Alimariecruisin

I hope that Princess step's it up. This is, in my wife's words their "last chance". We've been loyal Elite members, but, well...

Yes, I agree! Loved Princess for years but too many negatives lately...Our next cruise is in March on the Ruby and I hope it's much improved from our November cruise. I'm loving this thread! Thanks for sharing...

I would also consider which ship is sailing...there is a difference between the Grand and the Emerald.

Just found out about the Military benefit...$100 onboard credit for our next 7 day cruise...we are Platinum and could have had this all along...I assumed it was for active duty military but it's both veteran's and active duty!

I think $399 per person is way, way too much money. I've never paid more than $149 per person for same offer.

Be patient, sometimes it takes a few days to get back to you. I've gotten the return call with LESS than 24 hours...but it's worth it to move over when given the deals we've been offered. Free cruise, balcony cabin to minisuite, ALL fare paid to be given back as REFUNDABLE onboard credit, and many other perks!!!! Yep I'll take a move over offer any cruise.

So happy to hear he returned your call. He's really a great rep to work with, just swamped some times! :hearteyes:

I agree...it is a better location! Enjoy!

Wow, so much more interesting things to do and see than my last Ruby cruise! (Only months ago) Thanks for sharing!

I'm pretty sure he is still there as we wondered the same thing so we called his number last week and got his outgoing message.

 

 

 

 

Oh no, now I know he just doesn't like us.....;). We haven't been pests, we've basically let our booking sit for the past year and contacted him only once. It took several tries to get a response that time, too; DH reminded me that it was after he called and mentioned that we were having trouble reaching our rep, that he finally responded. Do you remember how you handled flights on your move overs? Did you use EZ Air?

We live a 3 (plus) hour drive away from the San Pedro and San Francisco ports which are the ports we use most of the time. So no flying.

Altho... I was a kid once...

I'm not a fan of kids at certain venues.

Unless parents are the kind who will not let their "darlings" run amok.

 

We'll try to enjoy ourselves... inspite of them. :p

All the beautiful things are true...unfortunately we did not enjoy our Thanksgiving nor Christmas cruises due to over 700 children onboard who took over all our favorite venues. We will never book another holiday cruise. If you have lots of family and kids it can be a wonderful experience. We are retired 62 year olds who enjoy laying by the pool and watching Movie under the stars, using hot tubs, etc. while onboard. Never could do it because the kids were all over the place screaming, splashing and just being kids. Many not supervised by their parents. They were all over the dance floors and the Piaza. I came home not very happy. We paid way too much for that experience but we've learned not to do it again.

I thought email would be best as well because that way too everything is in writing in case there is a question later. I would have no problem with 24 hours, however this rep is either way too busy or just doesn't put a priority on answering emails.

 

We'll call tomorrow, leave him a vm and give him until Tuesday to contact us. If we don't hear back, dh will have no problem running it up the chain and complaining.

 

Thanks for recounting your experience with your move overs. Do you happen to remember if your rep had the initials M.C.? Just wondering if we have the same guy.

2 of the offers did come from "M.C." He was great for us...maybe he;s on vacation???

I would go, not worry and have fun! The ship will be cleaner and healthier for all after it comes back. Everyone around here is getting the flu which is more likely than noro.

We've experienced several move overs and yes you do need to work with the Princess rep directly to make sure everything is done correctly. I've never had to wait more than a few days for him to return my call. However I found emailing him was best as he always responded to me within 24 hours. If you call the regular line and talk to someone else regarding his none call back issues, that person can and will get your message through to that department.

We walk off with our own bags every cruise and are in our car by 8:45am. Never before 8am.

And we just recently sailed on the Emerald 28 day LA-Tahiti cruise with Dave Clark, who is BY FAR the VERY best CD we've had in our almost 50 cruises!!!

The crew were attentive and seemed happy. I think they respond to management's attitude.

 

I'd go by itinerary - the ships are virtually the same.

LOVED Dave Clark too!!!!

When did you cruise them both? The CD's could have changed in the interim. What if they happened to swap?

I've cruised Ruby 3 times and Emerald 2...actually was a different cruise director on all due to their time off or swapping. But still came away with Ruby's CD always being memorable and Emerald's not, Was on Emerald at Thanksgiving...never saw CD once...not even at sailaway. Seemed like everyone was just on their own...whereas on Ruby the CD was in full sight, with microphone, full of energy, etc. But it was an extremely over populated cruise with way too many kids so he could of been lost in a sea of cruisers.

Staff on Ruby always seems friendlier and the food on Ruby was better prepared. Cruise director on Emerald was never around, Ruby always saw him...same layout, same routines. I like Ruby much better overall.

Regarding insurance, it's paid to the traveler not the cruise line. Also, the cruise line already has the fare paid for that cabin which they will not refund so why would they ask for more money? But it does seem interesting that if you have insurance and end up solo that you really would get a great deal if the other part was refunded. In my case we didn't have insurance.

Yes, prepaid tips were refunded in my situation.

My husband had an emergency business issue that occurred the morning of the first day of our cruise (about 4 cruises ago) which prevented him from going with me. So I checked in without him, informed them he could not make it. I was given double cruise credit for the trip, I was not charged anymore because the cabin was paid for, and I didn't think about asking about the port fees being refunded. I'm still not sure if they ever were but now I know they should have been. So yes I would inform the line when you check in, make sure you get the port fees for your friend refunded, and be happy to get double cruise credit! Wish I was going too!!!

We were also on this Island Princess cruise which left Fort Lauderdale one day late. For us it was a great experience and we felt we were treated very fairly (even generously) by Princess. We had taken the EZ Air through P and they picked us up at the airport, took us to the Doubletree hotel, paid for the hotel and gave us $150. for incidentals to cover our meals costs. They also refunded us one day cruise fare plus port fees for Aruba (and our cancelled snorkeling excursion). Anytime dining was often a bit of a wait, not too bad if you went early or late. We didn't eat often at the Horizon Court but when we did we found plenty of variety. This was our first experience with Princess and won't be our last. As OP stated, the Panama Canal itself was great! We had a perfect view of everything right from our balcony B708.

So wow, they definitely did not have your experience which is the way I believe Princess usually handles these negative situations. They deserved the same consideration for sure.

I don't think that is a very good upsell offer...I would have stayed in first choice cabin. I've taken many upsell offers but none at that much for the change.

Wow, am truly sad that this person's opinions regarding her experience on this cruise is being attacked so heavily. Isn't this forum here for all of us to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of our cruising experience?? I generally love Princess cruises but I've experienced one really awful cruise that was very difficult for me to get past. It happens, great cruises and not so fun ones...I desire to learn about other's experiences and appreciate what she had to share. I hope her next Princess cruise will be a better experience for her and her husband. Many are really wonderful cruises overall.

None on Emerald, Crown, Ruby

We booked for half days at $20.00. Really great price and environment. The Lotus Pool can be used for free for adults only and it is located right below The Sanctuary. A good alternative if not wanting to use the Sanctuary for fee everyday.