2018 BVE schedule?

[indygirl99]

Does anyone have the 2018 schedule yet?

 

It would make the phone call to Princess easier if I knew what my options were ahead of that call.

 

Mostly interested in Seattle.

 

Thanks ahead of time to you wonderful people who make our lives easier.

[culvercitycruiser]

You just have to call. You can see what ships are in port on the day(s) you want to go. Even my Princess agent did not know if there was space available.

I just made one about two weeks ago for my DS friend as a dropping us off at the port present.

[Liz54]

I did the same. They would not take the reservation till 90 or 100 days out. Can't remember. Before that they would not even confirm that it was available.

[Cuizer2]

Fairly new comer to Princess. What is BVE?

[culvercitycruiser]

Fairly new comer to Princess. What is BVE?

 

Bond Voyage Experience. People not going on the cruise pay $39, board early. Get a ship tour. Lunch in the dining room and have to leave one hour prior to ship departing port

You have a chance to book your next cruise and receive on board credit

[fishywood]

BVE = Bon Voyage Experience

 

The Bon Voyage Experience is an innovative new program harkening back to the nostalgic tradition from the early days of cruising, allowing guests the opportunity to invite family and friends aboard your ship on embarkation day. The program's new twist also allows cruisers new to Princess to see the inside of a Princess ship and experience the excitement of cruising first-hand -- even if they're not affiliated with booked guests.

Guests will spend up to four hours onboard before the ship sets sail, where they'll enjoy a four-course dining room lunch (including wine), a guided ship tour, and a souvenir photo! Plus, the $39 per person cost of the program can be applied toward a future cruise with Princess. Only 50 guests are able to participate in the Bon Voyage Experience on any given embarkation day, so make sure you make your reservations soon!

To learn more about Bon Voyage Experience reservations and availability near you, please contact your Travel Consultant or call 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) as long as it is not within 7 days of sailing.

 

(from the princess.com FAQs, under 'Preparing for your Cruise')

 

If you call during normal business hours (Pacific Time) Monday thru Friday you should be quickly switched to the person in charge of booking BVEs. The initial phone rep will pull up the Captains Circle account numbers of your guests then transfer you right away. I suspect that if you call weekends or holidays that no one there would be able to confirm if your sailing date is available for BVE.

[JF - retired RRT]

Bond Voyage Experience. People not going on the cruise pay $39, board early. Get a ship tour. Lunch in the dining room and have to leave one hour prior to ship departing port

You have a chance to book your next cruise and receive on board credit

You also get a boarding picture, if you want one.

And the $39 is refundable as a credit on your next booking cruise price, IF you book withing 90 days.

It's a great deal.:D

[GUT2407]

Pretty much never available in Aus.

[fishywood]

Pretty much never available in Aus.

 

Yes the program as quoted above is only in USA embarkation ports. This summer there was a member who started two lengthy threads with questions about the BVE before it finally came to light that they were looking for it in Vancouver for their Alaska cruise. Unfortunately a no go for them.

[indygirl99]

Someone had posted a PDF of the 2017 schedule and I was hoping that someone would again have access to make our lives easier.

[Cuizer2]

Okay, I've heard of BVE before, however, it was my understanding that it was available on any ship, at any turn around day, as a way of having friends send you off on your cruise. Now there is a schedule???

[fishywood]

Okay, I've heard of BVE before, however, it was my understanding that it was available on any ship, at any turn around day, as a way of having friends send you off on your cruise. Now there is a schedule???

 

Yes there is. The explanation that has been repeated here is that Princess has to pre-negotiate with ICE the number of turnaround days per year in each port that they can sell "guest passes" to the general public.

 

Embarkation dates such as following long repositioning cruises, or following dryocks, could be excluded (though not all were excluded in 2017's schedule). And the only ports on last year's schedule were San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ft Lauderdale and New York.

[Steelers36]

Yes there is. The explanation that has been repeated here is that Princess has to pre-negotiate with ICE the number of turnaround days per year in each port that they can sell "guest passes" to the general public.

