My Disillusion with Princess

[RMM34667]

I booked a short cruise on August 7th putting down a $104 deposit. I saw the reduced rate on 8/7 and called in to refare. I was informed at this time that my deposit ($104) would be non refundable. Thinking there would never be a reason to cancel I was ok with that.

 

I called on August 8th to add my sister to the cabin paying an additional $47 deposit. I did realize that my deposit - now $151 was non refundable.

 

I called on August 22nd to ask "I realize my deposit is non refundable, but if I pay $200 towards the cruise now that will be refundable right". I was told yes.

 

For reasons well beyond my control I did have to cancel today - the day of final payment. Fully knowing I would lose my deposit, and also sure we would be rebooking in a few weeks. I am now informed that my non refundable deposit is MORE than my original deposit and I will be forfeiting a portion of my additional payment.

 

I do not understand how this works. How can I be required to forfeit more than my original deposit?

 

It seems so black and white to me. I tried talking to customer relations but they keep talking circles around the issue. It's funny, speaking with Princess "cruise specialists" is always such a pleasure. But when they transfer you over to Customer Relations everything changes. Those reps speak over you, talk down to you and simply state there is nothing else I can do.

 

I paid $151 deposit. That is all I expect to lose.

 

This may be a sudden end to my cruise addiction. At least with Princess. Maybe I'll do a short cruise with someone else.

Edited September 2, 2014 by RMM34667

[beg3yrs]

I certainly hope this gets worked out for you. I'd be disappointed as well.

[tserface]

Maybe they consider the day of final payment to be the day final payment is due and the sliding scale percentage you can get back has already started? I don't know for sure, but that would be something logical at least.

 

Most cruise lines have a deal where after final payment is due you don't get a full refund, but actually a lesser amount based on how much time has gone by.

 

Tom

 

I booked a short cruise on August 7th putting down a $104 deposit. I saw the reduced rate on 8/7 and called in to refare. I was informed at this time that my deposit ($104) would be non refundable. Thinking there would never be a reason to cancel I was ok with that.

 

I called on August 8th to add my sister to the cabin paying an additional $47 deposit. I did realize that my deposit - now $151 was non refundable.

 

I called on August 22nd to ask "I realize my deposit is non refundable, but if I pay $200 towards the cruise now that will be refundable right". I was told yes.

 

For reasons well beyond my control I did have to cancel today - the day of final payment. Fully knowing I would lose my deposit, and also sure we would be rebooking in a few weeks. I am now informed that my non refundable deposit is MORE than my original deposit and I will be forfeiting a portion of my additional payment.

 

I do not understand how this works. How can I be required to forfeit more than my original deposit?

 

It seems so black and white to me. I tried talking to customer relations but they keep talking circles around the issue. It's funny, speaking with Princess "cruise specialists" is always such a pleasure. But when they transfer you over to Customer Relations everything changes. Those reps speak over you, talk down to you and simply state there is nothing else I can do.

 

I paid $151 deposit. That is all I expect to lose.

 

This may be a sudden end to my cruise addiction. At least with Princess. Maybe I'll do a short cruise with someone else.

[geoherb]

I hope you get it worked out. My experience with Princess customer relations reps has been the opposite. They've been very helpful in resolving my problems twice this year when we've had issues on cruises.

[Colo Cruiser]

I booked a short cruise on August 7th putting down a $104 deposit. I saw the reduced rate on 8/7 and called in to refare. I was informed at this time that my deposit ($104) would be non refundable. Thinking there would never be a reason to cancel I was ok with that.

 

I called on August 8th to add my sister to the cabin paying an additional $47 deposit. I did realize that my deposit - now $151 was non refundable.

 

I called on August 22nd to ask "I realize my deposit is non refundable, but if I pay $200 towards the cruise now that will be refundable right". I was told yes.

 

For reasons well beyond my control I did have to cancel today - the day of final payment. Fully knowing I would lose my deposit, and also sure we would be rebooking in a few weeks. I am now informed that my non refundable deposit is MORE than my original deposit and I will be forfeiting a portion of my additional payment.

 

I do not understand how this works. How can I be required to forfeit more than my original deposit?

