End of Coffee Card as we know it!

[goose30]

Much ado about nothing but for some people about something.

 

There are several choices here.

1 Change your choice of cruise line

2 start a class action suit (I am shocked that no one said this before)

3 Get over it and go with the flow.

 

For me its number 3 and I have several uncompleted cards

 

Just saying!

[Doug R.]

This will be acceptable to us since we only use the coffee cards to get specialty coffee. However, if they even refuse to let us use punches to get specialty coffee, I will definitely make a scene right there at IC.

 

The only good that will do you is possibly get you escorted off the ship unceremoniously and without recourse at the next port. It is not like the baristas you are ranting at had anything to do with it.

[betterthanworking]

Isn't it strange we have not heard back from the OP. He is probably reading all this and laughing at the confrontation he has started wuth his possible phony post.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Isn't it strange we have not heard back from the OP. He is probably reading all this and laughing at the confrontation he has started wuth his possible phony post.

 

They are probably still on their cruise and having fun!

 

Not strange at all that they haven't come back on. They took the time to post something that they were told while still cruising. Not quite sure what makes you feel that this is not a real posting. One of the regulars on here has cOnfirmd that changes are coming via the coffee cards.

[betterthanworking]

They are probably still on their cruise and having fun!

 

Not strange at all that they haven't come back on. They took the time to post something that they were told while still cruising. Not quite sure what makes you feel that this is not a real posting. One of the regulars on here has cOnfirmd that changes are coming via the coffee cards.

 

 

There were actually two regular posters who posted somewhat contradictory statements. Big Time Cruise and Loonbeam. So, who are we to believe. I am leaving for the Ruby in three weeks and will let everyoine know when I get back. I do not post or follow CC while on a cruise. I don't need that kind of stress when I am relaxing on a cruise.

[Host CJSKIDS]

There were actually two regular posters who posted somewhat contradictory statements. Big Time Cruise and Loonbeam. So, who are we to believe. I am leaving for the Ruby in three weeks and will let everyoine know when I get back. I do not post or follow CC while on a cruise. I don't need that kind of stress when I am relaxing on a cruise.

 

Big Time spoke to someone at the 800 princess who never seems to know what the heck is going on and Loonbeam spoke to someone higher so I would believe that information.

 

With all due respect, If going on cruise critic is so stressful, why bother?

[FawnRiver]

Much ado about nothing but for some people about something.

 

There are several choices here.

1 Change your choice of cruise line

2 start a class action suit (I am shocked that no one said this before)

3 Get over it and go with the flow.

 

For me its number 3 and I have several uncompleted cards

 

Just saying!

Re: item #2 - the only winner in that scenario is the lawyer crazy enough to take on that case. Its a jurisdictional nightmare, just for starters.

 

If only Princess would instead take the hint and provide decent coffee in the first place. DH uses his card more for the brewed coffee than for anything else.

[betterthanworking]

Big Time spoke to someone at the 800 princess who never seems to know what the heck is going on and Loonbeam spoke to someone higher so I would believe that information.

 

With all due respect, If going on cruise critic is so stressful, why bother?

 

 

And we know this to be FACT, HOW???

 

As I have mentioned in the past "All Princess ships are not created equal"!!

[Host CJSKIDS]

And we know this to be FACT, HOW???

 

Seriously, why are you getting so worked up that you have to "yell" at me?!

 

Read what I wrote, I said "what I would believe" not it's a fact.

 

Hope you get the resolution you are looking for with all of your coffee cards. Now, I'm off to enjoy my cup of coffee!

[betterthanworking]

Seriously, why are you getting so worked up that you have to "yell" at me?!

 

Read what I wrote, I said "what I would believe" not it's a fact.

 

Hope you get the resolution you are looking for with all of your coffee cards. Now, I'm off to enjoy my cup of coffee!

 

 

I give up. Enjoy your coffee, I am!!!

[loge23]

If this is so, it's really an unnecessary inconvenience to throw at your customers. You pay for the card: What difference does it make if you carry over a few unused stamps to your next cruise?? Don't they want you to return??

I see this type of mistake so often in business. Companies, in response to competitive threats - real or perceived - actually punish themselves and their customers with less customer service! It's amazing.

[Loonbeam]

As I noted, until I have permission to name the source in an official capacity, feel free to consider it hearsay. I personally trust the contact but no one else has to.

 

As I also noted, until there is a formal policy announcement from Princess, anything we think we know now can change.

 

The only thing I am reasonably sure of is that changes are coming, that was even discussed on a public shareholders call several months ago (there may be a transcript somewhere, I don't feel like looking)

 

And we know this to be FACT, HOW???

 

As I have mentioned in the past "All Princess ships are not created equal"!!

