silversneakers

Anyone have experience with getting a refund from Princess for several gift cards used toward payment and how it was refunded?  I had to cancel a cruise and I had 10 gift cards (Princess) that included 6 of the bonus gift cards that were offered. Was the refund put back on each individual (paper i.e., electronic) gift card or did you received the entire amount in a new gift card?  Also did you get a refund on the bonus gift cards?

12 hours ago, WCAB said:

I am taking my daughters on the California Coastal cruise that goes to Ensenada.  The agent confirmed they could travel with their birth certificate and drivers license 

but neither has obtained the enhanced drivers license as yet.  Does anyone know if the cruise line requires the enhanced copy yet or will their current drivers license

suffice?

Just make sure the State they are in truly has "enhanced" driver's license.  There are only a handful of states that do have this option.  Many think because it has a holograph or star that it is enhanced.  I would travel with original birth certificate and government issued i.d. if you do not have a passport or passport card.

7 hours ago, alli7784 said:

We've sailed in inside cabins lots of times. That's some of the best sleep I've ever had! One of the things I love is the ability to totally lose track of time. But I am looking forward to experiencing the balcony, even if it's a one-time thing for me!

We also enjoy inside cabins that is until my husband became ill and the odor from the regurgitation was almost unbearable.  I always carry a small can of lysol with me and that really came in handy but of course getting fresh air in the room would have been most ideal.

On 7/20/2019 at 9:36 PM, trvlwrld said:

We cancelled our Princess excursion for the Crown in September 2 days ago on line and received a full refund back to our credit card yesterday....easy...just like they stated in the cancellation policy....24 hours....thx Princess!

Cancelled a shore excursion on 6/21 for upcoming sailing on 10/24.  No credit appeared on my account or credit to my credit card.  Called Princess and was told it would more than likely be an on board credit. I then asked where online I could see the credit posted to my account. End result, they said I would receive a credit on my credit card 10-15 days from today. This is the second time I had to call (2 different cancellations) and I had to ask for a credit to my credit card. Just FYI

Booked several shore excursions on Princess prior to cruise. We had $400 onboard credit and they quickly used this toward the payment of the excursions. Now we may have to cancel those excursions (total is above the $400) so I assume they will take back the $400 and place it as onboard credit again. But what about the remainder of the prepayment for tours I have to cancel?  Does that also stay as OBC or will they refund me directly?

On 7/14/2019 at 3:09 PM, NCteacherlovescruising said:

 

I’m hoping not. That was our least favorite of our 10 so far, with the Oasis of the Seas and The Getaway being our favorites. 

 

Oasis and NCL are both very family-oriented catering to a younger, active crowd.  Celebrity and Princess not in the same league being an older, more sedate crowd.  You do see some families on both Celebrity and Princess but it does not have the facilities that attract younger families. 

40 minutes ago, silversneakers said:

Wouldn't this essentially equate to the onboard credit and free paid gratuities that were previously offered?  I currently have a balcony on a 25 day cruise booked and received prepaid gratuities and $400 onboard credit so I actually think I have a slightly better deal.  Am I wrong? I'm always looking for a better deal so let me know.  Thank you.

I also got an upgrade

On 7/10/2019 at 6:07 PM, idahospud said:

Landmark Sale (7/18/19 – 9/3/19)

Cruise to the most sought-after landmarks of Europe, Alaska, Japan, the Caribbean and more! Our Landmark Sale is just about to begin, so make sure your clients jump on that for up to $1,000 in onboard credit, plus $50 onboard credit for their extra guests.

 

Offer
• Up to $1,000 Onboard Credit per stateroom† 
• Plus, $50 Onboard Credit for 3rd and 4th guests††

Disclaimer

†Up to $1,000 Onboard Credit is based on voyage length, stateroom type, and applicable to reservations booked and deposited between 7/18/19 & 9/3/19, for voyages listed in this sale only. Offer is applicable to first/second-berth guests only and third/fourth-berth guests are not eligible. Guests with single occupancy will receive double the per guest credit amount. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash, cannot be used in the casino, expires at the end of that voyage and is not applicable during the land portion of cruisetours. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Onboard credit is based on the ship’s onboard currency.

