cruising deacon

It seems like all of you are in the same BOAT I am in, and we are all sinking.  so long Princess

My benefit -   We are still healthy.

Still waiting for my FCC, but since further cruising in the future is WAY off my bucket list, it really doesn't make much difference.

I also have an upcoming cruise whose final payment date is still sitting at 90 days in the Princess system.  If it doesn't change by the 90 day deadline, I think I will cancel the cruise.  The extra 30 days for final payment may give us the opportunity to see what is really going to happening in the cruise industry, without it there is way to many questions about cruising on Princess that are going unanswered.  I am not going to give them any more of my money until those questions have some concrete answers, I am still waiting for my FCC.

On 6/4/2020 at 4:08 AM, antsp said:

If you have a booking does it not make sense to pay 50% of your booking before final payment. If Princess cancels the cruise you would get double your money back as a fcc. Am I reading the t and c correctly 

If you are really asking 'does it make sense to pay 50% before final payment', I think it would be a big mistake to trust them with any more money beyond what is required to be paid.  I would NEVER trust Princess with anything except the DEPOSIT until FINAL PAYMENT is due.  Still haven't seen my FCC from the last one they cancelled, they have far too much of money now.

13 hours ago, Anubi said:

We had booked a Baltics for September 2020 and because of the cancellation, we moved it to September 2021.  When we did, we were in for a shock.  The cost of the 2021 cruise price has gone up 60% over the 2020 cruise price.  I was so shocked that I had my husband check my numbers and he got the same result.  That is a ridiculous increase and totally not warranted.  I am so glad that we asked for our cruise fare back and didn't take the FCC.  If we had we'd be stuck with these marked up prices and that's probably what Princess had in mind.  

 

So I came here to let people know and I'm doing about the only thing that means anything to any company.  I am voting with my wallet and going elsewhere.  

 

I checked out Celebrity and saw that their prices for the same cruise are far more reasonable.  I guess that's where we are headed.

 

So sorry to not be cruising Princess but that is just too much of a jump for us.  

Sounds to me like we all should be checking pricing and jump to another line, I don't think I would miss Princess.

Any guess on what "Dnd - Internal use only" refers to in the Princess Plus deal?

Dnd.pdf

I have been ELITE for many years, but I think we are seeing the REAL Princess currently. 

"We Are The Consummate Host", really?

Doubt that I will ever book again with Princess, still waiting for FCC - I am currently doubting that I will ever see it.

I know very little about those lodges and restaurants, but I do know this, the last time I was inland in Alaska the meals were generally 3x the price for a similar meal back home.  So either way (prepay with the new Connoiseur tour adding one extra night, or pay as you go with the original Princess tour) expect to PAY$$$.  So for the meal aspect: for the two of you a full breakfast might run $50, lunch about the same and dinner $150.  So if you tend to eat full meals, those costs could be $950.  If you tend to eat lighter, then you might get by paying as you go and get by with $750.  Overall, for $1100 you seem to get a good deal depending on what you eat.

19 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

Setting the temps to the highest setting is a knee-jerk overkill reaction.  The Covid-19 virus is coated with a protein that is broken down with simple soap.  Think about it, do you wash your hands in the hottest temperature that you can get out of the faucet?

 

I will be happy if they stop pre-setting the Horizon Court tables with drinkware for anyone to handle and cough/sneeze on.

When it comes to Horizon Court, I doubt that it will ever be the same again - the best thing to do is to do away with it.

If all of this discussion is happening because Canada has closed its ports for the near future, then I don't understand why we don't just skip the Alaska and New England cruises for this year?  I have loved sailing on those voyages in the past, and I am sure others would like to, but why not wait until next year (cruising this year anywhere isn't in my near future).

9 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I think you are asking me.  It is an interesting question.  The only difference I know of is the cruise you describe is in compliance with PVSA because of the foreign ports.  My point is I would personally be opposed to widening the loophole that allows avoidance of American crews and associated wage levels..

 

Whether that loophole should exist at all is a huge subject maybe for another discussion, though I think I can guess where most avid cruise passengers would stand on the subject.    