[Loonbeam]

There is, technically, an accounting reason, though in this case minor since they don't track individual transactions. If the cards don't expire, Princess has to carry a certain amount forward as a liability on their books to cover the unused portions out there, but in this case its probably a small estimated lump sum.

 

While we are thinking of financials, one thought on the concept of advance purchase and why it can be a bad idea. I understand why people buy things ahead of time to save costs somewhere down the road, but unless you get a really good deal on the purchase its not always to your benefit because of three things, predictive failure, sunk carrying cost and attrition/policy change.

 

Lets say you buy an extra card at full price now intending to use it on a 2013 cruise at $30 (round numbers make this easier). You purchase the card on a credit card, and you expect the card to increase $2 by then.

 

First, you have just lost at least $.60 on the deal because that $30 is no longer available to you for other uses. You could have put it in the bank at 1% or other places for even higher gains. Second, unless you pay the cc bill in full you are paying interest on the card purchase, lets just say another $.50. Finally, there is a small but realistic chance the card will be lost or destroyed, negating all value. If the card does go to $32, you only really saved $.90 to bear that risk.

 

Then, there's the problem of predictive price changes. If the card doesn't change in that time, you have lost money. Or, the issuer could change policy making the card less valuable overall (see the current thread). Other negatives include having to cancel the intended trip, thus pushing the time frame out, etc.

 

Of course, it still can work in your favor, if the price increase is higher than predicted, or if you use part of the card on first purchase to offset initial cost. But trust me, the math works in the companies favor on these deals if you buy full price, this is why they LOVE store specific gift cards!

 

On something like coffee cards, the amounts are negligible, but on things like Disney tickets, it can actually hurt. (BTW, the financially best model for disney tickets is to buy no expiration ones after a stay of 7 days or more out to the max. That's where the low cost per day really offsets the risk because you can use those days later to offset the higher costing early days of a stay. Buying tickets flat out to use later is not a good call)

 

If this is so, it's really an unnecessary inconvenience to throw at your customers. You pay for the card: What difference does it make if you carry over a few unused stamps to your next cruise?? Don't they want you to return??

I see this type of mistake so often in business. Companies, in response to competitive threats - real or perceived - actually punish themselves and their customers with less customer service! It's amazing.

[pablo222]

We are on the Golden and I was just getting a cup of coffee, when the server told me

my card would be no good after Jan, 2012.

 

I cannot imagine why this would happen. Certainly nothing I

have ever read on cruise critic would make me think that some

people are abusing the system.

 

At least now, we can focus on bragging about how many bottles/cases

of wine 'one' brings on board.

[Toto2Kansas]

I cannot imagine why this would happen. Certainly nothing I

have ever read on cruise critic would make me think that some

people are abusing the system.

 

At least now, we can focus on bragging about how many bottles/cases

of wine 'one' brings on board.

 

Don't say that too loudly, it may be the next thing to be changed.

[cherylandtk]

Here is my prediction:

Anyone with an old paper card, tattered or new, will be allowed to exchange it on their next cruise for a new card (with the same number of remaining punches) to be used on that cruise only, with an expiration date. Anyone with an armload of old paper cards may continue to use them up on however many future cruises; just convert them to new cards on future cruises as needed.

 

Thoughts on this:

One downside is that some people may not be able to use up all 15 punches from one old card on their next cruise and will lose some of that value. You can either be upset about it or find a way to use up the value. Drink more specialty coffee, or travel with friends/family who do or be generous and stand by the coffee bar on the last morning and give out free cappucino to the next few people who walk up. It's two bucks a punch, so not worth stressing over just a few punches, and you do have time to plan on how to use them.

 

Another downside, and one which the change is possibly designed to address, is that someone who does not drink specialty coffee uses their card to obtain brewed coffee, and never uses up any punches. I cannot imagine anyone in this category would have bought multiple coffee cards, but please post if you did. IF there will indeed be a 5 punch card and 10 punch card starting in 2012, then these people should plan on buying the 5 punch card, one on each future cruise. Or they should consider buying individual cups of brewed coffee instead of a punch card.

 

Now, does this 'plan' have anybody still upset and fuming? Or can you live with it?

[coops]

Cheryl,

 

I agree with you. Just want my punch card transferred to new card. Im sure they would not give anyone a hard time.

Dawn

[kruisey]

They let me have the 6 latte's that I have prepaid for and not drunk I will be a Happy Camper.

Think it a good idea to have smaller amount cards if one has to use on the same ship on a sort trip and only use once a day.

Thank goodness Princess is still giving us the choice to buy decent coffee.I don't know what to call the free stuff maybe its just me:rolleyes: , but it does not remind me of coffee at all!!!!!!!

