Update: Royal Caribbean will now let guests who were booked in a neighborhood balcony stateroom keep the program if they choose. Details can be read here.
Original Article: Royal Caribbean is removing the extra perks that passengers received when booking a Boardwalk or Central Park balcony stateroom on Oasis class cruise ships.
Royal Caribbean said that the reasoning for discontinuing this program was due to the cruise line evaluating their amenities, products and services to align with and exceed guests’ expectations.
Extensive research has led Royal Caribbean to discontinue the Dine Drink Discover program, a collection of perks exclusive to Boardwalk Balcony and Central Park Balcony staterooms on Oasis Class cruise ships. The program will be removed from all sailings departing on and after January 1, 2020.
Guests who are booked in one of these staterooms on a future cruise will receive an email this week from Royal Caribbean letting them know about this change.
To alleviate any potential dissatisfaction impacted by this change, Royal Caribbean is offering the following:
- Everyone currently booked in a neighborhood balcony departing from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021 will receive a $50 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom.
Royal Caribbean said that they will continue to offer and develop countless ways for you to make unforgettable memories. The cruise line looks forward to announcing some game-changing updates to their inventory and amenity offerings in the coming months.
Royal Caribbean’s Dine Drink Discover program offered the following perks for Central Park and Boardwalk balcony staterooms on Oasis class cruise ships:
Boardwalk Balcony
- Classic hamburgers and more at a complimentary meal for up to four guests at Johnny Rockets.
- Enjoy unlimited soft drinks throughout the cruise with a soda package for two guests.
- Tackle the Rock Climbing Wall at an exclusive session for the entire family.
Central Park Balcony
- Savor Mexican cuisine at a complimentary lunch for two at Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar. Or, if it’s Italian food you crave, enjoy Giovanni’s Table onboard Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas and Jamie’s Italian onboard Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas .
- A complimentary bottle of red wine welcomes your arrival when you walk through the door.
- Step up your game with private casino gaming lessons from an onboard expert.
It’s nice that RCCL listened to the customer feedback and they are now offering customers with a future booking a choice, or grandfathering these bookings. I think RCCL should have made the onboard credit a bit higher than $50. Seems like a petty amount for a promotion that factored into the booking decision. for this type of cabin.
I think at least $100 – $150 would have been appreciated for the discontinuation.
I know, unacceptable. The soda package alone is what, 13 or 15 a night, per person. And they’re gonna say “sorry, heres 50 bux” to make up for it?!?!?! I dont think so. I’m pissed
I also booked a Boardwalk room for this reason. I was actually encouraged to do so by my agent after telling them how much we love Johnny Rockets and that we usually purchase the soda package. Let’s be real, a $50 on board credit is hardly comparable. I must say I am disappointed in this decision and agree, it’s pretty lousy they are not honoring it for those of us who have already booked.
WTH, they will honor the accidental 18$ beverage package but they will not honor people who were already booked with this as part of their room package? Really? I have a very bad taste in my mouth that 50$ is not going to fix. Was just thinking RCCL could be upping their game but it kinda seems like shoddy back slide to me. Hugely disappointing and making me remember why I have stayed away for the past 10yrs after 3 cruises w/them. Booked in a boardwalk, partly because of these perks(son’s fav dining is Johnny Rockets and I always get him the soda package)