Best sale ever frustrations

[Travelingfreckles]

I know there's a very long thread with this topic but I haven't seen any updates recently on whether someone has been able to get the new BSE promotion combined with the casino discount. I've tried multiple times-even reading them the small print from the princess PDF promotion on how it states it is combinable. No luck. If someone did it, please tell me how. 

[BarbinMich]

Have never gotten a casino discount (guess "donating" lots of money to the slots doesn't count <g>).  Also never book directly with Princess but always use an online discount cruise booking site.  Works for us.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

There are several casino options with Princess - a casino "comp" rate you can pay to upgrade based on specific campaign codes on selected sailings, or a Casino discount (% off any room when offered).  These should be combineable with the Best Sale Ever promo.  For the comp rate including BSE you (or your travel agent) need to reach out to the Casino dept at the phone # on your campaign mailer, for the % casino discount either you or your travel agent can call Princess reservation department and they can see if it applies to your sailing/category and apply it for you

[Beave8920]

Not sure I understand your question, but here's my experience with this offer.

 

I already had a Feb 2021 cruise booked under the cyber sale and with a casino rate ....and booked with Princess direct.  When the BSE offer came out, I called them to see if I could add on the extras (i.e drink package and grats), which per their offer would have been an extra $30 pp per day.

 

They told me that the BSE add on offers could not be combined with an existing casino offer.........but I could re book under the BSE offer and they would add a casino rate.   Of course they cited the "fine print".  The price difference was about $1200, plus losing $300 obc.

 

So they did offer me the casino rate, but only if I re booked under the BSE rate.  They would not allow the add on's.

 

I waited a week, called them again and got the same answer.

 

So I switched TA's and got some store credit (if you know what I mean!)  I had them check as well with the add on's when I transferred the booking and for the third time .....got the same answer.  But I'm happy with the cyber sale, so no problem.

[rerepunim]

Hi...I called Princess and got the casino offer with 75$ casino play yesterday. I kept my drinks, WiFi and prepaid gratuities. It also re-fared at savings of 250 pp. I felt like it was too easy so I held my breath to get confirmation....and I did. Feeling really lucky because I got a decent rep when I called in.  Maybe call back and get a different rep. In the small print it said booking had to be Dec 17 to Feb 29 and I had re-booked on 17th because my original cruise was cancelled. So maybe there is an offer detail that doesn’t match your booking. Good luck...don’t stop trying 

[rerepunim]

BTW...your pup is adorable 🙂

[lbfluffy]

We originally booked our cruise during the anniversary sale. We got a casino discount. I still don’t know how, maybe my hubby plays more than I am aware of!! Anyway when the BSE came out I checked it out. Casino rate applied. I switched from Princess to a TA I was referred to. I got a lower rate and the perks, but lost my wine and speciality dinner. I made out a lot better. 

[Beave8920]

11 minutes ago, rerepunim said:

Hi...I called Princess and got the casino offer with 75$ casino play yesterday. I kept my drinks, WiFi and prepaid gratuities. It also re-fared at savings of 250 pp. I felt like it was too easy so I held my breath to get confirmation....and I did. Feeling really lucky because I got a decent rep when I called in.  

 

Just for clarification....sounds like you already had booked under the BSE sale, then added the casino rate, right?

 

That was my understanding when I called in....that you could add the casino rate to a new or existing BSE booking.   But I had already booked under a different sale with a casino rate, which was $1200 cheaper than the BSE rate.....so not a deal for me.

[memoak]

I had 4 cruises booked with casino rates and was able to move from an old promo to Thebes the ever sale and kept the casino rate plus free play

[azbirdmom]

2 hours ago, Beave8920 said:

Not sure I understand your question, but here's my experience with this offer.

 

I already had a Feb 2021 cruise booked under the cyber sale and with a casino rate ....and booked with Princess direct.  When the BSE offer came out, I called them to see if I could add on the extras (i.e drink package and grats), which per their offer would have been an extra $30 pp per day.

 

They told me that the BSE add on offers could not be combined with an existing casino offer.........but I could re book under the BSE offer and they would add a casino rate.   Of course they cited the "fine print".  The price difference was about $1200, plus losing $300 obc.

 

So they did offer me the casino rate, but only if I re booked under the BSE rate.  They would not allow the add on's.

 

I waited a week, called them again and got the same answer.

