Thread: Sailing Now Showing as Not Available

I asked this question on another board several weeks ago, but thought I would also check in with my new friends here on CLF.

We are looking at a cruise on the Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne for January 14th, 2010. It has shown as Not Available since the end of February. Prior to this the pricing was available, but then all the pricing disappeared and is shown as N/A.

I know the ship is coming off of dry dock and the January 14th sailing will be the first one after this, so i'm not sure if this may be causing some changes. Calls to RCCL have them saying that they are doing "inventory maintenance", "pricing and cabin reviews" and even that the sailing is "sold out".

My question is has anyone seen this happen for this length of time and what was the final outcome and/or reason of the N/A. Has anyone heard anything about this?? We really like this cruise, and don't know if we should be pursuing another cruise.

Thanks.

There could be a few reasons for this. They may be restructuring pricing on cabins, they may be awaiting more in depth dry dock plans... there may be someone considering a charter...

I guess this doesn't help much...but keep your eye on it.

They are showing the pricing, but showing the rates as 'closed', which almost always means it's a full-ship charter and is closed to public booking.

Keep in mind that when you call RCCL, you are talking to one of their call center employees, which are nothing more than 'order takers'. The average life-span of these reservationists throughout the industry is normally less than 6 months. So the person you are talking to has usually no idea what's going on - they are simply guessing. If you really want to know what's happening, talk to your agent and they can talk to people not available to you and can get the up-to-date information.

Pete

According to the sales department rep that I spoke with, at present the ship is not chartered and booking should begin again before the end of this month. Royal Caribbean is opening some of the ships this Friday and the remainder of the ships on April 25. At this time, inventory control says that they have over 900 cabins that have not been booked on this sailing.

Vickie

Thanks Vicki ... that is about the most info I have heard about this mystrey sailing. If they do wait until the end of the month to open up booking again, I can't believe that RCCL would lose two months of bookings and deposits to do an inventory check. Time will tell i guess ... thanks again.

Livabeth,

Call you agent, the sailing has opened. Showing most categories are now open for booking.

Hope you get the cabin that you want.

Vickie