ICUQT

Thanks, folks, for the input. I have checked out the suggestions and the wife and I think the 12-day Princess will work out. What I am probably going to do is add a Pre-Cruise and Post cruise stay. I would like a tour out of Tokyo and get on their bullet train to Mt Fuji (?) if that is even possible.

I am interested in a cruise for October 2025 specifically the second leg of the 29 day transpacific embarking Tokyo to Singapore on the Discovery Princess. The second leg shows "sold out" the 29 day is still open but due to my wife's employment we are unable to do it. I called my PCC and was put on a waitlist my position on the list is 89. I know we are about 17 months out and anything can happen in front of me. I also believe that Princess is holding back inventory and that 50% of the folks in front of me may drop for a variety of reasons. Wishful thinking? Anyway, I would be interested in what others have experienced in similar situation and whether or not they were successful. Should I be looking for something similar on another cruise line?

1 hour ago, IUSteve said:

I'm booked on Sun Princess in May.  Fare fully paid and most functionality on the app works, but it won't let me make any dining reservations.  Does anyone know how far in advance those open?  All it says is no times are available. The app sucks for not being more informative. 

I received a call from my PCC a couple of days ago about the sale that Princess was having.  While I had her on the phone I complained about the app (new version) and being unable to make dinning reservations for my June cruise. She told me that the cruise had to be paid in full before the app would allow you to make reservations as it was showing " can't load the content". I informed her that the cruise had been paid in full and had been paid for several months before the final payment date. She verified my information and stated she would send an internal communication to the department that handles it. Last night I got an email from her telling me that my dinner reservation for the table for 2 and time requested had been secured.

3 hours ago, dizgal64 said:

Ok this REALLY worries me!! I DID call and the girl said there was no availability. And when I go on the app it says “Can’t load content”.

Could every single reservation be taken up? Mercy. And our 39th anniversary is the first night 😫

Just under 140 to my cruise and check almost daily. Same error message.

I was one of those guys that stood on the balcony of the ship only to glance down and catch the stretcher of someone being led off the ship for medical treatment. I was one of those guys that said won't happen to me. Well last November it did happen to me. I was on a different cruise line with their ship's platinum plan similar to HA. I won't go into the specifics of my ailment but suffice to say I was in serious need of medical treatment. The ship's infirmary stabilized me and put me ashore in Belize. The hospital did not accept AMEX (Platinum card) I had my Visa Debit card  and my wife called my Bank to transfer enough funds to cover the expected charges. Like RuthC I had my own medical evacuation flight insurance she called and made arrangement to fly me out after 3 days. I filed a claim with the ship's insurer for medical and trip interruption only .I was informed by the Insurer that they will pay for the "excess" portion of medical that my private insurance did not cover. My Medicare advantage plan covered all medical cost. Leaving only the trip interruption to be settled. The best thing that I did was to take out the private Medical Evacuation Flight Insurance several years back. It saved me close to 75K and I never got a bill for door to door service. Well worth the $475 a year for a family plan. I think I will have a different perspective when I look down from the balcony again. 

I find myself in a similar situation as the original poster. My FCC expires September 30. I have spoken to my PCC on several occasions and have had her try to extend or move the balance to a new booking. Unfortunately, the expiration date is also the sail by date. I cannot do it because of a current medical condition which I explained to her and need to not travel until at least September. She informed me that she could not extend or place a credit on the cruise I was booking for next year. Funny I just received a call just last week (Voice Msg) reminding me to use by September. Hate leaving money on the table and do not understand why it can't be placed on a new booking.

12 minutes ago, Boytjie said:

 

Since you did not apply quotes to the comment from an online article, one would assume it was your opinion.  

 

Since the CDC is not, and cannot, force anyone to get vaccinated, I am not sure what you are getting at. 

Not worth the argument. Have a nice day.

10 hours ago, Boytjie said:

If you distrust the CDC and cruise lines this much, why would you even consider taking a cruise?

Boytjie nowhere in my post do I use the word "distrust". I lifted the "closely guarded" comment from an online article one of several articles in which I read. If you want to ask me do I have full confidence in the CDC my answer is NO! So if the CDC is so trusted (my word) then why is 50% of the US population vaccinated and the other 50% not? It appears to me that the CDC is trying to drive the Cruise industry into submission by regulation and mandate.  I believe in "personal choice" I don't want to be mandated, lock downed or otherwise told by the government (CDC) what they think is medically best for me. Just give me the information and I will make a sound decision like stated in my post above. The cruise lines will make that same type of decision because it will be in the best interest of their bottom line and the passengers they serve. Knowledge is power. I suggest you take a look at post 17,20 of this thread.

