Booking While On Board

[MsTabbyKats]

My first Princess cruise is in a couple of weeks.  If I love it....is there any benefit of booking a future cruise while on board?

[JimmyVWine]

1 minute ago, MsTabbyKats said:

My first Princess cruise is in a couple of weeks.  If I love it....is there any benefit of booking a future cruise while on board?

No. You get whatever price is being offered to the general public when booking direct. 

[skynight]

Purchase Future Cruise Deposits (FCDs). That way you have time to think out where, when and what ship.

FCDs are:

-$100 each and per individual. For a couple each one has to purchase an FCD. I purchase multiples.

-Charged directly to your credit card, not to your on board account

-Are valid for one year from the date of purchase

-Fully and automatically refundable if not used

-When used the $100/pp is the full deposit for the cruise, exception World cruises

-When used there will be OBC added to your on board account. Amount depends on length of cruise and cabin category

Upon making your new booking, the appropriate shipboard credit will be applied.*

Future Cruise Length Per Person Shipboard Credit*

17 - 44 Days $125 Inside, $125 Outside, $150 Balcony, $150 Suite

11 - 16 Days $75 Inside, $75 Outside, $100 Balcony, $100 Suite

7 - 10 Days $25 Inside, $25 Outside, $50 Balcony, $50 Suite

3 - 6 Days $15 Inside, $15 Outside, $25 Balcony, $25 Suite

 

 

[mrsbrown17]

I always do it, you get extra credits when you book and your FCC becomes your deposit when you decide to book. A lot lower than the regular deposit needed 

 

 

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

My first Princess cruise is in a couple of weeks.  If I love it....is there any benefit of booking a future cruise while on board?

It depends on what specials they have - most are unadvertised. 

 

We've been able to book lower than offered than the rates offered on the Princess website for GTY rooms on multiple occasions.

 

We've also been offered Premier or Plus at half off and jumped on that too. 

 

The catch is payment in full is required at time of booking, i.e., before leaving the future cruise consultant's office. 

Edited June 9 by startedwithamouse

[JF - retired RRT]

OP: you need to be aware that the Future Cruise desk is now staffed by people who work for O.N.E. The will pressure you to sign up for an offering that sounds too good to be true and for most purchasers...it is.

You can get Future Cruise Deposits without speaking to the Future Cruise staff. They're available on the Medallion after you board, there are (sometimes) flyers delivered to your cabin, and usually found at the Future Cruise desk for you to fill out and drop in a box.

If you speak to the staff, just say "no, thanks" when they try to sell the their package.

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 hour ago, skynight said:

Purchase Future Cruise Deposits (FCDs). That way you have time to think out where, when and what ship.

FCDs are:

-$100 each and per individual. For a couple each one has to purchase an FCD. I purchase multiples.

-Charged directly to your credit card, not to your on board account

-Are valid for one year from the date of purchase

-Fully and automatically refundable if not used

-When used the $100/pp is the full deposit for the cruise, exception World cruises

-When used there will be OBC added to your on board account. Amount depends on length of cruise and cabin category

Upon making your new booking, the appropriate shipboard credit will be applied.*

Future Cruise Length Per Person Shipboard Credit*

17 - 44 Days $125 Inside, $125 Outside, $150 Balcony, $150 Suite

11 - 16 Days $75 Inside, $75 Outside, $100 Balcony, $100 Suite

7 - 10 Days $25 Inside, $25 Outside, $50 Balcony, $50 Suite

3 - 6 Days $15 Inside, $15 Outside, $25 Balcony, $25 Suite

 

 

@MsTabbyKats...as usual, @skynight has given the definitive answer!  Purchasing a pair of Future Cruise Deposits (assuming you cruise as a couple) is (in my opinion) the best way to "get a deal" on a future cruise.  Doing so allows you to do your own research *at home* and while you are NOT under pressure from a rep sitting in front of you.  An FCD serves as your deposit and also gives you some "bonus" OBC to be used however you wish.  We do this all the time.  You should give this serious consideration.  Why take time away from your *current* cruise to deal with a *future* cruise?

[BamaVol]

29 minutes ago, startedwithamouse said:

It depends on what specials they have - most are unadvertised. 

 

We've been able to book lower than offered than the rates offered on the Princess website for GTY rooms on multiple occasions.

 

We've also been offered Premier or Plus at half off and jumped on that too. 

