Multiple rooms on hold

[cusematt4]

Hi all,

 

For a sailing awhile out, if there are good rates for an oceanview, balcony and suite room and we are unsure which we’ll want - if we are willing to front a refundable deposit for multiple rooms, can we book one of each room for the same people?  Or would the system auto cancel the rooms?

 

We’d like to lock in prices and would then cancel the other one or two before final payment.

 

Thanks so much.

[bemis12]

Don’t forget to reserve a bunch of deck chairs until you decide which one you want.

[Bgwest]

1 minute ago, bemis12 said:

Don’t forget to reserve a bunch of deck chairs until you decide which one you want.

The subtlety of your post may vary will be lost on the OP.

[Bgwest]

8 minutes ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi all,

 

For a sailing awhile out, if there are good rates for an oceanview, balcony and suite room and we are unsure which we’ll want - if we are willing to front a refundable deposit for multiple rooms, can we book one of each room for the same people?  Or would the system auto cancel the rooms?

 

We’d like to lock in prices and would then cancel the other one or two before final payment.

 

Thanks so much.

Sure glad that everyone isn’t cursed with the OP’s selfish and carefree attitude. 

[cusematt4]

Apologies for coming across the wrong way.

 

I didn't mean it obnoxiously.  We were hoping to lock in the rates of 2 categories for the next two weeks while we figure out which of 2 categories we are going to go with and if another couple family members will be joining us for the other room.  We are not trying to indefinitely hold cabins at good prices, more of a short term thing is everything is figured out. 

 

We are the last people to hold deck chairs or reserve anything at all while on a cruise or vacation.

[Bgwest]

18 minutes ago, cusematt4 said:

We’d like to lock in prices and would then cancel the other one or two before final payment.

“Before final payment” is typically used to mean close to final payment.
Now you are talking about tying up and rendering multiple cabins totally useless to others who may be interested in booking for “only two weeks”. 
Nice. 

[voljeep]

NON-Refundable deposits serves a purpose in this situation - I just know the crack IT team can ... nevermind

[SCX22]

Even if you could, please don't.  That's the nice way of summarizing what is being said.

[cusematt4]

We will not do this, noted and apologies for the question or thought.

[PacnGoNow]

59 minutes ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi all,

 

For a sailing awhile out, if there are good rates for an oceanview, balcony and suite room and we are unsure which we’ll want - if we are willing to front a refundable deposit for multiple rooms, can we book one of each room for the same people?  Or would the system auto cancel the rooms?

 

We’d like to lock in prices and would then cancel the other one or two before final payment.

 

Thanks so much.

I don’t think it’s an unreasonable question, but I don’t think the PCL website would even allow duplicate bookings anyway.  It has issues just booking the normal way. 😳

 

I would book the rooms you want with refundable deposits, quickly deciding on the room type.  If you want to change before FP, then you will have to pay whatever that price is at the time.

 

You should not have to apologize for asking a question on CC.  
 

Good luck with your decision.

 

 

 

 

[1emerald1]

To answer your question, yes you can do it.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Cash talks...

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Or would the system auto cancel the rooms?

My understanding is that the system can auto-cancel.  Or, perhaps, someone at PCL is alerted by the system and they would either contact the guest (or TA) and advise to remove a duplicate booking.  If system does it, they might get rid of the "wrong" one.  I have had a second booking on hold for securing cabin price while waiting for TA to return to work and deal with the re-fare/re-book. 

 

It was suggested above you can, but I do not think guests are supposed to do this.  Certainly if different names are provided it would work, but each cabin requires a deposit.  I wouldn't drag our a decision for two weeks.  Also, I am not sure you would get away with holding two or more cabins for weeks and months to final payment date.

[Ombud]

@cusematt4 i understand what you're trying to do and I don't think its selfish BUT why don't you check out the rooms on a site like https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/cruiseline.php?line=Princess so that you'd have a better idea of what you want first?? Then check how long the current promo is in effect and switch (cancel & book another) before the promo ends? I mean there's a world of difference between the categories you mentioned:

6 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

an oceanview, balcony and suite room

 

[Buckeye10640]

I dont think would be unreasonable to at least put a couple cabins on a 3 day hold while you work things out, talk to your TA, or Princess planner, etc. I have done holds  on the weekend while waiting  til Monday to reach someone.

I know there are people who book cabins on multiple ships/dates and then wait to determine what they actually want and cancel what they dont want. I have seen it posted on this site. (Dont come back at me, I do not do this!).  I find that to be more impactful than the OP wanting to book a couple rooms for a few weeks while legitimately sorting out plans.

 

[PacnGoNow]

10 minutes ago, Buckeye10640 said:

I dont think would be unreasonable to at least put a couple cabins on a 3 day hold while you work things out, talk to your TA, or Princess planner, etc. I have done holds  on the weekend while waiting  til Monday to reach someone.

