We booked a cruise with Royal Caribbean the week before the Corona Virus debacle became public knowledge. We paid for the cruise insurance but that does not cover the $900 deposit. As the due date approached for making final payment for the cruise, the world wide Corona spread continued. I called several times and spoke to agents at Royal Caribbean. Finally a few days before we would have to make final payment I spoke to an agent who said I would lose my deposit if I canceled BUT if Royal Caribbean ended up canceling the cruise I would get all my money back which includes the deposit. Based on that advice, I canceled the cruise. Eventually Royal Caribbean canceled the cruise and I waited to get my deposit back. Finally I gave up waiting and started emailing and calling. I was told that I had no proof any agent told me I would get my deposit back and even if they did, it clearly states on the website that deposits are forfeit if you cancel the cruise. Now if THEY cancel the cruise, supposedly you get your deposit back BUT since I canceled first, they get to keep my $900.00.
Needless to say, disgruntled doesn't begin to describe my annoyance. I tried multiple agents and all basically told me "you're screwed".
$900.00 down the Royal Caribbean toilet.
If you are planning a cruise, based on my experience I would strongly suggest that you avoid Royal Caribbean. The have ZERO interest in customer service nor to do they see the ambiguity of refunding some customers and not others. I have heard from other readers than Oceania gave full refunds to all people when they canceled their cruises.
So my MONEY SAVING TIP IS:
DO NOT CRUISE WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN
If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.
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