1gr8cruise

2 hours ago, simplelife said:

Optum site has Binax Now Ag in stock again. Bought two for $69 today, Free shipping.

We used the same tests for a Princess cruise last December, we both passed!  When you get the kits, download their app, very easy.  Tests were easy, logged on and we had a person monitor the test.  They exit the screen but leave a timer on, at 15 minutes someone else came on and asked us what the results were, I dont think they could actually see them.  Once they accept your response they submit your results in your app. also send you and email.  Very smooth process for both of us.  When were went to the terminal we just showed the app. with results......very easy, good luck!!!!

8 hours ago, trbarton said:

Interesting as I was on the Princess Chat yesterday & they gave me the following number 1-800-774-6237 but your phone number sounds better. What information did they want from you?

 

Tom😀

Tom, I called that number and all they wanted was booking number, sail date.  They reviewed my account and checked their notes for my booking.  If they dont have your documents you will need to send them again.

Wow, thank you for all the information regarding this subject!!  I called the 1-800-872-6779 Ext. 30317 number and was on hold for approx 4 minutes.  I was assisted by Rosie, she was wonderful!!!

I snail mailed (dumb) my proxy statement and letter requesting a credit back in the first week of October.  I cruise in December and had not seen my credit.  Rosie checked my records and they rec'd my letter on Oct. 30 and credited my account, she indicated it appears to have fallen off and she re-applied it !! I logged in after our call and it was there!!                                                                                           I want to share some information given to me by Rosie-  She said it is best to send the information via email.  They are all working from home and somebody goes in to the office to get the mail approx. 1 time per week.  The electronic records can be sent directly to the processors.  Currently they have 1,700 pieces of mail to go through and yes they are behind.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         (Sorry to the people that love our USPS. I should have known better when last March (2021) I received 3 Christmas cards that were post marked Dec. 4, 2020, in my opinion they are no longer dependable).  

8 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

No form necessary.  Just email a copy of your shareholder's statement with the account number blocked out to:

sbpcl@princesscruises.com

 

Include all your booking information ... your name, booking number, dates and ship for sailing 

 

It will be applied quickly, in my experience.  

Thank you! Much appreciated!

FYI, they did release a new version of the app on 9/22/21.  I was having problems with ordering medallion gear.  I had to uninstall my current app and install the new version.  Everything was still on file for my upcoming cruise, medallion order went through fine.....  I agree with previous post, you are not charged until they ship the order.  Make sure you were charged before spending a lot time on it!!!

I found out I had to update my Medallion App on my phone (new version was released 9/22/21).  Uninstall the current app and reinstall, it is a better version but still very slow to respond.  I ordered my medallions today.  I also made my dining reservations, they are staggering seating times (every 20 minutes) in all dining rooms.  You pick what dining room you want, private table or group seating, and the time.  You wont need to carry your phone the entire cruise, it is handy if you want to book an excursion or select dining reservation.                                                                                                                                                              

When I called Princess today they would not take my dining preference or help me with the medallions, I was told to install the new version of the app (was not impressed with that response).  If that doesnt work, call back.   

44 minutes ago, Linda said:

Getting out of shelter in place, booked 3 Princess cruises. It is time to send in my claim for OBC  as CCL stock holder for sailing on Nov 10. Used to have a very good TA. Now I am on my own!  Could any one kindly provide me with an address to send my proof of CCL shares to the proper department ? 

Wow, I just tried to do the same thing today.....I couldn't get any help on the phone.  Do you have to submit a form with the shares statement?  Or do I just send booking info. in the email?  Much appreciated. (I got an away message from my booking agent, no return date!)

I have a 7 day cruise booked, in my booking summary I dont see a reference to the Princess Plus package (drinks/wifi etc.) I purchased.  When I compare todays price for the same cruise it is approx. $350 more than what my cruise total was.  Is there anywhere in the booking information it will show the package?  I am wondering if my cruise planner properly booked my cruise.  Under the payments tab for my booking it shows my remaining balance, has an option to view the complete price breakdown, no mention of the package.  I booked several months ago.   Thanks in advance.  

