2 hours ago, Ombud said:

So still priority boarding.  Thought maybe @Triger had discovered a change enacted this month ... (haven't cruised since Nov / Dec 2023 and things change all the time)

No change this month.  On our last 2 cruises we had to wait with everyone else to get our medallion.  FYI!  At this time only USA residents can receive their medallion in advance.  The issue is, as stated above - only 2 lines, no line for Elite to collect their medallion ....... In addition if you arrive for your assigned time once processed you get on. 

56 minutes ago, Cruisintimer said:

Just curious, what did Princess not supply you with for being elite status?

No more separate priority boarding, no more WiFi, no more subbing mini bar for coffee card (in a non drinker).  They no longer have coffee cards or soda cards, you have to buy the whole package or a la carte.  We still like Princess but more like RC, after your $$$.

Never again was also our statement after an Hawain cruse in October 2022, and we had great weather.  We agree too many issues to list.  The ship should be retired, vibration was bad, old furnishing etc . Also we are Elit but must say loyalty no longer matters to Princess.

Good day.  We are booked for the Amazon cruise in February.  For anyone who has been on the Zaandam recently;  can you tell us if they have upgraded to having USB ports in the cabins? 

We were on the Sapphire Princess in May and they now have USB ports next to the headboard, very convenient. 

Thanks for the info!  Bon Voyage! 

Eureka! We cancelled our Regal Princess from FFL April 19 on March 15, confirmation received on March 16th. 

Option #2 - FCC and FCD received a month ago or so.

Full credit to CC dates May 29th, posted June 2nd now received.

We never contacted Princess or CC company, just waited and trusted Princess.

Now we wait for a vaccine and can plan our next cruise.

Good luck to all awaitng their refunds, etc. 

From reading other Forums/roll calls and Facebook there seems to have been a large up-tick in payments being processed in the last few days by Carnival cruise and Princess; many dated May 15th. Here is an update from Princess at 2:00 PM EST 11:00 AM PST. Comments seem to indicate Carnival brands/subsidiaries had been processing the refunds and now that CCL has $ they are releasing the "refunds".  Looks like we may start seeing $ flowing back for HAL guests very soon.

3 minutes ago, PrincessDano said:

Yes it was a Canadian carrier, 

 

Diane

You may be aware of the rulings for air travel refunds in Canada; it has been widely covered in the media.  Here is a Facebook page with lots of information on the subject (for Canadians airlines) https://www.*****/AirPassengerRights

Good luck.

22 hours ago, PrincessDano said:

I had spoke with Princess Sunday and was told that it was linked to 2 bookings and my TA had to call about it.  She did this morning and was told the above, and emailed me that I would have to call to dispute it.  
 

Diane

Was it with a Canadian carrier?  If so you will only gt an "expiring" credit. That is our situation also.

From my understanding and after a long banking career; if one disputes a charge and the Credit Card Company agrees to the "refund", it was off set from charges processed.  In other words what fares paid using a credit card that were due to the cruise line and transferred nightly, so before the transfer is completed any "refunds" and reversals are netted out.  Since the industry is at a standstill there is little $ going from credit card companies to cruise lines making it very difficult for credit card companies to off set refunds; and they can't just take $ out of the cruise lines bank account.  So that's why I believe any dispute may now take more time. A credit card company can't afford to give a cardholder $ if they can't be sure they will recover it from the merchant/cruise line.

Ultimately it all relates to cash flow and cash on hand. We know that Carnival Corp. had a cash crunch, therefore Holland America, Princess, Carnival, etc. were all limited in their ability to complete refunds. With CCL having secured new financing they now have cash resources, it's now a matter of staff availability (which is being reduced from layoffs) and time.  Personally we are hoping to get our refunds >$11,000, but we are also prepared for the worst.  

3 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Isn't Carnival located in Miami Florida ?

Regardless Bankruptcy laws are mostly similar around the world. If you are an unsecured creditor you lose!

Further to my posting Page 77 #1918 regarding staff layoffs.  More details being made available.  Specifically relating to Princess from LA News outlets, where their corporate office is located. We are in for a long wait and we may need to consider that we may never see refunds.  Cutting back staff will only extend the delays. 