I have been pondering a question for the past couple of weeks concerning Covid on cruise ships. There is very little information and appears to be closely guarded by the CDC and cruise lines. The question I have been asking is if everyone follows all the conditions as discussed here what per cent of passengers or crew are being infected. Put another way if 2000 people get on Covid free how many of the 2000 are getting off with Covid or can be eventually traced back to cruising? Simple question. I would like to know the number/per cent because it will affect my future cruise planning. The wife and I are fully vaccinated. We have also taken a flu shot for the coming season. We follow the rules. We will take a booster (Covid) when offered. We miss cruising. Just would like to know the "breakthrough" stat so if any one can point me to an article it would be appreciated.

The wife and I have done several TA's crossing. Love the Sea days and the relaxation onboard. On this coming Friday July 16th Princess will be releasing it's 2023 Europe schedule. I have looked at the Excel sheet that someone had posted about the release and the November 10, 2023 sailing on the Sky caught my interest. It is called the Tropical Passage 15 days London to Ft. Lauderdale. What caught my eye (besides pricing) was that Princess changed the itinerary to include several Caribbean ports before it disembarks Ft. Lauderdale. If my information is right my TA will book on Friday. Took advantage of the gift card promo to cover the necessary deposit. Since we are a long time off I hope to take advantage of a similar gift card promos over time.

I bought $3000 in gift cards received $300 in bonus cards. My plan is to use it all on July 16th when the 2023 Europe schedule comes out. Now the cruise I am interested in is in November 2023 which is a long ways off. My plan is to buy more gift cards with a promo as they are offered in the future. I figure the total bill from Princess will be around 10K and I will have $1000 in bonus funds. I apply it all to the balance of the cruise so instead of 10k it's costing me 9k. Got to pay it anyways so little by little over time/promo I will get to the 10k figure. On a side note" Used two (2) different CC's and both were declined with same error message. I knew my cards were good. Called up Princess Gift Card. She stated Princess uses a third party gift card company and the problem was verification of personal data between CC Card and that company. I had to call up my CC Fraud Unit and they released a hold on them and have now cleared my account.

I found it interesting that on my local news and NBC Nightly they both ran stories about eliminating the mask mandate. Had a high ranking former top official of CDC make the recommendation.  CDC may make the change by the end of the month. Should be good for cruising if they do.

11 hours ago, puli said:

 however .we do not cruise in a goldfish bowl... the risks I might be willing to accept in order to live as I want could very well affect someone else's ability to live . Not sure I am willing to accept that burden.

I am fully vaccinated. Either the shots work or they don't. The US now has a declining vaccination rate of around 60% towards heard immunity. That leaves about 40% of the population NOT being vaccinated for whatever reason the individual may have. But the INDIVIDUAL made a choice to get it or not. I am willing to accept that burden. They made their choice and I made mine. If they get sick it's on them. I'm booked on a cruise for next April. I have no intentions on wearing a mask or social distancing. The cruise line will serve at the buffet (I can live with that) but I am not going to be living in fear when crew and pax are vaccinated. Yes, that means I will cancel if it comes to it.

I think it is about time to let the adults back in the room.  I don't want government making choices for me. To old for that. Just give me the information so I can make an informed decision. The CDC is ruining the cruise industry with these stupid mandates. To much power and control in the hands of a few.

I had a Japan cruisetour planned for this July which was paid in full over the course of a year. Then Covid struck and the subsequent "pauses". It took Princess 87 days to give me back over 12k.I filed no CC dispute and had very little if any communication from Princess. But during those 87 days I found it very stressful pondering if and when I would receive my refund. I still want to cruise and miss it. I booked the same cruisetour for September 2021 with FCC ($200). But a lot depends on my end if the wife and I will even go. Common sense, vaccine, quarantine and overall safety will decide. A lot is dependent of Princess. Will they in fact be in business or bankrupt? Although I find the offer attractive (saves me $1600) the risks are just too great for me.

I checked my AMEX account this morning and after 87 days of waiting and filing NO CC dispute I received my full refund of 12k.

