Can I cancel my cruise at the pier if I am give WS?

[WVBill]

I jsut think its so funny how "different strokes for different folks"....here I am with a guarenteed outside cabin praying that I would be offered a WS for extre $$ !!

 

...and there are some who post here who have inside guarantees and are a few days from sailing who are praying they get any cabin at all...

As you say "different strokes:.....

[fishin' musician]

So, according to the statement, "anytime up until departure", you can board the ship, check out your guarantee stateroom and if you are not satisfied with it (or anything else) for any reason you can cancel and receive a credit. You could even cancel if the weather forecast looks less than ideal... or you just don't feel like going. You paid a premium for the right to excersize this option, so what is the problem?

 

I guess if you lived near a cruise port you could take full advantage, however, most of us have air involved so it would not make sense (unless air is booked through Princess).

[Pam in CA]

To put this into perspective, every booking is marked "Will accept an upgrade" by default so in effect, every passenger in every cabin is eligible for an upgrade, whether they booked a specific cabin or a guarantee unless they ask to have their booking marked "No upgrade." Out of all of the cabins left unchanged, the vast majority of guarantees are assigned the same cabin type they booked. Depending on the cruise, very few are upgraded to a different cabin type.

 

When booking a GTY, expect the cabin type you booked. In essence, when you book a GTY, you agree to accept any cabin assigned. You've left the choice up to Princess. Unless, of course, the cabin type is sold out and there are only GTYs available; in which case, the ship and itinerary would be what matters, not the cabin.

[lovevacadays]

The insurance I have says I can cancel for any reason, so I think I can cancel. I am just not sure if I can do so at the pier.

 

I really think you should call the insurance provider. That way you know for sure. It's just speculation here. Unfortunately, you take a gamble when you book guarantees. Were the Window Suites not shown on any brochures or websites you looked at when you booked your guarantee?

[Astro Flyer]

I really think you should call the insurance provider. That way you know for sure. It's just speculation here.

While it may be okay to call to ask a question, verbal replies are not as binding as what is in writing. The speculation you say is being posted comes directly from the Princess insurance policy coverage which states that cancellations can be made "up until departure" with their cancel for any reason insurance policy so it's not accurate to say that it's just speculation here. :rolleyes:

[NoGvmnt]

While it may be okay to call to ask a question, verbal replies are not as binding as what is in writing.

 

 

Fire off an Email to the insurance provider and save their Email response.

 

Jim

[FLACRUISER99]

On page 5 it says you can cancel up until departure.

It also says that you must give notice to Princess Cruises (probably at the Seattle office in writing). I would check very carefully. Note, it is a cruise credit and not a refund.

[WpgCruise]

While it may be okay to call to ask a question, verbal replies are not as binding as what is in writing. The speculation you say is being posted comes directly from the Princess insurance policy coverage which states that cancellations can be made "up until departure" with their cancel for any reason insurance policy so it's not accurate to say that it's just speculation here. :rolleyes:

 

We can all say whatever we want, but indeed all any are offering is an opinion. I would suggest the OP would be wise to ask their questions in writing to the insurance provider rather than rely on what they get from a public forum such as Cruise Critic. While no doubt the replies posted here are in the best of intentions, they really are only the opinions of the people who have posted and are not binding on Princess or the insurance provider.

[alicam]

I would go on the cruise and accept what is given, if indeed it is a guaranteed cabin....in reality, how much time (other than sleeping) is spent in your cabin? Go out and enjoy the cruise, not get all worked up about where you might be staying on the ship and be thankful you get to go at all...plenty of people are never ever going to get on a cruise ship for a vacation...

[Nymue]

Okay....gotta ask what is a Window Suite and where are they located? This all has me wondering. We are sailing on the Ruby and booked a GTY Mini since we knew the ones on Emerald were sold out. We got midship on Dolphin. Same cat we booked....very happy with how it turned out.

 

Thanks in advance,

Anne

[Pam in CA]

Okay....gotta ask what is a Window Suite and where are they located? This all has me wondering. We are sailing on the Ruby and booked a GTY Mini since we knew the ones on Emerald were sold out. We got midship on Dolphin. Same cat we booked....very happy with how it turned out.

A couple of ships have been reconfigured with window suites on Fiesta deck (6). The Grand is one of them. Part of the casino has been taken to create these suites. They are full suites with all of the full suite perks but they have windows, no balcony.

