Final Payment for Transatlantic Situation

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, runner2013 said:

His buddy is also telling him he has to buy his own flights after originally saying they were included in the original cost.

Even so, this guy ought to have been engaged in selecting airline, dates, and flights.  This is one of the weirdest travel stories I have read.  IMO, the guy is nuts to be so cavalier about this travel.  Also, why does he call his friend about the situation if he has no care about the booking?

[PacnGoNow]

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Even so, this guy ought to have been engaged in selecting airline, dates, and flights.  This is one of the weirdest travel stories I have read.  IMO, the guy is nuts to be so cavalier about this travel.  Also, why does he call his friend about the situation if he has no care about the booking?

Very weird. Indeed. 🥴

Hope it works out for them.

[john watson]

When you say Canada, could it be Nigeria?

 

Regards John

[runner2013]

2 hours ago, john watson said:

When you say Canada, could it be Nigeria?

 

Regards John

Gosh I hope you're wrong John... 

[runner2013]

As far as the payment plan I can understand that, but what cruise line as ever said you only need to pay 80% before the trip and then the rest when its over?? That's what baffles me

[john watson]

1 hour ago, runner2013 said:

Gosh I hope you're wrong John... 

I hope to goodness sake that I am wrong but everything about what has been said on this booking sounds well dodgy.

 

Regards John

[Rick&Jeannie]

For your friend's sake I hope

everything works out...but

 

 

[EDDY0827]

This story is worthy of a fresh batch of popcorn and cocktails.

It's going to be a crash and I can't look away!

[Rick&Jeannie]

38 minutes ago, EDDY0827 said:

This story is worthy of a fresh batch of popcorn and cocktails.

It's going to be a crash and I can't look away!

We might even be able to sell tickets for this one!

[Paula_MacFan]

I might need a refresher on this saga, but has the buddy not logged into the Personalizer to look at his booking? No excursions booked online? No dining? Surely he has looked at his Travel Summary document? I don't get it.

[Rick&Jeannie]

3 hours ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I might need a refresher on this saga, but has the buddy not logged into the Personalizer to look at his booking? No excursions booked online? No dining? Surely he has looked at his Travel Summary document? I don't get it.

From what the OP has shared...this person apparently refuses to even talk about it because they are convinced there's no problem.  I hope we get to hear the final outcome!

[runner2013]

5 hours ago, Paula_MacFan said:

I might need a refresher on this saga, but has the buddy not logged into the Personalizer to look at his booking? No excursions booked online? No dining? Surely he has looked at his Travel Summary document? I don't get it.

I asked DH if his buddy has gone into the personalizer and checked all his info. He doesn't know if he has. He's torn between jumping in and getting involved and staying out of things because his friend hasn't asked for his input/advice. There are 2 other couples going and one would think everyone would be talking with each other to make sure things are moving along. etc, dinner or shores excursions and such. 

I guess time will tell. I will be sure to come back here and let you all know what happens. 

[memoak]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

From what the OP has shared...this person apparently refuses to even talk about it because they are convinced there's no problem.  I hope we get to hear the final outcome!

Can’t wait

[partybarbie]

Is there any way to get the friend’s Princess confirmation number? Tell him you need it to link your dinner reservation s. Once you have that, you can go on the Princess app and see if he shows up. Hopefully things work out.

[Rick&Jeannie]

2 minutes ago, partybarbie said:

Is there any way to get the friend’s Princess confirmation number? Tell him you need it to link your dinner reservation s. Once you have that, you can go on the Princess app and see if he shows up. Hopefully things work out.

While that is certainly one way to "try and help"...it totally depends on the person's willingness to "want to be helped".  So far...they don't seem to want to be helped.  I personally would just back away and let things play out.  The OP has tried and been basically "shut out".

[runner2013]

12 hours ago, partybarbie said:

Is there any way to get the friend’s Princess confirmation number? Tell him you need it to link your dinner reservation s. Once you have that, you can go on the Princess app and see if he shows up. Hopefully things work out.

