ozbrian

Ship:  Royal Princess

Class:  ?

Deck:  Emerald 8

Cabin #:  E115

Category:  Deluxe Balcony - (HA!)

Port/Starboard/Bow/Stern:  Starboard Bow

Connects With Cabin #:  N/A

Accessible:  No

Quiet:  In rough seas it sounded like explosions when the bow was hitting the swell.

Balcony Size:  This was pathetic. There was not enough room between front of chair and the balcony to fit your feet. See picture . . .

View:  Unobstructed

Privacy Issues:  None

Wind: No issues that you wouldn't get anywhere

Soot:  None

Problems:  No problems that we had to report. Thermostat was hit and miss.

Comments:  Worst bed we've ever slept on. It was so soft you couldn't roll over without sitting up or getting out of bed. It was more comfortable to take the sofa mattress out and lay that on the floor. Cabin size was OK, Fridge didn't work, large hanging space with no doors. Very small bathroom.

The lights that came on automatically at night when they detected movement were a pain. Stick your leg or arm out of the sheets at night and light would come on. Ended up putting a cushion in front of it.

There is nothing special about this deluxe cabin.

Thanks for your insight.It's much appreciated.

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

Yes, you can purchase single day coverage for Medallion Net internet service.  I had always assumed it was for the calendar day, but recent reports indicate it lasts for 24 hours from when you activate the purchase.  You can also sign up for internet service part way through the voyage and have it for the balance of the trip.  The rate for that is the same daily rate as for the full voyage - so less than the single-day rate for random days. 

 

New rate is $25/day for single device and $30/day for 1-off days booked.

Thanks for that excellent information!

I'm "downunder" and the price is about AUD$38 per day for a whole voyage package, which implies an exchange rate of about $0.65 which sounds about right. But in any case, it should be safe to assume the single day surcharge will be the same at 20%.

We just got off the Queen Elizabeth and they sold discounted internet packages prior to sailing. Do Princess offer discounted packs?

On the app I can only select an internet option for the entire voyage.

Once on board is it possible to buy at a day rate (for specific days only?)

1 hour ago, snorkelphile said:

Were you able to cancel online at My Cunard, or did you have to phone them?  TIA

I thought it might be risky cancelling online so I rang them first. They said it wouldn't be a problem and I could on it myself online or give her the card details and she could do over the phone. I had the refund for the original amount hit my account before I was debited for the special price.

Great service!

20 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

 

Thanks for getting back to us. That $30 discount on your $210 internet package works out to about a 14% to15% discount compared to the 28% discount being offered in the US. Is that the discount on internet plans being advertised in Australia?

 

Now I'm not wanting to start a discussion about how US guests seem to get better deals. I'm just looking to clarify what the offer is in other countries.

 

How about those of you in the UK? What discount percentage is being advertised for you on internet plans in My Cunard?

G'day,

The Valentine's Internet offer is being advertised in Australia at a 28% discount.

When I first booked, I got a 16% early bird special. The new 28% discount and pricing would apply to the original undiscounted price.

Thanks all.

I'll give a definitive answer to my own question. YES.

I cancelled the US$210 internet package and re-ordered at US$180 Valentines Day special price without any issues. The credit went back to the card I used to purchase the original package.

It looks like this would have applied to some shore excursions as well, but the one we booked had been sold out.

Hi, I paid for an internet package when I first booked our cruise but now there is a Valentines day special offered on My Cunard that is US$30 cheaper than what I paid.

Can I cancel the original and reorder at the special price?

12 hours ago, Host Hattie said:

The OP was asking about a Transatlantic crossing, @bluemarble's answer was to that question. 

Sorry about that, I missed the TA bit!

2 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

On a 7-night crossing, there will be two "Gala Evenings". Those will be scheduled on the second and sixth evenings.

I don't know if it's different 'down under' but the formal nights are held on sea days. I guess if the second and sixth days were port days, the formal nights would be moved. 

