Can we expect anything else from Princess? (7/20 sailing)

[heywhatsup]

I understand that it is generous for princess to offer 50% compensation for the shortened itinerary and the subraction of two of four ports of call. Does anyone expect anything else when we arrive on board- on board credit, drinks, specialty foods, admission to sanctuary? Should we expect anything else?

[Merion_Mom]

I understand that it is generous for princess to offer 50% compensation for the shortened itinerary and the subraction of two of four ports of call. Does anyone expect anything else when we arrive on board- on board credit, drinks, specialty foods, admission to sanctuary? Should we expect anything else?

I am confused. If you understand that 50% off your cruise is generous, why would you be looking for more??

[heywhatsup]

I am not looking for more, just curious as to what everyone thinks about the whole situation.

[CrusinAgain]

I would be really disappointed that it was shortened after all the planning but we need to remember that these things happen and a cruise line is being very generous to give that since I haven't heard much about other types of vacations offering compensation. I would still go and have a blast and relax.

[Tristan]

While I am satisfied with the 50% refund, I am absolutely crestfafllen that we

will be missing St. Thomas....the ONLY port I was really interested in going to.

 

I am beyond upset over this, and I know everyone is saying, "Just deal with it and be thankful that you weren't on the ship when it listed", but I had this trip planned for over a year, and I need a relaxing vacation more than I care to explain.

 

Oh well, at least I'll have substantial money to put towards my next vacation.

(As will everyone else on board.)

[CrusinAgain]

I guess another thing to think about is those that have to fly to NY will have to change flights and pay a fee or stay in a hotel an extra 2 nights which would probably wipe out the 50% cruise discount - so it would all depend on personal situations and the ability to get off work.

[bellebaby]

The following was posted on the Princess web site:

 

" Out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of airline change fees may be submitted for reimbursement. Passengers requiring hotel accommodations should contact 1-800-PRINCESS. "

 

It appears as though airline change fees will be reimbursed in addition to the 50% credit and some sort of hotel accommodation if pre-negotiated with Princess.

 

B

[Coral]

I guess another thing to think about is those that have to fly to NY will have to change flights and pay a fee or stay in a hotel an extra 2 nights which would probably wipe out the 50% cruise discount - so it would all depend on personal situations and the ability to get off work.

 

This will be reinbursed. Work schedules should not be affected by this change in schedule...

 

I think what they are offering is quite fair. You lose 2 days but are getting 50% of your money back. Or, you could have choosen to cancel the whole cruise and gotten all of your money back. I wouldn't expect anything else when on the ship.

[ewheelock]

Geez, only 2 days shorter, 50% off, money back for air fare changes and hotel changes etc. If you are crestfallen about St. Thomas they will refund your full amount with on penalty and you can cruise later and go to St. Thomas or use the extra 50% off to go on another cruise that includes St. Thomas.

 

Everyone is always looking for something more

[nana nancy]

We're very happy, 5 couples, going to the 2 ports we wanted to go to most, and going for half price! I don't expect anything esse but a very safe cruise. I'm sure they won't send her out if it's not totally OK. We've been to St. Thomas on 4 other cruises, it's one of the most popular ports, it won't be hard to find a cruise that goes to it. Talk to your TA. You might be able to switch and use your refund for what you want.

[Rognish]

Geez, only 2 days shorter, 50% off, money back for air fare changes and hotel changes etc. If you are crestfallen about St. Thomas they will refund your full amount with on penalty and you can cruise later and go to St. Thomas or use the extra 50% off to go on another cruise that includes St. Thomas.

 

Everyone is always looking for something more

 

I second your statement. I'm not trying to bash anyone. but if you really want St Thomas, perhaps a land based vacation at St Thomas where you can spends days there as opposed to 8 hours max.

[Lynnees]

Ahhh the greed the greed!!!

 

50% refund for a 7 instead of nine day cruise - am I correct?

 

You weren't even among the tramatized.

