Ruby Princess to Eastern Europe

[Luxxmi]

We are taking our first Princess cruise and are going on Ruby to the Greek Islands and have no idea about which cabin category to choose. My TA says that Princess has very few unobstruted Oceanview rooms and my best choice would be D category. What do you all think? Any particular cabin better than another in the D category?

 

Also, if the price drops b/t now and June, does Princess give back the difference?

 

thanks!

Ritah

[-Lew-]

I see that D category cabins are located on Deck 5 directly below the casino. Although I can't comment on the view, you might be concerned with noise from the casino.

 

If there is a price drop prior to your final payment, you can ask your TA to honor the lower price. It's something you will need to monitor yourself...it won't happen automatically.

 

Lew

[cherylandtk]

Having read all your posts on this question, I think your TA is simply trying to talk you into a higher priced cabin, unless you said something to her about needing a view. What did you say to your TA about the kind of cabin you want?

 

Princess will honor price drops up to final payment; most TA's will also honor those without any added fees, but some do not and some charge fees for any changes, including price drops. You would have to ask your TA about their policy.

[grandbanksguy]

We are taking our first Princess cruise and are going on Ruby to the Greek Islands and have no idea about which cabin category to choose. My TA says that Princess has very few unobstruted Oceanview rooms and my best choice would be D category. What do you all think? Any particular cabin better than another in the D category?

 

Also, if the price drops b/t now and June, does Princess give back the difference?

 

thanks!

Ritah

 

We always try to book a balcony stateroom on Caribe deck. It has the largest balcony and there are only staterooms on the decks above and below, so very quiet. We keep an eye on the pricing and generally wait for a deal where we can book a balcony for the same price as an oceanview or lesser category. We took a 12-day Grand Med cruise on the Ruby in Sept and waited for the price to drop from $3500 to $1800 PP for our balcony cabin before we booked. We always pick our stateroom and know the online price before going to our TA.

[cruisemom42]

We always try to book a balcony stateroom on Caribe deck. It has the largest balcony and there are only staterooms on the decks above and below, so very quiet. We keep an eye on the pricing and generally wait for a deal where we can book a balcony for the same price as an oceanview or lesser category. We took a 12-day Grand Med cruise on the Ruby in Sept and waited for the price to drop from $3500 to $1800 PP for our balcony cabin before we booked. We always pick our stateroom and know the online price before going to our TA.

 

Do you happen to remember about how far out it was when you got the price drop? I've booked on the June 10 Ruby Princess itinerary (Greek Isles) for an obstructed-view room because the prices are crazy (about $2200 for my category, balconies are almost $1,000 per person more at this point).

 

I keep checking the prices and hoping for a drop, but so far all I've seen is Princess raising the price of the unobstructed outside cabins for their "promotion" (e.g., if you book an unobstructed outside, you can upgrade to a balcony for the same price). What people don't realize is that the balcony price is still the same as it was before, they just raised the lower category price more....:rolleyes:

 

Anyway, I keep hoping......I really want a balcony cabin; just can't afford it at those prices.

[grandbanksguy]

Do you happen to remember about how far out it was when you got the price drop? I've booked on the June 10 Ruby Princess itinerary (Greek Isles) for an obstructed-view room because the prices are crazy (about $2200 for my category, balconies are almost $1,000 per person more at this point).

 

I keep checking the prices and hoping for a drop, but so far all I've seen is Princess raising the price of the unobstructed outside cabins for their "promotion" (e.g., if you book an unobstructed outside, you can upgrade to a balcony for the same price). What people don't realize is that the balcony price is still the same as it was before, they just raised the lower category price more....:rolleyes:

 

Anyway, I keep hoping......I really want a balcony cabin; just can't afford it at those prices.

 

We booked originally in April '08 for sailing Sept 1, 2009 using FCC's. Then when the price dropped in January '09, we cancelled and rebooked at the lower rate and got a better location on Caribe deck. Since we were using FCC's we could cancel and rebook at any time without penalty up to 75 days prior to sailing when the final payment was due.