If you log in to My Cunard and check your calendar you will find the Formal nights listed.

Regards

Brian

G'day,

From the Cunard site.

"At least twice on each seven-night voyage we'll host a Gala Evening, where we do ask that you observe an elevated dress code"

These are held on sea days and may involve a theme, e.g. Black & White, Masked Ball, 1920's, favourite Start Trek character, etc.

I may have made up that last one 🙂

On 8/1/2020 at 1:28 AM, bazzaw said:

Finally - all cruise refunds have come back to us - $30,000 AUD. It took  3 months from date of the 1st cruise and 5&1/2 months from date of the 1st cancellation by  Cunard in mid-February. 

G'day Bazza, great news!

Terrible it took so long but you got there in the end.

Brian

6 hours ago, bazzaw said:

Was told by  Cunard a week ago that they had "processed" my refunds in early to mid - June. So I emailed my TA yesterday and asked if they had any further info for me - almost immediately I got this reply " Hi Barry  I can see the funds are back, can you supply with me with the following details,  BSB:  Account Number:  Name on Account:"

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that this TA will take as long as Cunard did to do their "processing" --- we are  very busy, you understand!!! 

 

 

And how long would they have sat on them if you hadn't called?

Hopefully the funds will hit overnight. Keep us posted.

On 7/3/2020 at 3:25 AM, LadyL1 said:

We are well over 100 days! Not prepared to say more on social media at present, as in continuing dialogue with Cunard. Certainly not a happy client.

Hi,

It doesn't sound like limiting your social media comments is getting you far. Vent away! It may make you fell better and certainly won't hurt your refund status.

On 6/29/2020 at 5:01 PM, sydgal said:

My TA got the cheque last Tuesday and had to wait for it to clear. She put the funds in my account this morning and they credited straight away.

My cruise was the Queen Elizabeth 15 March cancelled on the 14 March. Refund requested by TA on 16 March and cheque received on 23 June.

My TA has been terrific in chasing up the fare and out of pocket expenses which were paid in full.

Thanks. Those dates are exactly the same as my dates. Isn't it amazing that one TA can do the refund a week after receiving the cheque from Cunard and others quote "up to 66 days".

Did Cunard advise you that they had processed your claim and sent the cheque to the TA? Maybe other TA's have received cheques and are sitting on them. . .

15 hours ago, bazzaw said:

Thanks Brian!!!!! 😞   The question then is - will they remain out of bankruptcy until mid -August?????   😞 

I hope they don't, but it won't bother me. I went the disputed CC route after they missed two promised dates and had my refund from the bank within 4 days.

15 hours ago, sydgal said:

My TA got the cheque last Tuesday and had to wait for it to clear. She put the funds in my account this morning and they credited straight away.

My cruise was the Queen Elizabeth 15 March cancelled on the 14 March. Refund requested by TA on 16 March and cheque received on 23 June.

My TA has been terrific in chasing up the fare and out of pocket expenses which were paid in full.

So glad you are finally sorted!

A good result if you consider waiting 106 days for the refund to be good.

Brian

4 hours ago, sydgal said:

Travel agent deposited cash in my account this morning. Hope every one else airing for refunds gets there’s soon.

Hi sydgal,

As well as jland's question, I'd like to know what date the cruise was and when you requested the refund.

Thanks

Brian

3 hours ago, bazzaw said:

Where did you get that date of 15 June from ?.These are the exact words from Cunard to me " I am pleased to confirm that a refund for 2LDX4P has been processed in our system on 10 June, and for booking 2QHDMJ on 19 June. As these bookings were made through a travel agent, these refunds will be paid direct to the travel agent who will then issue them to yourself in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Please note that refunds via travel agents are done so through a cheque, which may take up to 20 business days to arrive from the refund date. " So - poor English expression there. "The refund HAS been processed and WILL BE PAID to the TA ??" -- When will it be paid?  Has it been paid ?  "Refunds are done through a cheque which may take up to 20 days to arrive " Arrive from where and to whom? 

