Island Princess oversold for 7-16-07

[LisaH]

My TA just called and said Princess has oversold this cruise and they offered us big bucks to change but we are leaving this Thursday and it is not possible to change at this point. Our cruise is a 3 night land + 7 day Southbound to Vancouver. Currently we are in B503 and they were going to bump us to a Vista Suite as well. I guess they want the cabin pretty bad???

 

Their offer was August 13th NORTHBOUND. They would offer us $2099 onboard credit plus $100 per person to change any air arrangements. It is a nice offer but we used advantage miles and have things already scheduled to leave in two days so we could not change. And we did not want to do a northbound anyway.

 

Has anyone else gotten a call?

[photodoodle]

I have a hard time imagining how I could spend $2099 on board. Can you use it for excursions?

[Budget Queen]

A few years ago, I also had an offer to delay my Alaska trip on Princess by a week and did so, and got a free cruise and small cabin credit. No air involved.

 

Unfortunately, (and it didn't matter to me I missed it) I also got a free Caribbean cruise from Carnival, for not making the 9-12-01 sailing of the Spirit out of Vancouver.

[Budget Queen]

I have a hard time imagining how I could spend $2099 on board. Can you use it for excursions?

 

Yes, I would definately book all the flights I could manage. :) And probably help clean out the gift shop with the rest. :) This is a fantastic deal.

[LisaH]

I have a hard time imagining how I could spend $2099 on board. Can you use it for excursions?

 

I could spend it in 5 minutes in the on-board jewelry shop. I forgot to mention, any unused would be refunded to us. It could be used for anything...excursions, alcohol - I assume the casino but maybe not. Don't know.

[Minybear]

Hi Lisa

They want your cabin!! You better keep it :) I want reviews on how much you liked that cabin due to we are a deck above you on our 9/3 sailing.:) If only they would offer you a suite on the same sailing with the same OBC, but that was wishful thinking.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

Minybear

[Alaska05]

We're on the 7/23 sailing -- wonder what the status is for our sailing.

 

Last time I checked all cabin categories were waitlisted.

 

Don't know what I'd do if they offered me THAT opportunity.

[Krazy Kruizers]

This happens so often. The cruise lines sometimes don't realize that some people just can't change vacation time at the last minute.

 

Sounds like you got a great deal though.

[Cruisin Kay D]

I think I would have quickly accepted their offer -- suite, $2100, wow!!!!

[Griff4AU]

We're doing the Northbound on the Coral leaving the same day and haven't heard a thing.

 

From your note, you believe Southbound is better than Northbound? Why. I'm a Alaska newbie and I think I first read here that Northbound was preferred. Either way, I know we'll have a great time.

 

For what they offered (and I too burned points for our airfare), I think I would have tried to make the switch, if, and only if, the balcony on the Northbound leg was on the Starboard side.

[mbmadeline]

How do you know if a ship is full or waitlisted as you mentioned.... where do you look up those things? Just curious...

[debbieinva]

My daughter and I are on the Sun, going out the 15....princess offered us a little different deal.... wish I could take it!!! but my daughter has to be back at school...

[Coral]

This does happen often.

 

What you do not spend, you can cash out at the end of the cruise.

[Budget Queen]

We're doing the Northbound on the Coral leaving the same day and haven't heard a thing.

 

From your note, you believe Southbound is better than Northbound? Why. I'm a Alaska newbie and I think I first read here that Northbound was preferred. Either way, I know we'll have a great time.

 

For what they offered (and I too burned points for our airfare), I think I would have tried to make the switch, if, and only if, the balcony on the Northbound leg was on the Starboard side.

 

It isn't that "southbound is better", it's different. I have traveled both ways several times and do like south better. A significant reason for me is the daylight sailing of inside Vancouver Island, especally on Princess and HAL- they usually detour to Alert Bay which has very good chances of seeing orcas (I'll be there for 4 days in a week).

 

Actually with going to Glacer Bay and College Fjords- Port side is the side to get, and a must if you don't want to leave your cabin for the glacier sailings. There is otherwise scenery on both sides for most every where else.

[LisaH]

We're doing the Northbound on the Coral leaving the same day and haven't heard a thing.

 

From your note, you believe Southbound is better than Northbound? Why. I'm a Alaska newbie and I think I first read here that Northbound was preferred. Either way, I know we'll have a great time.

 

For what they offered (and I too burned points for our airfare), I think I would have tried to make the switch, if, and only if, the balcony on the Northbound leg was on the Starboard side.

