It's Official....

[Colo Cruiser]

I know this was mentioned a week or 2 ago, here is the release from the Princess website today......

 

 

News Article

 

8/26/2008

 

 

Princess Rewards Loyal Past Passengers with Additional Benefits

Wireless Internet, New Vacation Protection Plan and Exclusive Phone Line Now Available to Princess Captain's Circle Members

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 26, 2008) -- Widely recognized as one of the top passenger loyalty programs in the cruise industry, the Princess Captain's Circle is adding even more benefits for Platinum and Elite members. Frequent cruisers can now use their free Internet packages to access the ships' wireless Internet networks, they'll receive a complimentary upgrade to Platinum-level coverage when purchasing the new Princess Vacation Protection plan, and they have an exclusive new phone number to reach the "Circle Desk."

The new Platinum- and Elite-level benefits, for passengers having taken at least six and 16 cruises, respectively, include:

Wireless Internet Access -- Members can now choose to use their free Internet package minutes on their personal laptops in wireless hot spots, or in the Internet Cafés. This generous benefit rewards guests with a credit of $75 to $400 per person towards Internet use, depending on cruise length. Wireless connections are currently available on all ships in various locations, and this new member benefit will be available fleetwide by winter 2008.

Exclusive Phone Number -- Members will have their calls directly routed to the Circle Desk through an exclusive phone number expressly for the line's most loyal cruisers. Calls to the new number will be quickly referred to a membership representative so passengers can easily check on their cruise history, member status and benefits.

Princess Vacation Protection Upgrade -- Beginning with summer 2009 voyages, the line is introducing a new Princess Vacation Protection program that replaces Princess Travel Care and features additional benefits. For North American Platinum and Elite Circle members, Princess will provide a complimentary upgrade to the higher level Princess Platinum Vacation Protection, offering members more coverage than ever before including a 100 percent "cancel for any reason" benefit.

The Princess Captain's Circle offers an extensive array of loyalty benefits. Among the many other perks available to repeat cruisers are exclusive Launch Savings discounts for early booking, a free mini-bar set up, free laundry services, priority tender embarkation, complimentary wine tasting, a boutiques discount, preferred embarkation and disembarkation, a Referral Rewards program and last-minute sailing opportunities. For more information about the Princess Captain's Circle, visit the Circle Center here, and click on "Member Benefits."

[ssbeagle]

Princess does know how to take care of past passengers. Compared to RCL, Princess Captain's Circle program cannot be beat.

[NCP]

Thank you for the information ;)

[Pam in CA]

Thanks for the info. In reality, the only "new" thing is the phone # to call. Platinum/Elite have had the Internet (including wireless where it's been upgraded on some ships) and the insurance upgrade.

[ECCruise]

Anyone have any idea where the "$75 to $400" credit for usage comes from? The website says:

 

$75 for voyages of 7 days or less (equivalent to 150 minute package)

$100 for voyages of 8-20 days (equivalent to 250 minute package)

$200 for voyages of 21 or more days (equivalent to two 250 minute packages)

[Pam in CA]

Anyone have any idea where the "$75 to $400" credit for usage comes from? The website says:

 

$75 for voyages of 7 days or less (equivalent to 150 minute package)

$100 for voyages of 8-20 days (equivalent to 250 minute package)

$200 for voyages of 21 or more days (equivalent to two 250 minute packages)

Perhaps the world cruises?

[ECCruise]

Perhaps the world cruises?

 

That may be it. I'm on hold with the CC now...

[SnorkelMoose]

...too bad I'm only a Gold member...:p

[coiran]

Thanks for the info. In reality, the only "new" thing is the phone # to call. Platinum/Elite have had the Internet (including wireless where it's been upgraded on some ships) and the insurance upgrade.

 

The insurance upgrade is "new" in the fact that the new "platinum" level includes 100% refund for no reason whereas the old Gold was 90% for platinum and elite.

 

Ron

[ECCruise]

Anyone have any idea where the "$75 to $400" credit for usage comes from? The website says:

 

$75 for voyages of 7 days or less (equivalent to 150 minute package)

$100 for voyages of 8-20 days (equivalent to 250 minute package)

$200 for voyages of 21 or more days (equivalent to two 250 minute packages)

 

CC not sure what is right, the press release, the web site or something else. They are checking and will update one or the other.

[Solara]

Thanks for the info. In reality, the only "new" thing is the phone # to call.

Where do we get this phone number to call?

[Sandytoes]

True, but added an additional benefit -

a 100 percent "cancel for any reason" benefit.

 

Thanks for the info. In reality, the only "new" thing is the phone # to call. Platinum/Elite have had the Internet (including wireless where it's been upgraded on some ships) and the insurance upgrade.

[marvin]

Boy am I sorry that most of my cruises have been on Celebrity. I have been complaining to them for years about how terrible their loyalty program was and said that I would probably switch to Princess and as you can see below I have 2 booked on Princess, 1 on RCL and only 1 on Celebrity and probably the last one. Celebrity's program is a joke and their last "improvement" was more of an insult than anything else.

[paul929207]

We were on the Tahitian Princess a couple of weeks ago. The platinum/elite internet award could be used on both the internet cafe computers and a personal laptop and you could switch back and forth with no problem.

[BigTimeCruiser]

Where do we get this phone number to call?

You will need to call Princess so they can first verify your status. Once this is confirmed they will give you the new telephone number.

Curt:)

[Shogun]

HI Folks,

 

Wake up Princess, Brits make up more and more of your customer base, when are we going to get some thing.

 

yours Shogun

[Pam in CA]

The insurance upgrade is "new" in the fact that the new "platinum" level includes 100% refund for no reason whereas the old Gold was 90% for platinum and elite.

You're right but the concept of the upgrade is not new. :)

[ggprincess2004]

...too bad I'm only a Gold member...:p

 

Keep on cruising - the best is yet to come.:)

[MRS TIGGYWINKLE]

HI Folks,

 

Wake up Princess, Brits make up more and more of your customer base, when are we going to get some thing.

 

yours Shogun

 

I was thinking the same thing.....when are we Brits going to get some benefits???

[Solara]

You will need to call Princess so they can first verify your status. Once this is confirmed they will give you the new telephone number.

 

Curt:)

Thanks I'll call for the #. Been meaning to anyway to see if we received the Launch Savings for our Oct. 09 cruise.

[cruisePRN]

Really nice info. Thanks for posting. It beats RCL by a yard but I sail on both lines anyway favoring Princess more for the perks.:D

[Spender Nui]

If both my wife and myself are Elite do we each get:

 

Double bar setup?

 

Internet minutes?

[Colo Cruiser]

If both my wife and myself are Elite do we each get:

 

Double bar setup?

 

Internet minutes?

 

 

You both get the minutes but not a double bar setup. ;)

[YoPhilly]

Thanks I'll call for the #. Been meaning to anyway to see if we received the Launch Savings for our Oct. 09 cruise.

 

Oh, that's right.....I forgot to look into that Launch Savings. Where can I find details about it?

[Sandytoes]

Exclusive Phone Number -- Members will have their calls directly routed to the Circle Desk through an exclusive phone number expressly for the line's most loyal cruisers. Calls to the new number will be quickly referred to a membership representative so passengers can easily check on their cruise history, member status and benefits.

 

The cost for each call is $9.50 USD per minute.

Another money making opportunity. :rolleyes:

 

 

There's no doubt you pay handsomely for the convenience of staying in touch with home.

 

 

Princess will deliver emails directly to your cabin if the email is sent to a specific Princess email address.