I know there are people who book cabins on multiple ships/dates and then wait to determine what they actually want and cancel what they dont want. I have seen it posted on this site. (Dont come back at me, I do not do this!).  I find that to be more impactful than the OP wanting to book a couple rooms for a few weeks while legitimately sorting out plans.

 

There should be programmatic software that catches dupes.  Or, goes into a queue for an agent to followup.  It should work within a 48-72 hour period.  Many airlines are an automatic cancel of both bookings.

 

A few weeks would really be an issue.

 

With the new IT PCL software, IDK.

[tonit964]

This happens a lot when they have the $1 refundable deposits. You can book multiple cabins on the same ship/sailing date. 

[PacnGoNow]

11 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

This happens a lot when they have the $1 refundable deposits. You can book multiple cabins on the same ship/sailing date. 

Same name?  And how long do you hold them under the same name?  

[The Greater Fool]

I currently have two cabins under my name on a cruise for next April.  I've had them for about 4 months.  I simply haven't gotten around to changing one of the cabins to my Daughters' name yet.  On past cruises I've had 4 cabins in my name until near final payment with no issues.  I share this only to convey that thus far there are no automatic cancellations.    

 

I gotta think this is fairly common because it's often the case that one person is leading the charge in booking cabins for small family or social groups when it won't be decided for some time who is actually participating, or more likely, who their travel companion will be in the adventure to come.

 

Holding several cabins in different categories knowing that several - 1 cabins will ultimately be cancelled months down the road I believe may reveal a basic character flaw.  This is one of the reasons airlines overbook flights and look where that has lead us.

 

Just to be clear and to head off criticism, "you" in this post is the "editorial you", also called the "rhetorical you" not a "specific you."  You're so vain you probably think this post is about you. Don't you? Don't you? 

Edited July 26, 2023 by The Greater Fool

[Magellan321]

13 hours ago, Bgwest said:

“Before final payment” is typically used to mean close to final payment.
Now you are talking about tying up and rendering multiple cabins totally useless to others who may be interested in booking for “only two weeks”. 
Nice. 

Thank you! Yes, there is a clear difference between those two statements. This is a prime reason as to why the idea of a non-refundable deposit or the much higher cost for a refundable room came about years ago on Celebrity. 

[tonit964]

48 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Same name?  And how long do you hold them under the same name?  

Yes, same name and they can be held up until final payment where you either cancel or forfeit the deposits.

I guess with the non refundable deposits now, Princess may do away with the $1 deposits going forward.

[RoperDK]

17 minutes ago, Magellan321 said:

Thank you! Yes, there is a clear difference between those two statements. This is a prime reason as to why the idea of a non-refundable deposit or the much higher cost for a refundable room came about years ago on Celebrity. 

Carnival, Royal, and Celebrity are basically only offering non-refundable fares (especially for suites) now. Most promotions and casino offers are that way.  We book far in advance to get the cabin we want at the rate we want.  Refundable fares are now often several thousand dollars more.  The deposit for a suite on Royal is now 10% of the fare or at least $500.  Change fees are $100 pp to move to another sail date.  I feel it's an easy money grab for them.  That is one of the reasons we are looking into sailing on Princess again.  

[wcflats]

Of course!  Don’t forget to get to the theater at least one hour early and put your personal stuff on multiple seats to reserve prime viewing for yourself.

[Ombud]

4 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

5 hours ago, Buckeye10640 said:

I dont think would be unreasonable to at least put a couple cabins on a 3 day hold while you work things out, talk to your TA, or Princess planner, etc. I have done holds  on the weekend while waiting  til Monday to reach someone.

I know there are people who book cabins on multiple ships/dates and then wait to determine what they actually want and cancel what they dont want. I have seen it posted on this site. (Dont come back at me, I do not do this!).  I find that to be more impactful than the OP wanting to book a couple rooms for a few weeks while legitimately sorting out plans.

 

There should be programmatic software that catches dupes.  Or, goes into a queue for an agent to followup.  It should work within a 48-72 hour period.  Many airlines are an automatic cancel of both bookings.

 

A few weeks would really be an issue.

 

With the new IT PCL software, IDK.

Agree in theory but don't holds automatically drop off after 72 hrs now?? Also my CVP is notified when I put something on hold & calls me on Day 3

[PacnGoNow]

53 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Agree in theory but don't holds automatically drop off after 72 hrs now?? Also my CVP is notified when I put something on hold & calls me on Day 3

Yes, I wonder also.  Evidently, these posters must have a TA that will book duplicate bookings.  I don’t do that, and have no idea what PCL software does anymore.  
 

It must be manually worked these days?