 

††$50 Onboard Credit for 3rd and 4th Guests is applicable to reservations booked and deposited between 7/18/19 & 9/3/19, for voyages listed in this sale only. Offer is per guest and applicable to 3rd/4th-berth guests only. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash, cannot be used in the casino, expires at the end of that voyage and is not applicable during the land portion of cruisetours. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Onboard credit is based on the ship’s onboard currency.

PC_Landmark_eflyer.pdf 316.35 kB · 346 downloads

Wouldn't this essentially equate to the onboard credit and free paid gratuities that were previously offered?  I currently have a balcony on a 25 day cruise booked and received prepaid gratuities and $400 onboard credit so I actually think I have a slightly better deal.  Am I wrong? I'm always looking for a better deal so let me know.  Thank you.

7 hours ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

I’ve seen this asked in the Celebrity forum, but curious to see the replies here. We have had 7 Carnival cruises, 1 Princess, 1 RCI, and 1 NCL. We have a Celebrity cruise coming up fairly soon. For those that have cruised with Celebrity, what differences did you notice?  

No comparison....two entirely different levels.

On 6/25/2019 at 10:06 AM, CruiseRonJulie said:

I think it is time for Carnival to make it near impossible to remove the gratuities. I have read all of the excuses people give and I believe they are just looking for a reason to not tip:

1. The crew doesn't get the tips (do you really think that after all this time, we would not have heard this?0

2. I like to tip in cash (yeah, and I am sure you track down the laundry people and those at the Lido Buffet to tip them)

3. I think tipping should not be mandated

4. Insert another reason here:  the crew doesn't speak English, I didn't get a chocolate on my pillow, I only got a Lanyard, etc.

 

Please if you are just looking for a way to stiff the crew, be honest and just say "I want to keep my $14.00.

I think tips should be automatic. If you have an issue or reason why you do not want to pay tips,  you should be required to go to guest services on the ship and explain what the problem is that created your decision.  I'm sure they would appreciate knowing what transpired so that they can correct the issue immediately and remedy the situation for the next guests boarding the ship.

23 minutes ago, Ep010835 said:

 

Or pick the lowest one that shows up. If you find a lower one in 10 minutes.......book that one!

Usually Basic Economy fares do not allow upgrades and no prior seat selection but Main Economy does allow upgrades and I believe they do allow seat selection.

We did Costa in Europe because of the Ports and pricing.  But comparison-wise we are not "sold" on Costa.  In Europe, the only time you received "free" coffee was at breakfast and other time you had to pay. Americans received free water at dinner so that was a plus but Americans were in the minority. Definitely catered to non US but because of pricing and ports, we accepted this.

On 6/12/2019 at 7:43 AM, silversneakers said:

When we saw the price drop on our flights booked by EZ Air we were excited because it was significant.  However, we upgraded (paid for upgrade) directly with the airline, chose our seats and all was fine. When we called the airline (directly) we were told if the price was adjusted it would result in a new booking number and the upgrade cost would be non refundable and non transferable. Lesson learned.

I have been corrected...it should have been called a PRN (passenger record number) as it does not affect the cruise booking number only the airline record.  

9 hours ago, fishywood said:

The Government Fees, Taxes and Port Expenses will be refunded directly from Princess in the original form of payment. As would the portion of the cruise fare not obliterated by the cancellation penalty if you are before the 100% penalty phase (not cancelling fewer than 14 days before the cruise). If memory serves you would then receive a check for the balance covered by the insurance (the cancellation penalty percentage).

I believe even if you haven't purchased the insurance that all cruise lines must refund the government tax and port charges. But with no insurance, you would not get your cruise fare refunded.

When we saw the price drop on our flights booked by EZ Air we were excited because it was significant.  However, we upgraded (paid for upgrade) directly with the airline, chose our seats and all was fine. When we called the airline (directly) we were told if the price was adjusted it would result in a new booking number and the upgrade cost would be non refundable and non transferable. Lesson learned.

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

We hope to do a river cruise one day. Not only in Europe but possibly a Mississippi river cruise.

We also hope to do Mississippi river cruise.  Hope Viking will announce their US river cruises soon.  See you on the Emerald!

