So, as some of you may remember, I had an H guarantee for my upcoming cruise. I didn't get a cabin assignment when I got my docs, so I called RSSC, and they said they would assign me a cabin sometime before the cruise, so just keep calling. I called every day, and finally last week they told me I was assigned cabin 911, which is an upgrade from H to E. Very nice!

Now, I never got this info from my TA, with whom I've actually had very little contact. I purchased my cruise from a discount online agency, and honestly, I got an amazing deal, and didn't mind that this was not a full-service TA. I knew exactly what I wanted for this cruise, and preferred to save a little money. (Not necessarily the smartest way to do things, I know now, especially given what I've learned on this board! But it hasn't been a problem for me for this cruise, thank goodness.)

Yesterday I got the strangest phone call, and I'm curious what y'all think of it. There was a message on my answering machine from my TA saying that he'd heard from RSSC, and said that they were offering us an upgrade from H to E, for a small fee. He said he didn't want to accept it for us before he spoke to me, so would I please call him and let him know if he should go forward. HUH?? As far as I knew, I already GOT the upgrade, at NO charge!

So I called him back, and told him that I'd already been told by RSSC that I HAD cabin 911, and had not been informed of any fee! He seemed to stammer a little bit, and then said, "Oh, well my secretary gave me this note, it must be old information...if they've already assigned you the cabin, then she must have told them to forget about trying to charge you a fee." Suddenly it dawned on me...hmmm...was this guy trying to scam some money out of me, when he got word of my cabin upgrade? Did he think I hadn't been informed yet of my cabin, so he could use the opportunity to get a little more cash? And then, when he realized I already knew I was getting the upgrade, twist it around to make it look like HE (or his secretary, anyway) was responsible for getting us this upgrade at no charge?

Does RSSC EVER charge for cabin upgrades like that, when you have a guarantee? I mean, sheesh, they have to put us somewhere...and if every H cabin is already taken, they can't just ask for more money to put us somewhere else, right? And besides, THEY didn't ask for more money...the TA did. Very strange, no?

I cannot answer your question regarding upgrades, but his actions are most suspect.

Anthony

I've only heard of a charge when you, yourself ask if there are any upgrades available as you board the ship.

Sounds like he was trying to scam you. Discounters have to make up the money somehow. If you don't watch out he may try to charge you for the "upgraded leatherette document folder" too. :)

Suzanne is correct. You are not charged for upgrades on H guarantees. You are only charged when you request an upgrade.

I agree, sounds like he thought he could make a little money off it and you wouldn't be any the wiser - little did he know!! I'm a TA, in fact a cruise agent, and I've never heard of them charging for an upgrade when you are on a guarantee, and thats true for every line out there. I have occassionaly been called by a line and asked if my clients would like to upgrade for a fee, and I then call the clients and ask them, but they have the right to refuse. Also, of course when a passenger asks for an upgrade at the pier, most lines usually charge these days for that, but then I think most passengers expect that.

Yeah, that's what I thought. What a scumbag. Oh well, I can't be too upset, I literally saved hundreds over any other source, which in this case was important, since my Mom had a specific budget to stick to. I guess this is the price I pay for going that route, and I doubt I'll ever do it again. But it worked out in the end.

Michael, I laughed out loud when I read your comment about the document folder! Too funny.

LeeAnne,

Beware, he might try to charge you for the luggage tags too. Maybe he is the one selling them on ebay!

Ick. At least you learned who and what he is at no cost.

I really don't want to rush to judgement on this, but I do have a picure of your TA at his desk.

HaHaHa, Don, that's funny.

Wow, LeeAnn, that's kind of wierd and scary. I'm so new to cruising, and precisely for that reason went with an old, well-known established travel agency. Of course, that was before joining LCT, where I've since learned there are many people who have lots of expertise in this area. You never know what's out there, though, especially on line.

Don, that's hilarious! I'm just glad I'd been on this board and learned so much about Radisson, because otherwise I probably would have totally believed him. Sheesh.

And Liz, I know what you mean...I now know there is only one place I will go in the future to book my cruises! :D

LeeAnne, I have never heard of RSSC charging a "small fee" for an upgrade from a guarantee to a higher level cabin.

Don,

That is absolutely hystercial!

Tooooo funny, Don!!!!!!!

Betty

Greetings LeeAnne,
Have been upgraded on all RSSC cruises without a fee. Once on Diamond from lowest to a C, WOW!
Could you please share the name of the travel agency so I don't book with them? My e-mail address is in my profile.
Thanks and enjoy your cruise. Look forward to your review.
Joanne

Sure, I'll email the name to anyone who wants it. I'm pretty disgusted by the tactic. Thanks, Ngaire...lessons learned, huh? I've heard that there are lowlife disreputable TA's, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how I could be victimized by one, given that all I wanted to do was book a cruise. Well, here's how! I'm just glad I didn't fall for it, and know now that I will never give my business to someone I don't know anything about.

you might consider filing a complaint once on board or once you get home after the cruise with RSSC

Don - hilarious picture! Good catch, LeeAnne, regarding the "upgrade fee". I'd also be interested in the name of the cruise agency so I know to avoid them in the future (not that I don't have the world's best TA already ... :D )

Masaki

I guess that's how Don ferrets out the best deals. :b:

Too funny. Today is my honey do day. I wonder what kind of work that I can Weasel my way out of!!!! :D