Womble99

It has been a number of years since we have had a decent PCC, sadly I think covid has killed off customer service (well at least down under) At least it didn't kill off cruising!

It is a Xmas cruise and there is only ocean view or interior available, everything else already booked. However people do change their minds and cabins become available again as cancellations occur.

For something different we thought we would give wait listing a couple of cruises a go. Never tried it before so why not give it a go 🤷‍♂️ We booked onboard a couple of months ago while there was a promo running, sounded ok to be able to lock in a promo price and conditions and wait/hope a cabin becomes available. Well that is how it was explained to us at the time. Interesting part came today when I get a call from our PCC letting us know that our cruise has been cancelled due to him being unable to apply an FCD to it??? Odd, I explained to him that it never needed an FCD as it required a deposit paid on board by credit card at the time of wait listing? Confused response, followed with the standard I will have to chase that one up. But what he really wanted to talk to me about was that there is now a cabin available for a cruise we had wait listed that he can helpfully secure for us at the current sale prices today (only 25% more than we had originally booked on the wait list, bargain). Would we like to secure the cabin today? Umm why are we not being offered the cabin via the wait list? I was not able to get a straight answer out of that one, all I got was I will need to talk to my supervisor to see if the previous rates can be applied but I can guarantee the room today at the current sale price. Is this the normal behavior of Princess when dealing with customers on wait lists? Try to ignore the previous agreement and push for a more profitable sale? Or do we need to find a better PCC?

*Duplicate post

We have done a B2B this season on the Grand out of Melbourne, they have been putting on a free shuttle bus into Melbourne from the port on turn around days for the b2B passengers. Pretty handy and something that I haven't seen from Princess in Melbourne in previous years.

I guess you can also only reach stage 2 if you actually do testing..... Cease testing onboard and the number of voluntary admissions will never get you anywhere near that level. Seems to be a sound business model

All aboard time tomorrow is 6pm for continuing on passengers

Correct, the Adl, KI, Mlb leg that just finished on our cruise was no duty free. Had to wait until departing MLB for NZ for it to become available

We are doing this one, it has been on my wifes list for a while but the kids were never interested.

That is how we feel about cruising NZ and why we have a window suite this time. Real shame there isn't more of them on more ships ☹

Hope you feel better soon. We will be boarding tomorrow to join the adventure

Andrew's are normally pretty good so I would expect them to have it resolved soon

Wonder if anyone will be upgraded with the bid system? Thinking not as it seemed to be pretty full.

Nice, are you in this one for the remainder or is there more moves to come?

Correct, there is no change to your booking unless Princess accepts your bid.

No, read the T&C. If your bid is accepted your cabin is forfeit. If you do not pay for the upgrade, you may get your previous cabin back but Princess is not obliged to as you have agreed to give it up.

Lump Crab Risotto?? I can never understand, why make Crab Risotto sound so unappealing 🤷‍♂️

As I am sure everyone would have read the terms and conditions before placing a bid, so they will be aware of what they are committing themselves to. When it comes to winning a bid and not accepting as you are not happy with the location, they will be returned to another room in the category they had originally booked. As per the section of the T&C's below Release of original booked Stateroom: Upon PCL accepting the Bid and sending the Upgrade Booking Confirmation, PCL will secure the upgraded stateroom for the Guest and the Guest becomes legally bound to complete payment for the price stated in the Bid. The Guest’s original booked stateroom will be released and become available for booking by any person. If the Guest fails to pay for the upgraded stateroom, PCL does not guarantee it will return the Guest to their original booked stateroom. The guest will however be returned to their original booked stateroom category.

Lol been round this round a bout before..... lots of waiting involved. At least all the other times it was in foreign cities

The day in Melbourne can be filled in so many ways, we normally catch the tram into town then wander from there. This year the trip will not be as exciting as the DW is excited to go checkout the new Victoria Secret store that has opened 🙄oh well better than having to travel to the states I guess......

Having done several B2B turn around days in MLB with Princess over the years this is certainly the first time I have seen them provide anything like this. Have to say it is a welcome change 👍

Where does it ask you to email the photo in? The OP's post doesn't mention having to email anything? Given the current trend on data security I wouldn't be sending an image of my ID by insecure means to anyone, let alone letting someone store it unless it was an essential part of business (keeping in mind banks do not have any reason to keep your ID on file)

Keep in mind that even in Dec/Jan it can still be pretty cold in the Sounds 🥶

Speaking of prices going up, there has been plenty of discussion about the specialty restaurants going up. (supposedly another 14 Dec price rise) Could you let us know what they are currently at?

We loved Napier the last time we were there, pity it was a really short stop that time ☹️ This time we are planning just the City Drive & Aquarium in the morning, leaving plenty of time to explore again by foot after. Such an interesting little place.