Royal Caribbean Eliminates Popular Incentive Program

Update 9/20, 4:30 PM:

We have just received notice that due to negative feedback from currently booked passengers in these cabins, Royal Caribbean will now be allowing currently booked guests to keep the program perks if they choose. Royal Caribbean sent out the following in an email to travel agents less than an hour ago: 

"While some guests were pleased with the choice to convert the DINE • DRINK • DISCOVER amenities into an Onboard Credit to use at their discretion, others saw value in the tangible amenities included at the time of purchase. It is for this reason that we are now enabling impacted guests to choose the best option for their vacation experience.

Choices include: $50 per stateroom Onboard Credit [or] Original DINE • DRINK • DISCOVER amenities determined by the category booked.

This is eligible only to those guests booked before September 18th, 2019 on sailings departing on-or-after January 1st, 2020. Both you and your impacted clients will receive an email with an enclosed questionnaire allowing your client to select their compensation preference. We ask that you please encourage your clients to submit their preference by October 4th, 2019."

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Royal Caribbean has announced that they are removing the Dine · Drink · Discover program from their Oasis class ships.

The program gave guests who booked Boardwalk Balcony and Central Park Balcony cabins a number of extra perks. It will be removed from all sailings departing on and after January 1, 2020. The line’s current Oasis class vessels are Oasis, Allure, Harmony, and Symphony of the Seas.

The perks for Boardwalk Balcony passengers were:

• A complimentary meal for up to four guests at Johnny Rockets
• A soda package for two guests
• An exclusive family session at the rock climbing wall

The perks for Central Park Balcony passengers were:

• A complimentary lunch for two at one of several specialty restaurants
• A bottle of red wine
• The opportunity for a private gaming lesson in the casino

Those currently booked in these two types of cabins will not receive these perks if they sail after January 1. But to soften the blow, Royal Caribbean is offering a $50 onboard credit per stateroom for those booked before September 18 and sailing between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021.

We hopped over to Twitter to see what people’s reactions to the change are, and it’s safe to say that no one is happy about it.

@RoyalCaribbean disappointing to see #baitandswitch tactics! I booked my room for the perks, even paid extra, yet $50 should replace my $200+ worth of perks. This will be our 1st and last with such a #corrupt company #RoyalCaribbean #cruising https://t.co/MVnciZjsxE

— MamaBee3 (@bee3_mama) September 18, 2019

This is unacceptable and the $50 dollar compensation is a joke. You are taking away from my children's experience and I'm disappointed in this poor choice.

— Joel A Johnson (@ZMLifeScience) September 20, 2019

@RoyalCaribbean this is terrible costing my family more money now. How can you change this after your customers already paid for it? our expectations are to get what we pay for. https://t.co/kFWFq6RIHE

— bradley welter (@LAKEDUDE23) September 18, 2019

Is this true @RCLcorp @RoyalCaribbean If yes...I’m losing out on far more than $50! https://t.co/ACyrPY8bOL

— Heather (@haw1253) September 19, 2019

Excuse me @RoyalCaribbean, but what is this...https://t.co/gap3r4sI3S?? I have been posturing myself as a new TA to sell your cruises because how of much I love your brand and customer service and you're pulling this? How can I trust you now? I purchased a balcony based on perks

— kathryn (@kem711) September 18, 2019

So frustrated by this ⁦@RoyalCaribbean⁩ !! Booked for Sept 2020 on Symphony (we booked four months ago while onboard Harmony)- now everything just taken away. At least the room is nice, I guess? 🤷🏻‍♀️ https://t.co/OmUdnGEPj6

— Natalie (@italianiddy) September 18, 2019

4:30 PM Update information: Cruise Fever