 

Edit: You know, I don't even know if wage/hour laws for land based employees apply to the maritime industry.  But I'm pretty comfortable that the wages paid to an American crew would be higher than those currently paid on cruise ships.  

Then let the cruise line hire an American crew, put our own citizens back to work, and charge the cruisers whatever the additional cost.  I would be in favor of that.

Thankfully we enjoy many types of vacations to many locations.  The most enjoyable locations for us are not accessible by cruise ship.  Therefore cruising for us, although an enjoyable alternative at times, appears to be no longer in our future.  It will be far too risky for us, both in the cruise ship close quarters and in having to fly to embarkation port.  Although we have taken over 40 cruises, I think there will be too many hassles associated with cruising in the future for us.  This pandemic has really enlightened me regarding health concerns with taking a cruise, and they far outweigh any enjoyment.  Thank goodness we enjoy driving vacations, that is what we will be taking in the future.

Just now, cruising deacon said:

If you can't get into the booking using:

 

their booking number

their name

their date of birth

then I think there is a problem with that booking, call Princess

If you can't get into the booking using:

6 minutes ago, CRUZBUDS said:

In fairness --- they did say the announcements would be made Tuesday afternoon  

 

 

FAIRNESS ?      since when has Princess been fair

I canceled our May 2020 cruise to Alaska on March 9 - I have been watching the cancellations increase ever since with about 80% of balconies currently available.  I can still book that cruise today (am currently on) although I know it will NEVER sail.

Don't hold your breath, they told us April 14 - but didn't tell us a year.  Princess enjoys keeping us in the dark.

19 hours ago, rrusso81 said:

How inconvenient that's just one day past my cancellation date where it goes from 100% refund to 50%.  Sigh.

Don't wait, note from Princess didn't say April 14 of which YEAR  -  they have left us in the dark until now.

With our cruise in January, I waited about 8 weeks to receive the check.  I eventually called 'Bottomline' after seven weeks and was told that 'the check was in the mail', and it was.

We decided a LONG TIME AGO that the 'Grapevine Wine Tasting' isn't worth our time (even for free).  Although I am sure that some may enjoy it.  Several average wines to taste and a few crackers.

So much will have to change to satisfy new CDC order, that for many reasons I think that this is the beginning of the end for the cruise industry, at least operating in the US.  Thank goodness that my family enjoys many other 'non-cruise' types of vacations also, I believe that all would agree that cruising is no longer in our plans.  We have been ELITE for many years and enjoyed cruising, but we will once again enjoy life without it.

22 hours ago, westcoastwannabe said:

But why can't they just admit the cruise will be cancelled and then just give a longer window for the refunding of the cruse payments?  I know I will have to wait a while for the refund, but it would be great to not be in limbo anymore, with the knowledge that I will get my refund...eventually.  I just want them to be straight with us.

I don't believe that Princess has been 'straight with us' from the beginning of all of this, why would they start now?

UNBELIEVABLE - I had an Alaska cruise booked for May 2020, which I canceled early last month.  I just looked at it to see how many balcony cabins were available now since a lot of you have canceled too.  There were only about 10% of the balcony cabins booked, but the price has gone UP since the last time I checked.  Other cruise lines (like RCL, CEL and even Carnival) have canceled their Alaska cruises until July, but not Princess - they are even raising their prices on cruises that they know they will cancel. 

11 hours ago, Bdnclc said:

If Canada does not open border then have issue.  Guessing till recovery starts can't announce much.  Where I live they have ordered no gatherings more than ten people and all nonessential services to close.  Next two weeks are critical to getting back to more normal sooner.  However travel outside country can not see that being advised for months.

I figure the next month or two are critical.  Notice than Celebrity just announced that you can cancel ANY cruise sailing until September up to 48 hours prior to sailing.  The cruise industry doesn't see this ending soon.  I have cancelled all bookings for cruises this year, I will WAIT a little longer before I cancel my 2021 sailings.

I agree that the Carnival (cruise line) announcement was pretty underwhelming.  I would guess now that we will continue to hear nothing from Princess.  I guess a lot depends on if Carnival Corp is able to secure the $7B in loans they are looking for to survive.