 

Why don't you just cancel, get all your money back and booked something else then?

[Sandytoes]

heywhatsup asks - Does anyone expect anything else when we arrive on board- on board credit, drinks, specialty foods, admission to sanctuary? Should we expect anything else?

 

Cruise will be half the price for missing just 2 days out of 9, out of pocket expenses reimbursed, you still want more.

Why?

My advice to you is to cancel this one, get all your money back and rebook another... This way you'll get everything you expect....If you do decide to go on this cruise you might feel short-handed...... You won't enjoy it....That would be sad...Wouldn't it....

 

That's if they do sail as planned. The whole voyage could be cancelled. Keep your figures crossed for those who are not expecting anything more.

[TravelAngel]

I guess another thing to think about is those that have to fly to NY will have to change flights and pay a fee or stay in a hotel an extra 2 nights which would probably wipe out the 50% cruise discount - so it would all depend on personal situations and the ability to get off work.

 

I may be wrong but I thought I read in a couple of places that, for those who have to make alternative reservations such as flights should contact Princess for reimbursement.

 

To All going on the 7/20 Sailing: enjoy, be safe, & relax

[hill6]

I think that Princess has been very generous with their compensation. We plan on changing the credit card on file to the one that the credit from Princess will be coming in on. This way our shipboard charges will be cancelled out by the credit.

 

We are buying ourselves items that we would ordinarily not buy without the credit when we are on board.

[dustythreads]

I am curious about this myself.

Yes, Princess is very generous by returning half of our money. I think the OP and I understand that.

 

However, during dinner last night, my party and I were discussing the possibility of added perks. Let's face it, Princess P.R. is in a very bad situation. Read this board. Many people do not trust a word Princess says. Other people have stated that Princess just cares about the money and not passenger safety.

 

 

 

So, I think some of the extra perks of the July 22nd sailing will be

-fewer people in a giant ship, which means an easier time finding seats in the shows and by the pool. Perhaps even a shorter, easier time around the buffet, which I heard was annoying to try to get through.

 

-Perhaps, service will be better. If I were an Steward and I thought that many of my staterooms were going to be empty, yet a bunch of "roll with the punches" cruisers showed. I would be thrilled that not all tips would be lost for the week and perhaps be extra attentive.

 

No, I am not looking for a free drink night, extra coupons for the casino, but I do think that there will be a lot of extra perks for going on this cruise and really wish I didn't have to read such negative comments immediatly after the OP.

 

Afterall, I haven't even had a cup of coffee yet today.

[gbcruiser72]

We agree; Princess is being very generous. Yes, my DD is disappointed about St. Thomas (but she's 13 and just wanted to go to Magen's Bay b/c her name is Megan:) ). DH has never been to Bermuda or Grand Turk, so he is satisfied. Now he just has to find out how this is going to affect the scuba certification he was supposed to do onboard. Open water dives were supposed to be in St. Thomas & Grand Turk, so he's trying to get in touch with them today. As for me, our "alternate" plan was going to be to go to my grandmother's bungalow on the North Shore of LI for the week....small, 2 BR, no AC, no TV, has not been used in 2 years, hot water in shower lasts for exactly 3 minutes, etc.... SO, I am very satisfied to be able to still go on vacation where I don't have to cook, clean, can take a regular shower, etc...., even though it's 2 days shorter;) . And 50% refund is much more than we would've expected. DD & I were on the Legend in 2004 when there was a problem with one of the engines shortly after we sailed from NY. Rather than go to St. Thomas, San Juan and Tortola (as scheduled), we went to Bermuda and sat there for 3 days (another reason for my DD's disappointment....2nd time she was supposed to go to St. Thomas and isn't). Our "compensation" was $200 OBC per stateroom. So, in my opinion, 50% refund for 2 less days is very generous. And we still have the same number of sea days, so they aren't trying to get us to "spend more" as someone mentioned on another post. And, we'll be in Grand Turk all day instead of just 4-5 hours. All plusses to me although, again, this is just my opinion. Everyone is different and some are bound to be disappointed. We will just choose to relax and enjoy.