 

Embarkation dates such as following long repositioning cruises, or following dryocks, could be excluded (though not all were excluded in 2017's schedule). And the only ports on last year's schedule were San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ft Lauderdale and New York.

 

IDK about negotiating with ICE, but they do need a record of everyone boarding the ship for legal reasons. Post dry dock could be risky selection to book as a dry dock issue resulting in any delay for that next cruise could put the BVE in jeopardy.

 

I know this first hand as we were cancelled off the ISLAND on Dec 6 before the cruising customers even knew about the delay. This happened at 8pm ET the night before! The ship didn't depart on the voyage until Dec 7 and Princess would not allow us to carry on with BVE on the 7th instead of the 6th. Wife and I were the only ones booked on the BVE and were not going to be a burden as experienced Princess cruisers.

 

PS - It is a bit early for the 2018 schedule to be out - if you mean later in the year. The BVE department should have Jan/Feb dates now as part of last season's listing.

[Cuizer2]

Yes there is. The explanation that has been repeated here is that Princess has to pre-negotiate with ICE the number of turnaround days per year in each port that they can sell "guest passes" to the general public.

 

Embarkation dates such as following long repositioning cruises, or following dryocks, could be excluded (though not all were excluded in 2017's schedule). And the only ports on last year's schedule were San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ft Lauderdale and New York.

 

Thank you for the information. I've taken ship tours before, and all they did was keep our driver's license. When we disembarked, we got our driver's license back.

[Steelers36]

Thank you for the information. I've taken ship tours before, and all they did was keep our driver's license. When we disembarked, we got our driver's license back.

 

Must be another line and place/time. Princess doesn't allow any non-cruisers on board at any port. Only exception is the BV Experience where the participants have an actual booking with Princess. There is a Cruise Personalizer to be filled out, similar to a real voyage. The Travel Summary indicates a trip from embarkation port to the same port for one day (the date of embarkation of the real voyage). BVE participants check-in with ID and are escorted on board by Future Cruise Consultant. It is really intended to be an introductory tour to a cruise ship and a sales opportunity for Princess. That said, the BVE participant is free to do their own thing and must be off the ship ahead of all aboard time.

[indygirl99]

IDK about negotiating with ICE, but they do need a record of everyone boarding the ship for legal reasons. Post dry dock could be risky selection to book as a dry dock issue resulting in any delay for that next cruise could put the BVE in jeopardy.

 

I know this first hand as we were cancelled off the ISLAND on Dec 6 before the cruising customers even knew about the delay. This happened at 8pm ET the night before! The ship didn't depart on the voyage until Dec 7 and Princess would not allow us to carry on with BVE on the 7th instead of the 6th. Wife and I were the only ones booked on the BVE and were not going to be a burden as experienced Princess cruisers.

 

PS - It is a bit early for the 2018 schedule to be out - if you mean later in the year. The BVE department should have Jan/Feb dates now as part of last season's listing.

 

The 2017 PDF has Dec 2016 through Dec 2017 so that is what I based my hope that the 2018 schedule was out.

 

Oh well I will patiently wait. Not something I am known for.

[Cruise Raider]

Okay, I've heard of BVE before, however, it was my understanding that it was available on any ship, at any turn around day, as a way of having friends send you off on your cruise. Now there is a schedule???

 

There is definitely a schedule and even limited to a specified number of people per cruise where it is available. Purchase has to be done ahead of time and the BVE guest has to sign up online at least 3 days ahead of time and given a booking number. The reservation I sent non refundable and non transferable.

Also, reserving a BVE is not limited to people that are seeing a passenger off. Anyone can book this where it is available. For example, we live near a port where this is offered so it makes a nice lunch out and then we can book a cruise or purchase a future cruise credit while onboard. The price of the BVE is applied as a credit to any future cruise we book within a specified time. Not a bad deal.

[Cuizer2]

In short, it is now a way to conduct a self guided tour of a ship, and Princess gets $40.

