New to Princess and I have questions!

[2011mom]

Huh, I posted earlier and my post disappeared! Arggh! Maybe because I mentioned a travel agent?

 

Anyway, I am a longtime Carnival cruiser who is interested in taking a Princess cruise to the Norwegian fjords this summer on the Crown Princess. I did some research and if I want a balcony I think the Caribe deck is the way to go.

 

Will I even need a balcony with a Norwegian fjords cruise? I think the weather will be chilly.

 

Are there any advantages to booking directly with Princess rather than with an agent (who will give me some extra OBC)? I know with carnival, if you go through an agent then you don't have direct control over your booking - is that true with Princess?

 

Is there any price protection, like Carnival's early saver? what happens if the price drops after I book a cabin?

 

What's the deal with 2 early seating dinners, 5:30 or 6pm? I usually pick traditional dining over anytime, but I'm reconsidering for this cruise.

 

Any other things I should know about Princess before I book?

 

Thanks in advance!

[JF - retired RRT]

Huh, I posted earlier and my post disappeared! Arggh! Maybe because I mentioned a travel agent?That's right. I responded earlier, now I've gotta do it all over again. :(

 

I did some research and if I want a balcony I think the Caribe deck is the way to go. Many like Caribe for the larger balcony and partial cover (that shouldn't be an issue in the fjords). If you can afford it, you might want to consider a balcony in a "cheaper" area with an inside nearby. Four adults (mentioned in your previous post) in a balcony with one bathroom isn't my idea of a vacation.

 

Will I even need a balcony with a Norwegian fjords cruise? I'm pretty sure you could get by with 2 OVs or even insides next to each other. 2 cabins = 2 bathrooms.:D

 

Are there any advantages to booking directly with Princess rather than with an agent (who will give me some extra OBC)? No advantage. I book with Princess and then shop for a TA to switch my booking to.I know with carnival, if you go through an agent then you don't have direct control over your booking - is that true with Princess? Yes, same rules. You can change to a TA at any time, as long as it's before final payment.

 

Is there any price protection, like Carnival's early saver? Yes, for everyone, not just "early savers".

What happens if the price drops after I book a cabin? Ask Princess or your TA for a price adjustment. I've even gotten OBC instead of a price adjustment AFTER final payment.

 

What's the deal with 2 early seating dinners, 5:30 or 6pm? I usually pick traditional dining over anytime, but I'm reconsidering for this cruise. Two different MDRs. One is TD for both seatings (early & late). On the Crown that's Botticelli - deck 6 aft. Another MDR is TD early and ATD after the first seating. The third MDR is ATD all the time.

 

Any other things I should know about Princess before I book? If you drink coffee, buy a coffee card, great value

 

Thanks in advance!

 

See above

[CineGraphic]

You can always get better pricing from a TA.

I saved $700 on my last cruise, plus received some extra OBC.

You still have control over your reservation, although Princess would prefer any changes or inquiries to come via your TA, they'll still deal with you over the phone.

[caribill]

 

What's the deal with 2 early seating dinners, 5:30 or 6pm? I usually pick traditional dining over anytime, but I'm reconsidering for this cruise.

 

 

 

Princess used to have one early seating and one late seating (and also anytime where you can get on line when you want to eat).

 

But demand was so much for early that they use one of the anytime dining rooms for a second early seating, the one listed at 5:30. When that seating is over, the room becomes anytime for the rest of the evening.

 

But be aware that the two early times listed (5:30 and 6:00) are just place holders. Actual time will not be known until you get your cruise card when you check in. There are posts in other threads saying that the actual times could be earlier than the times listed.

[Mgb2hyd]

Will I even need a balcony with a Norwegian fjords cruise? I think the weather will be chilly.

 

 

In answer to your question about the balcony, my personal opinion is that it's definitely worth it for a fjords cruise!

 

We had a balcony on Aloha deck, Caribbean Princess. The scenery is out of this world, and you can be sailing down a fjord for several hours in and out of port. The weather was pretty cold, so the balcony was ideal to pop out, take photos, get back in the warm. I'd have no hesitation in booking one again, despite the price difference.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Bill B]

You still have control over your reservation, although Princess would prefer any changes or inquiries to come via your TA, they'll still deal with you over the phone.

 

Really? For some reason I was under the impression Princess would not deal with you (directly) if you have a TA.

[Lucky TGO]

Really? For some reason I was under the impression Princess would not deal with you (directly) if you have a TA.

 

I think your right Bill.

Tony

[pablo222]

Really? For some reason I was under the impression Princess would not deal with you (directly) if you have a TA.

 

That has been my experience.

[Colo Cruiser]

Huh, I posted earlier and my post disappeared! Arggh! Maybe because I mentioned a travel agent?

 

Anyway, I am a longtime Carnival cruiser who is interested in taking a Princess cruise to the Norwegian fjords this summer on the Crown Princess. I did some research and if I want a balcony I think the Caribe deck is the way to go.

 

 

People say the same about a balcony in Alaska.

We would not cruise Alaska or the Fjords without one.

 

We always get a balcony and are out there snow/rain/shine.

 

Caribe deck is ideal.

