deb63

On 3/19/2023 at 10:50 AM, 1965 said:

Departure date is June 8, 2024, around the British Isles, on the Regal. It's over a year out, so too early, but just curious when the excursions will begin showing. Under each port it says "excursions not available at this time" or something like that. Thanks for the info. 😊

I came and searched for this exact question.   We are doing the same cruise, but not until August 2024.   The Military Tattoo is a bucket list item for me - and I've read it sells out fast.   So, I keep checking.

Good luck!!

7 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

And there lies the root cause!  You booked with a TA.  Actually @PacnGoNow suggested that just a couple posts back.  So...no, you will not see that drop-down.  You will have to go through your TA.  Sorry for trying to lead you astray!

You didn't lead me astray.  🙂   

I have not booked yet.   I was doing mock bookings online, myself directly on Princess's website - to get a budget put together for my traveling partner.   

I appreciate the suggestions though, as taking the coach at Victoria seemed the easiest option as the hotel I want is close to it.   So - perhaps my TA can book it. . . or perhaps my options will change once it is booked.    Regardless, it gives me hope.  Worst case, I arrange it myself.   

So thank you again.

47 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Double check to see if there is a drop-down selector next to the airport transfer...it's easy to miss if you've never done it.

11 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

See post #34 for an image

Thank you.   I went back and looked, and it doesn't look like that.   No drop down for me.

If I try to book 2023 (exact same cruise, ship, etc) it gives me 3 stand alone options with a "bubble" to select, no drop downs.   The first screen print is for 2023, the second for 2024.

With all the tips, etc. on this thread regarding transfers, I wondered if anyone knew if perhaps the transfers are added later.    I'll have the TA ask about them when she books us.

Thank you for taking the time to answer, share, etc.    

On 1/2/2023 at 7:33 AM, Coral said:

There is a central London location (Victoria Coach Station) that one can book transfers to and from the pier on embarkation/disembarkation days only.

 

Not sure about Rome.

 

Contact whoever you booked with and they will set up the transfers.

On 1/2/2023 at 10:14 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

Yes...we use this one very often!  We stay literally right around the corner from the Coach station.

We were planning to do this.   Stay at a hotel near the Coach Station.  But, when I do a mock booking to get a pricing idea - it only lists transfers from the airport.   No Victoria Coach Station option listed.    It was an option when I played with 2023, but not for 2024.

Do you know if that option appears later?   Or if my TA can ask for it specifically?

Thank you in advance.

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23 minutes ago, Crow9 said:

@Italy52 the lower prices are back!  Quick check princess website.

Thank you!

I just redid a mock booking and the price was much better.

24 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

Don't know if this answers your question but if you select 'Inside' there should be an option to upgrade to Obstructed Balcony.

Thank you.

I did see where you could select the obstructed view balcony.    Not where you could select a package to go with that selection though.    Just seems odd, as i could with every other stateroom type.    Didn’t know if that was normal.   

Just now, dog said:

If you book an obstructed balcony you can add the plus package on the Personalizer.

I guess I didn't make it that far- still debated the increased price.  But this is very good to know.  I was just surprised it wasn't an option like the other staterooms.     Thank you.

I am on the fence, came here to read how other's with more experience w/Princess felt about the offerings today.    I had been waiting for the Europe 2024 to open up, as I wanted the British Isle itinerary where we can  see the Military Tattoo and get off in LeHavre, and don't see it on any other cruise line.   I expected the fares to be higher than 2023, but not this much higher.   

Also, the cruise package options appear for interior rooms, balconies, mini-suites and suites.   But, not for the obstructed view balconies.   

It would be my first Princess Cruise - so I don't know if this is normal or a glitch.   

I have never cruised with Princess before.   We were suppose to back in 2014 - but my daughter broke her leg and had to have surgery 2 days before we were suppose to get on the plane for London.   

Anyhow.  We are looking at doing Europe 2024 - the same cruise we had booked back then.    So, I appreciate the itinerary, etc. as well as the observation that they generally start high, and (hopefully) have a sale later.

Is the process to "re-fare" the cruise an easy one?    So, you can snag the cabin you want at the higher price, and then reduce the cost later?   

Thank you for any information you can share with a Princess new-be.   I want Princess as they were the only ones I saw that had an itinerary where we could see the Mililtary Tattoo, and get off the ship in LeHavre to have some time in Paris before flying home.

