Upset about 50th Anniversary OBC Rules

[denmarks]

Princess is making a big deal about their 50th anniversary sale. I am traveling as a single in an inside cabin. When I look at the sale price for 2 to a cabin it shows $100 OBC for each person for ALL categories. When I look at the sale price for 1 to a cabin it shows $200 OBC for the single person in balcony, mini-suite, and suite. NOTHING for inside and oceanview. Since I am paying almost double don't I deserve at least a $100 OBC? When I phone Princess they say that is just the way it is. Customer service email never got back to me.

[Bill B]

I just looked at the 50th Anniversary Sale 'main page' on the Princess website and it says "Up To $200 Free Onboard Spending Money". It seems the qualifier is the words "Up To"... so it can be anywhere from 0 to 200 dollars.

 

Another example of us solos getting 'the shaft'.

[MCC retired]

50th Anniv Sale "fine print" :

 

^Reduced deposit of $100 per person applies to the first two guests in a stateroom. Deposits made under this promotion are non-refundable and non-transferable.

*Save up to 2-for-1 is based on a per person discount off applicable Launch Fares on a space-available basis at time of booking on select sailings. Launch Fares are offering fares and may not have been in effect for the past 90 days or resulted in actual sales in all categories. Intermediate discounts may have been taken and fares may remain at discounted levels after this promotion. Fares apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares for other categories, sailings and cruisetours may vary. Fares are per person, non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses of up to $335 are additional and subject to change. This offer applies to new bookings only, is capacity controlled and may not be combinable with any other public or past guest discount. Offers available to residents of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bermuda and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older and receive this offer. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings.

[denmarks]

I read the fine print. I am saying that I do not like the fine print since it is not fair cutting off the OBC for only singles in the lower categories.

[mysaddlebred000]

I just booked a b2b in a suite and in the big red 50th banner says "up to $500 off per person". Figured the suite would be the $500. Over $25,000 and only $100 obc credit pp per cruise. Forgot - a free specialty dinner pp. Really bites me the wrong way - thinking I may cancel.

[Bill B]

With the ever increasing reliance on on board revenue, the situation for 'solos' is likely to only get worse. They're trying cram as many cabana-renting, premium-dining-venue-paying people as possible on to every ship. Just look at what they're going to do to the Island Princess.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I recently booked (as a solo traveler) the seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Ruby Princess that departs on November 8, 2015. Based on double occupancy, the Princess website lists an anniversary credit of $50 per person (first two people in the cabin) for all stateroom categories. For single passengers, the credit is listed as $100 for every stateroom category. My booking confirmation lists the $100 credit for me. The policy must vary by cruise.

 

Chuck

[denmarks]

Hi,

 

I recently booked (as a solo traveler) the seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Ruby Princess that departs on November 8, 2015. Based on double occupancy, the Princess website lists an anniversary credit of $50 per person (first two people in the cabin) for all stateroom categories. For single passengers, the credit is listed as $100 for every stateroom category. My booking confirmation lists the $100 credit for me. The policy must vary by cruise.

 

Chuck

 

That even makes me madder. Princess is supposed to reply back in 2-4 weeks.

[flamomo]

Maybe it varies, but I wouldn't know, because I often cruise solo, and never have gotten OBC when it's advertised as a perk for booking a cruise, since I book either inside or OV cabins. When looking at a cruise online and see there is OBC, and I change the setting from 2 pax to one, the OBC just disappears.

 

I agree that it really is unfair since we solos pay more (a minimum of 150%, and usually more, of what is charged per person when there are 2 in a cabin)for our bookings and then don't get the OBC benefit that is supposed to go with a booking. I would not expect them to give me an amount equal to the total of what 2 people would get. I'd be pleased with the amount for just one person. I spend money in the onboard shops, frequent the casino, and take Princess excursions. So, IMO, they are not losing money on me.

[denmarks]

Maybe it varies, but I wouldn't know, because I often cruise solo, and never have gotten OBC when it's advertised as a perk for booking a cruise, since I book either inside or OV cabins. When looking at a cruise online and see there is OBC, and I change the setting from 2 pax to one, the OBC just disappears.

 

I agree that it really is unfair since we solos pay more (a minimum of 150%, and usually more, of what is charged per person when there are 2 in a cabin)for our bookings and then don't get the OBC benefit that is supposed to go with a booking. I would not expect them to give me an amount equal to the total of what 2 people would get. I'd be pleased with the amount for just one person. I spend money in the onboard shops, frequent the casino, and take Princess excursions. So, IMO, they are not losing money on me.

 

I just verified what another poster said. Some cruises give the credit to a single inside or oceanview and some do not. A cruise of 7 days had it and my 15 day cruise did not.

[BJS]

Sorry you are upset

 

I can understand this but really no different than other promo like regional where some get much better prices, casino OBC, etc.and others.

 

One really has to look at the "fine print" for everything now a days to see what is included and what deposits are not refundable, etc.

 

You even need to be aware that pre-reserved shore excursions are often cheaper because they can be as much as 20% more when you wait until you board the ship.

 

You also need to bring print outs for everything to prove the price and the amount of OBC you are entitled to. There are so many promos being offered some get lost in the shuffle.

Edited December 12, 2014 by BJS

[Tina G]

This is why you use a travel agent to book a cruise. Without one, you have no one to advocate for you when there is a problem.

[mysaddlebred000]

I would not expect them to give me an amount equal to the total of what 2 people would get.

 

WHy not? You are really paying for two people. If there are two people in the cabin next to you - you are paying the same price - they get double - so should you.

[2wheelin]

WHy not? You are really paying for two people. If there are two people in the cabin next to you - you are paying the same price - they get double - so should you.

 

I expect cruise lines view it as one less person for on board spending but I'm sure that doesn't make a solo feel better.

Even worse for me is that my cruise in March had no anniversary sale price, no OBC.

[rdsqrl]

WHy not? You are really paying for two people. If there are two people in the cabin next to you - you are paying the same price - they get double - so should you.

Totally agree with you! In fact, I'd be madder about only getting one person's OBC than I would be if they didn't offer any OBC for solos at all!

 

I've noticed the no OBC for solos on a very small handful of the cruises I've been eyeing for next year. Most, however, I'm happy to say, are offering the usual double OBC for solos. Of course, if one is booked on one of the no-OBC cruises, that's no consolation, I guess . . .

 

I've also discovered that the OBC amount displayed for oceanview cabins, when it's different than that showing for insides, is generally only for unobstructed categories; obstructed categories usually get the same OBC as insides. Just another little wrinkle to take under advisement/take umbrage about . . . .

[jewelsea21]

Ask for an option quote only for the 50 promo. It will most likely be available with th correct amt of obc but I will go ahead and bet the fare is higher as the system auto quotes lowest rate and disregards obc. Call pcl and ask specifically for that quote. If the difference benefits you book it that way, again the system ignores incidentals. Calculation must be done by a human.

Edited December 12, 2014 by jewelsea21

[RDC1]

The unfortunate reality is that solo cruisers are money losers as far as cruise lines are concerned. Depending upon the cruise line a ship sailing full is considered to be some number above two people per cabin. Their revenue numbers are dependent upon additional sales, above and beyond the cruise fare. When you sell a two person cabin as a solo, it results, on average, substantially less revenue, for the cruise line, even with the person paying the equivalent cruise fare for 2. The number of drinks, the excursion dollars, etc will be half of what two people will spend on average. In addition I would expect that their models also show that a solo does not use the added cost restaurants as often.

 

In addition for those OBC categories such as veterans and stock holder, the solo traveler can get the max for the cabin, the same amount as a cabin with multiple people.

 

The bottom line is that the charges and lack of sale obc reflect the impact of solo travelers on the cruise lines profit model.

[pablo222]

WHy not? You are really paying for two people. If there are two people in the cabin next to you - you are paying the same price - they get double - so should you.

 

Why? One person will (in general) spend 1/2 on excursions, drinks, etc.

 

I just booked a fantastic price (as single). Two friends (as couple)

tried to book same cruise. The price I had was a 'targeted email',

and they did not qualify; so it was $200pp more for them.

Is that fair? They have email...

 

Princess is in business to make a profit, not 'be fair'.

If you like the price you are being offered, book the cruise.

If you do not like the price, go elsewhere.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

With the ever increasing reliance on on board revenue, the situation for 'solos' is likely to only get worse. They're trying cram as many cabana-renting, premium-dining-venue-paying people as possible on to every ship. Just look at what they're going to do to the Island Princess.

I honestly never saw many people renting them on the Royal. There might have been only a few couples over the past 3 weeks spring for the extra money and why, I couldn't understand. There were plenty of seats available only 20 feet away and just as windy right next to the pool. :confused:

[wickedwitchofthewest]

It's a shame that these companies see solos as pure revenue. I sometimes travel with another couple. They pay standard fare, I pay 150% minimum. Their on board spend usually about £50 each, mine usually £500. So why should I get penalised for being solo?

Just because we choose to travel on our own doesn't mean we arent going to spend as much money as others.

And we're more likely to be out and about frequenting the bars etc because we are on our own. Most cruises I seem to be the only one in the bar after early evening.

[capriccio]

It's a shame that these companies see solos as pure revenue.

 

Princess is a business and as such is in business to make money. They see every passenger as revenue - and if they didn't they wouldn't stay in business very long!

[cruzsnooze]

Princess is making a big deal about their 50th anniversary sale. I am traveling as a single in an inside cabin. When I look at the sale price for 2 to a cabin it shows $100 OBC for each person for ALL categories. When I look at the sale price for 1 to a cabin it shows $200 OBC for the single person in balcony, mini-suite, and suite. NOTHING for inside and oceanview. Since I am paying almost double don't I deserve at least a $100 OBC? When I phone Princess they say that is just the way it is. Customer service email never got back to me.

Are you also upset you get 2 cruise credits for traveling solo? Do you object to not sharing a bathroom? There are pros and cons and you must weigh what works for you and plan accordingly.

Edited December 12, 2014 by cruzsnooze

[DavyJoneses]

I just looked at the 50th Anniversary Sale 'main page' on the Princess website and it says "Up To $200 Free Onboard Spending Money". It seems the qualifier is the words "Up To"... so it can be anywhere from 0 to 200 dollars.

 

Another example of us solos getting 'the shaft'.

 

Yes, that "up to" appears in a lot of offers,:)

[pablo222]

I sometimes travel with another couple. They pay standard fare, I pay 150% minimum. Their on board spend usually about £50 each, mine usually £500. So why should I get penalised for being solo?.

 

Obviously, Princess can collect complete data on what singles

vs. couples vs. families spend, simply by analyzing onboard

folios.

 

You personally may spend a lot, but Princess can look at the big

picture of all passengers.

 

It seems to me that if singles were all such great

onboard spenders, Princess would work harder to entice them to book.

Edited December 13, 2014 by pablo222

[Bill B]

Yes, that "up to" appears in a lot of offers,:)

 

The words are ubiquitous.