We are not going on the cruise. DH has casually tried to point his buddy in the right direction and/or ask him questions to get him thinking about things but so far it isn't working. We're taking more of a stand back approach at this point. DH hasn't been asked for his advice/opinion and isn't going to force it on anybody. 

 

[john watson]

There is a thread on YouTube "Man arrested for cruise scam and other news" which relates to a US citizen who allegedly was taking payments from people for cruises but not making booking arrangements with cruise lines.  It seems to relate to Alaska.

 

Regards John

[Rick&Jeannie]

5 hours ago, john watson said:

There is a thread on YouTube "Man arrested for cruise scam and other news" which relates to a US citizen who allegedly was taking payments from people for cruises but not making booking arrangements with cruise lines.  It seems to relate to Alaska.

 

Regards John

I'd sure hate for this to be the case for the OP's friends!  Just *maybe* they have discovered that this was the case and "just don't want to talk about it" from embarrassment...

 

[runner2013]

Hello all, 

Thought I'd check back in and let you know what the status of DH 's friends cruise situation is. Hubby was able to get some more info out of him. 

 

DH asked if he originally used a travel agent for his booking. The friend said Princess called him, said they noticed he was Gold tier and ask if he was interested in booking another cruise. (For those who haven't read all the way back, the friend has only been on one Princess cruise)

 

The friend told DH Princess said he has something like 1600 cruise points. (not possible, but the friend may have misunderstood this)

 

Princess rep said he only had to pay 65% before sailing and pays the rest in installments. (he's doing $500. monthly)

Princess gave him $800 obc with his initial booking.  May or may not be accurate, it is a 23/24 day trip?.

 

Princess has supposedly changed the itinerary because of what is happening in the Red Sea, and because of this, they are giving him $300 more OBC. They are also giving him a choice of 15% off a future cruise OR 15% off the remaining balance off what he owes for this cruise. (again, i'm still stuck on the fact I've never heard of you not having a cruise paid in full before you sail so I can't wrap my head around this. If I'm wrong someone please set me straight)

 

The friend booked the flights through Princess with EZ air. Supposedly they are giving him 2 complimentary nights hotel stay in Italy. (no idea why?)

 

I originally thought the friend said they were leaving from Rome and ending in Fort Lauderdale, and he was picking up the cruise on April 2nd of this year. I also thought he said it was on the Island Princess. When I go look for trips now, I can't find anything even remotely close to resembling that. 

So once again, DH and I are totally baffled with everything that the friend is telling him. 

DH is going skiing with the friend this Thursday, he is going to ask if the friend has actually logged into the Princess planner and checked out all of his info, made dining reservations, etc. We'll see what happens. 

 

 

[startedwithamouse]

5 minutes ago, runner2013 said:

Hello all, 

Thought I'd check back in and let you know what the status of DH 's friends cruise situation is. Hubby was able to get some more info out of him. 

 

DH asked if he originally used a travel agent for his booking. The friend said Princess called him, said they noticed he was Gold tier and ask if he was interested in booking another cruise. (For those who haven't read all the way back, the friend has only been on one Princess cruise)

 

The friend told DH Princess said he has something like 1600 cruise points. (not possible, but the friend may have misunderstood this)

 

Princess rep said he only had to pay 65% before sailing and pays the rest in installments. (he's doing $500. monthly)

Princess gave him $800 obc with his initial booking.  May or may not be accurate, it is a 23/24 day trip?.

 

Princess has supposedly changed the itinerary because of what is happening in the Red Sea, and because of this, they are giving him $300 more OBC. They are also giving him a choice of 15% off a future cruise OR 15% off the remaining balance off what he owes for this cruise. (again, i'm still stuck on the fact I've never heard of you not having a cruise paid in full before you sail so I can't wrap my head around this. If I'm wrong someone please set me straight)

 

The friend booked the flights through Princess with EZ air. Supposedly they are giving him 2 complimentary nights hotel stay in Italy. (no idea why?)

