Changed from Dolphin to Emerald Decks et al-Help!

[mmjbsboomer]

Because Princess and travel agent have made multiple mistakes in booking our 7/2/05 cruise, we now have a Emerald mini-suite instead of a Dolphin mini. specifically, instead of Dolphin 714, we're now in Emerald 720. Can anyone comment on the pros/cons of Emerald v. Dolphin mini-suite. The deck plan shows all the lifeboats that are along 3/4 of that deck. Will that affect the view from our balcony?

 

Sorry to vent but...this is the THIRD mistake made in the booking. (The first was that they cancelled our room without our authorization. Then they couldn't transfer the deposit. Now, Princess backed out of holding the room for us (like they promised the travel agent they'd do supposedly) while we were waiting for our $5,000 refund to be processed so we could pay for our Dolphin mini-suite again). I don't care whose fault it is, I'm so ticked at this point!

 

Today I asked the travel agent for some sort of compensation like an upgrade because of the multiple errors. He said forget it because the ship is full. In lieu of that, I asked for an on-board credit. He's checking with his manager and will get back to me tomorrow when we finalize payment on the Emerald mini-suite. Any suggestions what an appropriate amount would be?

 

He says Princess won't do anything because they'll have plenty of customers no matter what our experience is. It will be up to the travel agency to compensate us because they want us back as repeat customers. (This is our family's third cruise-our first with Princess.)

 

The good news is 1) we still have a mini-suite and 2) the room is $200 cheaper because it's an AE category v. an AD category (at least I think that's good news unless it means we're looking at life boats every time we look toward the front of the ship). I work as an ombudsman in another industry and I'm appalled by the lack of customer service. It's one miscommunication after another! Grrrr!

[mmjbsboomer]

Oops, I was so busy flipping from Dolphin to Emerald that I forgot to check the Fiesta deck plan.

[ahracer]

Which ship are you asking about?

 

Scott

[spongerob]

Many people here prefer the fully covered and therefore more private balconies on Emerald deck. Your view is not obstructed in the least. You might find that it's actually worked out better for you.

[tennisobo]

Is this on a grand class ship? I'm a bit confused. The mini suites on the Princess site deck plans don't look any bigger than a regular balcony stateroom. The ones I am looking at are toward the back of the ship (Grand Princess AD). Are these indeed normal size mini suites with Covered balconies?

 

Thanks! We may be booking for next January and this would be very useful information.

[stoneharborlady]

If you are on the Caribbean Princess, you will love the mini on the Emerald deck. We were in E727, just a few doors down, and were VERY pleased with our location. It is quiet, the lifeboats wont impede your view of anything, and we liked the covered balcony vs. the open one you would have on Dolphin. ENJOY!!

[Charliesmom]

I think you lucked out. You are paying $200 less and are getting a better cabin, because it is covered. However, if Princess comes up with an onboard credit, don't turn it down.

 

Good luck and let us know how this all turns out.

 

Roberta

[bubbadog]

im gonna go with charliesmoms answer:)))))))

[pamwinn]

I have a huge preference for the Emerald Mini's over the Dolphin Mini's. If it were me, I thank my lucky stars. :D

[Tania]

I<d consider this an error in your favour. We take an Emerald mini over a Dolphin mini anyday!

 

Congratulations!

[obe1]

You failed to mention which ship you will be sailing, however, I stayed in cabin E720 on the Grand Princess, this balcony is awesome! It is totally covered and private, you can look down from your balcony and see the water with no obstructions. I loved this mini-suite! I would consider this cabin prime, primo, real eatate as there are only 12 mini-suites that have these private, covered balconies. I'm sure you're going to love this cabin and the balcony.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Rose

[mmjbsboomer]

Sorry I didn't get back to you for a day. We had a 8 hour power outage Thursday and took the kids to a movie last night. We're going on the Caribbean Princess. And yes, after researching it more I agree we did luck out!

 

While I was searching on Emerald, I found someone had referred to http://www.webshots.com for pictures of rooms on that deck. It took me a couple of search variations, but would you believe they had pics from a cruiser who had the same room in 12/04??? It looks great! The room is the first one beside the life boats so we'll have that much more privacy with folks only to the right of us. I also got to see just how open the Dolphin balconies were. Wow! I think the shade and privacy offered by a covered balcony is definitely a plus.

 

The TA came through for us too. Yesterday he offered us $100 on-board credit. So including the $200 reduction in price, we've got $300 more for bingo, ice cream, drinks, and the casino! Then, last night DH won $100 with a lottery ticket and it's going toward the cruise too.

 

Thank you one and all for your thoughts and reassurance! We are counting our lucky stars!

[Iamthesea]

What luck you are having!

 

Could you provide a direct link to those photo's, please?