Just got notice of a free upgrade

I've sailed on most other cruise lines (Carnival, RCL, Celebrity, NCL, soon CDF and MSC) but not on Princess.

Booked a quickie 3 night out of Los Angeles to Ensenada which is convenient (I'm in San Diego) and the formal night also happens to fall on my girlfriend's 50th birthday. So I thought that would be a nice way for her to spend her BD.

I had reserved cabin E605 (obstructed oceanview) but was just upgraded to P315 (unobstructed oceanview).

While the site showed E605 to be fully obstructed, it was actually only slightly obstructed, as it was between tenders.

Not a huge upgrade, but it seems like am improvement. I can't think of a reason to decline this, can you?

Also, had a minor negative. I'm a CCL shareholder and I faxed in their completed form and a brokerage statement for the $50 OBC. They rejected it and said I needed to do it again 90 days before sailing. First time I had that happen and it seemed to me that they should have just credited it, since everything was in good order and if I cancelled, it wouldn't matter anyway.

Booked a quickie 3 night out of Los Angeles to Ensenada which is convenient (I'm in San Diego) and the formal night also happens to fall on my girlfriend's 50th birthday. So I thought that would be a nice way for her to spend her BD.

There should not be any formal nights on a cruise less than 5 days.

Non the less, I hope that you have a nice cruise.

I've sailed on most other cruise lines (Carnival, RCL, Celebrity, NCL, soon CDF and MSC) but not on Princess.

 

Booked a quickie 3 night out of Los Angeles to Ensenada which is convenient (I'm in San Diego) and the formal night also happens to fall on my girlfriend's 50th birthday. So I thought that would be a nice way for her to spend her BD.

 

I had reserved cabin E605 (obstructed oceanview) but was just upgraded to P315 (unobstructed oceanview).

 

While the site showed E605 to be fully obstructed, it was actually only slightly obstructed, as it was between tenders.

 

Not a huge upgrade, but it seems like am improvement. I can't think of a reason to decline this, can you?

 

Also, had a minor negative. I'm a CCL shareholder and I faxed in their completed form and a brokerage statement for the $50 OBC. They rejected it and said I needed to do it again 90 days before sailing. First time I had that happen and it seemed to me that they should have just credited it, since everything was in good order and if I cancelled, it wouldn't matter anyway.

OBC - it's because you can theoretically sell your shares and would no longer be a shareholder. That's why they do it nearer to the cruise.

Tracey

OBC - it's because you can theoretically sell your shares and would no longer be a shareholder. That's why they do it nearer to the cruise.

 

Tracey

You could also sell your shares within the 90 days too. I've never had a shareholder OBC rejected before. From the cruiseline's perspective, they need to consider whether or not they wish to irritate the customer. Obviously, if one has bought the stock, figured out the procedure, located and filled out the form, cross-referenced booking numbers, located and printed statements and faxed the whole package in, there's some effort involved. To have it rejected and have to do it all over again is annoying. No one likes going through this drill for nothing.

I agree they should have just credited your stock. You need to know there are no formals on a 3 or 4 night cruise, you might want to pack accordingly.

You could also sell your shares within the 90 days too. I've never had a shareholder OBC rejected before. From the cruiseline's perspective, they need to consider whether or not they wish to irritate the customer. Obviously, if one has bought the stock, figured out the procedure, located and filled out the form, cross-referenced booking numbers, located and printed statements and faxed the whole package in, there's some effort involved. To have it rejected and have to do it all over again is annoying. No one likes going through this drill for nothing.

It is stated on the form to submit no earlier than 90 days before the cruise.

Mike:)

 

I had reserved cabin E605 (obstructed oceanview) but was just upgraded to P315 (unobstructed oceanview).

 

While the site showed E605 to be fully obstructed, it was actually only slightly obstructed, as it was between tenders.

 

Not a huge upgrade, but it seems like am improvement. I can't think of a reason to decline this, can you?

 

Since nobody has yet commented on your first question, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS!