[cruisemom42]

We booked originally in April '08 for sailing Sept 1, 2009 using FCC's. Then when the price dropped in January '09, we cancelled and rebooked at the lower rate and got a better location on Caribe deck. Since we were using FCC's we could cancel and rebook at any time without penalty up to 75 days prior to sailing when the final payment was due.

 

Thanks; I too am using FCCs, so I'll just keep watching and hope for some DOWNWARD movement on the prices.

[sunsetbeachgal]

CruiseMom,

 

Make sure when you check prices to go into princess.com and sign in using your Captains Circle number before checking prices. This will give you access to any sale prices for repeat cruisers. Lately the prices I have had quoted this way are less than those shown by the big on-line TA's. Good luck-we did the Greek Isles itin a few years ago and loved it, so much so that we are going back next year on the Ocean Princess. Can;t wait to try Princess small ship cruising!!

[grandbanksguy]

Thanks; I too am using FCCs, so I'll just keep watching and hope for some DOWNWARD movement on the prices.

 

Just checked on My Princess to see if there were any bargains out there. Oct 8, 2009 TA 16 day VCE – FLL on the Ruby: Oceanview/Balcony $1795, Mini Suite/Suite $2495. Very tempting.

[cruisemom42]

Just checked on My Princess to see if there were any bargains out there. Oct 8, 2009 TA 16 day VCE – FLL on the Ruby: Oceanview/Balcony $1795, Mini Suite/Suite $2495. Very tempting.

 

Yes, seems like the best deals are early or late in the season. Unfortunately, I'm limited by DS's schedule to cruising during the "high" season, so we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed.

[Luxxmi]

As a first time cruiser on Princess is there any way to get "special pricing"? Any sites I should be checking to see if there are promotions or price drops?

 

Also someone stated that there is some unobstructed view cabin promotion to a balcony cabin??? How does that work?

 

thanks much!

Ritah

[DrivesLikeMario]

Do you happen to remember about how far out it was when you got the price drop? I've booked on the June 10 Ruby Princess itinerary (Greek Isles) for an obstructed-view room because the prices are crazy (about $2200 for my category, balconies are almost $1,000 per person more at this point).

 

I keep checking the prices and hoping for a drop, but so far all I've seen is Princess raising the price of the unobstructed outside cabins for their "promotion" (e.g., if you book an unobstructed outside, you can upgrade to a balcony for the same price). What people don't realize is that the balcony price is still the same as it was before, they just raised the lower category price more....:rolleyes:

 

Anyway, I keep hoping......I really want a balcony cabin; just can't afford it at those prices.

 

Mom - hang in there. I was just talking to our Princess DM the other day and was advised that there will be price drops. They aren't promoting these crusies heavily yet, but will start in January and into February & March. Monitor it then and I betcha you'll see more reasonable prices. ;)

[cruisemom42]

Mom - hang in there. I was just talking to our Princess DM the other day and was advised that there will be price drops. They aren't promoting these crusies heavily yet, but will start in January and into February & March. Monitor it then and I betcha you'll see more reasonable prices. ;)

 

Yay!!! Thanks for that; I am feeling more hopeful now.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Yay!!! Thanks for that; I am feeling more hopeful now.

 

Sure! ;) I'm watching for our Med. sailing too!

[Luxxmi]

Oh I'm so happy to hear there might be some price drops!!! YEAH!!!! :) I will be watching! If anyone hears anything please post!

[Luxxmi]

I forgot to mention, I booked today, for a unobstructed OV cabin on Deck 5 as those were the only ones that did not have an obstucted view. I will pack some earplugs and hopefully I will be okay with whatever "noise" there may be.

 

Also a quick note--TA said that they were having a special $100/person deposit vs. the $1400 or so I would of had to put down if I waited until next week! And says it's 100% refundable without any fees if I decide to cancle. Can't beat that!!!

 

Thanks everyone!

Ritah

[Pia1913]

We are taking our first Princess cruise and are going on Ruby to the Greek Islands and have no idea about which cabin category to choose. My TA says that Princess has very few unobstruted Oceanview rooms and my best choice would be D category. What do you all think? Any particular cabin better than another in the D category?

 

Also, if the price drops b/t now and June, does Princess give back the difference?

