Free cruise

[Cruz-OR]

Good luck getting a rebate.

 

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[Wehwalt]

Good luck getting a rebate.

 

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That's my TA's job!

[Coral]

Does Princess do the 100% fare back more than once a year? Or. 2 for 1?

 

 

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I think Princess regrets having these shorter cruises. I am guessing in the future, these cruises won't be offered as they have pretty much had to give them away to fill the ships, literally. It was a new concept for Princess which I don't think went as well as Princess had hoped.

 

2-1s have been offered for years on sailings that are not selling well.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Coral

[san diego sue]

Are you kidding. It probably is better than expected. They have filled the ships. Oct 28th (free cruise) on the Golden, you couldn't even get into the very packed casino every night. Liquor was flowing in all the bars.

I am sure that Princess more than made up the cost of the rebated cabins. Those same folks then book another cruise and are in the gambling and boozing modes.

The alternative was sailing with empty cabins.

 

[Coral]

Are you kidding. It probably is better than expected. They have filled the ships. Oct 28th (free cruise) on the Golden, you couldn't even get into the very packed casino every night. Liquor was flowing in all the bars.

I am sure that Princess more than made up the cost of the rebated cabins. Those same folks then book another cruise and are in the gambling and boozing modes.

The alternative was sailing with empty cabins.

 

 

They gave the cruises away for free. No cruise line wants to do this.

 

The alternative would be to book better/longer itineraries where people are paying real fares. I think this is not a market for Princess and I think they now think that also.

 

I guess we will see when new itineraries come out if they do this again. I don't think they will.

[sassyredhat]

I'm hoping they keep them, but I'm doubtful.

Such a pleasant break from the getaways on CCL.

We have already sailed on 2 of them.

 

Pat

[Pam in CA]

I think they may keep some but I agree with Coral that they were a misstep. Not only did they have to have a fire sale to fill the ships but many, many people booked them to not just get away but to get to the next Captain's Circle level. Hundreds (thousands?) are now Platinum or Elite and earned additional perks. I suspect these cruises are going to have a significant impact on the perks.

Edited December 25, 2013 by Pam in CA

[Wehwalt]

Are you kidding. It probably is better than expected. They have filled the ships. Oct 28th (free cruise) on the Golden, you couldn't even get into the very packed casino every night. Liquor was flowing in all the bars.

I am sure that Princess more than made up the cost of the rebated cabins. Those same folks then book another cruise and are in the gambling and boozing modes.

The alternative was sailing with empty cabins.

 

 

I agree. Sailing with empty cabins means you have to make it up to the crew who are dependent on the tips of people who are not there.

 

I gave what they were doing a lot of thought and I doubt if they are actually making a profit on this, they are cutting losses. A ship, especially ones as large as the Ruby and Emerald, has a huge daily overhead.

 

I guess the actual determinant of the volume of the loss will be what percentage of people are fresh revenue. Obviously they will make little money off of Elites and Platinums who are just there for the free trips and had already booked for later in 2014.

 

Obviously I hope they do this again. But I guess that will depend on the bottom line. There are these short-run cruises (I think on the CB) in 2015, but when the 2015-2016 schedule comes out in a few months, I'm guessing we will see a lot more seven to ten day cruises that have a more interesting itinerary.

[san diego sue]

Those of us on CC are just a very small percentage of those that have taken advantage of this deal. What I saw on Oct 28th was lots of blue cards.

And as I mentioned above, I never saw so much drinking and gambling on any cruise we have ever taken.Even though we got fully credited for our suite, we booked a much more expensive cruise using the credit.

Princess got their cabin money up front. And there were lots of younger people on board who now have been introduced to cruising with Princess. We had more entertainment on that four day cruise than our Hawaii cruise recently. Every night there was a show in the theatre as well as one in Explorers. Princess was impressing these folks.

It will be interesting to see what type of passengers on the Jan 13th cruise (3 day) that we are taking.

I have been on cruises where the casino is empty. And with hardly any drinking.I am sure there are people that have gambled and drank more than the cabin cost.Except for the cost of suites, these shorty cruises are very cheap.

[Wehwalt]

Those of us on CC are just a very small percentage of those that have taken advantage of this deal. What I saw on Oct 28th was lots of blue cards.

