jeeper2

Having the same problem here. It is quite frustrating as our cruise is only a few weeks away.

i'll admit, I haven't looked into this deal at all, just stumbled on this post while browsing.

I already have a Princess cruise booked for next year. I wonder if I did the getaway cruise in January if I could use the FCC for my already booked cruise later on next year, or if it has to be a brand new booking?

According to their announcement, it can be applied to a previously booked cruise that hasn't been paid in full. That was how it worked on the previous offer, but that wasn't spelled out and initially caused quite a bit of confusion the first few days...actually a bit longer! When friends called to have their credit applied to their previously booked cruise last week, the agent said it couldn't be done. She discovered, after contacting the revenue department, that she was misinformed, and the credit was applied.

We were on the November 4th cruise and had the same show and performers as we did in October. British Invasion is not my favorite, but your performance looks like fun! What was the show?

We just got off the Golden C751, and would take it again in a flash. The room was very large, and the balcony, despite the beam which was no problem, held a table, 2 chairs, 2 lounges, and a small side table. It was very quiet, with excellent aft views.

We were your neighbors in C749! I was initially surprised at how cut up this suite appeared. It seems to be somewhat smaller than your suite, but the balcony is somewhat larger. Would love to have it on a longer voyage! The aft is my preference for the privacy, and those views!

Looking forward to more! Go, Lewie!! (And, thank you, Sue!)

Is the comedy duo, appropriate for children.

Thanks

I'm a yes vote, too! A very high energy duo. We saw them a couple of weeks ago, and hope they are on board next week.

Great photo, Sargent Schultz!

Another thank you, Sue and Lewie, for taking the time to take us along on your wonderful trip! It was a truly enjoyable experience, even if I wasn't on board with you.

I will be on the Island in March, though, for my first cruise through the Panama Canal, and your experiences have added to the excitement!

It would be a pleasure to be able to be on board with you one day.

Many happy travels to both of you...

They do have an area for Elite and it was open. It is right next to the x ray machines and security. I think we have decided that we will go earlier next time. We found the parking lot extremely full this last week and we had to park farther away and it was a bit of a walk. Hopefully getting there earlier we will get a parking spot closer to the ship. They do have a shuttle bus that runs around the parking lot. Not sure if they have the bus on every cruise or not.

Thank you, waltd! Exactly what I wanted to know, and your info regarding the parking lot reinforces my desire to get there early.

We just returned from a 7 day. Our personalizer also said 12:30. We thought we would get there at 12:30 and avoid the crowd. When we arrived they were still boarding. Elite passengers were allowed to walk right on at that time.

Thanks for the info! Sounds like they started boarding well before 12:30.

I don't think I could wait until 12:30 to get to the pier, though! Don't mind being early and waiting to board...kind of like the excitement and anticipation, and don't want to miss the opportunity for a relaxing lunch in the dining room!

I'm wondering if they have a the Platinum/Elite waiting area for these short trips, in LA? It was available for the repositioning in May, but not in Seattle and Vancouver last month.

Does anyone know what time check-in began on any of the recent three or four day trips? The personalizer for this weekend says between 12:30 and 3:00, but this seems pretty late. Of course, there could be a reason for later boarding. I just am anxious to get to the pier!

No suite/platinum/elite waiting areas on these short ones, right?

Wow. That's interesting. If I knew that, I would've booked the Grand Suite! I don't think I can switch now without a cancellation penalty on my Vista suite, right? :)

 

I wonder why those higher category suites don't have the red "Sale" tag? Hmmmm.

Yes, probably the penalty! The Grand Suite was already gone when I booked, but that would have been a trip!

I think it is not the sale price that matters, just the cruise date. On the November 4th trip, none of the suites show a sale price.

After several phone calls over the weekend, I received the following response from Christine, who spent several minutes obtaining information from the powers that be, who work during the week:

1. The cruise fare for my November 4th cruise will be applicable as FCC payment towards my previously booked March 4 Panama Canal trip. The credit will be credited on November 9th, and final payment is due December 17th.

2. If the cruise fare on the March 4th trip is reduced prior to December 17th, it is still eligible to be refared.

3. A person travelling as a single will also obtain FCC for the cabin fare they paid.

Thank you, Princess!

