Princess repeatedly tried to raise my price in the middle of booking, but a workaround was found.

[CineGraphic]

My wife and I each recently received the typical casino offer via email from Princess for a percentage off the cabin price, and a bit of free play.

 

My plan was to book online and transfer the booking to my TA later.

You have to click on the links in the email to see the special pricing.

 

At first you see the current price, and when you finally choose your cabin you see your discounted price.

In my case, the full price fare was $1500 per person.

When I chose the cabin, it showed $1100 per person.

Upon continuing, on the next page, my info was automatically filled as the first guest, and at the top of the page they showed the total with taxes and fees of $2500 ($2200 + 300 in taxes/fees)

 

When I added my wife as the 2nd guest, the total suddenly jumped to $2900. ($2600 + 300 in fees)

Looking at the new break-down, the fare per person was now $1300 instead of  $1100.

 

I didn't catch this bit of trickery the first time and booked.

Once I realized what had happened, I called Princess, waited on hold forever and cancelled.

 

I tried to book again the next day, and the per-person price kept jumping every time I added my wife.

Not just on the cruise I wanted to book, but for any cruise I tried.

 

What bothers me the most is that the price increase just happened to be the same amount as the free play we're getting.

It's as if they're saying, "Here's some free money, but we're going to try and get you to unknowingly pay for it".

 

So I finally called Princess today, chose the option to make a new booking and thankfully connected with a rep who wasn't glued to a script and could think out of the box.

 

I gave her the discount code and campaign number, and at first she could only see the higher $1300 price, so she tried again, but this time she left my wife's Captain Circle number blank, and BINGO, there was the lower price. The agent put a hold on the booking at the correct price, and then went in afterwards to add my wife's CC number.

 

After the multi-day cluster%$#@,  I have a few questions.....

 

1) How many folks don't even notice the price increase when booking since they're burying it the grand total?

 

2) Why make people jump through so many hoops to book?

 

and finally,

3) Why do I still do business with these people!?

 

[Sea Hag]

1) probably a lot of folks

2) because they can?

3) probably for the same reason as I do - it's doubtful any other cruiseline would be any better with all things considered

 

Maybe?

[NRWPA]

15 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Once I realized what had happened, I called Princess, waited on hold forever and cancelled.

 

 

So I finally called Princess today, chose the option to make a new booking and thankfully connected with a rep who wasn't glued to a script and could think out of the box.

 

 

2) Why make people jump through so many hoops to book?

 

and finally,

3) Why do I still do business with these people!?

 

Did you finally book it through the casino? I ask because you said you called and actually talked to someone...I've been calling since Saturday. Have been on hold for 40 minutes 4 times, 20 minutes once and only waited one minute the next time. Each time, the message was either "your hold time will be more than 60 minutes" or "your hold time will be less than 30 minutes". I never got through. My second question is, what number did you call (since you got through and I didn't). I have been calling both 661-284-4414 and 888-772-6697. Please tell me your secret for getting through

 

P.S. I am trying to make a payment on a special booking add-on (Plus package) - the cruises are already booked and paid for and the add-ons were accomplished via email request but the email stated I must call to make the payment. As far as I can tell and unlike Royal Caribbean, Princess has no means to make payments online unless you are actively booking a new cruise

[CineGraphic]

1 minute ago, NRWPA said:

Did you finally book it through the casino? I ask because you said you called and actually talked to someone...I've been calling since Saturday. Have been on hold for 40 minutes 4 times, 20 minutes once and only waited one minute the next time. Each time, the message was either "your hold time will be more than 60 minutes" or "your hold time will be less than 30 minutes". I never got through. My second question is, what number did you call (since you got through and I didn't). I have been calling both 661-284-4414 and 888-772-6697. Please tell me your secret for getting through

 

P.S. I am trying to make a payment on a special booking add-on (Plus package) - the cruises are already booked and paid for and the add-ons were accomplished via email request but the email stated I must call to make the payment. As far as I can tell and unlike Royal Caribbean, Princess has no means to make payments online unless you are actively booking a new cruise

 

Since this was only a discounted offer and not a free cabin, I called the main number, not the casino department. Hold time was less than a minute for new bookings.

 

One would think that anyone who answers would be happy to accept your payment.

There is a way to pay online, if you book directly with Princess, but since your situation is an add-on after the fact, it might not be possible. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

[NRWPA]

9 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Since this was only a discounted offer and not a free cabin, I called the main number, not the casino department. Hold time was less than a minute for new bookings.

