CalLuvsCrusingToo Posted March 31, 2016 #1 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Hello all, we just got back from first Princess cruise. I earned enough points in the Crowns casino for a free upcoming cruise. Its for 2, Inside cabin, sailing thru Oct. 22. Prefer doing the Calif Coastal again, end of summer. Wonder if anyone has experience with comp vouchers from the ship? And cruise ship recommendation? We sailed on Crown, liked it alot. Want to do Calif. coastal again, but prefer to leave out of SF. Is Grand our only choice? I'm really Not interested in that ship. But appears its the only option for Calif Coastal out of SF... Let me know your experience , advice on ships for this? I have til April 25 to book it. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggo11 Posted April 1, 2016 #2 Share Posted April 1, 2016 I have one as well. We took the Star from SF down the coast last spring and loved it. We are also fond of the cruises from LA and SF up to Vancouver. Some stop in Victoria on the way. Anyway you cut it, a free cruise is the best! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRWPA Posted April 1, 2016 #3 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Loved the Crown. Have sailed her twice. I also sailed the Grand one time. I am biased toward Princess ships and have loved all the ships I've been on for various reasons. The Grand was no exception. I'm sure you'll have fun no matter which ship you choose. I received a casino letter on my last cruise in October. I booked Regal Princess. Although Regal and Royal are not my favorites I got a great deal. I paid to upgrade to balcony and must pay port charges. Total for 7 day Caribbean cruise for 2: $750. I took an obstructed balcony guarantee and was upgraded to a deluxe balcony no obstructions. I will also receive $200 casino cash and the booking came with $75 pp onboard credit. I also used FCC to book, so got another $50 OBC and am a shareholder so got another $100 OBC. Of course I'll spend plenty in the casino and on other onboard items (drink package!), so Princess will get their money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalLuvsCrusingToo Posted April 2, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted April 2, 2016 Thanks for both of your responses & opinions. Appears that Star sailed from SF last year, we missed it. After more digging, looks like Grand is our ONLY choice from SF late this summer. Yep, Free is good. Well, almost.....I get what you mean, port charges, taxes, upgrades. However I'm leaning towards grabbing an Inside for a change, and see if any upgrade deals happen...... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisequeen4ever Posted April 2, 2016 #5 Share Posted April 2, 2016 That's awesome! How do you score a comp cruise from the casino? Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casino Comp Chick Posted April 2, 2016 #6 Share Posted April 2, 2016 That's awesome! How do you score a comp cruise from the casino? Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Play, play, play in the casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggo11 Posted April 2, 2016 #7 Share Posted April 2, 2016 That's awesome! How do you score a comp cruise from the casino? Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app I have been going to the Venetian on comps for the last 3 years. This is a special promotion for their current customers that runs through the end of June. Nice partnership between Princess Casinos and Sands Corp is my guess. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry and Lucille Posted April 2, 2016 #8 Share Posted April 2, 2016 Going on the Grand to Alaska in Sept. Couldn't pass the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalLuvsCrusingToo Posted April 3, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I have been going to the Venetian on comps for the last 3 years. This is a special promotion for their current customers that runs through the end of June. Nice partnership between Princess Casinos and Sands Corp is my guess. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD muggo, you are talking about a different casino comp. The kind you get at a casino NOT on the ship. I'm talking about the SHIPS casino.... " I earned enough points in the Crowns casino for a free upcoming cruise. Its for 2, Inside cabin, sailing thru Oct. 22." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalLuvsCrusingToo Posted April 3, 2016 Author #10 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Going on the Grand to Alaska in Sept. Couldn't pass the price. Was this a casino comp? Ships casino comp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggo11 Posted April 3, 2016 #11 Share Posted April 3, 2016 muggo, you are talking about a different casino comp. The kind you get at a casino NOT on the ship. I'm talking about the SHIPS casino.... " I earned enough points in the Crowns casino for a free upcoming cruise. Its for 2, Inside cabin, sailing thru Oct. 22." Oh, of course you are probably right. I won't see the actual certificate until I check in in June. All I know is the casino at Venetian/sands is offering a free 7-day cruise. And I am IN! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisequeen4ever Posted April 3, 2016 #12 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Thank you both! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hightownCO Posted April 4, 2016 #13 Share Posted April 4, 2016 To CalLuvsCrusingToo, Can I ask how many points you had to get the free cruise offer? I have a Princess cruise booked for later this year but when I last cruised them, they didn't do this sort of thing. I have been cruising Carnival with their free cruise offers and generally, if you get 5,000 points or more you'll probably get a 'bounce back' offer for a free interior on another cruise. You have only two weeks to book and the cruise has to be taken within 6 months. Depending on your points, may be only a 6 night with limited choices or if you have a lot of points, may be up to 15 night on almost any cruise. With your post, looks like Princess is doing the same or similar program. Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggo11 Posted April 4, 2016 #14 Share Posted April 4, 2016 To CalLuvsCrusingToo, Can I ask how many points you had to get the free cruise offer? I have a Princess cruise booked for later this year but when I last cruised them, they didn't do this sort of thing. I have been cruising Carnival with their free cruise offers and generally, if you get 5,000 points or more you'll probably get a 'bounce back' offer for a free interior on another cruise. You have only two weeks to book and the cruise has to be taken within 6 months. Depending on your points, may be only a 6 night with limited choices or if you have a lot of points, may be up to 15 night on almost any cruise. With your post, looks like Princess is doing the same or similar program. Thanks, I don't rack up a lot of points as I primarily play blackjack. If memory serves i generally have 1500 to 2000 points from video poker. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hightownCO Posted April 4, 2016 #15 Share Posted April 4, 2016 I don't rack up a lot of points as I primarily play blackjack. If memory serves i generally have 1500 to 2000 points from video poker. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Thanks muggo. I'm hoping that the OP will come back and share his points on the ship since he said it was the points that got the free cruise offer. Like I said, Carnival's minimum seems to be 5,000 points. Just curious if Princess is running the same program now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry and Lucille Posted April 4, 2016 #16 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Was this a casino comp? Ships casino comp? Princess Casino. This cruise was booked thru the Casino department. Completly different from a regular booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalLuvsCrusingToo Posted April 11, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Thanks muggo. I'm hoping that the OP will come back and share his points on the ship since he said it was the points that got the free cruise offer. Like I said, Carnival's minimum seems to be 5,000 points. Just curious if Princess is running the same program now. 8,000 points in Princess ship casino, for future free (2) Inside cruise. Only thing, its only for a month to book, then must sail before times up, approx 8 months. This is a much smaller window to book & sail, than the casino offers I get from NCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hightownCO Posted April 13, 2016 #18 Share Posted April 13, 2016 8,000 points in Princess ship casino, for future free (2) Inside cruise.Only thing, its only for a month to book, then must sail before times up, approx 8 months. This is a much smaller window to book & sail, than the casino offers I get from NCL. Thanks for the info! My next cruise with Princess is a VIP Casino cruise and cabin (OV) was free. With so many sea days, I'll need to figure out some way of staying out of the casino but want to get whatever points they look for. Carnival's 'bounce back' offers are also time limited. Have to book within 2 weeks and sail within 6 months. I've gotten those but have never been able to book one. Thanks again for the info and good luck on your future cruises! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry and Lucille Posted April 15, 2016 #19 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Hello all, we just got back from first Princess cruise. I earned enough points in the Crowns casino for a free upcoming cruise. Its for 2, Inside cabin, sailing thru Oct. 22. Prefer doing the Calif Coastal again, end of summer. Wonder if anyone has experience with comp vouchers from the ship? And cruise ship recommendation? We sailed on Crown, liked it alot. Want to do Calif. coastal again, but prefer to leave out of SF. Is Grand our only choice? I'm really Not interested in that ship. But appears its the only option for Calif Coastal out of SF... Let me know your experience , advice on ships for this? I have til April 25 to book it. Thank you! She is an older ship but is holding up well. Sailed 15 day Hawaiian and all was well. Going again with the Casino comp. 10 day Sanfran round trip to Alaska. Sept. 8. Shows for the most part were good. Same for the food. For us, never been on a bad cruise. Princess does do a great job for the most part. No complaints here. Embarkation and Debarkation went very well and on board activities were very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggo11 Posted April 15, 2016 #20 Share Posted April 15, 2016 We took Star out of SF but it may not be sailing in time for your booking window. If the voucher I get from Venetian works, we will use to book Star Princess coastal out of SF in 2017. Good luck. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEAKevin Posted April 17, 2016 #21 Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) Seems a good time for my first post. I completed my 2nd Princess Cruise on April 10th (Caribbean Princess 11 day voyage out of Houston) and it looks like I left a large enough deposit in the casino for them to ask me back again and leave some more :p... I was comped a free cruise, inside cabin. I've got to book it by May 10th and travel by Nov 6th... it's good for up to 10 days, for "ANY CARIBBEAN, COASTAL, MEXICO, ALASKA, HAWAII, OR PANAMA CANAL SAILING". Sadly there are no Hawaii sailings under 15 days.. I would have done a one way from Vancouver to enjoy all those sea days! Perhaps some of their comps are for longer cruises where it could be used. I do not know what the comp criteria was..I won't talk dollars, but I was in the casino every night after dinner for 2-3 hours always playing a table game ..I may have skipped 1 night. Maybe the average time was more than that ..timekeeping is harder at night when you've also purchased the unlimited beverage package:D. I was just stunned and thrilled when I walked into the casino on the last night and the host came over to me and personally handed me the letter. A