ArlingtonVA Posted December 22, 2022 Report Share Posted December 22, 2022 I am a Prime level Casino Royale member, and want to take a 5-day free cruise in 5 months. I have earned 3 free cruises. Should be easy, right? No, I can't use any of my free cruises. Here's why. I can't use my current free cruise credit because the cruise is in May, and the current voucher is only good for travel thru March 31. I have already earned Prime level for next year, but I can't redeem my 2023 voucher until after March 31. This is impossible for me, because I need a wheelchair accessible room and there are only 2 available. They will be sold out by then. I also earned an insta-cruise on a cruise last month, but they won't let me transfer that to this cruise either. I'm not sure why, but insta-cruise certificates are generally more limited This system is broken. Why does Royal Caribbean treat casino guests so well on board but so poorly offshore? Talking to customer service about this is a frustrating experience as they can only do what the system let's them do. (I have been told multiple times that there is no ""Tier Priority Contact Number" for Prime members, even though it is still widely advertised as a perk). If you ask to elevate to someone who can do more than say "no," they say they will give you a call back sometime in the next 24 hours. Any suggestions? I thought Royal Caribbean let you book future cruises as long as you booked it before March 31. This shouldn't be so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted December 22, 2022 Report Share Posted December 22, 2022 Sorry.... It is frustrating but all annual prime cruises must be BOOKED and SAILED by that March 31st date. That has always been the policy as far as I knew. Also, they won't issue the following years prime certificate until after April 1st and it can only be applied to booking not pass final payment. So even if you booked hoping to transfer, it would be past final payment. Insta cruise are normally on limited sailings, they will have a list. If your cruise falls within the list, it can be applied, if not........... I don't think the system is broken; it wasn't designed to appeal to all needs. Instead, it is to put butts in the seats. Royal gives the casino only so much and if you can get a good deal, while also doing something you like/love to do, even better. ArlingtonVA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 22, 2022 Report Share Posted December 22, 2022 Book a fully refundable accessible cabin far out as possible that meets the 2023 program rules. Come April 1 cancel it and ask the casino folks to book it with the comp. cruisellama, WAAAYTOOO and ArlingtonVA 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swar Posted December 23, 2022 Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 Last year our yearly comped cruises did not show up until late April. The window should at least go for one year after the voucher shows up in Clubroyaleoffers.com ArlingtonVA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted December 23, 2022 Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 16 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: I don't think the system is broken; it wasn't designed to appeal to all needs. Instead, it is to put butts in the seats. Royal gives the casino only so much and if you can get a good deal, while also doing something you like/love to do, even better. This ^^^^^ Their objective is to defiantly get as many butts in casino seats, as quickly as possible, to fill in short term revenue gaps. That is why most low-level instant certificates are short term and avoid blackout dates -- this is their biggest immediate revenue deficit to fill. The more you gamble on a single cruise, the better the instant certificates offer will become though, but this is at your risk, not theirs. As an example, I just booked a comp balcony for October 2023 using the instant certificate I earned on board last week. I earned well over 2000 points on that cruise. My wife earned far fewer points (less than 1000) and only had short term interior cabins offered. If you want more leniency and options in using their certificates, then you have to "pay" for it by gambling more to earn more points in a single cruise. I do sympathize with the OP on the mobility / accessibility concern and do hope the OP is able to get a great comp cruise that accommodates needs. ArlingtonVA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shari3 Posted December 23, 2022 Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 19 hours ago, twangster said: Book a fully refundable accessible cabin far out as possible that meets the 2023 program rules. Come April 1 cancel it and ask the casino folks to book it with the comp. Exactly what I just did! ArlingtonVA and twangster 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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