Royal Caribbean

KPayne81

Morning, I really need some advice.  We were due to cruise in May using 5 cabins across 5 families.  The final Balance was due in March, however we decided to cancel due to the start of the outbreak as we felt it wasn't safe.  We booked through a travel agent, and they cancelled when instructed, however it was 3 days past the "within 57 day cancellation period".  RCL are now asking for £20k (spread across the 5 rooms) which they will then give a credit voucher for.  Infuriatingly they cancelled our sailing 10 days later, so the ship never even sailed.  I feel that is very unfair to pay across money to be issued a credit voucher, when the ship didn't sail, therefore they didn't fulfil the service they are asking the money for. I don't want a credit voucher back.  My Travel agent has tried fighting this but RCL are adamant I need to pay the money.  Is there anything I can do?  Thank you.

[Deleted User]

Am I reading this right, you were outwith the cancellation period and you cancelled yourself before the cruise was officially cancelled?  You didn't pay the full amount?  

Trickey because in theory they are entitled to keep whatever is in the terms and conditions of your booking.

How much do you stand to lose if you don't pay the balance?    I think you may have to work out which is better for you?  If you know you will want to rebook when you can then it might be better to pay the balance (£400 per room?) and accept the voucher.  If you do not intend to rebook, no matter what then don't pay any more money but accept you will, most likely, lose your deposit (or whatever t's and c's stipulate).  

Sorry it isn't more positive but this is my interpretation of it and others may have differing thoughts.

KPayne81

These are the pre-covid terms:

If you cancel you will have to pay the cancellation charges set out below
and calculated on the total price of the booking:
5 days or less 100%
6 to 14 days 90%
15 to 28 days 75%
29 to 56 days 50%
57 days or more Deposit only

So I think we cancelled on day 56, before paying the balance, and before they cancelled the May cruises, they had only cancelled April sailings at that point.  I would happily forefeit my deposit (£600). I just don't want to pay out an extra £4k per family when we won't be sailing with them any time soon.  

[Deleted User]

Sorry I read it as £2,000 not £20,000.    Initially you said you were 3 days past the 57 day cut off point for loss of deposit only?
Is £20,000 the balance of the full cost?

So if that is the case then you will owe them 50% of the total cost?      Technically, I suppose they could take you to court as you have broken the agreement.    Whether they will or not,  who knows?   There needs to be a test case.

I don't think anybody can advise you to pay or not pay t.b.h.   If you break the terms of your agreement it has to be your own choice. 

Obviously if you were within the 57 days even by a day, then you are not obliged to pay any more than the deposit.

Again apologies for not being very comforting.   

Life__Goes__On

KPayne81 said:

Morning, I really need some advice.  We were due to cruise in May using 5 cabins across 5 families.  The final Balance was due in March, however we decided to cancel due to the start of the outbreak as we felt it wasn't safe.  We booked through a travel agent, and they cancelled when instructed, however it was 3 days past the "within 57 day cancellation period".  RCL are now asking for £20k (spread across the 5 rooms) which they will then give a credit voucher for.  Infuriatingly they cancelled our sailing 10 days later, so the ship never even sailed.  I feel that is very unfair to pay across money to be issued a credit voucher, when the ship didn't sail, therefore they didn't fulfil the service they are asking the money for. I don't want a credit voucher back.  My Travel agent has tried fighting this but RCL are adamant I need to pay the money.  Is there anything I can do?  Thank you.

Don't pay.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015  is clear about this issue
The company would have to prove it suffered a loss by you not paying.
They can not do this as your trip was cancelled.

The fact it was cancelled  gives you the right to reclaim any monies you have paid to them, and get any deposits refunded.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/can-i-claim-back-a-non-refundable-deposit

[Deleted User]

Life__Goes__On said:

KPayne81 said:

Morning, I really need some advice.  We were due to cruise in May using 5 cabins across 5 families.  The final Balance was due in March, however we decided to cancel due to the start of the outbreak as we felt it wasn't safe.  We booked through a travel agent, and they cancelled when instructed, however it was 3 days past the "within 57 day cancellation period".  RCL are now asking for £20k (spread across the 5 rooms) which they will then give a credit voucher for.  Infuriatingly they cancelled our sailing 10 days later, so the ship never even sailed.  I feel that is very unfair to pay across money to be issued a credit voucher, when the ship didn't sail, therefore they didn't fulfil the service they are asking the money for. I don't want a credit voucher back.  My Travel agent has tried fighting this but RCL are adamant I need to pay the money.  Is there anything I can do?  Thank you.

Don't pay.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015  is clear about this issue
The company would have to prove it suffered a loss by you not paying.
They can not do this as your trip was cancelled.

The fact it was cancelled  gives you the right to reclaim any monies you have paid to them, and get any deposits refunded.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/can-i-claim-back-a-non-refundable-deposit

Not seen this info.    The last I was told was the t's and c's were still binding IF the customer cancelled holiday before it was cancelled.   Very happy to read this.   Thank you

Life__Goes__On

It is still very common for the company to point to their T&Cs  and saying you have no choice but to follow them.
But some T&Cs don't stand up to the CRA 2015 so are totally invalid.

RC have zero chance of  getting the OP to pay RC   £20k for a cruise that RC have cancelled.
It would never even get to court, as the case has no merit,  RC would have to argue their T&Cs usurp the CRA 2015.