Content suggestion: RCCL rules (US v. Rest of World)

[djs68]

Hi

This is something for Matt & Co really. As a first time cruiser I am finding your videos and blogs to be incredibly useful and entertaining, so thank you very much for putting such quantities of quality, relevant content out there for us. 

One thing that I have found is that sometimes the rules differ between what is allowed in the US and other countries. For example, I wanted to transfer my directly-booked trip to MEI (as you advise) but while I spoke to a US-based call centre rep, the UK rules meant I couldn't do it all (no matter how close to the original booking or distance from date of travel). 

I think it might be useful therefore to your audience to understand where these differences lie, hence my suggestion!

Thanks

[Matt]

2 hours ago, djs68 said:

For example, I wanted to transfer my directly-booked trip to MEI (as you advise) but while I spoke to a US-based call centre rep, the UK rules meant I couldn't do it all (no matter how close to the original booking or distance from date of travel). 

That's not true of MEI Travel. Because MEI works with RCB and this site has a global reach, MEI can absolutely take your reservation. For other US TAs, your info would be correct.

[djs68]

Hi Matt - thanks so much for personally responding!

OK - to get into the details, I emailed a really helpful contact at MEI and they said they could only take over my booking if I had booked it in USD. As my booking was in GBP (as I'm in the UK) then this wouldn't be possible, so I wasn't able to take it any further with them. I then contacted a UK agent who pointed me to RCCL who told me I couldn't transfer it anyway due to UK rules. So yes, possibly MEI could have done it if I'd booked it in USD (but I'm not sure how many UK direct bookings are made in USD or even if it's possible - but good to know for the future!) NB I had only paid the deposit and it doesn't go fully paid until mid/late July as the cruise is in October.

So it's a bit complicated with various nuances - you are always very good to remind everyone that your recommendations/views etc may not always be applicable in all countries - so I thought it might make a useful topic for future content.

All the best and thanks again for taking the time to respond! 

[WAAAYTOOO]

3 hours ago, djs68 said:

UK rules meant I couldn't do it all (no matter how close to the original booking or distance from date of travel). 

Did you pay the original booking in British pounds ?  If so, that is probably the reason you were not permitted to transfer the booking to MEI.  In order to use MEI, your booking must be paid in $US.

 

[Matt]

Ah yes, that's a different issue (GBP vs USD).

[Spang1974]

I would go as far as saying that Matt and his Team at RCB do a tremendous job of informing us to the best of their abilities, and asking for them to keep up with the different RCI policies and procedures from around the globe would be unfair. Living in the UK I am more than aware that some of the discussions here do not apply to me, and vice versa. 

[djs68]

Thanks all for coming back to me. I completely agree with Spang - Matt you and your team do an amazing job and am so sorry that this did not come across in full.

I love the channel and just thought a recent experience would make an interesting content suggestion. I honestly and sincerely apologise if I have caused any offence.

All the best

 

[Spang1974]

2 hours ago, djs68 said:

Thanks all for coming back to me. I completely agree with Spang - Matt you and your team do an amazing job and am so sorry that this did not come across in full.

I love the channel and just thought a recent experience would make an interesting content suggestion. I honestly and sincerely apologise if I have caused any offence.

All the best

 

No offence caused:)