[Sue L]

In 1997 ironically on the old Crown Princess, we were sailing along on a beautiful sunny day. I was in one of the shops and everything started sliding off the shelves and crashing to the floor, and all the racks started tipping over, one crashing into my head and back pinning me under it. All the pool water spilled out and anyone who had things next to them near their lounge chairs had their stuff washed right off the boat under the small opening below the glass along the the pool deck. I was very scared but got even more scared when I saw the panicked look on the shop girls face. Several people pulled the rack off me and helped me up and we all got out of the shop. Several seconds later the Captain got on the loudspeaker and explained that we had to make a emergency manuever to avoid a pod of whales, which if we had hit would have most likely have crippled the ship. We listed about 12-14 degrees. There were many injured with cuts, bruises, and fractures. One man on the galley tour had a whole pot of boiling soup tip over on him. I ended up with a gash on my shoulder and very bruised.Do you know what we got. NOTHING! but neither did I expect it. But a note of apology or even a free drink would have been nice but we didn't even receive that. So you should be counting your lucky stars with what you got.

 

 

Sue

[Redsgj]

We were on the Radiance of the Seas in July 2002 and experienced something similar to Sue L. The captain was trying to dodge fishing nets (we were sailing the Inside Passage coming back from Alaska). He did too many quick turns and we listed (don't know how much but it was enough that I was getting nervous about getting upright again!). A lot of the pool water came gushing out all over the area we were in. The captain made NO announcement at all to explain what happened. We only found out via a table mate at dinner.

[LisaH]

While I am satisfied with the 50% refund, I am absolutely crestfafllen that we

will be missing St. Thomas....the ONLY port I was really interested in going to.

 

I am beyond upset over this, and I know everyone is saying, "Just deal with it and be thankful that you weren't on the ship when it listed", but I had this trip planned for over a year, and I need a relaxing vacation more than I care to explain.

 

Oh well, at least I'll have substantial money to put towards my next vacation.

(As will everyone else on board.)

 

Missing ports is just a part of cruising...sometimes you miss them due to weather conditions, not being able to tender, etc. It is a bummer but that is the way it is.

[cruisecastle]

I understand that it is generous for princess to offer 50% compensation for the shortened itinerary and the subraction of two of four ports of call. Does anyone expect anything else when we arrive on board- on board credit, drinks, specialty foods, admission to sanctuary? Should we expect anything else?

 

I think they've offerred to much already.

[ewheelock]

I think that Princess has been very generous with their compensation. We plan on changing the credit card on file to the one that the credit from Princess will be coming in on. This way our shipboard charges will be cancelled out by the credit.

 

We are buying ourselves items that we would ordinarily not buy without the credit when we are on board.

 

That is really a good idea!

[johare]

What they are offering currently is more than fair providing the ship is in the condition that you would normally expect. If sections of the ship (ie, pool, casino, etc...) are closed due to damage then I think that Princess will need to do a little more.

[smeyer418]

I know this is bad.but...I think they will have a rock and roll party... You might see them have an open bar for a few hours when people come on board...The crew will be very happy to see you. I wonder if anyone was doing a back to back....and I am glad that everyone seems to be recovering...

[madelinerose]

Sorry, Tristan, but although I've only cruised once, from reading these boards I know that you should never book any cruise on any line with any itinerary without knowing that at any time, ports can be changed or cancelled. Your scheduled itinerary is never guaranteed.

 

IMHO, anyway, if you really want to experience an island, do a week, not a cruise.

 

Hope your cruise is as wonderful as possible. ;)

 

While I am satisfied with the 50% refund, I am absolutely crestfafllen that we will be missing St. Thomas....the ONLY port I was really interested in going to. I am beyond upset over this...