Let me just start off by saying, my family is not rich. My husband and I live paycheck to paycheck, which is why we booked this cruise almost 2 years in advance, so that we could slowly pay it off. On Friday May 20th, 2011, I logged onto www.royalcaribbean.com to make a payment on our upcoming cruise in December. The balance owed was $1898. I selected the "other payment amount" option and entered in $300. Once I made the payment I went to see how much we still owed. The balance said ZERO. I checked my account- sure enough there was a pending transaction for $1898. I called Royal Caribbean and spoke to John Chambers. He informed me that the website charging the full balance instead of what was entered in is a "known issue". He stated that I would need to contact my bank to let them know this was an unauthorized transaction. When I called them, the agent informed me they would need a fax on RCL letterhead with the full CC# and amount of the charge to be released. John faxed that over to the bank and state the money would be back in my account as soon as the bank released the hold. The money was released within the hour. John advised me to let him know when the money was back in my account. I spoke to him to let him know. He offered $50 onboard credit for compensation. I did not feel that was fair, so I asked to speak a manager. I was told she was not available that I would have to leave a voicemail. While I was speaking to John in the middle of my sentence John just dumped the call to her voicemail. Luckily, Virginia McGriff answered the phone, however she didn't seem to care much regarding the way I was transferred or regarding compensation. After going back and forth she decided that $75 on board credit would be fair because there was "no out of pocket expense" and that was that. I had no other say in the matter. I didn't appreciate the way the whole conversation/experience went down with the "Resolution Department". However, since the money was back in my account I gave in. I called later that evening to make the $300 payment that I originally tried to make. Everything went thru just fine. Today, May 21st my husband and I had a huge shopping day planned because we have not had a free weekend in a long time. I checked the account to make sure everything was fine and it was. I started by getting my nails done. When I gave her my card to charge. It declined. She tried again, declined. HOW EMBARRESING. There I was in the middle of the nail salon, with services already complete and I couldn't pay the poor girl who did the work. I contacted my bank and guest what? Royal Caribbean had posted a HARD CHARGE to my account on 5/21 @ 9:13am. So now my account is in the negative almost $700. Not only can we not shop at this point, but we can't eat and we can't put gas in our cars. When I contacted the resolution department again, I spoke to Virginia who was again, VERY condescending the whole time. She was adamant that another charge had not been posted. I conferenced in my bank and the manager there and Virginia argued back and forth. After a total of about an hour on the phone the resolution was I can do nothing for you on both sides. Virginia stated that it was the original charge going thru and that I should have been advised of that yesterday. Yet when I spoke to her she mentioned NOTHING about that and John Chambers told me it would NOT post to my account. So now I have to wait 3-5 days for the refund. Virginia offered $150 on board credit and that was it. $150 for THEIR mistake that's left a family without food, or gas for 5 days. Not to mention having to cancel birthday shopping plans. I just keep being told we will reimburse you for any out of pocket expense. WHAT OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE? My account is in the NEGITAVE! The card DECLINES. I have NO options. When I ask to speak to Virginia’s manager I'm told she's the top of the department and there is no one else to speak to. She also goes thru all emails sent in to the CEO. When I called cooperate, they advised I could only talk to her. NO ONE WILL HELP. Surely this is not how you treat all of your customers. I AM DISCUSTED.I am obviously looking for some sort of compensation other than what’s been offered.. Our cruise is not until December so there is still time to maybe make this a little less of a nightmare, . Whether it be a significant amount of onboard credit, a chunk taken off the balance owed or an upgraded room, I CERTIANLY think that is not too much to ask given that Royal Caribbean has left a family stranded with no money for 3-5 business days;. Not to mention I've spent 2 whole days trying to sort thru this mess

We are going on this cruise for my parent’s 30th Anniversary". It’s my husbands and grandmothers first time to cruise!. Collectively we have spent approximately $11, 000 on this cruise!. It is ABSURD the way this error, that was YOUR fault has been “resolved”/. The WORST customer service experience ever.