Update.....I just went to book a new cruise using my FCC.  $885 more for the same cruise, same itin., same cabin category.  It is what it is....however that is a 27% increase from March 2020.....the frosting on the cake for me was when I went through the booking process,  they applied the FCC and showed the remaining balance.  I went to book it and they still want a $400 down payment??? The $2,100 credit they have had for over 1 year was not enough??....they want an additional $400 to hold on to for the next 10 months?  Come on, now that is cheap.........This is like dealing with a used car lot...        

On 4/11/2021 at 9:41 PM, dog said:

 

It was a Caribbean cruise on Sky Princess departing March 7/20, before Princess started offering Options 1 & 2. 
Princess did not cancel this cruise it sailed. 

Correct it sailed, I was told approx. 30-40% cancelled due to COVID concerns.    

On 4/11/2021 at 9:26 PM, trbarton said:

I assume you didn’t use a T/A. Wonder of they would have made any difference?

 

Tom🤔
 

 

I used a Princess cruise planner, She has given me incorrect information on a few other issues.  I will try my luck at booking a new cruise with someone else at Princess.

7 minutes ago, Coral said:

That is right - this applies to cruises after March 12th. There were some exceptions for Asian cruises for those who cancelled in February. I just couldn't tell when the OP cruise was.

Correct, our cruise was March 7, 2020 on Sky Princess.  We weren't on the original notice Princess sent out, it started March 9 or 10.  I rec'd an email March 6 allowing us to cancel, we were in our FLL hotel putting luggage tags on and I checked emails.  If you remember Princess had several ships stuck in international waters during this time period.  It was not a comforting feeling...The cruise did go off without a problem, when we cancelled I was told approx. 30-40% of passengers elected to take the FCC.  I was on the roll call for the cruise, looking forward to meeting good people!!!!    

13 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Unfortunately, Princess did not start this price protecting for the same cruise until recent Princess cancellations.

 

Last year's cancellations did not have this price protection option.

Thanks.

13 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

On the latest pause which I found out about Thursday Princess is price protecting to book the same cruise next year. I had a Japan Cruisetour Oct 2 and rebooked to Nov 7 at the same price. The news about this pause is on their web page.

Thank you very much, I will take a look.  My PVP has never mentioned it in the 3 times I have spoke to her about my FCC.

15 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

You're making it sound like a decision Princess intentionally made, which it may be. But it may also just be their computer pricing algorithm looking at the percentage of that type of cabin sold how many months in advance and making the price adjustments automatically, using the same algorithm they were using pre-Covid.  If the algorithm is good enough, it should still price cabins at the most advantageous price point for Princess even though these are anything but normal times.

Correct, not normal times.  Fuel prices will skyrocket the next few years, that does increase prices.  I did see lower prices a few months ago, not much lower.  From the sounds of it they are changing filtration systems on ships, extras expenses equal price increases.  And if you recall Princess probably had the most negative press coverage of most lines when COVID first broke, I believe there is fallout from that as well.  All these extra adjustments probably are the cause of higher fares.  I think they have most definitely adjusted the algorithm....  

3 hours ago, jp2746 said:

Lol... we had a cruise canceled by Princess and because we were at the cruise port and were waiting, received our money back (except for $120 which I have no idea why they kept and refuse to give back!).  We also received a credit for the amount we paid for the cruise.  Although it was awesome to get the free credit, the prices have gone up so much that it will cost more to go on the exact same cruise (same date, category, etc) after the cruise credit than it did without the credit in 2019!  So... I guess I either wait for the prices to come down or let the credit expire.  At least we got our money back.

They have gone up quite a bit.  We have cruises booked with other lines and those prices have not increased anywhere close to what Princess has.  I don't wan't to leave $2,400 on the table so I will have to spend an extra $700-1000 to use it I guess.  In the end we will have a great vacation either way.      

3 hours ago, waltd said:

I agree.   A significant increase.  The cruise lines are going to try and get back all that credit that us crazy people have burning a hole in our pockets.   I also have a cruise booked for Dec. 1st 2021.   Keeping my fingers crossed that we sail and I can finally use our credits. 😀

Thanks and good luck!