The other difference between the cabins is it is lower and more forward. Plaza deck cabins are often raved about because they are so close to the shops, casino, theatre and so on. Minor concerns about traffic as they are on a deck with public spaces - look on the deck plans (I haven't) to see if your hallway is isolated - some are. LA to Ensenada can get some ship movement due to the Pacific Current so you'll feel a little more movement being more forward although that's somewhat mitigated by being lower.

You have to decide of course so I've just given you something to think about for the upgrade.

It is stated on the form to submit no earlier than 90 days before the cruise.

 

Mike:)

What form do you mean? As far as I know there is no form to fill out to claim the shareholder OBC. This is from Carnival's website under "shareholder benefit" page where it says " .... Please provide by fax or by mail your name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc share (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, shares certificate, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with your brokerage account number blacked out) to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below ..."

It further states in the first paragraph of this page that the application to receive these benefits should be made at least 2 weeks prior to cruise departure date.

On our last cruise I screwed up and faxed the info early. They let it slide but it was probably because I was only a week or two early. I fully expected to have to send it again when I realized my error and wouldn't have been at all upset to have to send it again. I was really pretty surprised when they let it stand. It was a short cruise so only $50 but that's well worth the effort of sending a fax...

Buying 100 shares of CCL was really a good deal. I was getting essentially nothing on the money and CCL pays me $25 / quarter dividends plus I get OBC. When I purchased it I immediately got $250 OBC as we were booked for a 15 day SF / Hawaii cruise.

It's amazing what one learns here on CC. :D

What form do you mean? As far as I know there is no form to fill out to claim the shareholder OBC. This is from Carnival's website under "shareholder benefit" page where it says " .... Please provide by fax or by mail your name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc share (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, shares certificate, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with your brokerage account number blacked out) to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below ..."

 

It further states in the first paragraph of this page that the application to receive these benefits should be made at least 2 weeks prior to cruise departure date.

Yes, there is a form although it is not required. Use of the form simply makes sure you've included all the necessary information and probably makes the job at Carnival/Princess simpler. For the life of me I can't place my mouse on the link to the current form right now. I'll need it soon though..

I've heard the 90 day requirement before and seem to recall it seeing it writing somewhere on either the Princess or Carnival web-sites but it's buried. That said, I usually send in the paperwork right after final payment. It's part of the process and then I don't forget. Usually that's within the 90 day window but once for a very long cruise with a 120-day payment, I sent the form in right away and had no problems.

... I had reserved cabin E605 (obstructed oceanview) but was just upgraded to P315 (unobstructed oceanview).

 

While the site showed E605 to be fully obstructed, it was actually only slightly obstructed, as it was between tenders.

 

Not a huge upgrade, but it seems like am improvement. I can't think of a reason to decline this, can you?...

I just received notice of a similar upgrade to the Plaza deck. My only concern is that the deck plans don't show what is beneath it, so am concerned about noise. I did a quick search, and people rave about this location so I guess I am happy with it.

Slightly OT--A question to those familiar with Princess' upgrade policy--can I now call Princess and ask not to be upgraded again? I wouldn't want to be too far forward in rough coastal waters. BTW, this was not a guarantee, I booked a reserved cabin but did not request no upgrade initially.

Google Shareholders Benefit Request Form 2014 It is all over the internet, actually.

This site will not allow me to post the link, sorry

Congratulations on the upgrade which is conveniently located near the atrium. Since Princess began the 90 day limit they've been able to process requests quickly. There are so many cancellations it makes no sense to me to process shareholder OBC before final payment.

While it's not required, the application has the necessary info & disregard the expiration date which has been extended to 2015.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=285295&d=1378261503

Here's the link to the policy. Cruise Critic allows links to things such as this. It's links to travel agencies and such that are not allowed. I never bother filling out a form. I just send a cover letter with my cruise info along with a recent stock statement.

Congrats on the upgrade. I like the convenience of being on the Plaza Deck.

Congrats on the upgrade!

I did forget about the 90 day rule and sent mine into Carnival UK at the same time as a request for OBC on my P&O cruise. It was before the 90 day requirement for Princess. When I hadn't heard back I emailed Princess and was told that it was too early and to resubmit during the 90 day period.

However, I noticed on my planner that they had credited the $100 without me resubmitting, so they had obviously just kept hold if the details on file.

