Refund or bonus

[Rob and Ang, Inverness]

We had booked an RCI cruise this year which obviously was cancelled. We have been offered a refund of our flights and hotel cost plus 125% credit to book with RCI again. I am tempted to take the bonus but it ties us in to RCI next year so I'm now thinking the best thing to do is to take a 100% refund of everything. However looking at 2021 prices, it looks as though they have gone up by some margin, and therefore the 125% is basically keeping the price rise level.
So I'm wondering what everyone's opinions are on this? Unfortunately we don't know our holiday dates for next year so can't pick a particular cruise until December when they are published. Of course its still possible that the current situation with covid could continue so the whole situation is a bit of a gamble.
Rob

[JohnR, Chippenham]

Better in your pocket than theirs. You can then decide what to do with it when you want to and not be tied. The "increased" prices might not hold next year depending on the situation at the time.

[Malcolm, Essex]

I agree with Joh about the fares.

I am convinced that the lines will need to offer deep discounts to win the punters back, but it is small gamble.

Cash is probably king!

[Haworth, Wokingham]

John and Malcolm are both right, next years prices have been artificially inflated by 125% credit and transferred deposits. I would get the cash back and sit tight

John

[Topdeck, London]

How does it go

Open the box....

Take the money.

[mike, lanarkshire]

Given your personal circumstances, I would take the refund. I’ve been looking at RCI pricing for next year and it’s def not cheap. No drinks packages and very poor (imo) OBC credit offers at the moment. Time, flexibility and money is then in your hands.

[Garfield, Waterlooville]

We opted for the refund on our Anthem trip but whether that is the correct decision in your circumstances only you will know.
One thing I will say is good luck if you choose the refund...ours took just about 100 days.

Garf

[Mrs M]

We took the FCC, but then we can travel anytime. If you have no idea of your holiday dates, no contest, take the money.

[Mike48, Southampton]

You may find that if you see a cheap deal offered by RCI you cannot use FCC on it. Worth a check anyway.

[ev'n'clive, HENGOED]

take the money, but be prepared to wait..... mine is 100 plus and still waiting.......... good luck x heather

[Itchyfeet, Lincolnshire]

I have had two cruises cancelled. For the first I rebooked for September 2021 and used the deposit (£100 as it was booked onboard) to make up the deposit. However the second I asked if it was possible to add the deposit to the rebooked cruise and was told it could only be used if I upgraded the crutse! Obviously P&O do not appear to want to retain any deposit paid unless they can make a substantial gain from it by getting an increase in fare as they really don't need any cash to help with their finances. My refund claim is in but I'm not certain how long it will take for them to make the payment. Has anyone here any idea?

[B Y, South Bucks]

We had booked an RCI cruise this year which obviously was cancelled. We have been offered a refund of our flights and hotel cost plus 125% credit to book with RCI again. I am tempted to take the bonus but it ties us in to RCI next year so I'm now thinking the best thing to do is to take a 100% refund of everything. However looking at 2021 prices, it looks as though they have gone up by some margin, and therefore the 125% is basically keeping the price rise level.
So I'm wondering what everyone's opinions are on this? Unfortunately we don't know our holiday dates for next year so can't pick a particular cruise until December when they are published. Of course its still possible that the current situation with covid could continue so the whole situation is a bit of a gamble.
Rob

We Have had two cruises cancelled and one we cancelled (Not RCI cruises), We have got until November to request a refund for the ones they cancelled. As time goes on its looking more likely that we will take the money, we had been waiting for 2022 brochure but are now mindful of.

1 if we accept the credit even though a booking may be transferable we have lost the right to a cash refund.
2 if the ship sails and we don't, following FCO advice and not wishing to invalidate insurance then we lose everything as we are deemed disinclined to travel
3 until .the sailing resumes and we get reports back is the new experience something that we wish to pay for? ie what will the entertainment be like with social distancing. MSC is reported not allowing visits ashore unless on a ships excursion.

So unless there is some certainly which I can't see for months then I must agree with others to take the money.