runner2013

18 hours ago, dockman said:

way too much drama all around for my taste.....travel can be stressful even when all is perfectly clear and in order.....seems a lot of extra stress to finance a cruise...guess i am old fashioned that i simply would not book a cruise if i had to finance it.

I agree. I'm so used to being in control when I book and pay that it would be foreign to me to do a lay away type thing. However, If the right situation presented itself I'd be open to looking into it  it there was no other way. 

11 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I don't know if I was dreaming this, but somewhere....I read...that Princess does have an installment plan.

 

Sometimes I have a hard time separating what I read on the computer and "reality".  

 

Of course, I didn't take a screen shot nor would I ever do this.

Way back when the buddy was trying to figure out why his charge card was being charged after the final payment date, he called Princess directly to inquire and they had no idea what he was talking about. Come to find out, Princess Promotions paid for the trip up front and is still billing him now. So maybe Princess doesn't offer the pay up front option,   and it's just the Princess Promotions department, which isn't actually part of Princess that does it? 

If anyone knows for sure, please let me know. Who knows, maybe it might be something worth considering? 

Hello again all. 

Just thought I'd let you know DH's friend returned to Ft.Lauderdale yesterday safe and sound. He said they all had a great time and would do it again in the future.( Although I think he'd use a more 'traditional' method to book the cruise vs. Princess Promotions). 

Turns out P.P. paid for the entire trip up front and the buddy is making payments from his credit card until next April. So the confusion as to what the charges were are finally explained. 

Anyway, all's well that ends well I guess. 

Happy Sailing to the rest of us😁

Hi all, 

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.

I'm happy to report DH's buddy made it onto the ship and is having a great time. He did some sightseeing in Italy the day before embarkation and is enjoying his time on board. 

He still plans to talk to the Next Cruise people regarding his 'future cruise' situation he was told he signed up for by Princess Promotions, (whether or not they can help him, he doesn't know)  but otherwise he says he is satisfied.

If I heard more i'll report back. 

P.  

HI all, 

Well, 

It's go time for dh's buddy. They all leave this afternoon for Italy.  They received their cabin assignments, are all checked in on the app, and I believe made all their dinner reservations as well. 

Not sure if the buddy ended up getting travel insurance or not, didn't want to ask and seem like I was beating a dead horse.

They arrive on Sunday, (flying from United States) and don't board until Tuesday the 2nd. Supposedly they have tours booked for the Vatican and one other place. They also have transportation arranged from the hotel to the pier on embarkation day which makes me feel better. My final piece of advice was to bring copies of everything, just to have. You never know what you might need. 

The buddy did also say Princess Promotions paid for the entire cruise upfront and will be taking payments from his credit card until sometime next year.  So, I guess that situation was straightened out as well. 

Anyway, that's all I've got. 

If the buddy happens to contact DH while sailing i'll be sure to let you all know. 

To anyone else who may be hopping on this sailing, safe travels and have a great time😁

I want to say there are a few policies you can buy close to the sailing date, but the options included in them are not the best.  

If/when I hear anything else I'll be sure to come back here and let you all know. 

Thanks for your input and advice. As always much appreciated. 

Hi all, 

Just thought i'd pop back in with a quick update. 

Hubby's buddy asked us for help booking travel insurance for the trip. We thought they already had it through Princess, but his buddy said they felt it was too expensive and wanted to look elsewhere. His significant other has a very sick sister and they're looking for a policy that will cover them in case the worst happens, and they need to leave the ship and fly home. 

I took him to the sites I usually use but they too, did seem expensive. I advised him to call the company directly and speak with an agent. I felt that would be the best way for them to possibly get the best rate for the option they need. 

They also have their flights through Princess after all. Originally, he said they did, then he said they didn't, now they do. 

No idea what to make of this but again we're staying out of it.

We also don't know if the buddy has gotten his cabin assignment yet, or if the travel agents/company he's been using this entire time is still taking money out each month to pay for the mysterious future cruise he agreed to when he originally booked. 

Again, we don't feel there's anything we could do at this point anyway, so we'll let sleeping dogs lie. 