[azdmelani]

In short, it is now a way to conduct a self guided tour of a ship, and Princess gets $40.

 

I love being able to "escape" for a day on the ship, and I get my $39 back when I book another cruise wiithin the next 3 months.

[indygirl99]

In short, it is now a way to conduct a self guided tour of a ship, and Princess gets $40.

 

Ah my sad little friend you forgot about the "long" of it.

 

A great way to get others excited about cruising and catch some of that excitement yourself.

 

It is $39 unless you have an "in" and know of a price increase and you get that back when you book a cruise.

 

A great lunch and tour of the ship.

 

An opportunity to purchase FCD.

 

A great way to see a ship you haven't been on yet.

 

A great "thank you" for those bringing you to the ship.

 

And don't forget the "picture".

[Cuizer2]

Ah my sad little friend you forgot about the "long" of it.

 

A great way to get others excited about cruising and catch some of that excitement yourself.

 

It is $39 unless you have an "in" and know of a price increase and you get that back when you book a cruise.

 

A great lunch and tour of the ship.

 

An opportunity to purchase FCD.

 

A great way to see a ship you haven't been on yet.

 

A great "thank you" for those bringing you to the ship.

 

And don't forget the "picture".

 

I've been on several ship tours that only cost $2.00 for the tip at the end of the lunch. I've also been on 32 cruises and have reached the second highest loyalty level on Princess, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I'm gold on NCL and will soon be platinum. So I'm fairly familiar with cruise ships.

 

This program was originally a way to have your friends see you off and has no morphed into a paid self guided tour of selected ships at selected ports. The only way to have your friends see you off is to buy them a cabin (which is what I did on the Crown in February 2016).

[fishywood]

 

This program was originally a way to have your friends see you off and has no morphed into a paid self guided tour of selected ships at selected ports. The only way to have your friends see you off is to buy them a cabin (which is what I did on the Crown in February 2016).

 

I too have been cruising--and dropping off family and friends at the ship--long enough to remember the days when any passenger could bring on guests on embarkation day totally unvetted beyond the promise to leave the ship when the "all ashore" announcement came. (And the local news regularly featured stories of "stowaways" that did not).

 

So we both know those days are long gone. But having brought a friend along as a BVE guest on Royal Princess in November, while the program is not ideal or implemented as perfect as one could wish, it made for a pleasant day for all of us. To take a backhand swipe at Princess for charging a nominal fee--which is refundable, though under much more limited terms than the regular FCD program--is petty and unnecessary.

[Cuizer2]

I too have been cruising--and dropping off family and friends at the ship--long enough to remember the days when any passenger could bring on guests on embarkation day totally unvetted beyond the promise to leave the ship when the "all ashore" announcement came. (And the local news regularly featured stories of "stowaways" that did not).

 

So we both know those days are long gone. But having brought a friend along as a BVE guest on Royal Princess in November, while the program is not ideal or implemented as perfect as one could wish, it made for a pleasant day for all of us. To take a backhand swipe at Princess for charging a nominal fee--which is refundable, though under much more limited terms than the regular FCD program--is petty and unnecessary.

 

It doesn't cost Princess anything for someone to walk around their ship. A nominal fee would be ten to twenty dollars. $39 is not a nominal fee. That is was some cruise lines charge for their specialty restaurants which means there is food and service involved.

[indygirl99]

I've been on several ship tours that only cost $2.00 for the tip at the end of the lunch. I've also been on 32 cruises and have reached the second highest loyalty level on Princess, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I'm gold on NCL and will soon be platinum. So I'm fairly familiar with cruise ships.

 

This program was originally a way to have your friends see you off and has no morphed into a paid self guided tour of selected ships at selected ports. The only way to have your friends see you off is to buy them a cabin (which is what I did on the Crown in February 2016).

 

Quite the bitter person I see. 32 cruises on 3+ lines and the 2nd highest loyalty level puts you at Platinum on Princess. Meh that is 6 cruises. I'm not impressed with your "experience". Still not the point is it?