[pablo222]

This will be acceptable to us since we only use the coffee cards to get specialty coffee. However, if they even refuse to let us use punches to get specialty coffee, I will definitely make a scene right there at IC.

 

Cool!

 

Code Sierra -- deck five midship, port side!

 

People here love to meet the senior officers -- you might

get to meet the SECO!

[Potstech]

Good! Too many take advantage of the free brewed coffee....the card is not to be used over and over and over on different cruises. I hope they attach a sticker to the cruise card like they do on the soda stickers.

 

Sory no one is taking advantage of anything. It is as was advertised. Sorry but Princess is trying to change what they advertised or told thier customers when they bough the card.

 

I do wish people would quit saying people are taking advantage of it like they are scamming the system. They are not scamming or cheating or hiding or going around corners with these cards. They are using them exactly how Princess said they could be used and allowed for many years. I will continue to use mine as advertised and will not feel any remorse or guilt for using them. and if anyone says otherwise then they are the one who is wrong.

 

By the way do all of you realize this controversey is over what just one waiter told one cruiser. Many believe a waiter over what the company has said. Wonder why??? Who is more reliable???

[sonavogel]

Sona, as Pam says, ships coffee is available 24/7 and some enjoy it. It is not brewed coffee but as she also says, made from concentrate. For us, it is totally undrinkable, and also to us, it even has a fowl smell to it. So many buy the coffee card so they can have unlimited brewed coffees and well as limited specialty coffees. It is a lifesaver for some, while others think it is a waste to purchase one. But many just will not tolerate what the ship serves as 'complimentary coffee' (us included). But we find this on most of the main stream cruise lines, not just Princess. The concentrate is a money saver with very little to no waste, with no grounds to dispose of.

 

Thank you, Pam and Toto2Kansas~ (I haven't read the remaining posts on this thread yet, so thank you also to anyone else who responded.)

 

I am grateful to Princess for providing some kind of coffee, although I'll take your word for it that concentrate is a poor substitute for brewed. I've never heard of coffee concentrate (unless it was coffee syrup for ice cream sodas)...which is probably funny since it's likely what we had on the other two lines we've sailed, NCL and Cunard. I make such a bad cup of coffee myself (despite having had lessons and tutors) that I must have decided their coffee was good. :(

 

At any rate, I am relieved to know that I can get a cup of caffeine in the morning and something resembling coffee throughout the day.

 

Best, Sona

[abbydancer2003]

We have several cards - I drink brewed, my husband drinks specialty and brewed.

 

On the Dawn in 2007, they punched for brewed. I pointed out that a cup of brewed costs less than what the punch costs, and so they comped us one specialty. However, I paid for brewed after that.

 

After that cruise, we were never again punched for brewed.

 

On the Ruby in 2010, my husband presented a card for a latte after dinner. The waiter said that the card was no longer valid. We asked where it said that, and so the waiter "made one exception". The IC had no problem accepting the "no longer valid" card.

 

Just a couple more data points.

 

We throw the cards out when full, but we've got about 5 of them. I expect that, should things not change, when we run out we'd just buy another card, since my husband uses the punches.

 

We also do a lot of coastals, and if a card is only good for the cruise, it's unlikely we'd use up even 5 punches on a two day cruise.

 

Abby

[bdjam]

D. As you seem to believe that the coffee card value if of such an insignificant value... am I to understand you won't mind sending me the amount I paid for it , and that it would not mess with your underpants?

Um - you totally misunderstand...and I think you've made a wild leap at a conclusion that was in no way alluded to.

 

Much ado about nothing but for some people about something.

 

There are several choices here.

1 Change your choice of cruise line

2 start a class action suit (I am shocked that no one said this before)

3 Get over it and go with the flow.

 

For me its number 3 and I have several uncompleted cards

 

Just saying!

Thank you...

[Loonbeam]

Adding strictly to the rumor mill, as this is double hearsay, one of the options under consideration is a coffee card akin to the Ultimate Package, with a per day fee, good for any coffee based beverage as much as wanted.

 

Again, this is simply being told to me as one option that may have been considered, I have no idea if its even in play. But its an interesting concept so I threw it out there.

[Pia1913]

Adding strictly to the rumor mill, as this is double hearsay, one of the options under consideration is a coffee card akin to the Ultimate Package, with a per day fee, good for any coffee based beverage as much as wanted.

 

Again, this is simply being told to me as one option that may have been considered, I have no idea if its even in play. But its an interesting concept so I threw it out there.

 

Sounds interesting, but unlike soft drinks, even major coffee drinkers (DH and myself) usually don't go for the frou frou drinks more than once daily. I can handle two Americanos; no more. Hubby; only fresh brewed. It will be interesting to see what they come up with as a new option.