We booked a cruise with Royal Carribean - put down $2700 deposit on our credit card. 7 months later they called and cancelled our cruise. They gave absolutely no reason. No compensation (I paid interest on the $2700.00 for 7 months) and would not offer another cruise at a comparable price. I called to talk to their "resolution" dept. Which was a joke - I had an operator read off a card "yes, I would be upset also" and "no, I can't do a thing for you" This was for our anniversary - so don't book with Royal unless you don't care if you go or not.

Really looked forward to escaping winter on Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas - icy weather delayed our flight - we missed the shuttle we pre-arranged. Hailed a cab to the ship. Fare $94! (Not what this Pissed Consumer complaint is about - maybe should be!)

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas - even bigger than I imagined - I imagined battleship.

Port embarkation stations arranged by deck - we missed initial crush - check-in was quick.

Suitcases scanned for security - safe thing - and to confiscate alcohol, sodas, fruit juices and

bottled water - RCI stingy thing.

On board we found jaw-dropping places - innovations I predict to influence many future cruise ships designs.

Nothing prepares you for the sheer number of guests aboard. Glad we made show reservations way ahead of time. People who had not reserved Chicago, Blue Planet, the ice show or the water show were usually disappointed. But things happen. Computer issues postponed Blue Planet show - rescheduled same time as the ice show. Bummer. Guests cuing long lines hours before comedy show in small place - we never made it in - played twice per night.

That's the big difference about the cruising experience on Allure. Just like a city - entertainment theaters, restaurants and clubs have very limited seating. Not everyone who wants to get inside will be able to. Amber Theater and Windjammer not much larger than Freedom class ships carrying fewer passengers. Experienced long lines - waits for most everything including elevators and public restrooms. Touch screens in stateroom and around the ship display wait times for events - other guests checking too - hike through milling crowds of people to destination - lines have grown from 10-minute wait to 30-minute wait. Maybe 400 Diamond Plus members aboard - Concierge Lounge too packed to enjoy. Most everywhere - for most everything - long cues like for major theme park rides. No surprise - organized and directed shore excursion departures had longest cues and waits. No exaggeration - anticipate waiting in a 15-minute cue, 6 times a day on Allure. We saw several ugly confrontations - people who no patience for line-breakers or those holding spots to let 5 people into line. RCI really needs to enforce rules better. Selfishly reserving poolside seating for hours with towels caused a lot of friction - so many are competing for the same spaces on Allure - RCI not enforcing rules to maintain order and civility. The other side - RCI employees reluctant to act - can't afford any negative comments from a guest.

Experienced Royal Caribbean cruisers will be very familiar with the cuisine on Allure. In main dining, Indian cuisine is usually one menu choice - Asian or pasta usually makes another menu choice - had duck and veal. Steak cost extra. Served minuscule, butterflied langostino tail on Fisherman platter "lobster night" - didn't order it - planned surf 'n turf (lobster & fillet mignon) in premium restaurant later in cruise. Downsized menu designed to Allure guests into premium restaurants.

Beverage cards needed for sodas, fruit juices and bottled water.

First time in our cruise experiences, a suitcase was lost. Dadgummit, Royal Caribbean! - did it have to be my wife's suitcase? Mine got delivered - bad for me - she is furious about it - has not failed to remind me of it - everyday - several times a day - since it happened. She packed formal dress, casual outfits, good shoes, intimates and bathing suit in lost suitcase - thank heavens she had makeup, medicines, jewelry, camera and one casual outfit in her carry-on.