 

One would think that anyone who answers would be happy to accept your payment.

There is a way to pay online, if you book directly with Princess, but since your situation is an add-on after the fact, it might not be possible. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

Thank you for that info!

[SomewhereGirl]

I went through something similar just last week.  Booking solo, saw the casino discount applied, put the cabin on hold and the confirmation premium didn't have the discount applied.  I tried again, put another reservation on hold, same thing happened.  Those holds were 24 hours and each showed a different free play amount for some reason. 

 

The next day I received an email from my PVP saying he found a lower fare (the casino discount) so he created a new reservation and put that on hold for 3 days (I like that about dealing with a PVP).  Then shortly thereafter he called me, at which time I asked him about the higher free play amount on one of the holds and he moved it to the reservation he had made.

 

This being my first casino booking I guess I just figured the casino discount can't be held online.  I was able to complete the purchase online.

 

If anyone is trying to book a casino discount, you can book through your PVP if you have one.

 

 

[PacnGoNow]

49 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

My wife and I each recently received the typical casino offer via email from Princess for a percentage off the cabin price, and a bit of free play.

 

My plan was to book online and transfer the booking to my TA later.

You have to click on the links in the email to see the special pricing.

 

At first you see the current price, and when you finally choose your cabin you see your discounted price.

In my case, the full price fare was $1500 per person.

When I chose the cabin, it showed $1100 per person.

Upon continuing, on the next page, my info was automatically filled as the first guest, and at the top of the page they showed the total with taxes and fees of $2500 ($2200 + 300 in taxes/fees)

 

When I added my wife as the 2nd guest, the total suddenly jumped to $2900. ($2600 + 300 in fees)

Looking at the new break-down, the fare per person was now $1300 instead of  $1100.

 

I didn't catch this bit of trickery the first time and booked.

Once I realized what had happened, I called Princess, waited on hold forever and cancelled.

 

I tried to book again the next day, and the per-person price kept jumping every time I added my wife.

Not just on the cruise I wanted to book, but for any cruise I tried.

 

What bothers me the most is that the price increase just happened to be the same amount as the free play we're getting.

It's as if they're saying, "Here's some free money, but we're going to try and get you to unknowingly pay for it".

 

So I finally called Princess today, chose the option to make a new booking and thankfully connected with a rep who wasn't glued to a script and could think out of the box.

 

I gave her the discount code and campaign number, and at first she could only see the higher $1300 price, so she tried again, but this time she left my wife's Captain Circle number blank, and BINGO, there was the lower price. The agent put a hold on the booking at the correct price, and then went in afterwards to add my wife's CC number.

 

After the multi-day cluster%$#@,  I have a few questions.....

 

1) How many folks don't even notice the price increase when booking since they're burying it the grand total?

 

2) Why make people jump through so many hoops to book?

 

and finally,

3) Why do I still do business with these people!?

 

Why don’t you use a PCL CVP?  Couldn’t they book the discount rate for you?

Then you wouldn’t have to wait or get transferred?

Mine could see the casino discount rate and the code to use.

Just wondering…🤔

[PacnGoNow]

8 minutes ago, SomewhereGirl said:

I went through something similar just last week.  Booking solo, saw the casino discount applied, put the cabin on hold and the confirmation premium didn't have the discount applied.  I tried again, put another reservation on hold, same thing happened.  Those holds were 24 hours and each showed a different free play amount for some reason. 

 

The next day I received an email from my PVP saying he found a lower fare (the casino discount) so he created a new reservation and put that on hold for 3 days (I like that about dealing with a PVP).  Then shortly thereafter he called me, at which time I asked him about the higher free play amount on one of the holds and he moved it to the reservation he had made.

 

This being my first casino booking I guess I just figured the casino discount can't be held online.  I was able to complete the purchase online.

 

If anyone is trying to book a casino discount, you can book through your PVP if you have one.

 

 

Thanks, that’s exactly what I was asking 

the Op about. 

 

[CineGraphic]

Just now, PacnGoNow said:

Why don’t you use a PCL CVP?  Couldn’t they book the discount rate for you?

Then you wouldn’t have to wait or get transferred?

Mine could see the casino discount rate and the code to use.

Just wondering…🤔

 

I tried one with another booking after recently leaving my TA of many years, and wasn't impressed.

My new TA is someone I've known since grade school.

My folks always told me to never do business with friends, so I'm limiting her risk of possibly screwing-up by doing all of the work myself and getting things exactly how I want before turning over the booking to her.

