*I will post this on multiple boards, please excuse the duplicate post*

[Tess2mommies]

*I will post this on multiple boards, please excuse the duplicate post*

My name is Malaisha (Malaysia) and I am booked on the Dec 19, 2004 Golden Princess Southern Caribbean Explorer.

My partner and I booked online through cruise direct and booked a category FF stateroom. That particular category was advertised at partial obstruction, which we were happy with.

We recently received out 2005 princess brochure and realized that FF was a full obstruction. I called princess to confirm this and they said it was indeed a full obstruction.

 

Had cruise direct informed us of this, we would have booked a higher category, that was mid ship, or possibly even deal with category E in the aft and hope that I didn't get sick.

Nonetheless, I called cruise direct and informed them that my category is a full obstruction and not a partial as they previously stated, they called and confirmed this.

They said they would work on something and get back to me... I called the next day, dealt with a rude agent, not important though. She said she put me in the computer with princess for a complimentary upgrade, but their isn't a lot of availability on this cruise. Today I talked to the lady, she mentioned she put me in the system for a complimentary upgrade and that was pretty much the end of it.

She didn't offer me any ship board credit, she didn't even try to upgrade me to a better cabin. :mad: They had category D available this morning, as well as E and EE when I first contacted them about this issue. In my opinion they could've easily given me a better room, since it was their mistake. Because as I said, if they had mentioned it was a full obstruction, We would have paid for a better room. But, she said it was too expensive to put me in a different from and if I wanted to upgrade I would have to pay an extra $500 per person for a D stateroom. That's not even a balcony and the only D's available is on the plaza deck next to the pool, no way will I pay that, and it's their fault!

The lady then mentioned they would be launching a promotion soon, for a 3 day cruise, and she could offer me that. Not sure if she meant discount or free, whatever the case, I was too fed up to really listen and informed her I would get back to her. I don't want some 3 day cruise anyway, I would have to fly from San Francisco to Florida and for 3 days in my opinion, that is not worth it.

This is my first cruise and I'm very disappointed on the way things are getting worked out. I dealt with the PC dining, when they said I was getting traditional but to get a full obstruction when I was under the impression I was getting a partial, just ticks me off. The difference may not be big to you, but to me that is significant.

I know a cabin can't break a cruise (or so I've heard) but it can definitely make one!

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for me to deal with the situation? Would me calling princess direct help me at all? I look forward to your tips.

[elladog]

Malaisha,

Definitely call Princess direct, Malaisha. (Better still, fax or email them if you can). Be calm but firm ! They (through their agent) have not delivered what you paid for/booked. Good luck !

[FrankenLouis]

*I will post this on multiple boards, please excuse the duplicate post*

 

My name is Malaisha (Malaysia) and I am booked on the Dec 19, 2004 Golden Princess Southern Caribbean Explorer.

 

My partner and I booked online through cruise direct and booked a category FF stateroom. That particular category was advertised at partial obstruction, which we were happy with.

 

We recently received out 2005 princess brochure and realized that FF was a full obstruction. I called princess to confirm this and they said it was indeed a full obstruction.

 

Had cruise direct informed us of this, we would have booked a higher category, that was mid ship, or possibly even deal with category E in the aft and hope that I didn't get sick.

 

Nonetheless, I called cruise direct and informed them that my category is a full obstruction and not a partial as they previously stated, they called and confirmed this.

 

They said they would work on something and get back to me... I called the next day, dealt with a rude agent, not important though. She said she put me in the computer with princess for a complimentary upgrade, but their isn't a lot of availability on this cruise. Today I talked to the lady, she mentioned she put me in the system for a complimentary upgrade and that was pretty much the end of it.

 

She didn't offer me any ship board credit, she didn't even try to upgrade me to a better cabin. :mad: They had category D available this morning, as well as E and EE when I first contacted them about this issue. In my opinion they could've easily given me a better room, since it was their mistake. Because as I said, if they had mentioned it was a full obstruction, We would have paid for a better room. But, she said it was too expensive to put me in a different from and if I wanted to upgrade I would have to pay an extra $500 per person for a D stateroom. That's not even a balcony and the only D's available is on the plaza deck next to the pool, no way will I pay that, and it's their fault!