Cruisetour-Highlights of Japan Land 7/4 Cruise 7/9  Diamond Princess

Date if Cancelation April 3, 2020 about 10 days before Princess Cancelled

Sent 2 unanswered emails,  No other communication with Princess since April 3

1 minute ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Interesting but not surprising about the variation.  Maybe it varies by the pause?  My cruise was in pause 1 and was to sail on May 9.  Or maybe it's something typed by the person processing the FCC?  I would think they would have a dropdown pre-filled with explanations from which to choose but this thing has been so bizarre that typed reasons would not be out of the realm of possibility.  Or maybe I should stop trying to determine a rhyme or reason to this whole process when there is none?

or it will drive you crazy.....lol

I had a Highlights of Japan cruise on Diamond scheduled for July 2020 which I cancelled. Princess canceled about ten days later. Anyway, the ship has had a soft goods turn around and completely disinfected. Right now IIMHO it is no worse than any other ship on any other line. It's clean. I am more concerned with the development of a vaccine over the course of the next year than worrying about the chances of Covid being onboard. I will take Princess at their word a through cleaning has taken place and will be maintained. I have booked the same cruisetour for September 2021 on the same ship and weather  or not I sail will be based on common sense, medical guidance for Covid and the development of the vaccine.

39 minutes ago, pompeii said:

We are in the exact same boat, so to speak.  I'm a brand new Elite after our last cruise in January, but I don't know if I'll ever reap those benefits.  We do have one more booked in Sept 2021 with just an $100 future cruise deposit.  Since we've been waiting over 60 days for our refunds ($5,000) for this year's cancelled cruises, I've pretty much decided it's not in my best interest to pay ahead for any future cruises.  From now on, I'll let payment wait until the last possible moment.  

Unfortunately, I have reached the same conclusion. I have sent an email off to Princess and address I got from aa prior post.  I got an automated reply back telling me it was received.  I will need this for my CC Company. Trying to get my ducks in order before I file a CC dispute after July 3 (90 days). That is when my patience with Princess ends concerning refunds and I will do what I have to do.

3 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

I was on that cruisetour too, we chatted on the roll call. I am waiting for over $12,000 so am very unhappy with Princess. Since I used several thousand dollars of gift cards I took the 125% FCC. Since the FCC requires no money change hands why hasn't that been accomplished yet. 

So let me ask. Same cuisse and the same outlay of funds. (12k) When do you expect a full refund? Have you had any communication from Princess? Also, to note I canceled under the PPP (insurance) 4 days before penalties kicked in.

Best I could find. March to May Phase 1, May to June 30 Phase 2, My July date and beyond phase 3. Check this link from the Princess site or reread through this thread.

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/global-ship-operations-pause-extended.html

1 minute ago, SunLakesBob said:

Is Princess refunding based on cancelation date or cruise date?

last I heard was cruise date. I know there are 3 phases and those in phase 1 seem to be getting some (not many) postings here. Just getting tired of no formal communication from Princess in my case 60+ days and I know people in Phase 1 (March) are still waiting. 

2 hours ago, DavidandHeather said:

Day 70 since cancelling our Aug cruise on Grand Princess, no communication whatsoever after cancellation e mail received on 24th mar, simply not good enough approx £12000 owed to us by Princess.

I canceled a July Japan Cruisetour on April 3 about 10 days before Princess canceled. 

Up until that point I had paid 12k to Princess. The only communication that I received from Princess concerning this booking was the confirmation  of cancelation of April 3. My TA told me 30-60 days to receive the refund. Well it's 60+ days and still no communication. I get most of the information from this thread. I get the phases, times of refund to post 30-90 days or from date of cruise ( maybe October?). I have not filed a CC dispute. I have been patient. My plan is to wait another 30 days for my Cruisetour date and file a CC dispute and do what I have to do to get my money back. I don't think it should take 6-7 months to process this refund.

15 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

Unfortunately, your refund got caught up in the frenzy of the first suspension of operations.  It's probably better than you didn't make your final payment on it but unfortunately, it's just going to take time to get your deposit back.  The only thing you can do to possibly speed things up is call your credit card company and see what they suggest.  If they are going by sail date, it may take until September to receive your refund.  That's an awful long wait.  😞 

Well I thought by just using the Princess Insurance I would not fall into that scenario.  But my TA this morning confirmed the above. Refund to be disbursed by voyage & date. Earliest to expect it, if at all, would be September for me that is about 6 months from my cancelation date in April. My intention, even more so now, is to file a CC dispute as I have planned next month. 

8 hours ago, HappyMe_ said:

ICUQT thank you for your reply.   Appreciate your sharing of your information.  For me 12k is a huge amount of money and I sincerely hope this is resolved for you as quickly as possible.  

Yes for us it is a good deal of money saved over a 12 month period. It was for a cruisetour of Japan. Yes, I well may loose the money but what bothers me the most is that this cruise was a special occasion for our 50th Wedding Anniversary and we did the little extra things and add on amenities for the cruisetour to make it a memorable experience.