They are all supposed to leave this Saturday. They join the ship April 1st in Italy.  We're hopeful but nervous. Once I hear anything I'll report back. 

I didn't even know there was a club being built in Nassau. Now Cozumel as well 🙄. Good for folks and/or families who will use it and enjoy it. But me personally, not that interested in going to Nassau or Cozumel on a large portion of my cruises. I walked around Perfect Day at Coco Cay once, it was wonderful but that was enough. If I wanted a beach vacation, I'd have booked a nice hotel somewhere in the Caribbean. 

3 hours ago, Scottdalfonso said:

We are doing our first Princess cruise in August, the medallion thing sounds really neat, you can even find others in your party on the screens in the hallway, or you can have food delivered right to your pool side seat....if it works the way it's supposed to, it's definitely a great idea. 

The Medallion technology is pretty nice. We were skeptical at first but once on board it seemed to work out pretty well. 

One fun note, when standing by the elevators, watch the big info screens on the walls. They read who is nearby and sometimes will put a welcome message on the screen with your name. 

We were onboard for our 1st year wedding anniversary and all week every time we approached a screen it changed to a congratulatory message with our pic and glasses of champagne. It was a nice little touch that we appreciated. Definitely something you'd never get from Royal. 

11 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

On our Princess cruise last week, some things were very different, in a better way, to handle this.  They have a screen about 10" diagonal on the wall outside your cabin.  When you get within 3 metres or so of the cabin, your cabin door automatically unlocks if you are wearing your Medallion.  It was also programmed so that it automatically opened our kids' room if we went there.  When the door unlocks, is shows your profile photo on the screen on the wall and welcomes you.

 

There are 2 buttons on the screen at all times.  One is to "request cabin service" and the other is do not disturb.  Whenever we left the cabin, we hit the service button and whenever we were in the cabin, we hit the "do not disturb" button.  Problem solved about the cabin steward disturbing us when we were in the cabin.

 

He got an idea after a day or 2 of when we were out to dinner or breakfast, checked the screen to see if we were in or out, and then quickly cleaned it while we were out.  Never saw him in our cabin (only in the halls), but the cabin was neat and tidy 100% of the time.  It was like walking into a brand-new cabin every time we entered.  Other cruise lines need to consider a similar method.

We've also sailed with Princess several times. I agree, the display screen outside the room is a very nice idea. It worked out well for us every time. 

17 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Don't pass on trying the free breakfast at JR.

 

OOhhh, When does this happen?

Every morning or only certain days.:

Is it listed in the Compass?

Thanks everyone for the help. This is our first time on an Oasis class ship and we wanted to make sure we know what to expect. 

Hi all, 

We will be sailing on Allure in October. While reading online versions of the Cruise Compass from Jan 2024, it says reservations required under several of the shows. 

Can anyone who's been on Allure recently confirm reservations are actually needed or is it still just walk up/first come open seating?

Thanks 

Hi all, 

First time DH and I are booked on Allure and wondering if we can see the Aqua show from our balcony. We're in Cabin 11729 on Deck 11. We've never been on an Oasis class ship and have no idea what to expect. 

Tia

2 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Is buddy's significant other going with him? Usually with a couple one person is the all in planner, with the other just showing up. Have you spoken with the significant other?

Yes, his long-time gf is going but don't know how involved she is with things.  

DH and I are staying out of things as much as possible at this point. DH tried offering suggestions at the beginning and the buddy wasn't interested.  We're hoping for the best. 

43 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

@runner2013  Thank you so much for returning to your thread frequently.  I am intrigued by this subject.  I am hoping for the best possible outcome.  I forgot...has "friend" ever cruised before?  

Only once, when DH and I got married 2 years ago this May. 

HI all, 

Quick update. 

DH spoke to his buddy the other night and he actually said he feels he bit off more than he can chew.  Says he should have stuck with a much shorter, easier to handle trip. 

DH asked him about the app and checking in, and dinner reservations etc.  

Guess the buddy has the app downloaded but hasn't done his check in yet. Buddy also told his sister who's going she was in charge of making all the dinner reservations for them. She wants no part of it. Hubby stressed buddy may want to get on the dinner situation sooner rather than later. 