 

The catch is payment in full is required at time of booking, i.e., before leaving the future cruise consultant's office. 

If it’s paid in full, can you still transfer it to your TA when you get home?

[startedwithamouse]

2 minutes ago, BamaVol said:

If it’s paid in full, can you still transfer it to your TA when you get home?

No, you may not transfer to a TA nor can you use FCD. 

[startedwithamouse]

11 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

@MsTabbyKats...as usual, @skynight has given the definitive answer!  Purchasing a pair of Future Cruise Deposits (assuming you cruise as a couple) is (in my opinion) the best way to "get a deal" on a future cruise.  Doing so allows you to do your own research *at home* and while you are NOT under pressure from a rep sitting in front of you.  An FCD serves as your deposit and also gives you some "bonus" OBC to be used however you wish.  We do this all the time.  You should give this serious consideration.  Why take time away from your *current* cruise to deal with a *future* cruise?

I beg to differ. 

 

A much better deal may be on the table. 

[MsTabbyKats]

@startedwithamouseIf you need to pay in full...are there refunds if you change your mind????

 

This all sounds very confusing.....

[jennybenny]

1 minute ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@startedwithamouseIf you need to pay in full...are there refunds if you change your mind????

 

This all sounds very confusing.....

You only pay in full if you are booking within Final Payment and if you are, you have a cancellation schedule which likely makes it non refundable unless you pay extra for insurance (cancel for any reason insurance)

[wallyj]

@MsTabbyKats, future cruise used to be able to show you a ‘list’ of the on board booking discounted cruises. When O.N.E. Originally took over handling future cruises on board, they introduced these ‘on board’ specials. Most were 50% off the Princess.com fare. What was also happening was many times the ‘plus’ pkg was also being discounted. The system at that time was not giving ‘premier’ pkg pricing.

 

In many cases after you booked, you were able to upgrade to the premier pkg for only $10/day instead of $20/day. A few times, for me, the cruise Personalizer would not allow this upgrade and when you called, Princess would tell you the upgrade to premier is $20/day. The official word was only the cruisefare was supposed to be discounted and now they manually back out the discounted plus package. 
 

The discount now ranges from 25-50% and last month on Enchanted, I was told no list available, but you need to ask what is currently available as the offerings can change quickly. For sailings within 90 days, you will have to pay in full. They did have some that were later which would only require non refundable deposit, so if you did change your mind before final payment, you would lose your deposit, which should be $100/person. You would be able to transfer to a TA, as long as it was before final payment.

 

Some of the consultants will push the ‘packages’ starting at $3499/person, most reports on cruise critic are to ‘stay away’. Search for the threads regarding this for more information. 
 

Before O.N.E. Changeover, booking on board did not have many ‘extra’ amenities, but there were a few extra OBC promos. Obtaining FCD’s as currently they are fully refundable is highly recommended if you think you will sail with Princess again.

 

I hear Celebrity just changed their $100  ‘book later’ deposits in 2024, where you will lose it if not used. With Princess,  if not used or requested before expiring, you will be refunded to credit card used.

 

You may also search for an earlier thread on this subject, as I know this question is asked often and I recall seeing it.
 

 

Edited June 9 by wallyj

[MsTabbyKats]

Sounds like I'll see what they're offering....and then check the website for the Princess Price...and take it from there.  I have a few "other lines" booked, so the next Princess for us would be Fall 2025.

As long as the FCD are automatically fully refundable, that's a no brainer.

 

Thanks for all the help!

[memoak]

I would just stay away from future cruise teams unless you want to experience a full on sales push 

[skynight]

2 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

I beg to differ. 

 

A much better deal may be on the table. 

It's only a better deal if it is a cruise you want to take.

[wallyj]

@MsTabbyKats, the on board ‘specials’ will mostly be for sailings within the next 90-100 days or sailings they want to fill. Fall 2025 being so far off, unlikely any sailings will be listed.
 

Last year while on Sapphire in July 2023, I was able to book a March 2024 sailing that was on the 50% list. Offerings now are more limited and usually max 6 months out.

[sunviking90]

2 hours ago, wallyj said:

@MsTabbyKats, future cruise used to be able to show you a ‘list’ of the on board booking discounted cruises. When O.N.E. Originally took over handling future cruises on board, they introduced these ‘on board’ specials. Most were 50% off the Princess.com fare. What was also happening was many times the ‘plus’ pkg was also being discounted. The system at that time was not giving ‘premier’ pkg pricing.

