All Inclusive Drink Package offering, with a twist

[wv4891]

While we are not new to Princess Cruises, we have been Celebrity cruisers since 2003.

 

Princess Cruises has joined several other lines in now offering free all inclusive drink packages, like Celebrity has. But they do it with a twist, so many packages available per Cabin Category, per my travel agent I am using for Princess (a different agent from the one I have used for a number of years for Celebrity). I just got drink packages for our 2016 Alaska Cruise, but had to change cabin category which I thought was rather strange, a lower category cabin than the one I had, as my old cabin category did not have any drink packages left, per my travel agent.

 

Has anyone else encountered this yet?? I just think this is rather an odd way to do it.

[Colo Cruiser]

While we are not new to Princess Cruises, we have been Celebrity cruisers since 2003.

 

Princess Cruises has joined several other lines in now offering free all inclusive drink packages, like Celebrity has. But they do it with a twist, so many packages available per Cabin Category, per my travel agent I am using for Princess (a different agent from the one I have used for a number of years for Celebrity). I just got drink packages for our 2016 Alaska Cruise, but had to change cabin category which I thought was rather strange, a lower category cabin than the one I had, as my old cabin category did not have any drink packages left, per my travel agent.

 

Has anyone else encountered this yet?? I just think this is rather an odd way to do it.

 

 

 

 

These promos depending on the cat have only just recently been offered.

The promo is all over the place and only available on select cruises.

Don't like their marketing of anything lately. :(

Edited July 11, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[wv4891]

I had a S3 aft cabin and had to go to a S6, to keep my aft preference for cabins, could have also had a S4 but wanted to stay aft.

 

Here is another twist to this, I later received another call from my travel agent stating that I could have my old S3 cabin back and the drink package. All I had to do was upgrade my current Denali Explorer landtour to a Connoisseur Landtour, at $1000 per person more. I said no to this, as I am happy with the S6 cabin.

 

Hope this gets kinda sorted out in the future, can't figure out why Princess would want to lose money on a booking, as mine went down over $200 with the change of cabins.

 

 

These promos depending on the cat have only just recently been offered.

The promo is all over the place and only available on select cruises.

Don't like their marketing of anything lately. :(

Edited July 11, 2015 by wv4891

[skynight]

This is what was sent to T.A.'s

"Princess Cruises Sip & Sail (July 9 - August 18)

Don't miss Princess Cruises biggest offer ever! With over 350 cruises on sale in 2016, your clients can explore the historic treasures of Europe, relax in the Caribbean, journey north to Alaska and much more!

· FREE All-Inclusive Beverage Package for two when they book a balcony, mini-suite or suite†

· FREE Specialty Dining for two when they book a mini-suite or suite‡

· Up to 50% off 3rd and 4th guest fares**

· Reduced deposit of only $100 per person"

Don't know what the special marks at the end of the statements mean, but suspect there is limited availability per cruise. You can also see the FREE offers are only for certain cats.

Also not all 2016 cruises have this offer.

Edited July 11, 2015 by sknight

[islandatsea]

Very confusing marketing :confused: .

[jasbo49]

I had a S3 aft cabin and had to go to a S6, to keep my aft preference for cabins, could have also had a S4 but wanted to stay aft.

 

Here is another twist to this, I later received another call from my travel agent stating that I could have my old S3 cabin back and the drink package. All I had to do was upgrade my current Denali Explorer landtour to a Connoisseur Landtour, at $1000 per person more. I said no to this, as I am happy with the S6 cabin.

 

Hope this gets kinda sorted out in the future, can't figure out why Princess would want to lose money on a booking, as mine went down over $200 with the change of cabins.

 

There's something off here. The promotion includes any cabin balcony or above. Any cabin beginning with the letter S would certainly have been eligible. Should be no need to change cabins.

 

Jim

[cattolica]

The special mark includes what happens when one of the first two passengers booked in the cabin are under 21, they will be given the Sodas and More package. I don't read that there is a limited number of bookings for this promotion. Should be available until all applicable categories are sold out.

 

I split the terms and conditions into paragraphs so that it is easier to read.

 

 

 

† All-Inclusive Beverage Package is applicable to voyages and cruise fares advertised in this promotion only, valid only for guests one and two per stateroom in balcony staterooms and above, and is not applicable during the land portion of Land & Sea Vacations.

 

The All-Inclusive Beverage Package includes beer, cocktails, spirits and glasses of wine up to $10, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water, coffee, tea, and espresso specialty drinks A 15% gratuity is included in the offer.

