Received Documents - Very Poor Effort

[Traveller Mal]

Just Received our tour documents, and what a very poor effort it was by Princess Cruises.

 

Contained in the document wallet is the following

3 x "dawn Princess" Pink luggage tags

1 x Cardboard Ticket cover containng two pices of paper (one to say transfers not included, and the other explaining what cruise we are on with the emarkation time and date.

1 x piece paper explaining their tips policy.

 

Now I have done a lot of research so I know pretty much what to expect, and I am in the know.

 

However if I were not in the know, which I am sure may cruisers are (perhaps none that look into CC),their is no information enclosed or instructing anything of the following:

 

*Itinerary of cruise

*Inclusions of the cruise

*Items to pack

*Dock we embark at or what number to call to check this out.

*Port information

*Things to Expect

*How to personalise cruise (thats if you knew what that meant)....... I Still cannot find any where in the cruise personaliser myself where to request certain items for the minibar and to request an eggcrate matress It does not let me choose or request this anywhere.

*If optionals could be booked and how to?

 

What I received did not make the cruise sound inviting in anyway. I mean not every one has access to the internet. Although I know all this, I am sure not everyone does.

 

Any opinions out there?

[MichTraveler]

The documents for our May/2005 Sun Princess cruise were complete and the same as previous cruises in past years along with the "find print" pages. I wonder why the change or if this is just a distribution error?

[pungo3]

I found the opposite to be true. With my documents, I received a Princess Cruiseline publication with everything I'd ever want to know about cruising on their ships as well as a lovely Baltic Ports publication listing every excursion Princess has. I also received a large listing that I could send in to pre-book excursions, a form to fill out for my likes & dislikes for snacks & drinks in the cabin, and any interest I may have in the spa, casino, etc. Instead of filling out paperwork, I chose to do everything on-line at the Princess website, by logging in with my booking number. Since there are three adults in my cabin, I received three of everything (including the lovely publications). I thought it was overkill but I'm glad they provided all the information I'd ever need to thoroughly enjoy my cruise.

[Toto2Kansas]

Most of the information you have requested should have been availalbe in the Pre-Cruise documents and Cruise Answer Book. Did you not receive these?

 

As for options in the Personalizer. Click on the tabs in your booking and it will take you to that section. Egg Crate mattress requests must be requested on board. There is a limited supply and are on a first come, first serve basis. So you will not find this listed anywhere to request.

 

We have sailed on many different lines in the past, and I must admit, Princess seems to give us more info before our documents arrive then any other cruise line we have sailed on before. So I am a bit confused as to your dissatisfaction!:eek: :eek:

[spongerob]

Some of the extra information you are looking for should have come in your pre-cruise information package, which ordinarily is sent out after final payments are made. These would have included:

*Inclusions of the cruise

*Items to pack

*Things to Expect

*How to personalise cruise (thats if you knew what that meant)....... I Still cannot find any where in the cruise personaliser myself where to request certain items for the minibar and to request an eggcrate matress It does not let me choose or request this anywhere.

*If optionals could be booked and how to?

 

Unless you are in a suite, there is no minibar. If you are in a suite, there is a standard set-up, but can be changed simply by asking the cabin steward.

 

Anything else, just ask here.

[catdancers]

Usually there are more than just two pieces of paper (cardstock) in the ticket packet itself. We've never had just two peices of paper in there. Did your tickets come through a travel agency? Does ir look like anything has been torn out?

[custompcsys]

I must agree with the folks who were satisfied with their final documents. Mine for my 7/16 cruise on the Diamond included a bound booklet with the cruise tickets themselves, itinerary, transfer tickets, personal information, etc. Also included were 6 luggage tags. I also received the pre-cruise package about 90 days before the cruise date that had the Cruise Answer Book, information for booking shore excursions, personal information sheet in case you couldn't complete it online, and a few other items. All in all I'd say I was pretty well informed, and the packages were well documented.

[WeBeGone]

I agree with Toto2 and Spongrob, you should have received all this information in your pre-cruise docs and Princess Answer Book. However getting travel documents at all is fast becoming a time of the past. Already Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norweigen deal primarily in "e-docs", like e-ticketing for air. You get the luggage tags at the pier, "tickets" are emailed, and pre-registration is done on-line. Another reason to have a good TA who can answer your questions. :)

[jimneycrkit]

Are you sure you are going on Princess??? They give out more information than any other cruise line. The large precruise packets has everything as others have said and the cruise tickets also have information. Mine always have the dock llocation on them.Disney comes close to pre cruise info, but RCCL and Crystal give you nothing. Yes Crystal sends you a lovely leather case with the ship tags and only one sheet of paper with nothing but your name and cruise number on it. A few weeks before you get a small cruise answer book but thats it. Princess does the best with this I think. Cunard send you nothing and you have to download and print your own customer immagration form. You can't even do it online.Tickets don't come come until very close to sailing date.

[Pam in CA]

Your documents came from your TA so it's possible that your TA didn't send you everything. Like the others, I receive a large packet of information weeks before the cruise so that I can plan well ahead of time. The answer to just about any question you might have are contained in the pre-cruise documents. Also like the others, I receive a booklet with my booking summary, itinerary, pre-reserved tours, transfer info (if I've booked), insurance information, etc., etc. It also includes your "passenger ticket" that you present on embarkation.