[memoak]

9 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Why don’t you use a PCL CVP?  Couldn’t they book the discount rate for you?

Then you wouldn’t have to wait or get transferred?

Mine could see the casino discount rate and the code to use.

Just wondering…🤔

PVP’s cannot book casino freebie cruises 

[memoak]

37 minutes ago, NRWPA said:

Did you finally book it through the casino? I ask because you said you called and actually talked to someone...I've been calling since Saturday. Have been on hold for 40 minutes 4 times, 20 minutes once and only waited one minute the next time. Each time, the message was either "your hold time will be more than 60 minutes" or "your hold time will be less than 30 minutes". I never got through. My second question is, what number did you call (since you got through and I didn't). I have been calling both 661-284-4414 and 888-772-6697. Please tell me your secret for getting through

 

P.S. I am trying to make a payment on a special booking add-on (Plus package) - the cruises are already booked and paid for and the add-ons were accomplished via email request but the email stated I must call to make the payment. As far as I can tell and unlike Royal Caribbean, Princess has no means to make payments online unless you are actively booking a new cruise

The usual wait for a casino rep is usually around 2 hours

[NRWPA]

6 minutes ago, memoak said:

The usual wait for a casino rep is usually around 2 hours

Ridiculous...I guess I will book the free cruises I have with Royal Caribbean. I currently have 6 cruises booked with them - and they don't charge a deposit, only port fees and taxes. I also get free drinks in the casino bar and do not have to be gambling to receive this benefit from RC. I currently have 2 offers with Princess outstanding and 2 offers with RC outstanding. Princess has received lots of my $$ so of course, "free" cruises aren't really free. For what I've spent, I would think a Casino Host would be calling ME

[jimbo1683]

17 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

I tried one with another booking after recently leaving my TA of many years, and wasn't impressed.

My new TA is someone I've known since grade school.

My folks always told me to never do business with friends, so I'm limiting her risk of possibly screwing-up by doing all of the work myself and getting things exactly how I want before turning over the booking to her.

Whats the purpose of this TA?

[CineGraphic]

52 minutes ago, jimbo1683 said:

Whats the purpose of this TA?

 

She's now the one who will have to stay on hold with Princess for hours when something comes up.

Plus, she's making a few sheckles...helping a friend with a new career.

[azbirdmom]

1 hour ago, memoak said:

The usual wait for a casino rep is usually around 2 hours

Yep, 2 hours 6 minute wait when I called the casino number today to book a freebie I earned on our cruise last week. I had a good book and that made the wait a bit less painful. 

[mtnesterz]

5 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

Why do I still do business with these people!?

Why? Fear of the unknown.

Asked myself that after our March cruise.

Because, where would you go from here?

At this point in time, would any other line be any better?

You won't be happy going down in level. NCL, Carnival, MSC, RCL.

Going up, Oceania and Azamara, are double the cost per night. More so for luxury lines.

Celebrity is close to Princess. HAL, Cunard... matter of taste.

Research. Knowing where you're going to land makes the jump easier.

Edited June 9, 2022 by mtnesterz
Spelling

[CineGraphic]

29 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

Why? Fear of the unknown.

Asked myself that after our March cruise.

Because, where would you go from here?

At this point in time, would any other line be any better?

You won't be happy go down. NCL, Carnival, MSC, RCL.

Going up, Oceania and Azamara, are double the cost per night. More so for luxury lines.

Celebrity is close to Princess. HAL, Cunard... matter of taste.

Research. Knowing where you're going to land makes the jump easier.

 

We've sailed with HAL once. The food was similar and the blues band was excellent, but we felt the crew on Princess always treated us better.

We also tried X once....Alaska, on the Summit, which was mixed-bag, and yes, priced higher than Princess. 

Oceania might be an option, but we'd only be able to cruise once a year instead of twice, and I'm not too sure that I'd like that.

MSC Yacht Club might be worth a try, and let's not forget Virgin.

[mtnesterz]

5 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

We've sailed with HAL once....we felt the crew on Princess always treated us better.

Oceania...we'd only be able to cruise once a year...

I'll look into Virgin and MSC Yacht Club.

I just got fed up with the BS in March.

No more Medallion Class anything.  I want a vacation, not a techno-puzzle to be solved, hacked or find workarounds. Cunard policy is more like us. Dress like an adult or eat in the buffet. Azamara policy is appreciated, no auto-tipping. Pay crew a fair salary and charge me the related fare.

Looks like I have some research to do. Thanks for the tip.