 

The lady then mentioned they would be launching a promotion soon, for a 3 day cruise, and she could offer me that. Not sure if she meant discount or free, whatever the case, I was too fed up to really listen and informed her I would get back to her. I don't want some 3 day cruise anyway, I would have to fly from San Francisco to Florida and for 3 days in my opinion, that is not worth it.

 

This is my first cruise and I'm very disappointed on the way things are getting worked out. I dealt with the PC dining, when they said I was getting traditional but to get a full obstruction when I was under the impression I was getting a partial, just ticks me off. The difference may not be big to you, but to me that is significant.

 

 

I know a cabin can't break a cruise (or so I've heard) but it can definitely make one!

 

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for me to deal with the situation? Would me calling princess direct help me at all? I look forward to your tips.

Hello...

 

This sounds like one of those " your word against theirs type situations. ( the agents). Is it in some form of writting from the agents brochure about the error for this cabin? If so then you might have a case. If it is just that you called and someone at the office gave you bad information I do not see where you can do much about that. I agree that it was not good, but they can always say they never told you that. I am sure if you call Princess they will send you back to the agent, but you can always try.

 

good luck... If it helps at all I too have been on another Princess Ship with oone of those fully obstructed view cabins and I was surprised it was not as bad as I thought it would be. ;)

[nitnyleo]

You stated you would have been willing to pay more for another/better cabin.

Your TA is willing to give you a "better" cabin if you pay more.

What's the problem?

 

Besides, you're on an upgrade list....what do you want?...a free cruise?

[Tess2mommies]

Frakenlouis,

 

The website showed it advertised as a partial, in addition to that, we have emails with out confirmation number stating that it was a partial, so we have documented proof and they realize it was their error.

 

Nitnyleo,

 

First of all, it's not worth paying $500 to upgrade to the next room, which by the way is no longer available but if I'd known my room was a full obstruction, I would have paid the extra 10-30 to get a better cabin. If someone is told they are all partials between this letter and that, you pick for ship location right? right!

 

No, I don't want a free cruise, but I deserve more than what they are offering.

 

In addition the whole world is on the "upgrade list" so what difference does that make?

 

Did you even bother reading my entire post.

 

Here's a tip, if you can't say anything nice, try not saying anything at all!

 

Never did I say I wanted a free cruise, I did however say that I should get something for their mistake.

[mcboo]

Malaisha,

You need to spell out EXACTLY what you want from the agency you booked through. They did make a mistake and they need to correct it. They can not read your mind and are probably hoping the problem will go away.

If you tell them what you want it only solidifies your case.

You state that the agent said it would be too expensive to put you in a better cabin. That is an unacceptable answer. Why are you still dealing with the travel agents you need to be dealing with someone in a managerial position at this point and try to do everything in writing. The commission that the agency is making on this booking should be fairly close to covering the upgrade you are seeking. Maybe the agency will learn a lesson from this when it hits there pocketbook.

Just my opinion.

mcboo

[canuckcruiser68]

hi,

I'm very sorry to hear about the problems that you have encountered. It is always best when booking a cruise to have the cruiseline brochure in front of you so that you can be looking at the cabin that they are booking you into. A good TA will do that WITH you, not FOR you. What are this company's cancellation policies? If you are not into the penalty period from the cruiseline and this company doesn't have any penalties them self then your best bet would be to find a GOOD TA and put a new cabin on option, then have your other booking cancelled. Just be upfront with a new TA and tell them the problems you have encountered. A good TA will go out of their way for you.

Good Luck

Alicia

[Tess2mommies]

Thanks for the advice McBoo, we will do that Monday.

[MILEMRKR63]

I have stayed in an FF obstructed on the Golden Princess (booked last minute). I was pleasantly suprised that the view was not bad at all.

 

I have to say that I did not let it hinder my vacation since I spent most of the time out and about the ship and at night when I went into the cabin and I looked out the window, the ocean view I had was pitch black.

 

please don't let it ruin your trip. your going to love the cruise.