Additionally from Seattle News outlets Seattle-based Holland America Line to furlough, lay off nearly 2,000 employees. If they are laying off 2,000 at HAL how many will be laid off at Princess? Will anyone be left to deal with refunds .........

Carnival to lay off hundreds in California, other states amid pandemic

On 5/14/2020 at 5:16 AM, Coral said:

I think most lines have money to last a  year. Now if this lasts until next year, I can see lines declaring bankruptcy but still operating. Think of how many times many airlines have declared bankruptcy and still operate. It is the shareholders who would hurt then.

Unfortunately we would be considered unsecured creditors and would not receive any $. Common share holders would also lose their investment and any other supplier, etc.

Interesting to note recent financing to secure additional operating capital is being secured using their ships, so if they declare bankruptcy they can negotiate with their secured creditors and resume operations. A common practice.

Further to my above posting #83 yesterday regarding staff layoffs.  More details being made available.  Specifically relating to Holland America from Seattle News outlets, where their corporate office is located. We are in for a long wait and we may need to consider that we may never see refunds.  Cutting back staff will only extend the delays.

Seattle-based Holland America Line to furlough, lay off nearly 2,000 employees

Author: KING 5 Staff, Associated Press - 5:13 PM PDT May 14, 2020

14 hours ago, NRWPA said:

I'll comfort you some more...my 3/22 Regal cruise was canceled by Princess on 3/12. I completed the refund request on 3/14, received acknowledgement from Princess on 3/16. I have received not a penny, not an FCC, absolutely nothing back from Princess and no further email contact. 

We were to be on the same cruise and we HAVE received our 25% FCC but no cash refund.

Unfortunately this extend the process for all of us waiting for refunds.  

Carnival Corporation Confirms Company-Wide Layoffs

May 14, 2020

Carnival Corporation announced today a number of additional actions it is taking to further strengthen its liquidity position in the event of an extended pause in guest operations due to COVID-19, according to a press release. 

To further strengthen liquidity, the company said that its brands are announcing a combination of layoffs, furloughs, reduced work weeks and salary reductions across the company, including senior management. These moves will contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in cash conservation on an annualized basis.

"Taking these extremely difficult employee actions involving our highly dedicated workforce is a very tough thing to do. Unfortunately, it's necessary, given the current low level of guest operations and to further endure this pause," said Carnival Corporation & plc President & CEO Arnold Donald. "We care deeply about all our employees and understanding the impact this is having on so many strengthens our resolve to do everything we can to return to operations when the time is right. We look forward to the day when many of those impacted are returning to work with us and we look forward to the day, when appropriate, that once again our ships and crew are delighting millions of people at sea and we can be there for the many nations and millions of people who depend on the cruise industry for their livelihood."

Added Donald: "We also want to thank our guests for their many thoughtful notes and overall outpouring of support. It is clear there is tremendous anticipation for a return to cruising. It's also encouraging to note that the majority of guests affected by our schedule changes want to sail with us at a later date, with fewer than 38 percent requesting refunds to date. Our booking trends for the first half of 2021, which remain within historical ranges, demonstrate the resilience of our brands and the strength of our loyal recurring customer base, of which 66% are repeat cruisers. In addition, we plan to stagger fleet reentry to optimize demand and operating performance over time."

Unfortunately this extend the process for all of us waiting for refunds.  

Carnival Corporation Confirms Company-Wide Layoffs

May 14, 2020

Carnival Corporation announced today a number of additional actions it is taking to further strengthen its liquidity position in the event of an extended pause in guest operations due to COVID-19, according to a press release. 

To further strengthen liquidity, the company said that its brands are announcing a combination of layoffs, furloughs, reduced work weeks and salary reductions across the company, including senior management. These moves will contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in cash conservation on an annualized basis.

"Taking these extremely difficult employee actions involving our highly dedicated workforce is a very tough thing to do. Unfortunately, it's necessary, given the current low level of guest operations and to further endure this pause," said Carnival Corporation & plc President & CEO Arnold Donald. "We care deeply about all our employees and understanding the impact this is having on so many strengthens our resolve to do everything we can to return to operations when the time is right. We look forward to the day when many of those impacted are returning to work with us and we look forward to the day, when appropriate, that once again our ships and crew are delighting millions of people at sea and we can be there for the many nations and millions of people who depend on the cruise industry for their livelihood."