 

$39 for lunch, an impressive tour of a ship, catching the excitement of cruising, the ability to purchase FCD and not to forget the "picture". Plus you get that $39 back when you book a cruise.

 

We have some good friends who didn't understand the appeal of cruising. They did a BVE. They were impressed with the ship and picked up the excitement of everyone boarding the ship. They picked up a FCD which they used to book a Hawaii cruise.

 

They were able to get a "repeat cruiser" (the BVE gave them a Captain Circle number) discount and got a mini suite for the price of an inside. I thought maybe their TA was pulling one over on them but checked and sure enough the rate they got was the same as an inside.

 

They have OBC for the $39 they paid for the BVE along with the OBC that comes with the FCD.

 

Oh but wait it gets even better. I got an email from her this week and they were offered an upsell for $240 total to the owners suite.

 

Perfect cascade from not knowing what the big deal was about cruising to them going to enjoy a fantastic Hawaii cruise for their anniversary. They are so happy I talked them into a BVE and I will be so happy when they bring me back a little bit of Hawaii.

 

That my sad little friend is the point.

[Cuizer2]

Quite the bitter person I see. 32 cruises on 3+ lines and the 2nd highest loyalty level puts you at Platinum on Princess. Meh that is 6 cruises. I'm not impressed with your "experience". Still not the point is it?

 

$39 for lunch, an impressive tour of a ship, catching the excitement of cruising, the ability to purchase FCD and not to forget the "picture". Plus you get that $39 back when you book a cruise.

 

We have some good friends who didn't understand the appeal of cruising. They did a BVE. They were impressed with the ship and picked up the excitement of everyone boarding the ship. They picked up a FCD which they used to book a Hawaii cruise.

 

They were able to get a "repeat cruiser" (the BVE gave them a Captain Circle number) discount and got a mini suite for the price of an inside. I thought maybe their TA was pulling one over on them but checked and sure enough the rate they got was the same as an inside.

 

They have OBC for the $39 they paid for the BVE along with the OBC that comes with the FCD.

 

Oh but wait it gets even better. I got an email from her this week and they were offered an upsell for $240 total to the owners suite.

 

Perfect cascade from not knowing what the big deal was about cruising to them going to enjoy a fantastic Hawaii cruise for their anniversary. They are so happy I talked them into a BVE and I will be so happy when they bring me back a little bit of Hawaii.

 

That my sad little friend is the point.

 

And Princess could still do all of that, and still make a profit, for $10 to $20.

 

You are right, it is not my experience that is the issue. You missed the point completely. I've seen the ship. I'm not going to pay $39 to see the ship. For $10 to $20 I might. I stopped going to the specialty restaurants on Carnival and Royal Caribbean because they keep raising the prices. I do go on Princess because the price is reasonable. I've stopped buying photographs because the price is no longer reasonable. Set the price lower and I would buy the photographs.

 

I used to sell the kids chocolate bars are work for $1 each. Easily sold 100 of the $1 dollar chocolate bars. Then they made the chocolate bars bigger and raised the price. Soon the chocolate bars were $4 and maybe I sold twenty.

 

Why do you think the fast food restaurants now have a low price menu?

 

Do you really think your friends got the upgrade because they a former BVE guest? They were just lucky that the owners were not using the suite that week. Anybody on the ship can purchase a future cruise and get the same deal as any former BVE guest gets. There is nothing special about being a former BVE guest.

 

You don't know me and you don't know anything about me. I don't have six cruises on Princess. So do yourself a favor and stop trying to psychoanalyze me.

 

If you find value in the BVE, great, you take advantage of it. However, it offers no value to me. I toured the Crown Princess for free (after paying a $2 tip for the lunch) prior to actually sailing on it. In addition I was also able to get the same deal for several of my friends. I've also toured the Vision of the Seas, the HAL Oosterdam, the Celebrity Summit, the NCL Star (after I sailed on it), and the Crystal Symphony, all for the cost of the tip after the lunch. So there is no incentive for me to pay $39 for the same thing.

Edited December 30, 2017 by Cuizer2