6/4 island princess balconies overbooked

[AK Newbie]

Got a call from my TA today saying Princess Island had overbooked their balcony rooms (we have one reserved) and were offering a last minute deal of an oceanview room with a $1400 shipboard credit and was I interested in changing? (shipboard credits could be used towards our shore excursions and tips with any amount not used being refunded to us in cash?!)

 

I didn't want to give up the balcony and said no. After talking to my DH he said "are you nuts?". Called my TA back to see which oceanview rooms might be available and was told that the offer was already taken by other cruisers. I'm glad it was already gone, cause I do want that balcony-what does anyone else think? (these calls all happened within 20 minutes and my TA said that Princess had just called her 20 minutes before she left me the message>

 

sailing June 4 SB Alaska cruise on Island Princess.........YIPPEEEE:D

 

thanks for all the help and suggestions, especially from the Alaska Board

[flamomo]

I'm with you - - There's nothing like a balcony cabin (except possibly a suite for some people). We've had balcony cabins on 3 cruises, and one with an oceanview (that was on cruise #2). We couldn't wait to get back in a balcony cabin, and now would not book anything but a balcony. It's definitely wort the extra $$.

Enjoy your cruise AND your balcony. We loved the Island Princess.

[critterchick]

I'd have kept the balcony, too. I love being able to have fresh air at will without having to go into a public area!

[Toto2Kansas]

Although I am balcony addicted, I have to admit, for Alaska, I would have taken the credit and downgraded. The biggest price mistake we have ever made was paying for a balcony in Alaska. I think we might have used in twice for a few minutes. The beginning of June, you could get lucky with the weather, but my guess it will still be quite cold up North. It was just wayyyyyyy too cold out there for either of us.

So, I would have to take the hubbys side for this one.

 

Now, if it would have been the Caribbean, that would have been another story.

[Colo Cruiser]

That is a tuff one, I think I would have stayed with the balcony too. :)

[jacksan1]

So long as any unremaining portion of the onboard credit were disbursible as cash in the end, I would take the downgrade. We never spend $1,400 or anywhere near it on board, and we would have used the cash disbursement to set up another cruise.

 

But everyone is different!

[silvercruiser]

We downgraded from balconey to inside on14-day cruise and were refunded $3600. Too good to turn down and it was just the Caribbean, where we've been lots of times.

[firefly333]

I heard lots of folks at the bridge tables say they got that call on my cruise back in late January, they didnt say which particular cabins they needed, seemed to have called a lot of people though. They offered them a free cruise in March plus a future cruise credit for not going. At least you were offered to still go plus the credit.

[willysgrandma]

I would have jumped at downgrading - I am cold all the time and doubt I would have spent any time on my balcony in Alaska.

[YoPhilly]

I'd downgrade and take the credits, given the high price of shore excursions on Alaska cruises. We were up on deck all day, listening to the naturalist.

[NthernLgts]

I would have taken the credit in a heartbeat.

[vacation fool]

Having been on an Alaskan cruise-I am glad u kept the balcony. The day we went to the glacier, everyone was fighting for space on deck, and being of short stature could not see over peoples heads. We said to eachother what are we doing out here? It was also freezing that day in august. We proceeded to go back to our balcony room and sat there getting the greatest private view! When we got cold, we went in to warm up. We even ordered hot cocoa from room service and sat out on the balcony drinking it. Got great pictures that day. I know $1400 is alot of money but like that commerical says some things are just "priceless". Enjoy your balcony!

[Druke I]

As one who does not think a balcony is a necessity, I would have taken the oceanview and OBC credit.

 

Don't misunderstand me - I do like balconies - I just don't think one is a necessity for me to enjoy the cruise.

[KAWS]

For me, it would have depended on how many sea days we had on our sailing. If it was just one I'd downgrade in a heartbeat. But if it was like our upcoming one that has 4 well it's a no brainer for me.

 

I've heard though that having a balcony for Alaskan cruises is well worth it; the views are to die for.