 

In many cases after you booked, you were able to upgrade to the premier pkg for only $10/day instead of $20/day. A few times, for me, the cruise Personalizer would not allow this upgrade and when you called, Princess would tell you the upgrade to premier is $20/day. The official word was only the cruisefare was supposed to be discounted and now they manually back out the discounted plus package. 
 

The discount now ranges from 25-50% and last month on Enchanted, I was told no list available, but you need to ask what is currently available as the offerings can change quickly. For sailings within 90 days, you will have to pay in full. They did have some that were later which would only require non refundable deposit, so if you did change your mind before final payment, you would lose your deposit, which should be $100/person. You would be able to transfer to a TA, as long as it was before final payment.

 

Some of the consultants will push the ‘packages’ starting at $3499/person, most reports on cruise critic are to ‘stay away’. Search for the threads regarding this for more information. 
 

Before O.N.E. Changeover, booking on board did not have many ‘extra’ amenities, but there were a few extra OBC promos. Obtaining FCD’s as currently they are fully refundable is highly recommended if you think you will sail with Princess again.

 

I hear Celebrity just changed their $100  ‘book later’ deposits in 2024, where you will lose it if not used. With Princess,  if not used or requested before expiring, you will be refunded to credit card used.

 

You may also search for an earlier thread on this subject, as I know this question is asked often and I recall seeing it.
 

 

Yes, after taking advantage of the specials on our last few cruises, we  were told on the Royal in May that there were no specials. Disappointing, but tracks with what people have been saying lately. 

[laudergayle]

Following along as our first Princess cruise is in a few months.  If I understand correctly, if hubby snd I both purchase a FCD for $100 each it would be charged to the CC we used.  Then, regardless of what Princess offer is for deposits, we can use our 2 certs for full deposit.

 

if we were to book a 7-day balcony cruise we would each get $50 OBC.

 

Assuming I have this right, my question is whether the OBC is refundable or NR.  Can you use this OBC in the casino or to pay daily service fee?

[SCX22]

3 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

The catch is payment in full is required at time of booking, i.e., before leaving the future cruise consultant's office.

 

In 2023 when Princess was offering 50% off cruises onboard, yes final payment was required on the spot regardless of if final payment had already passed. 

 

As of recent...

If final payment has not passed, you don't have to pay in full until the actual final payment of the cruise.  There was Japan cruise on the list earlier this year for 2025, an we booked it with just a $100 down payment.  The catch is the special fares onboard are not combinable with FCDs.  Deposits are also non refundable, regardless of the category booked.  If final payment has passed, then yes, full payment is required at the time of booking.

[Rick&Jeannie]

27 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

Following along as our first Princess cruise is in a few months.  If I understand correctly, if hubby snd I both purchase a FCD for $100 each it would be charged to the CC we used.  Then, regardless of what Princess offer is for deposits, we can use our 2 certs for full deposit.

 

if we were to book a 7-day balcony cruise we would each get $50 OBC.

 

Assuming I have this right, my question is whether the OBC is refundable or NR.  Can you use this OBC in the casino or to pay daily service fee?

All above is correct, though I cannot answer regarding if the OBC is refundable or not.  All OBC that we ever have seems to disappear into the deep dark corners of the casino...so I really have no idea!

[laudergayle]

7 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

deep dark corners of the casino

I’ve been sent to that corner on multiple occasions as well.  
 

good to know you can use it in the casino.  Do you know if shareholder OBC can also be used in the casino?

Edited June 9 by laudergayle

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 minute ago, laudergayle said:

I’ve been sent to that corner on multiple occasions as well.  
 

good to know you can use it in the casino.  Do you know if shareholder OBC can also be used in the casino?

All OBC can be used *anywhere* on the ship...we've used our shareholder in the casino every cruise.

[startedwithamouse]

22 hours ago, skynight said:

It's only a better deal if it is a cruise you want to take.

We always have our eyes on specific cruises, then head to the Future Cruise sales area and see what the offers of. 

 

Never been on a cruise we didn't want to go on. 

[BamaVol]

On 6/9/2024 at 4:44 PM, Rick&Jeannie said:

All above is correct, though I cannot answer regarding if the OBC is refundable or not.  All OBC that we ever have seems to disappear into the deep dark corners of the casino...so I really have no idea!

It is not refundable OBC. It can be used for anything.