Just to reiterate, there are no formal nights on a 3 day cruise...

Congratulations for the upgrade.

Just to reiterate, there are no formal nights on a 3 day cruise...

Got it. I *think* there was a formal night on a recent 4 day Carnival cruise I took earlier this year.

Do they still do lobster and such on the sea night or no?

...Do they still do lobster and such on the sea night or no?

Not sure, but if it is a special occasion you might want to consider booking one of the specialty restaurants for that night, if budget allows. Food quality and service tend to be better than in the MDR.

On our last cruise I screwed up and faxed the info early. They let it slide but it was probably because I was only a week or two early. I fully expected to have to send it again when I realized my error and wouldn't have been at all upset to have to send it again. I was really pretty surprised when they let it stand. It was a short cruise so only $50 but that's well worth the effort of sending a fax...

 

Buying 100 shares of CCL was really a good deal. I was getting essentially nothing on the money and CCL pays me $25 / quarter dividends plus I get OBC. When I purchased it I immediately got $250 OBC as we were booked for a 15 day SF / Hawaii cruise.

 

It's amazing what one learns here on CC. :D

I just called the toll free number (800 872 6779 ext. 30317) listed for Princess in the Carnival Shareholder Benefit page. I asked the Princess rep to clarify the OBC application form and the earliest I could apply for this OBC. She said NO form is required. A letter or fax with the pertinent info needs to be submitted no earlier than 90 days before sailing and no later than at least 2 weeks prior to cruising date. She says this "no more than 90-day requirement" is NOT spelled out in the Carnival Corp shareholder benefit page but has been a requirement for some time. She says if cruisers send in before the 90 days, Princess will likely not act on it. She says the 90-day requirement is to discourage cruisers from selling the stock before final payment. Don't really understand why Princess doesn't spell this out clearly in their shareholder page. At least now I know. Thank you all for mentioning about this.

Got it. I *think* there was a formal night on a recent 4 day Carnival cruise I took earlier this year.

 

Do they still do lobster and such on the sea night or no?

Nope... as the previous post suggested, I'd go to the Crown Grill, the have lobster tails (as many as you want) and great steaks. Cost is $25 per person and well worth it.

The short cruises are new for Princess whereas Carnival does them year round...

Got it. I *think* there was a formal night on a recent 4 day Carnival cruise I took earlier this year.

 

Do they still do lobster and such on the sea night or no?

Carnival may be different. We took a 4 day on Princess in May (way too short!!!) and there were no formal nights. Since we were taking the train home from Vancouver the reduced luggage requirement was actually welcome. I don't remember having a lobster night. (The cruise was in May and already it seems so long ago. Sigh...)

I just called the toll free number (800 872 6779 ext. 30317) listed for Princess in the Carnival Shareholder Benefit page. I asked the Princess rep to clarify the OBC application form and the earliest I could apply for this OBC. She said NO form is required. A letter or fax with the pertinent info needs to be submitted no earlier than 90 days before sailing and no later than at least 2 weeks prior to cruising date. She says this "no more than 90-day requirement" is NOT spelled out in the Carnival Corp shareholder benefit page but has been a requirement for some time. She says if cruisers send in before the 90 days, Princess will likely not act on it. She says the 90-day requirement is to discourage cruisers from selling the stock before final payment. Don't really understand why Princess doesn't spell this out clearly in their shareholder page. At least now I know. Thank you all for mentioning about this.

A form may not be required but that information is spelled out on the "Carnival Shareholder Benefit Request Form".

Mike:)

A form may not be required but that information is spelled out on the "Carnival Shareholder Benefit Request Form".

 

Mike:)

Exactly & the form eliminates many questions that are repeatedly asked on Cruise Critic. ;)

Although it does not specify that requests have to be submitted within 90 days of sailing, it does say "shares certificate and brokerage statement should be dated no earlier than 3 months prior to cruise departure date"...or about 90 days. ;)

I called them & they emailed the current form showing it's valid until 2015...it's not required but it does answer a lot of questions. :)

If you open the form, you can type in the information & print it to fax or snail mail to Princess.

Princess_Shareholder_Request_Form_0314.pdf