jagoffee

Although a regular Aqua Class booking include the “All included”, you do not get OBC with the AI unless you are in the Retreat. Sometimes Celebrity offers a special that includes a booking OBC. You can also receive Celebrity OBC as a shareholder. Without a special, Celebrity does not include any OBC. Of course many TA’s offer refundable OBC as an incentive for a booking. The OBC will not show up on line nor can it be used prior to boarding. With my TA this about is around 8-10%.

Congratulations. Great deal. Enjoy.

Then perhaps Princess will not be offering bids or your cruise?

Are you booked with the “Big Box” TA?

I am totally shocked that your TA invoice and confirmation lists a TBD item. I have never used this particular company, but I have use other TA’s. I always get an invoice/confirmation listing ever single item in detail.

Good afternoon. Has anyone booked a private excursion in Panama? If yes, did the tour company ask for a copy of your passport and charge card? Based on my past experiences (in other locations) this seems like an unusual request. I was asked for this information when I visited Russia. The request was to get a visa when visiting. I was wondering if there is something unique concerning Panama. Thanks

I serious doubt that Princess would hold back unsold cabins to use it the bidding process. They would probably just increase the prices in line. I suspect that selling cabins at a higher price than what is being offered on line is not an objective of this new process. With a bidding process, Princess does not need to lower/discount their cabins. (And adjust the price for current bookings). I am making my assumptions based on my experience with the current similar Celebrity “move up” bidding process. Based on the tracking thread, (where people share their details of winning and losing bids) most cabins are sold at significantly reduced prices from what you can book direct. In the case of Celebrity it is a win win. No reason that it cannot be the same for Princess customers. it is not an auction, but a blind bid. Those that are not be happy with any cabin within the bidding category should not bid.

They do not have to call me. I am all in. Very pleased to be able to cruise again. I choose to not worry about “how things used to be”. i have enjoyed one TA cruise and a river cruise. I also have four other cruises booked. Life is to short to waste my time waiting.

If you do not have status on AA, you would need to pay for certain seats categories. But you shoukd be able to get a seat assignment. What is AA telling you? Did you give them your AA confirmation number and can they see your reservation? I have always been able to get seats on line with AA and United.n

The staff in all the retreat area seem to quickly get to know everyone’s name.

Good to hear that they still hold back single day bookings for full cruise bookings.

You are correct the single days were released later by day. Whether one likes the process may depend on whether you want single day bookings or a booking for the full cruise. I suspect Princess has given up on selling full cruise bookings, unless they keep some desirable places open for full bookings. Princess was probably not selling very many full cruise bookings.

As I recall Princess initially required you to make a reservation for the whole cruise on the first day. They released single day reservations later.

“My question--Could I take that one day to Vancouver and then stay on the same ship as it goes on to Hawaii and then Australia/New Zealand? I have heard yes/no and I have no idea in my conversations with Princess. Anybody want to weigh in?” Although it is technically a legal cruise, I would not bother. Many people will not understand making it is a potential hassle. I would just start in Vancouver. Not worth the hassle IMO.

Rather unique. First time I have heard of that one. good example of how reactive a Butler can be. I wonder which freezer he had to use. I hope you gave you Butler a big tip. Glad you enjoyed your drink exactly as you wished.

Celebrity ships do not have self service laundry.

It does not.

Are you saying that the promo clearing said that all previous bookings should be discounted even if the event receives the maximum bookings at some point. (Sold out). That would be very unusual for any business. Celebrity does not individually evaluate each promotional email to make sure that it applies to everyone receiving the email. In your situation, I think Celebrity made a mistake making a “one time exception “ for you. It was a good attempt by Celebrity, but it certainly did not work. You are left feeling that it was not an exception, but the standard policy. I believe otherwise, but I have not seen the actual promotional email. The same potential situation exists on a sold out excursion. Sometimes things can fill up in just a few hours. If it is not fully booked, it should be easy to get the new discount. Otherwise why should Celebrity reduce the price on a sold out booking?

I may be in the minority, but I do not think that OP was entitled nor should they have expected the discount. If something is “sold out” and not available to book, then why should any company go back and retroactively apply a discount to thus that were fortunate enough to get a booking? it would be different if the OP would be willing to cancel their current booking and take the risk that they could rebook at a lower price. Celebrity did them a big favor by giving them OBC for the difference and let them know that it was an exception to their policy. And they should not expect the same exception in the future. And now Celebrity is being criticized? Celebrity should have just denied the request unless there was an opening available IMO. Of course they should have been firm, but polite.

That is good. My experience was on the Apex.

Technically you are correct, but IMO it would not be very practical to use the elevator as the major method of moving from one level to the other. There is also a ledge at the bottom of the heavy door. The Edge Villa is an amazing suite and we enjoyed it. (Move up bid). The one thing we did not like was there is absolutely no cover in the balcony. This limited our use of the balcony during the day. It would depend on whether you were port or starboard and the location of the sun.

I did not mean to leave you with the impressive that I did not believe one could save significant money with a TA that discounts Princess cruise. I was challenging the 23.5% discount that you were quoting. (Using an apple to apple comparison) If you reviewed your notes then obviously it is true. I have never seen one more than 10%. I certainly would not want people expected over a 20% discount, especially for a cruise so far in advance. I apologize for challenging your recollection. You should be commended for your good fortune.

Thank you, both.

Very legitimate question. A lot of posters did a good job explaining why this would not be practical nor fair for the people that paid for a Mini Club Class. The smaller controlled group of potential diners in Club Class dining is a major reason that people book this category. The diners also include suite guests. Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to find a deal on a Club Class mini that fits your budget. Good luck.

Does this include any Goodwill FCC for not requesting a cash refund when Princess cancelled cruises?