 

In addition a 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100 (gratuity not included on wine bottles)

 

The All-Inclusive Beverage Package does not include souvenir items, room service, vending machine or mini-bar items.

 

The All-Inclusive Beverage Package is available to guests one and two, who are 21 years or older. Guests one and two who are under 21 will receive the Soda and More Package.

 

The package will be applied to the cruise card pre-boarding in the form of a sticker.

 

The All-Inclusive Beverage Package and Soda and More Package are non-transferable and do not follow guests who change promotions prior to cruising.

 

The package may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash at any point during the cruise and expires at the end of that voyage.

 

Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Package type will be assigned prior to sailing based on age of guest.

 

In the event that the guest does not want the beverage package, alternative OBC amounts have been designated: Guests booking sailings 6-9 days can receive $150 per person. Guests booking sailings 10-12 days can receive $200 per person. Guests booking sailings 13+ days can receive $250 per person.

Edited July 11, 2015 by cattolica

[Colo Cruiser]

There are 3 different notes for the fine print. What is shown above is only one of them.

[azbirdmom]

We are planning to go back to the Panama Canal, this time with relatives. I've been looking at options at 3 different dates from fall 2015 to winter 2016. One has the beverage package, another has the $310 OBC, and the third has no promo but lower rates. The last two have casino pricing, the one with the beverage package does not. I made a mock booking on a suite for the one with the beverage package and this appears in the window before you choose dining options:

 

The SIP & SAIL promotion offers you a reduced deposit of $100 per person and additional amenities based on the stateroom type booked, Guests one and two booked in a balcony (standard or deluxe), mini-suite or suite receive a free all-inclusive beverage package.

PLUS mini-suite and suite guests also receive one free specialty dining for two.

Discounted fares are available to 3rd/4th guests in the same stateroom.

Discounts vary by voyage.

This promotion does not combine with other select offers such as Travel Agent, Interline, Friends and Family and special casino promotional fares.

 

This offer has limited space regardless of cabin availability.Please note that the Captain's Circle Launch Savings promotion code (PA1) has been changed to promotion code ZPP.

Edited July 11, 2015 by azbirdmom

[caribill]

There's something off here. The promotion includes any cabin balcony or above. Any cabin beginning with the letter S would certainly have been eligible. Should be no need to change cabins.

 

 

I agree.

 

Somehow it may be tied in to the booking being for a cruisetour and not just for cruise only. However, there is nothing I have seen in print saying that would be an exception to getting the package or that the type of cruisetour would make a difference.

 

Of course, current pricing for the cruisetour would apply to get the current offer.

 

I suggest asking the TA to set up a three way call with Princess so that the OP can ask questions about this directly.

Edited July 11, 2015 by caribill

[jewelsea21]

Is your original s3 category wait listed maybe?

[lljost]

I spoke with my Princess Vacation Planner yesterday and she indicated all these promotions are capacity controlled. So many offers per category per sailing. Once that is reached, the offer is not available for that particular category. If there is still another available, you can change to that and receive the offer.

[caribill]

I spoke with my Princess Vacation Planner yesterday and she indicated all these promotions are capacity controlled. So many offers per category per sailing. Once that is reached, the offer is not available for that particular category. If there is still another available, you can change to that and receive the offer.

 

That is not in the small print at all.

 

The only limitation is that the advertised fares have "limited space regardless of cabin availability," but this does not apply to amenities, just cabin pricing.

 

From the Princess web site:

 

† All-Inclusive Beverage Package is applicable to voyages and cruise fares advertised in this promotion only, valid only for guests one and two per stateroom in balcony staterooms and above, and is not applicable during the land portion of Land & Sea Vacations. The All-Inclusive Beverage Package includes beer, cocktails, spirits and glasses of wine up to $10, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water, coffee, tea, and espresso specialty drinks A 15% gratuity is included in the offer. In addition a 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100 (gratuity not included on wine bottles) The All-Inclusive Beverage Package does not include souvenir items, room service, vending machine or mini-bar items. The All-Inclusive Beverage Package is available to guests one and two, who are 21 years or older. Guests one and two who are under 21 will receive the Soda and More Package. The package will be applied to the cruise card pre-boarding in the form of a sticker. The All-Inclusive Beverage Package and Soda and More Package are non-transferable and do not follow guests who change promotions prior to cruising. The package may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash at any point during the cruise and expires at the end of that voyage. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Package type will be assigned prior to sailing based on age of guest. In the event that the guest does not want the beverage package, alternative OBC amounts have been designated: Guests booking sailings 6-9 days can receive $150 per person. Guests booking sailings 10-12 days can receive $200 per person. Guests booking sailings 13+ days can receive $250 per person.