And as I mentioned above, I never saw so much drinking and gambling on any cruise we have ever taken.Even though we got fully credited for our suite, we booked a much more expensive cruise using the credit.

Princess got their cabin money up front. And there were lots of younger people on board who now have been introduced to cruising with Princess. We had more entertainment on that four day cruise than our Hawaii cruise recently. Every night there was a show in the theatre as well as one in Explorers. Princess was impressing these folks.

It will be interesting to see what type of passengers on the Jan 13th cruise (3 day) that we are taking.

I have been on cruises where the casino is empty. And with hardly any drinking.I am sure there are people that have gambled and drank more than the cabin cost.Except for the cost of suites, these shorty cruises are very cheap.

 

Well, I'll let people know what's up on the Ruby for the three cruises I am taking from Jan 4 to 18. I am not a nightlife person myself, though I've been to more rock shows than most cruisers :D but I'll stroll through the casino if possible and the various bars and venues.

[lrockwitt]

Taking the Jan. 27th cruise. Hope not a lot of too young people.

 

 

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[pablo222]

In my case my credit card was charged when I booked the so called "Free Cruise". So if I paid for it right then it is hard for me to call it a "Free Cruise".

 

I'm sure the regulars will give you more Kool-Aid.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Also she called about the 9th and was also told all sold out?

 

 

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there are still cabins to book directly on the Princess website for this sailing in every category but the full suite. Your friend was given incorrect information. If she still wants to book, she can.

[jarand]

This may turn out to be a real boom for Princess. They've sold out these January sailings, and now thousands of people are committing themselves to a more expensive Princess cruise in 2014. My guess is that Princess will hold their 2014 prices pretty firm, so in the end we may pay a higher fare than for a similar itinerary from other lines. This was a brilliant marketing scheme!

[Wehwalt]

This may turn out to be a real boom for Princess. They've sold out these January sailings, and now thousands of people are committing themselves to a more expensive Princess cruise in 2014. My guess is that Princess will hold their 2014 prices pretty firm, so in the end we may pay a higher fare than for a similar itinerary from other lines. This was a brilliant marketing scheme!

 

The 23rd is sold out again. I do not think the 9th will sell out. Too many premium balconies, all arranged in a row. That being said, the upgrade fairy is probably warming up in the bullpen.

[tothemall&beyond]

They also did it back a few months ago, I didn't know about it then. But that's the first time that I'm aware of for them ever having done it.

 

We went in mid December and are going again in early January.

[Cruz-OR]

I'm sure the regulars will give you more Kool-Aid.

 

pablo222, For the most part these boards are right on. Once in awhile as you hint at things can go ever so slightly askew. Thanks for your comment.

[rwadam]

January 9th is still available. My Dear Parents are on a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas, but coming to visit me in LA on Jan 1 for 3 weeks (can't wait!), and I wanted to get in on the cruising act! :) So today I booked us on the Jan 9 cruise (I wanted to surprise them but I need to tell them to bring their passports).

 

Since I'm going solo I will get a nice chunk towards another cruise in 2014.

 

This is off topic but are there formal nights on these 4 day cruises?

Edited December 27, 2013 by rwadam

[Working 2 Cruise]

January 9th is still available. My Dear Parents are on a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas, but coming to visit me in LA on Jan 1 for 3 weeks (can't wait!), and I wanted to get in on the cruising act! :) So today I booked us on the Jan 9 cruise (I wanted to surprise them but I need to tell them to bring their passports).

 

Since I'm going solo I will get a nice chunk towards another cruise in 2014.

 

This is off topic but are there formal nights on these 4 day cruises?

 

No formal nights on the 3 and 4 day cruises!

[rwadam]

No formal nights on the 3 and 4 day cruises!

 

Hooray! I don't care for formal nights. :P Thanks for the info. :)

[debfew]

I just went to the Princess page and most of the Ruby cruises that were showing as sold out are now showing availability. There is a comment to call for pricing. The only one still showing as sold out is the January 27th.

[debfew]

I just went to the Princess page and most of the Ruby cruises that were showing as sold out are now showing availability. There is a comment to call for pricing. The only one still showing as sold out is the January 27th.

 

Sorry folks, but the Princess website is now showing all but one Ruby as Sold Out. That was very weird. :confused: