SunPeaks Peter Posted February 18, 2014 #1 Share Posted February 18, 2014 My wife and I are on the Island Princess right now and were surprised to see that they have doubled the price for The Sanctuary. The cost is $40/ day per person or $20 for half day. If you booked for the entire cruise (as we did) you get it for $30/ day per person. I inquired about these prices as their website (and all posts to this board) clearly state that the prices are half this amount. Their response was that the prices went up for this cruise. Does anyone know who to contact at Princess to complain about this case of false and mis-leading advertising? PS. Other than this isolated irritant, the cruise is absolutely fantastic. Calm seas, sunny skies, excellent service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenswing Posted February 18, 2014 #2 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Another person from the Island reported the same thing.. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1990671 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted February 18, 2014 #3 Share Posted February 18, 2014 My wife and I are on the Island Princess right now and were surprised to see that they have doubled the price for The Sanctuary. The cost is $40/ day per person or $20 for half day. If you booked for the entire cruise (as we did) you get it for $30/ day per person. I inquired about these prices as their website (and all posts to this board) clearly state that the prices are half this amount. Their response was that the prices went up for this cruise. Does anyone know who to contact at Princess to complain about this case of false and mis-leading advertising? PS. Other than this isolated irritant, the cruise is absolutely fantastic. Calm seas, sunny skies, excellent service. They have the right to raise prices. :( One thing that I'm still trying to find out is whether the $40/pp/day for the "whole" cruise includes the Canal transit day. Last year, you booked for the whole cruise but it didn't include Canal transit day which was another $70 or so. If the current "whole" cruise includes that day, then it's not as bad as it appears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted February 18, 2014 #4 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Way too high. Not worth it for me. If they keep filling it up at that price then the price will stay high. If few book they will be forced to adjust their price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted February 18, 2014 #5 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Maybe more folks will be able to utilize it now as so many have complained about B2B passengers taking up all the spots. This should help with that problem. Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner22aa Posted February 18, 2014 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2014 There have been a lot of posts on here as to just how popular the Sanctuary is and how difficult it has been for some people to get into. I have a nice large balcony on my suite with very comfortable furnature so I have never used it. Maybe its a simple case of supply and demand. If a manufacturer keeps selling out of widgets at a hundred bucks then the price goes up to 150 to maximize profits. If widgets don't sell at 150 the price goes back down to 100 and nothing lost especially if widgets are in high demand like seats in the Sanctuary appear to be. Princess (Carnival)is a publically traded company and like all companies is trying to make the most money possible and maximize the return to their share holders. That's my economic theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBINLA Posted February 18, 2014 #7 Share Posted February 18, 2014 That is a lot of $, especially on the Island. We were on it this past July, and the Sanctuary is tiny! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo222 Posted February 18, 2014 #8 Share Posted February 18, 2014 There have been a lot of posts on here as to just how popular the Sanctuary is and how difficult it has been for some people to get into. Exactly. Raise the price until everyone who wishes to purchase can do so. And, the goal is not to fill every seat in the sanctuary, the goal is to maximize revenue. So, if they previously sold 20 seats at $20, they only need to sell 10 or more at $40 and come out ahead. I think some people here want it both ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoyosma Posted February 18, 2014 #9 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Hmm, really thought I posted regarding this yesterday. I am just off the Emerald Princess and was told by the Sanctuary Manager that the price for the Sanctuary was doubled effective February 7th. That would make it $270 for the 10 day cruise. It was $135. The Sanctuary is not open on Embarkation day on the Emerald. They hinted it was happening on all Princess ships, but they weren't certain of the effective dates. They also believed that the price for Crown Grill and Sabatini's would be going up as well at a slightly later date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunPeaks Peter Posted February 18, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The canal day is still extra. I think he said $60. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunPeaks Peter Posted February 18, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted February 18, 2014 My issue is not complaining so much about the price, although it is fairly steep, it is that Princess is still advertising it at the old rates on their website. That is false and mis-leading. Why not change their prices at the end of the season before they switch to the Alaska schedule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNUZULOOSE Posted February 18, 2014 #12 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I have only been on one cruise. But Yikes! I guess I won't be reserving that area any time. But it does not make or break my cruise. Me and DH do enjoy Princess so much more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted February 19, 2014 #13 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The canal day is still extra. I think he said $60. Yep. Heard back from my friend today... it has infact doubled and an added $60 for the canal day.. "We managed to get one of the gazebos in the Sanctuary. They have raised the price to $40 per day, $20 per half day, and $30 per day if you buy the entire trip. THEN, if you want to be in there for Panama, that's an additional $60. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted February 19, 2014 #14 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks for the update. Glad they were able to get a gazebo. Bet they're having a great time. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted February 19, 2014 #15 Share Posted February 19, 2014 We have some friends on the Island too. I checked with them after reading the first thread on this. They say the pricing is going fleetwide . :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted February 19, 2014 #16 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks for the update. Glad they were able to get a gazebo. Bet they're having a great time. :) She was very much enjoying the heat :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted February 19, 2014 #17 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Too popular and it raises the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted February 19, 2014 #18 Share Posted February 19, 2014 She was very much enjoying the heat :)I bet she was! At lunch, she was seated with the sun at her back and she basked in the warmth. Believe it or not, it got too hot after about an hour. :) Thank god they were able to change their flights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted February 19, 2014 #19 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I bet she was! At lunch, she was seated with the sun at her back and she basked in the warmth. Believe it or not, it got too hot after about an hour. :) Thank god they were able to change their flights! Yes, they were lucky. She said the lady that booked their Columbia tour didn't make it :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisin73 Posted February 19, 2014 #20 Share Posted February 19, 2014 My parents are also on this cruise right now. Glad the cruise is going well. Sanctuary looks awesome though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandS Posted February 19, 2014 #21 Share Posted February 19, 2014 First, let me say I have never used the sanctuary. At these new prices, I can safely say I never will. I understand the cruise lines are in business to make money, but I think there are limits to what is reasonable. There are lines other than Princess where passengers can expect to be pampered more and receive more personal attention because the ships are smaller and carry fewer people. Passengers also pay more for that privilege. We sail Princess because we love the itineraries, the ships, and the crews have always been wonderful. However, I have no desire to cruise on a ship with different classes of service, whether it is based on where one's cabin is located, or how much extra money one is willing to spend onboard. Where does this end? Next, will we be able to pay a crew member to follow us around all day, waiting just on us while ignoring other passengers? "Our" crew member could go to the pool deck at 6 a.m. to save us lounges until we show up at noon to use them! Why not? We would be paying for it. Or maybe the ship could just hold an auction every morning to sell spaces in the sanctuary. Who knows? Maybe on canal day, they could get $500 for a lounge there. Obviously, I'm exaggerating (a little.) Many of us cruise because it is one of the great vacation bargains still available. If you want to be treated like you're the only one on the ship (more or less), there are lines where you can do that. Please don't make me feel like a second class passenger on Princess just because I can't/won't pay extra for service I believe I'm already paying for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted February 19, 2014 #22 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Some people go to the spa, some get massages, some book full suites, some book the Chef's Table, some take the Ultimate Ship's Tour and some book the Sanctuary. It's your choice. Nothing more "privileged" about these nor do any of them make someone who doesn't book them a second class passenger. There's really no difference between being pampered at a dinner or pampered during the day. The vast majority of passengers have a great cruise without booking the Sanctuary. There are other places to find a lounger in a quiet place on most Princess ships. Edited February 19, 2014 by Pam in CA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M4dC0w Posted February 19, 2014 #23 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Economics 101, Supply and Demand The price increases are related to the demand, as long as there is a fixed supply. It would happen to any other commodity that you pay extra on if the demand is more than the supply can offer. I bet a beer would cost a lot more if they were only allowed to stock 2000 a cruise. As long as people are willing to pay the price, and they still sell out they will keep increasing the prices, if they notice on one cruise they only sell a few day passes I bet they will be announcing discounts on the patter after a few days. You can complain all you like, but as long as someone is willing to pay the prices, and they are making good money on it, it won't change, it may even get more expensive. The only way they will really listen is when they notice a drop in sales Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo222 Posted February 19, 2014 #24 Share Posted February 19, 2014 We managed to get one of the gazebos in the Sanctuary. As long as enough people feel they 'managed to get one' at the new price, it was an excellent decision by princess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted February 19, 2014 #25 Share Posted February 19, 2014 As long as enough people feel they 'managed to get one' at thenew price, it was an excellent decision by princess. Well yes and no. That email was from a skin cancer survivor so having somewhere in the shade is of upmost importance to the enjoyment of her cruise and obviously she's willing to pay for that. Time will tell if Princess has made an excellent decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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