**3rd or 4th guests up to 50% off is based on a discount off the third and/or fourth person fares in the same stateroom as first and second guests. Discount is taken at the time of booking and does not apply to Holiday voyages. Offer has limited space.

‡ Specialty Dining voucher is applicable to voyages and cruise fares advertised in this promotion only, valid only for guests one and two booked into a mini-suite or suite stateroom only, and is not applicable during the land portion of Land & Sea Vacations. Voucher will be delivered to the stateroom upon embarkation. Princess Cruises reserves the right to pre-assign Specialty Dining times. Voucher may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash and expires at the end of that voyage. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Specialty Dining voucher is quoted in U.S. dollars.

*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. Offer has limited space regardless of cabin availability. These fares do not apply to exclusive occupants or third/fourth-berth guests. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses of $65-$360 are additional and subject to change. This offer may not be combinable with any other Casino offers, Air Promotions, public, group or past guest discount. Offer is 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. Deposits made under this promotion are refundable. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings.

Offer expires: August 18, 2015. Reference promotion code: R7A

[RDC1]

I had a S3 aft cabin and had to go to a S6, to keep my aft preference for cabins, could have also had a S4 but wanted to stay aft.

 

Here is another twist to this, I later received another call from my travel agent stating that I could have my old S3 cabin back and the drink package. All I had to do was upgrade my current Denali Explorer landtour to a Connoisseur Landtour, at $1000 per person more. I said no to this, as I am happy with the S6 cabin.

 

Hope this gets kinda sorted out in the future, can't figure out why Princess would want to lose money on a booking, as mine went down over $200 with the change of cabins.

 

 

I question the validity of what your TA is telling you.

 

To check go to the web site. Select the cruise and do a mock booking. That will tell you if it is available or not.

[lljost]

That is not in the small print at all.

 

The only limitation is that the advertised fares have "limited space regardless of cabin availability," but this does not apply to amenities, just cabin pricing.

 

From the Princess web site:

 

† All-Inclusive Beverage Package is applicable to voyages and cruise fares advertised in this promotion only, valid only for guests one and two per stateroom in balcony staterooms and above, and is not applicable during the land portion of Land & Sea Vacations. The All-Inclusive Beverage Package includes beer, cocktails, spirits and glasses of wine up to $10, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water, coffee, tea, and espresso specialty drinks A 15% gratuity is included in the offer. In addition a 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100 (gratuity not included on wine bottles) The All-Inclusive Beverage Package does not include souvenir items, room service, vending machine or mini-bar items. The All-Inclusive Beverage Package is available to guests one and two, who are 21 years or older. Guests one and two who are under 21 will receive the Soda and More Package. The package will be applied to the cruise card pre-boarding in the form of a sticker. The All-Inclusive Beverage Package and Soda and More Package are non-transferable and do not follow guests who change promotions prior to cruising. The package may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash at any point during the cruise and expires at the end of that voyage. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Package type will be assigned prior to sailing based on age of guest. In the event that the guest does not want the beverage package, alternative OBC amounts have been designated: Guests booking sailings 6-9 days can receive $150 per person. Guests booking sailings 10-12 days can receive $200 per person. Guests booking sailings 13+ days can receive $250 per person.

**3rd or 4th guests up to 50% off is based on a discount off the third and/or fourth person fares in the same stateroom as first and second guests. Discount is taken at the time of booking and does not apply to Holiday voyages. Offer has limited space.

‡ Specialty Dining voucher is applicable to voyages and cruise fares advertised in this promotion only, valid only for guests one and two booked into a mini-suite or suite stateroom only, and is not applicable during the land portion of Land & Sea Vacations. Voucher will be delivered to the stateroom upon embarkation. Princess Cruises reserves the right to pre-assign Specialty Dining times. Voucher may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash and expires at the end of that voyage. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits. Specialty Dining voucher is quoted in U.S. dollars.

*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. Offer has limited space regardless of cabin availability. These fares do not apply to exclusive occupants or third/fourth-berth guests. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses of $65-$360 are additional and subject to change. This offer may not be combinable with any other Casino offers, Air Promotions, public, group or past guest discount. Offer is 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. Deposits made under this promotion are refundable. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings.