I hear anything else I'll keep you all informed. 

When all is said and done, I'm still hoping for a good outcome.  🤞

Hi all,

Is there still a happy hour type thing in the Crown lounge every night with free drinks during that time?

We just reached diamond and  know we receive 4 drink coupons each day,  but weren't sure if the hh still existed or was replaced by the coupons .

Thanks

Ok, 

So hubby just told me his buddy did get just his flights to Italy through Princess Ez air.  That's not what his buddy told me the other night on the phone but maybe I misunderstood him. ??

All this confusion is making my head spin. I can't imagine how his buddy is feeling

Thanks everyone for your help. 

I'll be sure to keep you updated.   

14 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

Princess Promotions can be purchased in installments.  I'm only repeating what I heard one of the Future Cruise Consultants said to a potential taker last cruise, so don't quote me...The packages can put but on a monthly installment plan.  A minimum of 25% down and monthly payments after.  After you reach 50% of the total due, you can use the FCC part towards a cruise and the rest of the "benefits" will follow upon full payment.

 

The thought going through my head, "Yikes!  Why are they this desperate?"

If PP paids off the cruise for DH's friend. Would they then expect payment to be finished by the time the cruise comes or would they allow him to finish paying off after the cruise ends? 

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

Would any insurance cover them, if it was a scam?

 

They could go through their CC, if it did turn out to be a scam. Maybe to dispute charges?

Lets hope it doesn’t come to that.

 

 

 

Good question.

3 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Here’s that $500 a month you mentioned in an earlier post.

According to your same post, he IS supposed to pay $500 a month.

 

Is it possible the ONE agent did pay in full to PCL already and your friend still has to pay off the cruise to the ONE TA?  
 

This is such a goofy way to handle the accounting.

 

 If it were my friend, I’d invite them over to go through all of this with their T & C, that they agreed to, documents in hand and travel summary.

That is, if they wanted my help.

JMO

I've never heard of any travel agency that pays for your cruise in full ahead of time and then bills you for the money. Maybe I'm wrong, but as far as I know, none of them do that. (if anyone has heard of this please correct me.)

My Hubby tried to ask his friend questions way back when this all started and the friend didn't really want any advice or input, so we've both stayed out of it until now. 

We've said our peace and will just stay out of whatever happens. If we're asked, we'll offer an opinion but otherwise, it's not our business. 

1 hour ago, Paula_MacFan said:

If I'm reading the facts correctly the cruise leaves in about 5 weeks, and he doesn't have flights booked yet for an international trip?  Maybe I'm misinterpreting 🙂  

Oh no, you are totally correct.🙄 

13 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Sounds like O.N.E, PCL promotions.  They cold called.

That is exactly what happened. He was cold called by them. 

13 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

He would be too late for

insurance if he’s past FP.  Unless, there is a policy he could buy now?

 

He should have a phone number to call for the person who booked it.  He needs to get the information on the hotels booked, confirmation numbers, call the Florida one and email the Rome hotel and verify he is booked and paid for.

 

Never heard of them charging $500 for a future cruise.  He needs to look at the fine print.

What did the agent book?  Where’s the receipt on the website for this charge?  Is this non refundable?  Is it shown in his account as a FCC?

 

I would print out the travel summary and check it closely for any mistakes.

 

What a mistake, that PCL allows this agency to pull these shady tactics.  SMH 

I think he can still get insurance through one of those websites that lets you compare different plans. Maybe not the medical waiver portion but at least something to cover luggage loss or trip delay, etc. 

Supposedly the hotels are all booked/confirmed and paid for. No idea if he actually did the confirmation himself or is going on what his contact at princess promotions is telling him. 

I've never heard of a charge for a future cruise either, that's why my red flags went up and I'm here asking for opinions. All you folks who've cruised longer than me have a much better knowledge of how things work. 

As far as him having all receipts, emails, verification, etc. I have no idea what he has or doesn't have.   

I did stress to him make sure he brings paper copies of all his documents when he goes. What he'll do, I couldn't even guess.