 

So I switched TA's and got some store credit (if you know what I mean!)  I had them check as well with the add on's when I transferred the booking and for the third time .....got the same answer.  But I'm happy with the cyber sale, so no problem.

 

This was my same experience (well documented on that very long thread) and my TA ran it up the chain as well.  I could not add amenity packages to previously booked cruises made with a casino discount.  I can book a brand new cruise including BSE amenities and get the casino discount applied to the entire fare.  Still makes no sense to me that they have different rules for each circumstance.  I would be happy to pay 100% of the amenity buy up fee.  They've figured out how to do upsells at 100% of the quoted buy-up amount when added to a cruise booked with a casino discount., why not use the same approach for BSE amenity buy-up packages?

[Beave8920]

9 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

This was my same experience . They've figured out how to do upsells at 100% of the quoted buy-up amount when added to a cruise booked with a casino discount., why not use the same approach for BSE amenity buy-up packages?

 

You know what was really funny......is that with my original booking I have a casino rate reduction of $700, plus some free play money......but with the new BSE sale, which was $1200 more, the casino rate credit was only a $500 reduction! .......plus I would have lost my $300 obc!

 

So like P.T. Barnum has always said....................  but at least it wasn't me this time!

 

And you know they have bean counters who cover every angle, so I guess they figure the casino rate isn't worth dealing with since us gamblers will go anyway and spend some money in the casino.

[suekel]

For an additional $600pp my TA was able to add the BSE perks to my casino rate on a TA.  Seems like a lot but my Window Suite is now the same cost as an Oceanview.   It's a 14 day cruise for which we would have paid out of pocket for the same perks.  Saved over $600pp.   For the cruise after that, I got the BSE perks and upgraded my mini for $400 which is $400 less than the same cabin is going for now on a 10 day cruise.  

In both instances, numerous phone calls were involved until we both reached someone who would do it.  

[rerepunim]

2 hours ago, Beave8920 said:

 

Just for clarification....sounds like you already had booked under the BSE sale, then added the casino rate, right?

 

That was my understanding when I called in....that you could add the casino rate to a new or existing BSE booking.   But I had already booked under a different sale with a casino rate, which was $1200 cheaper than the BSE rate.....so not a deal for me.

 

[rerepunim]

Yes , I was booked with BSE and added Casino. 👍

[azbirdmom]

2 hours ago, suekel said:

For an additional $600pp my TA was able to add the BSE perks to my casino rate on a TA.  Seems like a lot but my Window Suite is now the same cost as an Oceanview.   It's a 14 day cruise for which we would have paid out of pocket for the same perks.  Saved over $600pp.   For the cruise after that, I got the BSE perks and upgraded my mini for $400 which is $400 less than the same cabin is going for now on a 10 day cruise.  

In both instances, numerous phone calls were involved until we both reached someone who would do it.  

 

It sounds like you refared or rebooked in which case you are able to get the BSE perks with the casino discount.  However in either of those situations you would also lose any of the perks associated with the original offer and you would get the BSE perks, just like it was a new booking.  Did you lose your original booking perks when you did this?

[memoak]

8 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

It sounds like you refared or rebooked in which case you are able to get the BSE perks with the casino discount.  However in either of those situations you would also lose any of the perks associated with the original offer and you would get the BSE perks, just like it was a new booking.  Did you lose your original booking perks when you did this?

Yes but the added Benefits we so much better.   Drink Package plus grays plus WiFi.  Awesome

[suekel]

18 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

It sounds like you refared or rebooked in which case you are able to get the BSE perks with the casino discount.  However in either of those situations you would also lose any of the perks associated with the original offer and you would get the BSE perks, just like it was a new booking.  Did you lose your original booking perks when you did this?

No perks to lose.  I booked the day they became available for Elite so nothing was offered.  I got my OBC for using FCD and then I'll be able to add shareholder OBC as we get closer.  That's all.  

[Travelingfreckles]

Wahoo!! After many different people all saying different things as to why I couldn't combine the BSE promotion and keeping my casino discount, I FINALLY got someone who figured it out. ✅ 🎉Rosalind tried to do it herself but kept coming up with not being able to but she had the insight to get someone who was able to do it.

 

Just goes to to show you-keep trying various people and don't give up!