Offer expires: August 18, 2015. Reference promotion code: R7A

 

 

My understanding of "limited space" would mean capacity controlled. Not saying that I agree with it, but we tried to book a particular cruise/cabin category and it was unavailable. I could choose another category or a different sailing but was unable to book the particular category I wanted. No big loss to me. I was able to find a cruise to my satisfaction and booked that for November 2016.

[caribill]

My understanding of "limited space" would mean capacity controlled. Not saying that I agree with it, but we tried to book a particular cruise/cabin category and it was unavailable. I could choose another category or a different sailing but was unable to book the particular category I wanted. No big loss to me. I was able to find a cruise to my satisfaction and booked that for November 2016.

 

Capacity controlled as to number of cabins at a certain price, not controlled as to including the amenities.

[RSF Cruiser]

I was able to get the sip and sail on a dec 2016 Panama Canal sailing. I called back, after having the promo added to my booking, to change the AIBP to OBC, and twice I have been told the promo is only for the beverage package. Has anyone else had this problem? Did Princess change the rules and is no longer offering OBC?

[caribill]

I was able to get the sip and sail on a dec 2016 Panama Canal sailing. I called back, after having the promo added to my booking, to change the AIBP to OBC, and twice I have been told the promo is only for the beverage package. Has anyone else had this problem? Did Princess change the rules and is no longer offering OBC?

 

The small print in post #13 is current from the web site and lists the OBC alternative.

 

Someone posted that the offer with OBC is coded R7B. Have Princess check that code.

 

Or point them to the small print on the website.

[cattolica]

There are 3 different notes for the fine print. What is shown above is only one of them.

 

Sorry, OP was only referencing the drink package so I didn't include the rest of the fine print since it didn't apply to what she was asking.

[Colo Cruiser]

Sorry, OP was only referencing the drink package so I didn't include the rest of the fine print since it didn't apply to what she was asking.

 

 

 

Got it. Just wanted posters to know there was more fine print. ;)

[RSF Cruiser]

It took me three phone calls, but I got my AIBP converted to OBC. Thank you Cruise Critic and Caribill!!! This last time I called my travel agent I had the Sip and Sail offer up on my computer screen and I read the fine print to them - the fine print that Caribill posted. The only hitch is the $500 OBC (we're doing a 15 day cruise) is it is non-refundable. So we'll just have to spend $500 while on board... I can think of worse problems.

[Sonoran_cruiser]

I was able to get the sip and sail on a dec 2016 Panama Canal sailing. I called back, after having the promo added to my booking, to change the AIBP to OBC, and twice I have been told the promo is only for the beverage package. Has anyone else had this problem? Did Princess change the rules and is no longer offering OBC?

 

The Princess OBC offer (which was part of the Red, White, and Blue sale) ended as of 7/7/15. Don't believe there's any systemwide OBC offer program at this time.

[Colo Cruiser]

The Princess OBC offer (which was part of the Red, White, and Blue sale) ended as of 7/7/15. Don't believe there's any systemwide OBC offer program at this time.

 

 

The sale that started 7/9.

Not sure what you mean by system wide?

[Sonoran_cruiser]

The sale that started 7/9.

Not sure what you mean by system wide?

 

Sorry, I apparently missed something associated with the 7/9/15 sale.

 

Princess says:

In the event that the passenger does not want the all inclusive beverage package, Product Management has designated alternative OBC amounts. This can be selected and booked via Polar Online or by calling Princess Customer Service. Promo will be R7B.

 

So the Alternative OBC should be available if you book under this sale program, but don't actually want the beverage package. (note - passenger 1 and 2 must take the same offering - Bev pkg or Alternative OBC)

 

I will agree with the other posters - there are way to many "words" associated with this offering. IMO, it should apply to all cabins, balcony and above. Why limit number of participants?

[Colo Cruiser]

Sorry, I apparently missed something associated with the 7/9/15 sale.

 

Princess says:

In the event that the passenger does not want the all inclusive beverage package, Product Management has designated alternative OBC amounts. This can be selected and booked via Polar Online or by calling Princess Customer Service. Promo will be R7B.

 

So the Alternative OBC should be available if you book under this sale program, but don't actually want the beverage package. (note - passenger 1 and 2 must take the same offering - Bev pkg or Alternative OBC)

 

I will agree with the other posters - there are way to many "words" associated with this offering. IMO, it should apply to all cabins, balcony and above. Why limit number of participants?

 

They seem to use the #1 and #2 terminology quite often in offers. What we think they should do and what they do are quite far apart. :(