wonderful surprise. Another casino regular I talked to who was betting at least 2-3 times as much as I was was comped a balcony cabin plus $1,000 in casino cash. I asked the host about paying to upgrade the cabin because I don't like inside cabins and he said it's definitely possible, and often inexpensive...so that's why I came here searching for some price guidance. I have no idea which cruise I'm going to choose yet but I was wondering if anyone knew: 1. Is the availability of these pretty reasonable where there are at least a few cabins on most every cruise unless it's a holiday peak spring break/New Years, etc? Or do they send you a "take it or leave it" list? 2. I know the regions are set where the comp is allowed... and I'm greatful with what I've got. However..I just got a Princess Summer Sailing brochure in the mail with very steep discounts on their Mediterranean sailings..meaning some empty boats. I've never been on a Med Cruise... sadly I think terrorism is taking its toll on European tourism this summer. So, what do you think my chances are of using my comp on a 7 day Med cruise instead? Edited April 17, 2016 by SEAKevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisequeen4ever Posted April 18, 2016 #22 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Congrats! That's really cool your offer includes 10 day sailings! I've never received an offer, but all you can do is call the number they give you and ask about Europe and see what they say! You never know! Good luck Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEAKevin Posted April 19, 2016 #23 Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) Congrats! That's really cool your offer includes 10 day sailings! I've never received an offer, but all you can do is call the number they give you and ask about Europe and see what they say! You never know! Good luck Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Thanks! I called today and sadly the answer was no about changing to any other region or choosing a cruise longer than what's on my offer. I had made a few alternate selections to check availability on 10 day cruises in Sept/Oct..and all of them had inside cabin space. Maybe I am wrong, but after talking to the person at the casino booking desk I got the distinct feeling they are only empowered to assist you with exactly what the your casino host has given you...they are not casino hosts themselves. So, if you want/need to make those kinds of requests you'd need to have access to a host who can consider your request. The pricing for cabin upgrades, extra people..they were all in the computer and varied by cruise. And the costs did not at all mirror the actual price differential I saw online for what was for sale to the public on those cruises...in fact it was quite a bit more expensive per person to upgrade...at least on the cruises I asked about. Granted these are several months out. I haven't booked anything yet..still have deciding to do. One good feature I learned.. she said if I book any cruise before my cutoff reservation date..I can change it to a different cruise or cancel for no cost as long as I do so 30 days prior to the sailing I've booked. That actually can buy you time. Edited April 19, 2016 by SEAKevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hightownCO Posted April 19, 2016 #24 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Thanks! I called today and sadly the answer was no about changing to any other region or choosing a cruise longer than what's on my offer. I had made a few alternate selections to check availability on 10 day cruises in Sept/Oct..and all of them had inside cabin space. Maybe I am wrong, but after talking to the person at the casino booking desk I got the distinct feeling they are only empowered to assist you with exactly what the your casino host has given you...they are not casino hosts themselves. So, if you want/need to make those kinds of requests you'd need to have access to a host who can consider your request. The pricing for cabin upgrades, extra people..they were all in the computer and varied by cruise. And the costs did not at all mirror the actual price differential I saw online for what was for sale to the public on those cruises...in fact it was quite a bit more expensive per person to upgrade...at least on the cruises I asked about. Granted these are several months out. I haven't booked anything yet..still have deciding to do. One good feature I learned.. she said if I book any cruise before my cutoff reservation date..I can change it to a different cruise or cancel for no cost as long as I do so 30 days prior to the sailing I've booked. That actually can buy you time. Could you share what the cost of the upgrade was? As noted before I'm used to Carnival's offers like this but not Princess. On Carnival, upgrade from free inside to Balcony is usually 250 - 260 per person on a 7 or 8 night cruise. Upgrade to OV usually 100. But you can choose the highest balcony category in that group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalLuvsCrusingToo Posted April 20, 2016 Author #25 Share Posted April 20, 2016 Could you share what the cost of the upgrade was? As noted before I'm used to Carnival's offers like this but not Princess. On Carnival, upgrade from free inside to Balcony is usually 250 - 260 per person on a 7 or 8 night cruise. Upgrade to OV usually 100. But you can choose the highest balcony category in that group. Wondering same thing. Also, the upgrade costs for NCL are VERY similar to Carnival. I am doing something alittle different this Princess booking..... I'm Taking the Inside comp cabin, and see IF an upgrade is offered closer? If not? I plan to use the Inside cabin. I've upgraded every past cruise, always AT the Time of booking. Insides seem to book up Fast..... So this time, plan to grab the Insdie "freebie" and wait for poss upgrade. Last Princess cruise, I was able to upgrade last min for $79 each. (that was OV to Balcony) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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