 

It seems so black and white to me. I tried talking to customer relations but they keep talking circles around the issue. It's funny, speaking with Princess "cruise specialists" is always such a pleasure. But when they transfer you over to Customer Relations everything changes. Those reps speak over you, talk down to you and simply state there is nothing else I can do.

 

I paid $151 deposit. That is all I expect to lose.

 

This may be a sudden end to my cruise addiction. At least with Princess. Maybe I'll do a short cruise with someone else.

 

When were you supposed to sail?

Did you purchase Princess insurance?

[RMM34667]

Today is the day Final Payment is due.

 

If the deposit was refundable I would have received a full refund.

 

If I did not make and additional payment would they have asked for an additional deposit? I doubt it.

 

It was like they were refiguring the deposit.

 

My mistake all around. I should never had made my additional payment till I knew everyone else was ready to commit. I was just happy to be going on a cruise and wanted to pay for it. That just makes it seem more real!

[Shogun]

Hi There

 

My experience in UK,

 

has been so long as booking was moved to another new more expensive cruise no loss, can you try and do that.

 

yours Shogun

[JJ2sail]

There is a cancellation schedule on all confirmations, with the date and amount of all penalties. They should be going by that.

[Pam in CA]

I'd call back and ask to speak to a Supervisor. It's unfortunate you didn't use a TA who would go to bat for you. Regardless, you can submit a claim through your cruise insurance and depending on the cancelation reason, either get a credit or refund (minus the cost of insurance.)

[RMM34667]

I can't get around the one single point:

 

How can they keep more than the orignal deposit?

 

I have written to customer relations and asked them to locate and review my phone call of 8/22 when I called to specifically ask BEFORE I made the $200 payment.

 

I did purchase insurance. And now that you point it out I can use the cancel for any reason and get at least the full amount (minus the cost of the insurance ((which is less than the deposit)) as a cruise credit.

 

This just all seems so shady and dishonest to me I'm not sure I want to book another Princess cruise. That will probably go away tomorrow. But for today it's how I feel.

[satxdiver]

From what the OP wrote, it sounds like he did not buy insurance. That leaves appealing to a Princess supervisor. This may turn out to be an expensive lesson unfortunately.

[Colo Cruiser]

From what the OP wrote, it sounds like he did not buy insurance. That leaves appealing to a Princess supervisor. This may turn out to be an expensive lesson unfortunately.

 

Post #10 the OP states they have ins.

 

"I did purchase insurance. And now that you point it out I can use the cancel for any reason and get at least the full amount (minus the cost of the insurance ((which is less than the deposit)) as a cruise credit. "

[RMM34667]

From what the OP wrote, it sounds like he did not buy insurance. That leaves appealing to a Princess supervisor. This may turn out to be an expensive lesson unfortunately.

 

A couple lessons here:

 

1: Don't give Princess one penny before you have to.

2: Don't take a Princess Service Reps word on a question.

3: Don't book with a non refundable deposit on a cheap short cruise!

4: Don't play Travel Agent for your family.

 

I've realized the difference between my fare and the non refundable fare was $5. The big difference was in the 3rd person. That went from $289 to $149.

 

Sorry I'm just real Debbie Downer. I am very disappointed in having to cancel at all. This was just rubbing salt into the wound.

 

But now I will look on the bright side.. I am going to start looking for a longer cruise. And maybe I will broaden my horizens I've never tried RCL. Maybe I'll even look at NCL again.

 

Or then again.. booking the CB 9 day is about $100 cheaper than the two separate. I was thinking of adding the four day following my 5 day. (And I guess the Non refundable part won't matter as it will be past final payment). I'd end up coming out even anyway.

[toberman]

Trying to get my head around this.. just not working! I've tried to go into the FAQs to find an answer for the cancellation policy. Can't get anywhere since I don't have a booking right now. They say the 'policy' will come up in the booking process.

As I recall though, and somebody please set me straight... it said - Up until final payment date, the deposit would be refunded. Does that mean 'up until, but not including the final payment date'?? After final payment date it is a percentage of the total cruise cost. This of course would negate the extra $200 the OP paid.

Whatever... I think it sucks, and Princess should refund it all.