 

thanks!

Ritah

 

You need a new TA who will tell you the truth. Are you on the June 10th sailing? If so, there are many partially obstructed cabins available. For instance:

 

catagory F - E - 228, 601 and 602

 

catagory FF - E - 415 and 417.

 

FF cat will not have lifeboat in front at all. F will, but you will get plenty of oceanview.

 

Now then, if you are on the June 22nd sailing then you have this:

 

catagory F - E - 610

 

catagory FF - E 414 and 419

 

Let us know what happens. There is no reason to take a D and being on Emerald deck is much better than being on Plaza.

[cruisemom42]

Yes, Princess has only a few rooms labeled as "unobstructed" but many of the partially obstructed rooms have a pretty clear view.

 

We are currently booked in E404; I agree Emerald deck is very pleasant. Would rather have a mini-suite on Emerald :eek: but not at the current prices!!

[grandbanksguy]

I forgot to mention, I booked today, for a unobstructed OV cabin on Deck 5 as those were the only ones that did not have an obstucted view. I will pack some earplugs and hopefully I will be okay with whatever "noise" there may be.

 

Also a quick note--TA said that they were having a special $100/person deposit vs. the $1400 or so I would of had to put down if I waited until next week! And says it's 100% refundable without any fees if I decide to cancle. Can't beat that!!!

 

Thanks everyone!

Ritah

 

If I might ask, why not a balcony stateroom? Balconies and oceanview staterooms are currently listed for the same price on princess.com

.

[cruisemom42]

Yes, sorry Luxxmi I see you asked about that earlier. If you look up this cruise on princess.com, you'll see that a balcony cabin is the same price as an unobstructed view room. So if you've truly booked an unobstructed view room, you could get a balcony for the same price. That is, if you are paying Princess's listed prices.

 

The reason I'm a little skeptical about this promotion is because I've been watching the prices on this cruise for months now. Princess did not lower the price for balcony rooms for this promotion, they raised the price for an unobstructed ocean view to the same cost as the balconies were already listed at.

[Luxxmi]

Actually my TA says we are part of a group booking and have a special price. He told me total with taxes and port charges $2460 per person vs. the $3140 price Princess has.

He said I can get E 228 ,207, or 208 for $2195 which I think is partially or mostly obstructed. If there are other available cabins that are better, please let me know which ones and I can ask him for the prices. I SO appreciate ALL the help!! Thank you, thank you!!!

What do you guys think I should book?

[Pia1913]

Actually my TA says we are part of a group booking and have a special price. He told me total with taxes and port charges $2460 per person vs. the $3140 price Princess has.

 

He said I can get E 228 ,207, or 208 for $2195 which I think is partially or mostly obstructed. If there are other available cabins that are better, please let me know which ones and I can ask him for the prices. I SO appreciate ALL the help!! Thank you, thank you!!!

 

What do you guys think I should book?

 

The Princess price is $2240 for cat F and just a little bit more for FF. Go back and look at my previous post where I listed the available cabins. 228 will give you plenty of ocean view even with partial obstruction. And, your TA should be giving you a substantial discount on the Princess price and throwing in some amenities too.

[Luxxmi]

I just got off the phone with him and he says that I can get cat F 601 or 602 for $2185 which is only a little less than $300 difference than the unobstructed view cabin on deck 5.

 

I don't want to be by elevators and stairs so I didn't pick 228. But if you are telling me that Princess pricing is $2240 for the F cat than I'm not really getting a great discount. What to do?? :confused:

[cherylandtk]

Book E632 or E633. Practically unobstructed for an obstructed price, both are open for your cruise, as is E219 (still good view, between lifeboats). Then keep an eye on prices up til final payment and if balconies come down enough switch to one of them.

[Luxxmi]

I just left him a message about those cabins and am waiting to hear back! They do look like a great find, thank you so much! I will be sure to keep my eyes out for price drops!

 

Now, I will need some advice about airfare to Rome/Venice....I had no idea prices were so high! I lowest I see is $1350 per person, OUCH! :eek:

A couple of years back we flew LAX to Rome for that price for the two of us, not EACH!