 

I originally thought the friend said they were leaving from Rome and ending in Fort Lauderdale, and he was picking up the cruise on April 2nd of this year. I also thought he said it was on the Island Princess. When I go look for trips now, I can't find anything even remotely close to resembling that. 

So once again, DH and I are totally baffled with everything that the friend is telling him. 

DH is going skiing with the friend this Thursday, he is going to ask if the friend has actually logged into the Princess planner and checked out all of his info, made dining reservations, etc. We'll see what happens. 

 

 

The friend is telling your husband a tall tale....compulsive lying IS a thing.

 

Your husband just needs to leave it alone. 

[runner2013]

1 minute ago, startedwithamouse said:

The friend is telling your husband a tall tale....compulsive lying IS a thing.

 

Your husband just needs to leave it alone. 

No, his friend isn't lying, he's not that type of person. that's just not his personality.  Plus, there are 2 other couples also going with him and his girlfriend, so I would think it's rather hard to dupe everyone. 

🤣 

[runner2013]

Just now, runner2013 said:

No, his friend isn't lying, he's not that type of person. that's just not his personality.  Plus, there are 2 other couples also going with him and his girlfriend, so I would think it's rather hard to dupe everyone. 

🤣

regardless of what the friend says on Thursday, DH isn't going to get involved with helping him download the app or do any of the pre cruise things that need to be done. He's staying far away from that. If, something does go wrong, he doesn't want the friend to blame him for it. 

[PacnGoNow]

53 minutes ago, runner2013 said:

Hello all, 

Thought I'd check back in and let you know what the status of DH 's friends cruise situation is. Hubby was able to get some more info out of him. 

 

DH asked if he originally used a travel agent for his booking. The friend said Princess called him, said they noticed he was Gold tier and ask if he was interested in booking another cruise. (For those who haven't read all the way back, the friend has only been on one Princess cruise)

 

The friend told DH Princess said he has something like 1600 cruise points. (not possible, but the friend may have misunderstood this)

 

Princess rep said he only had to pay 65% before sailing and pays the rest in installments. (he's doing $500. monthly)

Princess gave him $800 obc with his initial booking.  May or may not be accurate, it is a 23/24 day trip?.

 

Princess has supposedly changed the itinerary because of what is happening in the Red Sea, and because of this, they are giving him $300 more OBC. They are also giving him a choice of 15% off a future cruise OR 15% off the remaining balance off what he owes for this cruise. (again, i'm still stuck on the fact I've never heard of you not having a cruise paid in full before you sail so I can't wrap my head around this. If I'm wrong someone please set me straight)

 

The friend booked the flights through Princess with EZ air. Supposedly they are giving him 2 complimentary nights hotel stay in Italy. (no idea why?)

 

I originally thought the friend said they were leaving from Rome and ending in Fort Lauderdale, and he was picking up the cruise on April 2nd of this year. I also thought he said it was on the Island Princess. When I go look for trips now, I can't find anything even remotely close to resembling that. 

So once again, DH and I are totally baffled with everything that the friend is telling him. 

DH is going skiing with the friend this Thursday, he is going to ask if the friend has actually logged into the Princess planner and checked out all of his info, made dining reservations, etc. We'll see what happens. 

 

 

This almost sounds like a Princess Promotions person made a call to his friend.  Giving OBC, hotel nights, etc.  
 

I’d stay away from this one.

 

Here’s one of the threads on this.

Just a fyi.

 

Do keep us updated!  Thanks

 

Btw, there is a cruise Apr 2, 24 Rome Civitavecchia to Ft Lauderdale TA, Island Princess.  Part of the World Cruise segments.

 

https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/details/?voyageCode=2406

 

 

Edited February 5 by PacnGoNow

[runner2013]

45 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

This almost sounds like a Princess Promotions person made a call to his friend.  Giving OBC, hotel nights, etc.  
 

I’d stay away from this one.

 

Here’s one of the threads on this.

Just a fyi.

 

Do keep us updated!  Thanks

 

Btw, there is a cruise Apr 2, 24 Rome Civitavecchia to Ft Lauderdale TA, Island Princess.  Part of the World Cruise segments.

