How many times have you re-fared?

[clairebearinaus]

For those who book directly with Princess and watch the prices, I'm wondering how many times you've called to have a new price applied to your cruise, or even if there's a limit?

 

I booked my cruise well in advance and have already called twice to have new sale fares applied, saving over $1,000. Final payment isn't until January.

 

I've just seen another sale advertised, more or less the same price I already have but a couple of hundred more in OBC. But I feel a bit silly ringing up again.

 

Do they even keep records of this stuff? Will they think I'm weird? Should I care if they think I'm weird? ;)

 

Thanks

[moki'smommy]

If I were going to save a couple hundred dollars for making a phone call....that's pretty good pay for a few minutes on the phone.

 

They may or may not keep records. Should you care? Why? It is your money, whether as a savings in cruise fare or as an additional OBC. That money is tips, excursions, or other on board spending. Why not get the best deal that you can find?

[clairebearinaus]

I agree... So there's no limit to the number of times I can call? I guess I was worried they'd get sick of me calling at some point and I'd be blocked from taking advantage of some enormous price drop in future :)

[moki'smommy]

I agree... So there's no limit to the number of times I can call? I guess I was worried they'd get sick of me calling at some point and I'd be blocked from taking advantage of some enormous price drop in future :)

 

My understanding is that prior to final payment date, you can adjust your booking as often as you wish in any way you wish.

[pjrockman]

I get it changed every time it drops or OBC raises. I have a TA, so I don't do it personally. I watch the fares and send an email to my TA. The best was several years ago, which my TA made the arrangements for 5 cabins for my parents, us, brother, and kids. We made about 7 inquiries over the course of 4 months for a net savings in fares or increased OBC of over a total of $7,000.

 

No one cared or argued.....plus my TA did all of the calls. I always got notified of the approvals by day's end.

 

No problems. Paul

[cruisequeen4ever]

Princess allows for price drops unless it indicates "for new bookings only", so call away! [emoji106] Many people don't take the time to do it, so Princess still usually comes out ahead.

[clairebearinaus]

Thank you all, very helpful information. I'll call tomorrow and claim my OBC!

[Kinkacruiser]

From booking time to sailing ( and we book 12-14 months ahead), there are usually get 2 good price drops. If there are more it will be for new bookings only.

It pays to check the price of your cabin often.

[f-mattox]

You should not feel strange at all about calling as often as you wish--you are, after all, the customer. I usually book a year or more ahead and always take advantage of at least two price drops and occasionally up to four. Just be careful as sometimes the lower price will cause your deposit to be non-refundable--usually when there is onboard credit or other perks involved. Sometimes I come out only maybe $200 ahead but for a 5 minute phone call, it's worth it.

[clairebearinaus]

You should not feel strange at all about calling as often as you wish--you are, after all, the customer. I usually book a year or more ahead and always take advantage of at least two price drops and occasionally up to four. Just be careful as sometimes the lower price will cause your deposit to be non-refundable--usually when there is onboard credit or other perks involved. Sometimes I come out only maybe $200 ahead but for a 5 minute phone call, it's worth it.

 

Thanks. A non-refundable deposit isn't a problem, we've invested a considerable amount in land travel at either end of this cruise so it's definitely going ahead! And we're well insured for the unexpected. That's good information to know for future though as I have another short repo cruise booked that I'm not 100% sure about.

[Pam in CA]

Never book directly as I prefer to save 10-20% to start with. Princess allows TAs to discount fares so I almost always do better than any sale. Often, the price goes up, there's a sale and it is a bit less but still more than I am paying.

[Jetswdo]

to get the lowest fare altogether- They were very nice about it. The last time I called, the gal offered to cancel and re book- but savings would have been barely $20---- for that, not worth it for the slim chance of getting my reservation messed up- so I said I would quit bothering them at this point.

[Gallivanting Souls]

I'm not sure I understand how this works... I am booked with the 3,3,3 (whatever it's called deal) Inside room dec 10 sailing on the Royal. It looks like the price is down by around $100 per person from what we paid. I don't see any sail going on. How does this re-fairing work? Will I loose my perks from the 3,3,3? Also, doesn't help that my TA is on a cruise. She has offered to get one of her associates to look into it but it's always such a pain dealing with some unfamiliar person.

I also am looking forward to Black Friday and Cyber Monday (possible) sales. I have the Princess cruise booked and could re-book it as well as one on Carnival for Aug 2016.

Thanks for your input.

[caribill]

I'm not sure I understand how this works... I am booked with the 3,3,3 (whatever it's called deal) Inside room dec 10 sailing on the Royal. It looks like the price is down by around $100 per person from what we paid. I don't see any sail going on. How does this re-fairing work? Will I loose my perks from the 3,3,3?

 

If the current pricing does not include the amenities (example: free gratuities or AIBP) that were on your booking, you would likely lose those amenities. So always ask about this before making a change.

[gremlinbangles]

I never had a problem rebooking. Sometimes the math boggles me until I had enough coffee. ie had a casino rate with 100obc. then you see offer at a higher rate with prepaid gratuities and 75 obc.. so then I got to see if the gratuities and obc but higher rate is actually less...

 

But the good news when I called I got to keep casino rate, they gave me the free gratuities but I loved 25 obc but the gratuities were worth more.

 

I have always been able to keep the same cabin so I do watch prices and refare.

 

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[satxdiver]

On a cruise in March 2016 that I booked a year ago, I am up to 4x. One thing I have always noted was that if the fare change was going to cause me to lose OBC, Princess always alerted me before making the change. They have always made the change at my request. New bookings only can be done by canceling the old res and making a new one however you may loose any benies you were going to get.

 

I have had bad luck with TAs and now book all my reservations through Princess. I do though from time to time look around and have had a few transferred to a TA only to be driven back to Princess for the next one. As the auto companies say: mileage may vary in individual cases.