 

Hi Griff...well I think the north vs south is personal preference. We wanted the relaxing cruise second and the shorter air ride coming home. And unfortunately my work schedule did not allow the change anyway. We are happy with our original decision. Even if work did allow, we did not want to do the northbound. That is why it is good that there is something for everyone.

 

Have a great time on your trip!!!

[terryjo]

It isn't that "southbound is better", it's different. I have traveled both ways several times and do like south better. A significant reason for me is the daylight sailing of inside Vancouver Island, especally on Princess and HAL- they usually detour to Alert Bay which has very good chances of seeing orcas (I'll be there for 4 days in a week).

 

Actually with going to Glacer Bay and College Fjords- Port side is the side to get, and a must if you don't want to leave your cabin for the glacier sailings. There is otherwise scenery on both sides for most every where else.

Maybe you can tell me... We booked the Princess northbound Vancouver to Whittier (rather than RT from Seattle) especially for the more scenic route they take on the way up. I am expecting they will be east of Queen Charlotte Island rather than on the west side as when leaving from Seattle. I understand that we won't see much the day we leave. But will be past the scenic parts of the island the second day of sailing? Did my big plan miss the mark?

[Budget Queen]

Maybe you can tell me... We booked the Princess northbound Vancouver to Whittier (rather than RT from Seattle) especially for the more scenic route they take on the way up. I am expecting they will be east of Queen Charlotte Island rather than on the west side as when leaving from Seattle. I understand that we won't see much the day we leave. But will be past the scenic parts of the island the second day of sailing? Did my big plan miss the mark?

 

Sorry, yes, I have been on northbound sailings where by morning they were past the Queen Charlottes. You actually will see the most after leaving Vancouver, all scenic sailing. AND usually no one out looking 15 min. past the Lion's Gate. I am ALWAYS up about 30 minutes prior to the posted dawn time and usually get a last look at Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlottes. It's extremely rare I see anyone and you are past a lot if not all of the scenery by mid morning. Then depending on the ship's "routing of the day", you will be various distances from BC.

[pushing50]

It isn't that "southbound is better", it's different. I have traveled both ways several times and do like south better. A significant reason for me is the daylight sailing of inside Vancouver Island, especally on Princess and HAL- they usually detour to Alert Bay which has very good chances of seeing orcas (I'll be there for 4 days in a week).

 

Actually with going to Glacer Bay and College Fjords- Port side is the side to get, and a must if you don't want to leave your cabin for the glacier sailings. There is otherwise scenery on both sides for most every where else.

 

Interesting! I only look for NB cruises, maybe I'll rethink that for next time. Like they say, you learn something new every day.

[Meditrina]

We were originally scheduled to sail on the 7/9 Island Princess from Vancouver to Whittier. We received (and accepted) an offer from Princess on 7/5 to switch to the Coral Princess sailing on 7/30. We had two cabins booked, and they upgraded both of them (one from an interior cabin to a balcony, and the other from a balcony to a mini suite). Both with significant on board credits. The only drawback was that we had to move from our balcony on the starboard side to a balcony mini suite on the baja deck, port side - we're hoping that we aren't disappointed with the views from the balcony. Our 3 kids still have a balcony on the starboard side, but on the Caribe deck.

[cjnky]

Actually with going to Glacer Bay and College Fjords- Port side is the side to get, and a must if you don't want to leave your cabin for the glacier sailings. There is otherwise scenery on both sides for most every where else

 

Had you seen Budget Queen's advice? Why are you disappointed by being changed to a port side ? I booked early in order to GET a port side! :)

[Meditrina]

My understanding was that on the Northbound cruise (which is what we are on) the Starboard side is best for viewing. I think that BudgetQueen was referring to a Southbound sailing. We end up with balconies on both sides though - kids starboard, adults port - so either way we win!

[hotmike98]

On Northbound, starboard is best for first two days, port is best for glacier bay and college fjords, but there is plenty to see all around.

 

We were booked on NB Island Princess on 7/9 and they offered to upgrade the inside cabin and refund the full fare (excluding port fees and taxes) and refund $3000 on our mini-suite. We couldn't do 7/30, so accepted the deal for the 7/7 Diamond northbound. The cruise was great, but the very last minute change created many, many problems--you can read my sad song on the Princess thread (Four Chapters) under the title "Upgrades, downgrades, and barely passing grades" don't know how to do the link. Anyway, looks like there was a lot of overbooking.