Cunard's emails usually raise more questions than they answer. Lets hope this one means that the cheques were sent to your TA on the 10th and 19th. BTW, your TA is my TA and they told me the refund could be anything up to 66 days after the cheques were issued. You should get your refund anytime up until mid August.

Brian

9 hours ago, Roger88 said:

Cunard has taken care of its customers and passengers. My deep respect tot their management and team for such a quick way to resolve this problem. I am glad that these people thing about others and not only about their pockets. If there is a company I have no problems with - its Cunard 

Hahahah Roger. You're so funny. Good one mate!

On 6/24/2020 at 5:34 PM, Mike & Zen said:

Cunard Refund Data Point:

 

.....

Tout fini!

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

Victoria, BC

G'day Mike,

A wonderfully descriptive and informative post. Thank you.

Down here we have cruisers still waiting for cancelled 15th March refunds (100+ days and counting).

If Cunard sent their cheques out at 60 days as promised (no indication they have) local TA's are saying to add another 66 days onto that (total of 18 weeks). 

On 6/25/2020 at 4:24 AM, CorkSerene said:

QM2 2020 World Voyage.

 

Yes, as per my earlier post - generous refund received last week.

A "generous refund"?

I'm imaging for "generous" you would have received all the money you paid out, plus additional monies for lost interest and some free OBC for future sailings?

3 minutes ago, bazzaw said:

Yes - Cunard have advised me that they have sent cheques for our three cancelled cruises to our TA - but they have qualified that by saying that it could take up to 20 days to " arrive" - arrive where ?, I am not sure. 

Bazza, my TA said 20 days for the cheque to arrive to them, then clearances, etc, etc, so possibly another 40 days after that. Hope you fare better.

On 6/9/2020 at 11:38 PM, ABoatNerd said:

Everyone: Cunard's site says the QM2 and Victoria sailings are cancelled to Nov 1 and Elizabeth to Nov 23.

 

We just filled in the form for a refund of our deposit - it states can take up to 60 days.

 

 

LOL. They still haven't refunded March Cruises that were claimed same month. . .

18 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

With regards to retaining their customer base, I am still a loyal Cunard customer and I know of a few others, who don't post on CC or any social media, who have booked cruises next year with the company.

I would imagine, we're not alone judging by the cruises which have sold out on a few stateroom categories or don't give the chance of booking specific staterooms. 

I imagine that a lot of the bookings would be people who have taken FCC's and are trying to use them.

1 hour ago, Edithclara said:

I read elsewhere that even if you only pay the deposit by CC you can submit a chargeback claim for the full cruise amount. Not sure if that's the case in Australia. From what I've read here and on other social media some banks are not playing nicely,  including my bank. 

Definitely not the case in Australia. You could only claim what you paid for on the CC. Luckily my bank seems to be one of the good ones.

1 hour ago, jland said:

Edithclara, I think the problem for the bank is the ACCC. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think they said if a  company has offered a refund but are slow paying out, they are  eventually going to pay and therefore have fulfilled their obligations. But then the ACCC is like a candle in the wind, probably changed that view by now.

I initially contacted the ACCC but are yet to receive a response. I haven't seen the advise you mention where a promise to refund fulfills their obligations.

My bank refunded the full amount in 4 days with no mention of the ACCC. I did supply an email trail where the 45 day and 60 day promises were missed - that may have helped.

1 hour ago, Edithclara said:

Thanks. Another person told me last night their Westpac MasterCard debit card was being progressed too. When you say resolved, is that for still a conditional refund or is it all finalised now? Good to have a few stories to tell my bank. 

Hi,

The money is back in my account. It is a conditional refund as the TA's bank has 45 days to supply evidence that they have supplied the services. Never say never, but good luck with that 🙂