Help: Princess overbooked & changing our land tour itenary

[RNelder]

We are booked on an Alaska cruisetour in June. We picked this tour specifically for the 2 nights in Denali and 2 nights in Copper so we would be less rushed and have time to enjoy ourselves. Now Princess informs us they overbooked the lodge and we will spend 2 nights in Copper, only 1 night in Denali and have to go to McKinley for a night. This means we can't take the longer tour in Denali (which we paid for) and have to spend more time "on the road". A ship credit is suppose to make up for the "inconvenience" to us. We are furious.

Our TA called Princess and had no luck.Her supervisor is supposedly "working on it" but it's been a week now and no word. Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions on what else we can do?

[Pam in CA]

If I were you, I'd be upset too. The tours in Denali are better than at Mt. McKinley since you're closer to the base of the mountain. Your tour money will be refunded but that's not the point. Keep the pressure on and have your TA keep on calling.

[Hlitner]

Hmmm. This sounds like another of the tales where Princess is accomodating a group and giving the mine "shaft" to the individual. Unfortunately, this seems to becoming a common problem with many cruise lines. We have also seen some recent examples where passengers lost their confirmed cabins..confirmed dining sitting..etc.. due to groups getting the space. When times are bad they are accomodating... but with a good economy and good bookings you just have to go with the flow or take you trips elsewhere.

 

Hank

[Budget Queen]

Frankly- consider canceling the cruisetour portion. It is hardly worth going since you are missing a significant part- Denali Park. I can't even begin to tell you how worthless the Natural History tour is compared to the Tundra Wilderness.

 

If you care to, I can offer to give you specific links to going independent. I just set up a trip for a friend at work who is going mid June- -still some availablity. With http://www.toursaver.com if you don't want to drive, they have a 2 for one train coupon. Then stay two day in the Denali Park area and go on the Park Shuttles to Fish Creek, and see even more.

 

Just a superior suggestion to what you now have with the McKinley lodge out in the middle of nowhere and 50 miles from the nearest town- Talkeetna.

[whale-watcher]

I agree with Budget Queen...Denali is the place to be if you are interested in trying to see wildlife...can't they provide you with alterantive accomodations in Denali other than the lodge?

[RASHOPPER2]

Why Don't You See If You Can Get The Cruisetour That You Want With Another Line. If It Is Available, Tell Princess That You Are Canceling And Going To "other Line" Unless They Change It Back. It's Your Good Money - You Should See What You Want To See.

[Budget Queen]

Or tell them to bump someone else??? Do you happen to be a suite passenger??

 

I am very willing to help you with an independent booking- I am not an agent and NOT looking for anything other than for you to have the trip you deserve.

 

Feel free to email me if you need help. I really feel terrible for you at this late date. budgetqueenalaska@yahoo.com

[Beach4me]

Gray Line offers a large number of escorted tours in Alaska. If you go out to the website, they will send you a brochure. They have a tour listed as "Pre/Post Cruise Option #3" that includes 3 nights in Denali. I don't see any references to the Copper River area in the brochure I have but I do know that you can book into the Princess lodges on a nightly basis - and Gray Line might be able to get you there. There are 28 pages of tours - including day tours out of locations.

 

If you are like me, you want to let someone else do the driving so that all can enjoy the trip. I am not at all interested in booking an independent itinerary where I have to do the work/planning/clock-watching. And, for the record, if that includes the Natural History Tour, so be it!

[Charliesmom]

I would call the President of Princess Cruises and pitch a bitch there. It is unconscionable that you are locked into a contract and they are not. I would insist that they refund your money for the cruise, the cruisetour and compensate you for the airfare that you will now have to cancel.

 

I can understand that sometimes on a cruise they cannot always make a port, but if THEY are overbooked, you should get REAL compensation, just like on the airlines - not a sleazy substitute.

 

Roberta

[RNelder]

Thanks for your support. I certainly had no idea this was even a possibility when we signed up, and definitely not after I printed off our original schedule from my Princess account 5/1. I'm calling the TA tomorrow and telling her I want to speak with her supervisor to see if I can't get this settled. It's certainly dampened some of the thrill of the trip. Thanks for the offer Budget Queen, I'll let you know if I need help.

[ZoeyZoo]

Make the TA call over and over to complain and refuse to be moved. Your TA is supposed to stick up for you and get you waht you paid for. I have read in MSN travel that many lines will not want to deal with the hassle and will go pick on someone else to move.

[RNelder]

Good news!

The owner of the TA had to call the head of Cruisetours at Princess, but we received word today that we are back on our original schedule. A lot of wear and tear on my nerves, but I'm once again excited to know I'll have the experiences I want.

[whale-watcher]

That is wonderful! Hope you have a great time in Denali...it is a long day, but the wildlife sightings can be amazing!

[Coral]

I also want to say "Congrats!".

[Beach4me]

Glad your TA and Princess finally ended up doing right by you!! Enjoy your trip!

[Pam in CA]

Good news!

The owner of the TA had to call the head of Cruisetours at Princess, but we received word today that we are back on our original schedule. A lot of wear and tear on my nerves, but I'm once again excited to know I'll have the experiences I want.

Yay!!! Good for you for sticking to your guns. Glad it worked out OK.