 

But.. these companies have all the i's dotted, and t's crossed in their legal jargon.

[beg3yrs]

A couple lessons here:

 

1: Don't give Princess one penny before you have to.

2: Don't take a Princess Service Reps word on a question.

3: Don't book with a non refundable deposit on a cheap short cruise!

4: Don't play Travel Agent for your family.

 

I've realized the difference between my fare and the non refundable fare was $5. The big difference was in the 3rd person. That went from $289 to $149.

 

Sorry I'm just real Debbie Downer. I am very disappointed in having to cancel at all. This was just rubbing salt into the wound.

 

But now I will look on the bright side.. I am going to start looking for a longer cruise. And maybe I will broaden my horizens I've never tried RCL. Maybe I'll even look at NCL again.

 

Or then again.. booking the CB 9 day is about $100 cheaper than the two separate. I was thinking of adding the four day following my 5 day. (And I guess the Non refundable part won't matter as it will be past final payment). I'd end up coming out even anyway.

 

Those are excellent lessons to learn. Thank goodness the "tuition" wasn't terribly high!

 

Looks like your mood is improving too. Good for you! I hope things finally work out.

[Colo Cruiser]

As I recall though, and somebody please set me straight... it said - Up until final payment date, the deposit would be refunded. Does that mean 'up until, but not including the final payment date'?? After final payment date it is a percentage of the total cruise cost. This of course would negate the extra $200 the OP paid.

Whatever... I think it sucks, and Princess should refund it all.

 

But.. these companies have all the i's dotted, and t's crossed in their legal jargon.

 

If its a non-refundable deposit then no its gone.

Regardless of when final is.

[toberman]

If its a non-refundable deposit then no its gone.

Regardless of when final is.

 

But it isn't the deposit the OP is disputing... it's the extra $200 he/she put down on the payment. That's what is confusing me.

[Colo Cruiser]

But it isn't the deposit the OP is disputing... it's the extra $200 he/she put down on the payment. That's what is confusing me.

 

I am responding to your comment of .....

 

"As I recall though, and somebody please set me straight... it said - Up until final payment date, the deposit would be refunded"

Once the booking is made the deposit would never be refunded if its non refundable.

 

I don't know about the rest of the fare, it should be refunded before final.IMO

Edited September 2, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[Putterdude]

To borrow....OK steal....a line of Abe Lincoln's “He who represents himself has a fool for a client” and that would apply today when booking a cruise directly, no matter how simple may seem at the time. This thread is the second one in a week week that we have seen were someone has dealt directly with Princess and then has been faced with cutting through their baffle gaff and improperly trained staff when things go off track.

[Illyria]

I am responding to your comment of .....

 

Once the booking is made the deposit would never be refunded if its non refundable.

 

I don't know about the rest of the fare, it should be refunded before final.IMO

 

Here's the cancellation fee table from my Princess cruise personalizer - note that it doesn't actually say anything about pre- or post-final payment date.

[caribill]

Here's the cancellation fee table from my Princess cruise personalizer - note that it doesn't actually say anything about pre- or post-final payment date.

 

No, but at 60 days (which should be final payment for the short cruise), the penalty is only the required deposit.

 

So the OP's question remains: Why was more than the deposit kept by Princess?

[jagoffee]

But it isn't the deposit the OP is disputing... it's the extra $200 he/she put down on the payment. That's what is confusing me.

 

I think it is actually the extra $47 deposit that they are taking out of the $200 before they refund it. I believe the extra $47 was the increased deposit when it was refared and someone was added to the cabin.

[Loonbeam]

Knowing the princess system as I do, its entirely possible the person entered the additional $200 as a deposit instead of supplementary payment, and thus the confusion. A supervisor can fix this once they figure it out.

[roamerfromtexas]

If the deposit is not refundable and the op has purchased Princess Vacation Protection, then Princess will keep the deposit plus the cost of the insurance. Could this be what is happening?

[Loonbeam]

Good point. Insurance fees are non-refundable as well in most cases.

 

If the deposit is not refundable and the op has purchased Princess Vacation Protection, then Princess will keep the deposit plus the cost of the insurance. Could this be what is happening?