 

Final payment was due in a week so quickly jumped and made full payment today (didn't want anyone to change anything)😉. Sky Princess here we come!! So excited. 

[azbirdmom]

34 minutes ago, Travelingfreckles said:

Wahoo!! After many different people all saying different things as to why I couldn't combine the BSE promotion and keeping my casino discount, I FINALLY got someone who figured it out. ✅ 🎉Rosalind tried to do it herself but kept coming up with not being able to but she had the insight to get someone who was able to do it.

 

Just goes to to show you-keep trying various people and don't give up!

 

Final payment was due in a week so quickly jumped and made full payment today (didn't want anyone to change anything)😉. Sky Princess here we come!! So excited. 

 

Did you have perks when you originally booked your cruise and if so did you keep them?  Is "Rosalind" from Princess?

[Ombud]

I've never gotten a casino discount. My son does but he doesn't gamble. My mom does but she passed away 8 yrs ago. I donate regularly to the casino bit no discount!! Guess they figure I will do so without one 🤑

[Travelingfreckles]

37 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Did you have perks when you originally booked your cruise and if so did you keep them?  Is "Rosalind" from Princess?

Yes Rosalind was a princess person. My usual Person has been away on vacation. Yes, I did lose a speciality dining and some OBC but with the addition of the BSE perks, my price only went up $115 total. Not sure where that number came from but I'll take it! I still made out better and I'm very happy with it.

 

I'm wondering if she refared under BSE promotion and added casino discount after. I kept my same cabin as it's my favorite location. I did need to put a deposit down (that's why I think refare) but that didn't matter because I paid in full anyway (it was due this week). 

 

Winner winner chicken dinner!

[Travelingfreckles]

35 minutes ago, Ombud said:

I've never gotten a casino discount. My son does but he doesn't gamble. My mom does but she passed away 8 yrs ago. I donate regularly to the casino bit no discount!! Guess they figure I will do so without one 🤑

When I originally booked this cruise, there was no mention of casino discount. Then when I called for another promotion, I was then informed of a casino discount listed. Both my husband and I play when onboard but I didn't think enough to get a discount. Maybe he's playing more than I think😉.

[azbirdmom]

18 minutes ago, Travelingfreckles said:

Yes Rosalind was a princess person. My usual Person has been away on vacation. Yes, I did lose a speciality dining and some OBC but with the addition of the BSE perks, my price only went up $115 total. Not sure where that number came from but I'll take it! I still made out better and I'm very happy with it.

 

I'm wondering if she refared under BSE promotion and added casino discount after. I kept my same cabin as it's my favorite location. I did need to put a deposit down (that's why I think refare) but that didn't matter because I paid in full anyway (it was due this week). 

 

Winner winner chicken dinner!

 

It must be.  That isn't an option for us because there's no cabins available in our category or above for either cruise, and on one of them we have a nice amount of booking promo OBC.  Our friends are on the latter cruise in the same situation were able to pay $30 per person per day to get tips + beverages and keep the original OBC, but they didn't have a casino discount.  Our TA will keep trying but as of now there still isn't anyone who was able to simply take the buy up amenity option and have that added to a current cruise booked with a casino discount

[azbirdmom]

16 minutes ago, Travelingfreckles said:

When I originally booked this cruise, there was no mention of casino discount. Then when I called for another promotion, I was then informed of a casino discount listed. Both my husband and I play when onboard but I didn't think enough to get a discount. Maybe he's playing more than I think😉.

 

Maybe he doesn't play that much.  Quite honestly I don't.  I get the lowest amount of CBS free play if anything at the end of a cruise, but we do cruise a lot.  I just tell my TA to enter the "CASINO" code when booking for us and it usually works!

[Travelingfreckles]

4 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

It must be.  That isn't an option for us because there's no cabins available in our category or above for either cruise, and on one of them we have a nice amount of booking promo OBC.  Our friends are on the latter cruise in the same situation were able to pay $30 per person per day to get tips + beverages and keep the original OBC, but they didn't have a casino discount.  Our TA will keep trying but as of now there still isn't anyone who was able to simply take the buy up amenity option and have that added to a current cruise booked with a casino discount

My cabin category was also all sold out and that's why other princess travel people kept saying I couldn't refare with the BSE promotion. I just don't know why it's such a hassle and why so many people get different responses. Obviously it really comes down to someone knowledgeable and finding ways around the blocks.