price of the cruise. So this doesn’t include any packages or excursions on the next cruise you book, correct? 

[AshleyDillo]

If you cancel on your own you only get a 100% Future Cruise Credit for the base cruisefare.  All of the excursions and Cruise Planner stuff is fully refunded along with port fees and taxes.

If Royal cancels and uses the same policy as they are for this current suspensiom, you can elect for a 100% refund of everything or you can choose a 125% Future Cruise Credit based on just the base cruisefare and all of the excursions and Cruise Planner stuff is fully refunded along with port fees and taxes.

[deep1]

21 hours ago, Atlantix2000 said:

I really wouldn't expect consistent knowledge, handling, or policies at this point.  Maybe in a week they'll sort out all details but for now, I would recommend just waiting to call.  There's nothing to be gained by getting upset that Royal doesn't have all the answers on how to handle this unprecedented situation.

I am taking advice from a few people who have pointed out the strings tied to FCC really don't make a lot of sense for me...  It would force me into taking a second cruise  before Dec.7, 2020.  Or lose whats left over from this one (which is enough to buy a fairly substantial cruise). I filled out the "refund " stuff but no confirmation back from them yet... I know its busy  there so I won't push... 

[monctonguy]

So I get  a credit for 100% of my cruise...BUT, I have to rebook a more expensive cruise as I cant use the FCC to really pay for 100% of my cruise...

talk about screwing the customer over..

 

I am already out hundreds on airfare and hotels as a result and now they want to add this layer of frustration to the pile...BS!

[Matt]

49 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

So I get  a credit for 100% of my cruise...BUT, I have to rebook a more expensive cruise as I cant use the FCC to really pay for 100% of my cruise...

There is no guarantee the next sailing you book is going to be more expensive.  My guess is even when this is all said and done, cruise fares are going to trend lower than before coronavirus due to the general public's reluctance to cruise again.

50 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

I am already out hundreds on airfare and hotels as a result

Which hotel or airlines are not offering you flexible rebooking/refund policies? It seems like every company has adopted a very flexible policy since the coronavirus started.

[Price drop - No refund or]

On April 26 FOS.  Considering cancelling. Can I get my prepaid gratuities refunded or will it go to FCC?

[Matt]

4 minutes ago, Price drop - No refund or said:

Can I get my prepaid gratuities refunded or will it go to FCC?

You'll get that back as a straight refund.

[monctonguy]

Again, it had to do with the increased cost just to do what I was already going to do...

 

Hoping for the best....but right now I am losing.

 

 

[Zambia-Zaire]

1 hour ago, monctonguy said:

Again, it had to do with the increased cost just to do what I was already going to do...

 

Hoping for the best....but right now I am losing.

 

 

Yeah, I for one, get what you are saying...essentially you paying more cost, out of pocket, to do something you are already scheduled to do, because of price hike, in conjunction with the FCC...which in terms, is a net loss. Very unfortunate occurence.

[CrznTxn]

RCCL in cancelling our casino booked cruise informed our TA that they would refund all money spent on taxes, port fees and excursions. They would not include the insurance in the refund even though it was paid by us. We did not initiate the cancellation so there should be no reason for them to retain it. TA stated that that may change but another slight variation on "100%" refund of items outside of cruise fare.

[AshleyDillo]

1 hour ago, CrznTxn said:

They would not include the insurance in the refund even though it was paid by us.

You may want to ask about the transferring of insurance to another booked cruise.  Technically you did use the cruise insurance since the insurance policy is effective from the day you take out the policy if it has cancellation coverage.  There should be at least a pro rata return of premium option that could be applied to another cruise.   I know with my independent trip insurance I can make changes to the policy and move it to different dates in the event I switch cruises or overall travel plans.

[deep1]

13 hours ago, Matt said:

You'll get that back as a straight refund.

I went for the refund when all was said and done... FCC just had far too many strings and conditions attached and didn't pay for far too much  that I had already paid for in the initial booking. Today I got a fresh "Welcome" confirmation for one of two invoices (Have two rooms and two separate booking numbers) involved with the original booking??? Hoping I don't have issues collecting on the second? Or anything for that matter... Not being afforded my time dining on new booking though I requested it. Meanwhile my friend today got it on his booking for same trip. Did the check ins and not showing set sail on line or in App... Lots of bugs to still work out...