I booked a Penthouse Suite for my DH and myself and, after reading remarks from Frugalist, I called Princess to verify that the fare was eligible for the FCC promotion. The answer was yes. There is no specification as to cabin type, only cruise dates.

where did you come up with crown grill on embarkation night? If you think it's a suite perk it applies to cruises 7 nights or longer and these coastals are only 3 or 4 nights.

Suite passengers on our Golden repositioning cruise in September did receive invitations to the Crown Grill on embarkation night.

Let us know what you find out. The gal I talked to had me on hold for quite awhile to find out. Talked to the help desk and came back and said yes we could. I have 2 other cruises booked on in Jan and one in May so I will apply it to one of those. Good luck.

Just got off the phone with Princess. I was put on hold for quite a while and was told that there is a lot of confusion about this offer and that the folks who really will have the definitive answers will be in tomorrow.

She said that the program was meant to stimulate cruise bookings, and not to have the credit used for an existing booking, and that, possibly, cancelling the booked cruise and rebooking after the FCC is earned would work. But, she said to call tomorrow for the real scoop.

If it comes down to cancelling and rebooking, I would be afraid to loose the fare I am holding. We shall see!

Let us know what you find out. The gal I talked to had me on hold for quite awhile to find out. Talked to the help desk and came back and said yes we could. I have 2 other cruises booked on in Jan and one in May so I will apply it to one of those. Good luck.

Called again and the last agent was nice enough to say she wasn't sure and that she would check. Unfortunately, the Help Desk was closed, so she told me to call tomorrow am. I missed them by 15 minutes.

Thanks for the support!

I was told I could apply it to my booked cruise in March 2014 so who knows who is right. I called and spoke with 2 different people who said it was ok for my my March cruise. I just called a third time and there is no restriction, she told me )Lisa) that the only requirement is that you use it by Dec 31 1014 which I will. I wrote down all three people I spoke to and the dates and times in case this comes up again.

Sorry, I didn't see this response before I posted. I wish I could get one of your three people!

I was told the same thing that it could be applied to a cruise already booked. She noted that in my file too that I was told that.

Wow! This is frustrating! I'm going to try again!

It is for the 3 and 4 night cruises for this OCT and Nov. I just called back and upgraded to a penthouse suite since I'll get the full fare back on my 10 night Sapphire cruise later this year. My sapphire cruise is only in a mini suite but they say the FCC can be applied to any category. IT IS COMBINABLE with other promos too OMG it's a free cruise!!

Was your Sapphire cruise already booked when you took advantage of this deal? I just spoke to another res agent who was adamant that the FCC could not be applied to an existing booking.

Just curious as we are booked on the March 4th Panama Canal voyage, and this would be a great way to put money down on it. We are already leaving next weekend for a 3 night cruise, but it would be worth doing another in a suite!

I wonder if I can apply the credit to a cruise I am already booked on??

I just called Princess and was told that it would have to be a new booking, and couldn't be applied to an existing booking. Makes sense. :(

Don't count on the weather forecast today for the 22nd. The weather changes fast and we may have 4 different outlooks between now and then. Enjoy your cruise!!

Woohoo! Thank you for the words of encouragement! I will enjoy the cruise and Vancouver, no matter what the weather. The last two times I passed through were in June and the weather was gorgeous, but I have spent time there in February and loved every minute!

These people are now offering a couple of tours that picks up at Canada Place and delivers you to the airport. http://www.vancouvertours.com/ They have been in business for a number of years and considered excellent operators.

Thank you, Putterdude! We will check them out!

We just booked a quick repositioning cruise that will be arriving in Vancouver on Wednesday, May 22nd. Unfortunately, we must return home on that day, but our flight does not depart from YVR until 6:00 pm.

Any tour or airport transportation arranged by the cruise line would arrive at the airport many hours before our flight, which is okay, but if anyone has any recommendations for private tours or transportation that are available near the port, it would be greatly appreciated!

It looks like the weather will not be too good, but Vancouver is such a lovely city.

We first saw him on the Sapphire in Alaska in May 2009. I was delighted to see him again, in November, on the Sapphire Mexican Riviera cruise.