[caribill]

Will I even need a balcony with a Norwegian fjords cruise? I think the weather will be chilly.

 

 

 

Will you need one?

 

No.

 

Is it nice to have so you can step out for a minute or two and see spectacular scenery now and then?

 

Yes.

 

We even enjoyed our balcony views on a snowy day in a port in Siberia in February.

[satxdiver]

Balcony rooms have the advantage of having the glass wall looking out. The sliding glass door and the adjacent glass wall. It is nice to pop out for a few minutes when it is cold to get a better view or take a picture and then pop back into the cabin.

[Thrak]

Really? For some reason I was under the impression Princess would not deal with you (directly) if you have a TA.

 

Actually it varies. I've had them tell me "no way" and I've also had them say "of course".

 

I called once about a problem with my FCD. They had applied the newest one rather than the oldest one that would expire soon. I told them what I wanted changed and the rep looked and said I had booked through a TA and had to have the change requested by the TA. I waited 10-20 minutes or so and called back. The next rep cheerfully changed the FCD to the proper one without any issue at all.

 

I've also called a few times about other things and just didn't mention a TA being involved and had no problems at all. Like all things Princess, it "depends".

[Kartgv]

On the 'direct control over your booking' issue - it depends on what you want to do. In our experience, asking for a price drop or cabin change would require going through the TA. Doing simple things like dining or tour reservations can easily be done online or by calling Princess Customer Service. We also did the Military OBC application ourselves - just sent in the required form directly to Princess.

[Steelers36]

On the 'direct control over your booking' issue - it depends on what you want to do. In our experience, asking for a price drop or cabin change would require going through the TA. Doing simple things like dining or tour reservations can easily be done online or by calling Princess Customer Service. We also did the Military OBC application ourselves - just sent in the required form directly to Princess.

 

I agree. Never had a problem calling and talking to Princess when I have a TA booking (which has been the case in recent years once I discovered how to get better deals years back thanks to this CC board!!). But I also know what things they will discuss and do versus what they will refer to the TA. In any situation, you have Cruise Personalizer at your disposal to check on booking, update preferences or dining, review and book excursions, buy OBC or casino credits, order special items, check and book EZ-Air, and the list goes on.

 

I only need the TA if I want/need to change the actual booking, discuss their billing or prices, or deal with an upgrade offer if I was so lucky to get one. I deal with Princess directly for my CCL stock credit, and other account items. It doesn't take long to figure out the boundaries.

 

Besides, I realize when I book with a discount agency, I don't want to pester the agent with a lot of things I can handle myself. I would do 100% my own thing, but I like discounted fares and OBC enough to give up some control.

 

I think the worst thing is that if Princess has info on an upgrade or cabin assignment, it's going to the TA first to relay to me, so I worry about a delay whereas with a direct booking Princess contacts me directly. On our last cruise I was checking Personalizer every morning for a cabin assignment. :eek:

[2011mom]

Thanks for all the responses!

 

For price protection, EVERYONE gets it? So if I book and the price drops, I will get OBC? Even after final payment?

[caribill]

Thanks for all the responses!

 

For price protection, EVERYONE gets it? So if I book and the price drops, I will get OBC? Even after final payment?

 

Before final payment, if the price drops you can get it, but you may lose amenities (OBC, free gratuities, etc.) attached to your original booking if they are also not part of the new lower price.

 

After final payment there are different outcomes, depending on who you (with a direct booking) or your TA speaks with at Princess,

 

Sometimes they will make no adjustment at all.

 

Sometimes they will give you some OBC.

 

Sometimes they may move you to a higher category cabin.

 

Cannot predict in advance since it varies so much.

[trvlwrld]

if you want to contol your booking online then go with a princess agent

 

definitely go with a balcony in the fjords - the hours of scenery is well worth it!!!!

[2011mom]

Squee! I went to book this morning and there was only one B2 cabin left - and it wasn't on the side of the ship I wanted. So I tried to book it anyway through a TA but it just wouldn't go through. I finally called them, and it turns out that even though that room could hold 4 with a rollaway, there were no rollaways left! Arggh!

 

BUT! They then upgraded me at no additional cost to a mini-suite! On the side of the ship I wanted! Yay! So now I'm totally excited about this cruise!

 

I've only ever cruised on Carnival - how will the Princess experience be different? I can't wait to find out! Thanks to all responders for your help!

[Colo Cruiser]

That's great!

[caribill]

 

I've only ever cruised on Carnival - how will the Princess experience be different? I can't wait to find out!

 

No waiters singing and dancing on dining room tables.

 

Allowed to bring H2O and soda on board.

 

Any alcohol being held until the end of the cruise is delivered to youtr cabin the last evening. You do not have to line up to get it on disembarkation morning.

 

Cabins usually ready when boarding starts. No need to pay for FTTF for that.

 

No towel animals at night. But do get evening chocolates on your bed each evening.

 

No chocolate melting cake at dinner. Do have Crème Brûlée available each evening.

 

Shipmade ice cream at no cost in the dining rooms with different flavors avavilable each evening (along with the standard C,V,S)

 

Trivia not continuous all day long as it was on my last Carnival cruise.