[bdjam]

So you really should have booked accordingly. And if you have Princess insurance, the refund comes in the form of a credit for future cruises and depending on the level of insurance is only 75 to 90% of the fare.

 

I do care about, and expect, to have a balcony.

[Aussie Gal]

If only I had to worry about whether my mini suite was what I wanted and if I could cancel at embarkation.

 

We have been booked on the Ocean Princess in our favourite mini suite since July 10 when the bookings were first opened for the 20 day Sydney to Singapore cruise.

 

Unfortunately, my DH suffered an AMI last Sunday and he is not allowed to travel for 8 weeks and our cruise is in 5 weeks so we have had to cancel. I would do anything to be in your position where all you are worrying about is which mini suite you are getting.

 

As we were in the 50% period of Cancellation we only need to claim for half the fare which our travel insurance will cover so we have no worries there.

 

It just takes something like we are going through to put everything into perspective.

 

Jennie

[Coral]

 

Unfortunately, my DH suffered an AMI last Sunday and he is not allowed to travel for 8 weeks and our cruise is in 5 weeks so we have had to cancel. I would do anything to be in your position where all you are worrying about is which mini suite you are getting.

 

 

It just takes something like we are going through to put everything into perspective.

 

Jennie

 

Jennie - I sure hope your husband is recovering well. I had to look AMI up as we commonly don't use that term in the US (maybe doctors do). You are right - it puts everything into perspective!

 

I hope that he recovers quickly and you are able to find a vacation in that time frame that works for both of you.

 

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery!

[lexyplexy]

If only I had to worry about whether my mini suite was what I wanted and if I could cancel at embarkation.

 

We have been booked on the Ocean Princess in our favourite mini suite since July 10 when the bookings were first opened for the 20 day Sydney to Singapore cruise.

 

Unfortunately, my DH suffered an AMI last Sunday and he is not allowed to travel for 8 weeks and our cruise is in 5 weeks so we have had to cancel. I would do anything to be in your position where all you are worrying about is which mini suite you are getting.

 

As we were in the 50% period of Cancellation we only need to claim for half the fare which our travel insurance will cover so we have no worries there.

 

 

Wishing your husband well. Glad to hear he is on the mend. Sorry for your cancelled trip.

 

You are so right about putting little things in perspective. My co worker lost her 6 year old son last Sunday with a sudden illness. Life is so precious.

[aikensbest]

I for one have no sympathy for anyone that books a guarantee with the expectation they will receive an upgrade. If they do fine, but should not be expected.

Also, going to Hawaii there are very few days that a balcony can be used. Certainly not on the sea days.

We received an upgrade to a WS, from a balcony for a very few dollars, and not only had a truly wonderful room, with the ton of suite perks, but had NO SMELL from the cigar bar or anywhere else. My wife is very allergic to smoke and could never smell any.

Again, book what you will be happy with.

[BLS]

We have platinum insurance from Princess and my understanding is that we can cancel for any reason. We booked the lowest mini suite guarantee and have not had an assignment with less than 1 week to sail. I fear we will get our assignment at the pier.

 

I figured any upgrade would be OK except a family suite since they lock the balcony when underway to Hawaii. On our last cruise we were in the mini near the family suite and no one was in it. Also, the family suite wasn't even listed on the Princess website for our sailing, so I figured they were not putting people in those rooms since the balcony is not usable. We never sailed Golden before and did not realize that the Golden has a category called Window Suite. These do not even have balconies. We do not want to sail without a balcony because we were looking forward to fresh air now that the new smoking policy is in effect.

 

So can we cancel at the pier if the worst happens?

 

 

Cannot imagine you having an issue. The upgrades to the WS have been from catagories below mini's also the family suite is usually an upgrade from 2 cabins to this.

So you should have no worries with your mini! (we've had both a mini and a WS and would be happy with either one)

[Dena]

Jennie - I sure hope your husband is recovering well. I had to look AMI up as we commonly don't use that term in the US (maybe doctors do). You are right - it puts everything into perspective!

 

I hope that he recovers quickly and you are able to find a vacation in that time frame that works for both of you.

 

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery!

 

I too hope your husband recovers quickly. However, you should know that whether or not we get a mini suite with a balcony is NOT our biggest current worry in life. I wish it were.

[Aussie Gal]

Jennie - I sure hope your husband is recovering well. I had to look AMI up as we commonly don't use that term in the US (maybe doctors do). You are right - it puts everything into perspective!

 

I hope that he recovers quickly and you are able to find a vacation in that time frame that works for both of you.