 

I MUCH prefer the way Princess handles this over RCCL. I'd rather have the pre-cruise information well ahead of time so I can plan and dream, and not have to carry a spiral-bound booklet around with me (which is hard to open and a PITA).

[coiran]

Did the packet come from Princess directly or your TA? You should have got more info than that.

 

3 luggage tags per person is standard

 

The cruise booklet should have all of your cruise info several pages - perhaps you are looking at only the tour part of your cruise.

 

Call your TA

 

Ron

[kryos]

I found the opposite to be true. With my documents, I received a Princess Cruiseline publication with everything I'd ever want to know about cruising on their ships as well as a lovely Baltic Ports publication listing every excursion Princess has. I also received a large listing that I could send in to pre-book excursions, a form to fill out for my likes & dislikes for snacks & drinks in the cabin, and any interest I may have in the spa, casino, etc. Instead of filling out paperwork, I chose to do everything on-line at the Princess website, by logging in with my booking number. Since there are three adults in my cabin, I received three of everything (including the lovely publications). I thought it was overkill but I'm glad they provided all the information I'd ever need to thoroughly enjoy my cruise.

I think you're referring to the "Pre-Cruise Documents," not the actual "Cruise Document" package. I always get a nice package a month or two out containing the excursion brochures, etc., for my cruise. Then a few weeks out I get a smaller package containing my actual cruise documents. But, those documents always contained the specfic itinerary for the cruise (including which ports were tender ports), and any transfers I purchased.

 

I think the OP should contact his TA or Princess. It sounds like there's a mix-up somewhere.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[CruisinChris]

In case you didn't get the pre-cruise information, including the booklet, it's available online at Princess.com.

[jakz2fun]

We received the luggage tags for our trip, can't remember how many but there were plenty for the 2 of us. But they were blank. Is that usual? We have a guarantee room that has been assigned. It is no problem writing our information on it. this is my first cruise so I am not sure what is "normal"

 

Thanks, JoAnn

[Pam in CA]

No, the luggage tags are not pre-printed. You fill out the information with your name and cabin number. :)

[SharkieRools]

Hmmm, the ticket booklet usually contains the itinerary, vouchers (not acutaly tickets) for any shore excursions booked, 2 copies of the cruise ticket (one for you, one to use at the pier,) credit card authorization form, a pre and post cruise transfer ticket (even if you disn't buy a transfer - it'll just say NO TRANSFER,) several pages with the cruise contract, etc etc etc. Seems like the OP's is missing quite a few pages!

[MaryPoppinz]

The information you are looking for should be in your Pre-Cruise packet.

The final tickets usually are just that - tickets and luggage tags.

 

Did you receive the Pre-Cruise packet?

[disgruntled]

We leave for Alaska in 2 days. Personaly I thought Princess did a great job in supplying me with info. A cruise answer book and a very detailed booklet about excursions were mailed directly to my house well before the cruise. My final docs came from my TA.

[susancruzs]

I'm surprised as I think Princess does a pretty good job. I'm sailing Sept. 3rd and 10th, I received 2 separate big packages last week with all my pre-cruise info, everything I wanted to know and then some! The shore excursion book(s) were huge compared to other cruise lines plus the question and answer books (2 different ones which is a little strange).

 

Now when its ticket time, I really don't need anything other than a bus transfer to Southampton, ticket to get onboard and my luggage tags.

 

I think its handy on their part, send the bulk out ahead of time give people plenty of time to get questions answered. Mailing a minimum amount with the actual ticket is smart really.

 

Susie

[sunprincess]

Traveller Mal, This does not sound like the usual Princess Cruise Documents.

I would call your TA or Princess. The cruise book itself has many coupons inside, including the itineary. Good Luck.

[Fantazy]

I'm surprised as I think Princess does a pretty good job. I'm sailing Sept. 3rd and 10th, I received 2 separate big packages last week with all my pre-cruise info, everything I wanted to know and then some!

 

Susie, Which ship are you on? I am sailing on CB on Sept 3rd and have not received my pre cruise package yet....Should I worry?

[Colo Cruiser]

Sounds like something that a TA would put together not Princess.

[iancal]

Funny, we got our documents and wondered why they just don't do it electronically. Such a waste of paper. We got the precruise booklets etc. but the tickets themselves were a non event. I am not really sure why the send them, or at least just send a one page form letter with the particulars unless of course one needs the specific tickets for precruise hotel or transfer. The rest seemed a wasted effort to me.

[Fairsailing]

Funny, we got our documents and wondered why they just don't do it electronically. Such a waste of paper. We got the precruise booklets etc. but the tickets themselves were a non event. I am not really sure why the send them, or at least just send a one page form letter with the particulars unless of course one needs the specific tickets for precruise hotel or transfer. The rest seemed a wasted effort to me.

 

I agree. Being the CC fan that I am, my cruise docs have never told me anything more than A) I was able to find out myself on the internet or B) my fellow cruise critic members were talking about. I always thought that docs were for "doc dancing" and not much else....

[donna5]

Funny, we got our documents and wondered why they just don't do it electronically. Such a waste of paper. We got the precruise booklets etc. but the tickets themselves were a non event. I am not really sure why the send them, or at least just send a one page form letter with the particulars unless of course one needs the specific tickets for precruise hotel or transfer. The rest seemed a wasted effort to me.

Personally, I'm glad they don't do it electronically. Last year in Vancouver the computers went down at the beginning of embarkation. What would they have done if they didn't get them back up and running?