I am watching for this myself.   There is a thread on here with information.   People are sharing it should be December 13/14th.    

4 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

We loved the hotel. It is small and the staff were so warm and friendly. We really enjoyed the historic vibe and the great pub. However, no air conditioning. It was warm while we were there and it was fine for us. The window opened and let in a nice breeze and the provided us with a fan for the room. So we didn't mind, but if a/c is a must for you, you might need to look elsewhere.

Thank you so much for the information.   I will have to check with my daughter and see.   An open window and fan would work for me, I'm not sure for her.    

31 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

We took hundreds of photos but I will share a few of my favorites from each place. First, London and Windsor:

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing.   I had not heard of The Mad Hatter before, I was looking at hotels closer to the Victoria Coach Station.   But have to say I LOVE how it looks, the history behind it, etc.    Can you tell me if the rooms had a/c in them?   

We were suppose to go on this cruise in 2014 - when my daughter broke her leg and required surgery 2 days before we were suppose to get on the plane to London.  So we ended up cancelling. . .I am just now getting around to replanning it.   Loving your report/pics.   

4 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

I'm sorry that your daughter lost her job and so sorry your grandson has cancer.  Prayers for you and your family that recovery is quick.  Happy birthday to you and I'm glad Carnival took care of your monies in a timely fashion🙂

Thank you for the prayers.    My grandson is doing well.   While I wish he didn't have to go through this, the type of cancer he has does have a very high survival rate.  The timing of the refund was good, it will help them a lot.

3 hours ago, laumicmah said:

Today is my birthday too!

Happy Birthday... fellow 7/17-er. 

 

My HAL cruise was cancelled on March 30. I got steak house and excursion money back (about 45 days out) but not our deposits or travel insurance yet. Booked via Xpedia. Ugghhhh. Maybe it is today. I have to go look....

Happy birthday to you too!!   Good luck with your refund.   

I posted before on this thread, but have an update to our scenario.

We had three cabins booked for a May 30, 2020 cruise.    Our cruise was cancelled 4/13th.    Just an FYI, I did book through a 3rd party.  A travel agent that I love, so would not book without.    Anyhow, I elected a full refund.   My adult daughter had lost her job due to the virus, and her son was diagnosed with a form of cancer.  So, the money was needed more than a future cruise.

I was called 4/21st by a Carnival cruise rep who tried to talk me into changing it to a FCC.   I explained about my daughter and grandson.   He told me he was entering the data for the refund, and I should have it within a month.

31 days from my cruise being cancelled I got back all the money for gifts/purchases (drink package, room decorations, OBC I purchased for my daughters stateroom).

35 days from my cruise being cancelled I got back all the money for excursions.

At 60 days after being cancelled I did call Carnival, just to make sure there wasn't a problem, since the cruise rep had said it would take a month.   they said my refund was in the "queue" and would pay out eventually.

Today, I got the rest of my money.   95 days after the cruise was cancelled I have been back paid in full.    Ironically, today is my birthday.  So, happy birthday to me.   🙂    

6 hours ago, Kansasbuckeye said:

Waiting . . . 95 days😡. There is no rhyme or reason to the refunds. 

I am not quite where you are.    I am at 86 days, no refund yet.    

17 hours ago, grandmarnnurse said:

After reading this, and others that have booked through a TA, I can honestly say that I am glad I do all my own booking. It has reinforced my belief that it’s better to have total control. 

I have to admit there are times I regret not having total control.   So, I totally respect and understand booking directly.    But I've had emergencies come up at the last minute, where the TA I use was very helpful, not to mention she has added to our experience, so I will continue to use her.    

In this specific case though, I believe the TA not the CCL rep that called me.    My charges, even though I used a TA were made directly to CCL, not to the travel agency.   And the agency did not file bankruptcy.   So, I'm not sure why the travel agency would be the slow down here.   But, when I asked the TA about what the CCL rep said, she was able to verify that my refund was in the CCL queue dated 4/24th, just like the CCL rep said it was.   She estimated at the rate the refunds were actually being "pushed" through, I should have it sometime in June.   I came here to see what other cruisers were experiencing, and it seems to line up.   So, here's hoping.

I came here specifically to see how refunds were going.   Glad to see they are trickling in.