15 hours ago, waltd said:

I'm sorry but I don't see why this is a big surprise.   The cruise lines have not made any money in over a year.   I think you are lucky you still have a credit available and I think we are lucky the cruise line has not gone out of business.    Everyone is eager to get cruising again so cabins are going to be in short supply and pricing is going up.  Supply and demand.   I would book the cruise  and reserve the space and hope there is a price reduction closer to the sail date or pick something else to use up your credit.   It's not going to get any better in the short term.

We plan to book something for Dec. 2021.  Cabins I have looked at have been available for months.  I dont think people are going to rush back to cruising, dedicated cruisers yes but not new cruisers.  I agree it probably wont get better on pricing.  Just felt it was a significant increase (24%).  

3 hours ago, martinitime1 said:

We are booked on the Celebrity Apex T/A 10/2021 out of Barcelona, that is if it does actually happen. They are currently selling the same Aqua class cabins we have booked for a whopping $2600.00 per person more than we booked it at.

That is crazy, I am sure some dedicated cruisers will pay it.

4 hours ago, iancal said:

I do not understand the issue.  Prices fluctuate with demand.

 

IF the price had decreased by  $800 would have have taken  that saving or would you have insisted Princess charge you what you previously paid?

 

That was then, this is NOW. 

Yes, prices fluctuate.....I have been on a lot of cruises, they typically don't fluctuate that much (even 10 years ago with fuel surcharges).  Previous poster pointed out they are not going to sail at full capacity.  That is probably the reason for the significant price increase.  

4 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Book a balcony instead of a mini. That should equal out the price difference.

That is probably what we will do, balcony deluxe.  It is not equal, still $350 more.  

5 hours ago, memoak said:

No surprises here. The are not booking 100% of cabins to allow for social distancing at this time. Big demand lower supply = higher prices

Thank you, I did not know they were not filling the ship to full capacity.

We cancelled our March 2020 Cruise due to COVID, this was voluntary on our part.  We did not have insurance, so Princess is holding $2,400 towards our next cruise to be booked by May 2022.  I have tried numerous times to get a full refund, no luck.  I am not upset about not getting a refund, we chose to cancel the night before a cruise based on an email Princess sent us (I knew the rules).  We knew we would have to book a cruise to use the credit.  My problem is the same ship, same itinerary, same cabin category, same time of the year is now $798 more than what we had orig. booked.  I think they have raised prices significantly to make up for COVID.  I have booked other cruises with other lines for the upcoming two years, I am not seeing an increase of more than $100 for a similar cruise.  

I called Princess and tried to get someone to understand my situation, I was basically told "too bad, you must have got a great deal on the orig. booking".  I told them if you were within a few hundred dollars I would have no issue, but $798 come on.  Before you ask, it was the exact same package, (we dont get the drink package, Wifi etc.).  Any comments or recommendations are appreciated.   Thank you!!!  (we had a mini-suite, Sky Princess- eastern itin.)  Very dissatisfied with Princess.       

8 hours ago, voljeep said:

definitely a favorite of ours, too

Great people at Jacks.  Wife and I were the first ones there one day, we sat there and had a few beers, we tried to pay, Janet (Jack's wife) said just tell us at the end of the day what you had......About an hour in to our visit a young couple came up and the girl wanted a blender drink, Janet looked at the young lady and said I am sorry but I dont start the blender until 10am, its too loud!!!! Girl got upset and left....Janet said "Oh well, my bar, my rules".....funny.

If you were familiar with Topher, their dog that would dig crabs out of the sand and toss them, he recently passed away.

1 minute ago, twodaywonder said:

Many complain about the buffets. Happens at ALL buffets. Not just on ships. What happens behind the scenes at the MDR?  You do not know. Could be much worse because they know you cannot see them. It just happens.

I agree......however, I do believe the kitchen staff has standards for handling food, unlike passengers!!!!  If the cruise line didn't have standards and people were constantly getting sick they wouldn't stay in business.  Yes, probably best we dont know what goes on in all restaurant kitchens!!!! Some of the best food out there comes from little dive restaurants.  Go to Jack's Shack in Grand Turk, try the jerk chicken.......cut up on an old wood board, old rusty knife....but damn tasty!!!  😁