4 hours ago, dag144 said:

I will be in Barcelona from Oct 31st leaving on my cruise Nov 4th.  I have stayed at the Avenida Palace several times.  I am looking for recommendations not too far from Las Ramblas at a price of about $175/day.  The Avenida Palace is a four star hotel about 1/2 mile from Las Ramblas.  The price is $167/day.  I would like some ideas for an alternative.  Time for a change.  Thanks in advance.

We have always stayed at the Colon Hotel (across from the Cathedral) not a fancy hotel but a great location.

Anyone know what the Mass times are at the Cathedral in Ajaccio will be on Sunday in October?   I can't find any listing of any times.

17 hours ago, morepunk said:

I’m going to be in Ajaccio this coming Sunday, with MSC Seaview, and just wondered if anyone has any experience of visiting on a Sunday? I was hoping to check out the market but we don’t arrive in port until 12pm. Will there be much that’s open?

I just read that the market at Place Foch is open on Sunday from 7a.m. to 1p.m.  

9 hours ago, Kenswing said:

That's pretty much what I do also.  I book as soon as flights become available then re-fare as the opportunities arise.. 

Just don't do what I did.  Booked EZ air flights and upgraded directly through the airline website (not EZ Air).  When the price went down for my original flight (significantly)  I checked with the airline first to see if there would be any consequences and glad I did.  They told me that the confirmation booking number would change and therefore it would cancel my paid upgrade as it was "non refundable".....so I just stayed with what I had originally booked. Lesson learned.

On 5/29/2019 at 1:02 PM, EDDY0827 said:

Even if you don't use the cards to pay for your cruise, you can use them for refundable obc.

Discounted gas and obc... win-win!

I believe Princess said it would be refunded to a Princess Gift Card and not actual cash back. Correct me if I'm wrong.

6 hours ago, Dlady47 said:

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this or not.

 

I am going on a group cruise arranged by a travel agent. We are paying top dollar and until recently all attempts to get her to lower our price and respond have gone unanswered. Last July princess offered a great deal on the suite we’d already booked. I asked her to get us that lower price. She never did. They also offered a free drink package in the timeframe we booked, we never got that either.

 

After complaints to Princess and others, she’s suddenly woken up and is trying to get us a better deal. Is there any chance Princess will give us the deal on the beverage package even though it ended months ago, or are we out of luck?

If it is a group booking she probably had group rates and not sure if that can be negotiated for one and not all.

4 hours ago, yapmom said:

Hi everyone! My DH is not very adventurous and would prefer to use a tour from the ship. I am concerned that we will not get as good of an experience as we would in a private tour. BUT this is OUR 30th anniversary trip and want him to be comfortable also. Has anyone been on one of these please and could share their experience? He is mostly thinking about the fact that princess will not leave without their tours.Thank you very much!

We used a two-day Viator tour...10 people, same tour guide and driver for both days.  They get the tourist visa for you as part of the package.  We were very happy.

Carnival Corp. and federal prosecutors have reached an agreement to avoid revoking Carnival's probation in an environmental crimes case. The details of the proposed settlement were not made public. 

6 hours ago, mdpseattle said:

I'm not exactly sure what the benefits are to using a travel agent?  Please list them.  I like to find the best price I can and I will book with whomever has the cheapest price.  A free bottle of cheap wine or unnecessary advice or some room fruit isn't isn't something I want anyway. In every case, I've found it's simply easier and cheaper to just use the cruise line website to book.

 

Sadly, aren't travel agents just a unnecessary middle man?  Don't get me wrong, I truly feel for the plight of the travel agent.  I'm old enough to have seen entire industries go away because of the Internet.  But, I don't make a lot of money, I don't have a lot of money, so if I want to cruise I have to find the absolute cheapest way to cruise and I would cut my own mother out of the reservation process if it would save me a few bucks (no, not seriously, I wouldn't, but I'm trying to make a point.)

I speak from experience.  The Travel Agent can intervene on your behalf when issues arise before and after the cruise.  It doesn't cost anything extra to use a travel agent as the cruise line pays them directly. We had some issue with one of the cruises we booked (not Princess) and the TA was able to get us a refund (future cruise credit) as he/she can deal with their cruise line rep directly.