Added Donald: "We also want to thank our guests for their many thoughtful notes and overall outpouring of support. It is clear there is tremendous anticipation for a return to cruising. It's also encouraging to note that the majority of guests affected by our schedule changes want to sail with us at a later date, with fewer than 38 percent requesting refunds to date. Our booking trends for the first half of 2021, which remain within historical ranges, demonstrate the resilience of our brands and the strength of our loyal recurring customer base, of which 66% are repeat cruisers. In addition, we plan to stagger fleet reentry to optimize demand and operating performance over time."

1 hour ago, Coral said:

The people answering the phones are not the ones issuing the refunds. They are distinct departments.

Maybe so but they could be redeployed as needed, having Sr mgnt experience you have to deploy resources as per demand, reduce the demand and they can deal with refunds. 

I believe there are many factors contributing to the delays; staffing levels, working from home, etc.  But the parent company CCL was on the verge of bankruptcy and now has to meet ongoing expenses, the largest is getting their crews home (remember those great people on board who catered to all our wants and needs) they have been stuck on their ships for 60 days away from their families and many will be unemployed for a long time. The cash CCL has (after their recent re-financing and don't forget CCL has many brands under the umbrella to manage with now limited cash resources) is firstly going to meet ongoing sea operations and salaries of reps still working and no incoming cash flow. (All ships are at sea needing maintenance, fuel, food for the crews, etc.)

We all know were are promised refunds and I believe the company is working to provide them but no doubt at a pace that balances their operating cash needs and what they can spare.  Maybe if we all stopped calling then the staff could concentrate on refunds, FCC, etc. People keep off the phones. 

We are also waiting for a refund from another cruise line; same delays, promises and limited communication plus add the concern for  long term viability.  We have come to the conclusion we may never see our refunds, they may be  write offs.  It may be beneficial to take a somber second look.  Please stay safe and be patient. 

I believe there are many factors contributing to the delays; staffing levels, working from home, etc.  But the company was on the verge of bankruptcy and now has to meet ongoing expenses, the largest is getting their crews home (remember those great people on board who catered to all our wants and needs) they have been stuck on their ships for 60 days away from their families and many will be unemployed for a long time. The cash CCL has (after their recent re-financing and don't forget CCL has many brands under the umbrella to manage with now limited cash resources) is firstly going to meet ongoing sea operations and salaries of reps still working. (All ships are at sea needing maintenance, fuel, food for the crews, etc.)

We all know were are promised refunds and I believe the company is working to provide them but no doubt at a pace that balances their operating cash needs and what they can spare.  Maybe if we all stopped calling then the staff could concentrate on refunds, FCC, etc. People keep off the phones. 

We are also waiting for a refund from another cruise line; same delays, promises and limited communication plus add the concern for  long term viability.  We have come to the conclusion we may never see our refunds, they may be  write offs.  It may be beneficial to take a somber second look.  Please stay safe and be patient. 

It has been our experience most often on overnight stays Princess has a local amateur folkloric group put on a show.

Can anyone who has previously been in Barcelona overnight tell us if this was done?

We would appreciate the opinion of anyone whom has previously attended the Flamenco and Dinner offered by Princess for Barcelona? The reviews on TripAdvisor for the Palacio del Flamenco are 4 1/2*. We did investigate other options but this one seems like an acceptable offer. Any comments would be appreciated!

We would appreciate the opinion of anyone whom has previously attended the Flamenco and Dinner offered by Princess for Barcelona? The reviews on TripAdvisor for the Palacio del Flamenco are 4 1/2*. We did investigate other options but this one seems like an acceptable offer. Any comments would be appreciated!

Anyone who has been on board a HAL ship recently and is familiar with the wine packages. You can pre-purchase a package before leaving i.e. 7-BOTTLE NAVIGATOR'S CHOICE WINE PACKAGE for $228.25 (including the 15%) ordering online. Is this less than if purchased on board?

Also does HAL still sell coffee cards?

Thanks for your help.