 

https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/details/?voyageCode=2406

 

 

Thank you for the link to the cruise. I couldnt find it amywhere

[runner2013]

Hello everyone, I have another update!!

 

Quick recap for those who've come late to the party. My DH's friend booked a cruise through Princess Promotions and was being told all sorts of wierd things ranging from he only needed 65% of cruise paid off before sailing, to free hotel stays nights before the ship leaves in Italy. (its a 21 day trip from Italy ending in Florida )

 

Ok, here we go.. 

I talked to his buddy on speaker phone last night and got the scoop. 

Supposedly princess promotions originally called him and asked if he wanted to book a cruise. 

He said yes but wanted to talk with his sister and brother in law to see if they were interested as well.  The representative he spoke with when he called back to book was located in London.

 He was originally told only 65% payment needed before the cruise sails. 

He was given his invoice # and all other details they had at that time. 

Fast forward to several months later. The buddy was called in the middle of the night and told he needed to make final payment or trip is cancelled. He hung up on the guy saying he was told that's not true.

The Buddy then called his person at Princess Promotions next day, told him what happened, and the rep said he did the right thing by hanging up on the person. 

So, 

Fast forward to now: 

The itinerary has been changed due to what's happening in the Red Sea. He was told they will get 300. OBC for the change, (that sounds ok to me but who knows)

He will also get (and here's where my alarm bells go off) 7 free nights in any hotel anywhere in the world. 

So, the buddy hearing this, chose 2 nights in Rome before the cruise leaves, and 2 nights in Florida after it ends. But...... he has to pay roughly 124. for the 2 nights in Italy, and 100 for the 2 nights in Florida. 

I finally stopped him at that point and asked him if he actually logged into princess.com and saw his trip and invoice #.   He said he did, it is there, and it shows as fully paid off. (he has a gauranteed balcony so no actual cabin assignment yet) Now according to his calculations, he has not finished paying off the trip and doesn't understand how this could be.  

So his sister called Princess directly and they too show it as paid off in full.  hmmm no idea how that works. 

He's never gotten any type of cancellation email or call from Princess so he's sticking with his story that he's all paid off. 

Now.... last week his credit card is charged another $500.00, for what he doesn't know so he calls the rep at Princess Promotions. He is told (and again my red flag went up) "oh when you booked your cruise you also booked 2 future cruises as well. That charge is for your future cruise" 

He kept telling the rep he didn't book any other cruises and the rep said you didn't read the fine print about this promotion, you needed to book 2 more cruises to get the promotional cruise. 

 They didn't give him any type of invoice number, where, when, what ship, etc. for this future cruise, just that the money taken out was for that future cruise. 

So, his sister calls Princess directly again and they were no help at all. They don't know what his sister is talking about and didn't have any other invoice #'s and don't show them booked on anything else but the one trip leaving April 3rd. 

I stopped him again and asked him what I think is the next important question: 

DOES HE HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE?

He said no, and I told him in no uncertain terms they needed to get real travel cruise insurance immediately!!

He referred to the cruise line's insurance and my DH and I both said absolutely not!!!

He needs to get and independent travel insurance company to cover this because we both feel something isn't right and it just doesn't make sense. 

 

His buddy doesn't know what to think now, he's getting nervous because no one at Princess directly can give him any answers and what he's being told from his rep at Princess promotions he doesn't thinks makes sense. I told him I've been cruising for a while and some of what he's being told doesn't sound correct to me at all, but I said I'd post something on here to get the opinions of all you 'heavy hitters' out there who've been cruising a lot longer than me and know a whole lot more about things.

 

So, after reading my foolishly long post, does everything seems just a little fishy or am I making a big deal over nothing. This is the first time his buddy has actually talked to us about the trip, and we felt badly being so negative, but we don't want him to fly all the way over to Rome and be told he can't go because he was scammed. 

Any advice is greatly appreciated. 

Again, sorry for the long post.. 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 22 by runner2013
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