Reported the missing suitcase right away - left our suitcases with port handlers - had personal ID tags on both suitcases - had RCI stateroom tags on both suitcases - had tipped the port handler - had receipt. Royal Caribbean promised to do a search - we completed a loss form - next day RCI informed us the suitcase could not be found - they had no record of it coming aboard Allure. Then the really bad news - RCI claimed my receipt was ONLY for my suitcase! RCI carefully explained - port handlers were not RCI employees! We would need to discuss our missing suitcase with port handlers when we returned to Miami - classic "their fault, not ours" story - I cannot prove the suitcase ever got aboard Allure - we are supposed to witness porters loading our luggage onto the ship? Now for why I'm a Pissed Consumer - since RCI was not negligent for the loss - they could not authorize the $300 lost luggage credit!

Ladies can tell you - $300 not enough for a lost formal, casual outfits, good shoes, intimates, etc. or the quality suitcase itself. Incredibly, Allure apparel shops do not sell intimate wear - except logo undies - the outfits Allure shops do sell are overpriced - a $300 credit won't replace much - the wife bought clothes at our first port of call. She felt no small degree of satisfaction wearing her new rainbow tie-dyed dress formal night! All night it was a springboard to tell her RCI Rip-off story - seemed most pissed off guests had their own lost-by-cruise-line tales of woe. So luggage lost-by-cruise-line happens enough for readers to take extra precautions.

I guess you can predict the responses we received from the port handlers in Miami - in short, their story is all luggage on the cart makes it aboard the ship - the last time we saw the suitcase was when it was piled onto the cart - any luggage they found after Allure left would have been turned over to RCI - receipt meant nothing - classic "their fault, not ours" story again - I smell a rat! Whatever - some chick in Miami area has my wife's formal. Whatever the inconvenience - from now on we will be packing only carry-ons - whether its port handlers or RCI to blame - I'll be "thanking" Royal Caribbean International every step I take.

My mother-in-law purchased a cruise vacation for 7 family members, spanning 4 generations (4 of whom include veterans). We drove 6 hours from Tampa to Miami to catch the Majesty of the Seas for a cruise from 12/13/2010 to 12/17/2010. Both the deposit and remainder of the balance were paid ahead of schedule. This was her first experience with Royal Caribbean, whom she booked with on a referral. Myself, my fiance, and his 7 year old son had never been on a cruise, and we were so excited and had been looking forward to this trip for months. We had issues with our GPS, and were running behind schedule, but we finally arrived at the dock at 4:40, and the departure time was 5pm. We were already checked in (we had done so 2 days before online) and had our luggage tags on our bags. Our documentation failed to stress that if we were not at the port a minimum of 1 hour before departure, we would not be allowed on the ship. The security supervisor explained this regulation, and without much outward sympathy suggested we call customer service. In a state of disbelief that they could do nothing to help us, we got back in the car and drove another 6 hours back home, not getting in the door until midnight. When my mother-in -law called customer service the next day, she was told that not only was she not eligible for a refund, she also was not eligible for a credit to use towards a future cruise. The only thing she can do apparently, is call for a refund of the taxes she paid, once the ship docks back in Miami on the 17th. The customer service agent would not refer her to a supervisor, even though she requested to speak with one. I have worked in customer service for over 10 years, and I have never heard of such a shocking lack of empathy from a company, especially around the holidays, and towards a family of veterans. We were not looking for a refund of the more than $2, 000 she spent, we were asking for credit with the company to be used for a future trip. I do not believe it is right that Royal Caribbean should be allowed to keep so much money without providing any services, and such appalling customer service. Neglecting to inform the customer of the importance of the deadline for boarding is one thing, but then refusing to work with that customer to rectify the situation by at least honoring the money they have spent is reprehensible.

I just wanted to post my feelings about Royal Caribbean sending cruises to Haiti. Is it just me or does it sound like this cruise company only cares about the money they can make for themselves? With how many people are injured and continue to die, Royal Caribbean should be sending cruise ships full of aid supplies rather than snotty tourists. I'm a Marine veteran and while I was in Iraq we completed many humanitarian missions, which is why this makes me sick. How can you ignore the realities of the world you live in, and continue like nothing ever happened?