Our cruise was suppose to leave May 30th.   When we received the email stating our cruise was cancelled, I filled out the form requesting a full refund.   Due to the virus my oldest daughter was now unemployed, and could use the $.    Then, I went straight on line and manually cancelled all excursions and miscellaneous purchases.   That was on April 13th.   About a week later a Carnival cruise consultant called me, verbally advising me that our cruise was cancelled and asked if I would like to apply those funds to a future cruise.   I told him I had already filled out he form requested a refund.   He started to try to sell me on reconsidering a future cruise, etc.   I let him know about my daughter's situation (single mother of two), and that right now she needed the money more than the cruise.  Not to mention that my grandson (who was going) is high risk - as he is on chemo.  So, I was not interested in rebooking any cruise at this time.    He told me he would put in the paperwork and try to rush through our refund.  Then he gave me his direct # if we need anything further.

On May 14th I got all our money back for things we purchased - bubbles, excursions, FTTF, room decorations, gifts, etc.   It was weird as I didn't see it at first but noticed my balance in my account had changed.  While they showed up on my two cards (one checking card/one credit) on May 14th, they were all dated April 14th.   But I did get all that back.  So at this point I'm only missing the actual cruise money, including port fees, etc - for three staterooms.

I called the cruise consultant and asked about the actual cruise money.   He told me that since I didn't book directly with Carnival, that it may take longer.   He claimed he could see my refund in their system, waiting for the TA to approve it - and that it was dated April 24th.   So I called my TA, who I do trust - I've worked with her for many years and she has helped in numerous ways.   She told me they are not in this loop, that as the charges/fees go directly from me to them (which is supported by how my card is charged) it isn't waiting on them, but that with the quantity of refunds being issued it may take a while for me to get it.  So I am still waiting.   We are almost at the 60 day mark from being cancelled.

So, as previously stated I am encouraged to read refunds are going out.    Going in cruise order makes sense, and I'm happy to wait my turn.   I just want to believe it is coming.   

I did complete the online check in, and was paid in full.

I didn't want to call Carnival, figuring they were overwhelmed already. . .and wasn't sure if it would just be a timing issue.   But, with our paid in full date getting closer I called this morning.  Turns out it is an issue with a price drop & the travel agent I booked through.    So she needs to fix something - but meanwhile we are shown as being paid in full, so not at risk of being cancelled for nonpayment.

I do appreciate everyone taking time to give advice, ideas, etc.   Thank you.

1 minute ago, Schoifmom said:

Even though it may say "paid in full," in reality, boarding passes are not available until your on-line check in is complete.

Thank you.  I will go back and run through everything again, see if perhaps I missed something or failed to save correctly.

3 minutes ago, amyotravel said:

I would just wait until after 3/31. Even though you paid, they typically have a lot of website glitches. There is plenty of time. Try printing after 3/31, and if there is still an issue, then contact them in April.

Thank you.    I guess as long as I have the email showing we are paid in full we shouldn't encounter any cancellation for non-payment type issues.

Thank you again.

I voted waiting until closer to canceling time. 

We moved our cruise from Christmas to May 30th as my grandson (who is going) was diagnosed with cancer after we booked.   His doctor recommended moving our cruise back to see how he handles the chemo.    Our cancel date is March 31st. . he goes back to the oncologist on the 24th.    If they are good with him going, we are going.   If not, we will be canceling.

We have never cruised with CCL before, so not sure if this is normal or not.    I did a search on boarding passes, but didn't find any posts mentioned this type of scenario.

 I did the online check in for our cruise.  It leaves 5/30th, final payment date is 3/31st.   When I went to print off our docs, for the boarding pass I get a message that says "Not available at this time, reservation must be paid in full to receive boarding pass."      We are paid in full, and have been for a few months now.    As I'm sure Carnival has their hands full right now, I didn't want to call if this is normal to see before the final payment due date or something like that.    

Thank you in advance to anyone that may have insight to share.

56 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

It is not, we have received a letter for us to share with our clients (we are ta’s).  It covers everyone, trust me.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to confirm.

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

The notification might be skewed that way, but the eligibility is uniform, no matter how you book, all treated equal. 

Thank you.   
 

I know it is too new to know for sure.    But the wording certainly didn’t make it sound exclusive to direct bookings.