 

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery!

 

Coral and lexyplexy,

 

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. An AMI is commonly called a heart attack but here it is known by its proper medical term. It was such a shock as my DH is not overweight, very fit, has low cholesterol, has always cut the fat off meat and as our G.P. said, he would be the last person he would expect to have such an occurrence. Anyhow, it was a warning and he had two blockages, a stent was put in one and he will have the other one done in 3 weeks time.

 

I would dearly love to be able to get on a ship in a few weeks time but being so far away, we don't want to have the long flights which we would need to join a ship. Most of the ships that are down here during summer are leaving in the next few weeks for the U.S. and Europe.

 

Jennie

[Dena]

I for one have no sympathy for anyone that books a guarantee with the expectation they will receive an upgrade. If they do fine, but should not be expected.

Also, going to Hawaii there are very few days that a balcony can be used. Certainly not on the sea days.

We received an upgrade to a WS, from a balcony for a very few dollars, and not only had a truly wonderful room, with the ton of suite perks, but had NO SMELL from the cigar bar or anywhere else. My wife is very allergic to smoke and could never smell any.

Again, book what you will be happy with.

 

Not true. This will be our third cruise to Hawaii on Princess and we used the balcony on every sea day, if we didn't we wouldn't book them. In fact, we would have spent even more time on the balcony had we not had chain smokers next door who were, guess what, using their balcony on sea days.

[Dena]

I would go on the cruise and accept what is given, if indeed it is a guaranteed cabin....in reality, how much time (other than sleeping) is spent in your cabin? Go out and enjoy the cruise, not get all worked up about where you might be staying on the ship and be thankful you get to go at all...plenty of people are never ever going to get on a cruise ship for a vacation...

 

We actually spend a lot of time in our cabin, that is why we book mini suites. And that is also why we want a usable balcony.

[lovevacadays]

We actually spend a lot of time in our cabin, that is why we book mini suites. And that is also why we want a usable balcony.

 

Goodness, Dena. Folks are sure "preaching" to you. I think it is just fine if you like having a balcony and spend plenty of time in your cabin. The only thing I would say is there is a risk with those guarantee bookings. Were the Window Suites in the brochures or on the website deck plans that you looked at prior to booking your cruise? I know I hadn't really heard of them until recently because of postings on these boards.

[05mak05]

We're considering a cruise out of Galveston in Dec. 2012 so I'm following some threads on this board. What is a window suite? Does it have a balcony? What deck are they on?

[Dena]

While it may be okay to call to ask a question, verbal replies are not as binding as what is in writing. The speculation you say is being posted comes directly from the Princess insurance policy coverage which states that cancellations can be made "up until departure" with their cancel for any reason insurance policy so it's not accurate to say that it's just speculation here. :rolleyes:

 

Astroflyer is correct. Also, all of you who said that we would not be moved to a Window Suite or Family Suite are correct. We have a mini suite two decks above the non smoking side of the promenade deck. We are really looking forward to enjoying the fresh sea air. I will try to find out if smoke wafts up to mini suites on the other side of the ship. If it does, then we probably won't book guarantees in the future. If it doesn't, then we feel pretty safe continuing to book mini suite guarantees. I had expected that after the change in smoking policy, most smokers would go to HAL. However, some have reported that the casino and 1/2 of the promenade have become crowded with smokers. I am a bit worried about the location of the casino on the Golden. It is on the promenade deck. Some have reported smokers standing at the casino entrance, so smoke could escape to both sides of the outdoor promenade deck each time to doors are open. I like to walk there, but I can also walk on the upper decks, if the promenade smells bad. Sometimes, I like to sit on the promenade too, but I can always just sit on our balcony. I will report back on the smoke situation.

[Dena]

Goodness, Dena. Folks are sure "preaching" to you. I think it is just fine if you like having a balcony and spend plenty of time in your cabin. The only thing I would say is there is a risk with those guarantee bookings. Were the Window Suites in the brochures or on the website deck plans that you looked at prior to booking your cruise? I know I hadn't really heard of them until recently because of postings on these boards.

 

Yes, they were on the deck plans, but I didn't realize what they were, having never seen this category before on any other Princess ship (including the Golden). People have written that they are something new that was created after the Golden dry-dock by using part of the casino. I think, for the right cruiser, they could be wonderful. For example, a family with small children could enjoy the extra space and have peace of mind that the kids would not try to climb the railing.