Diamond Princess SE Asia Jan 8 to 27

[Sue_2013]

Just returned after a nightmarei experience First booked with PrincessAir on advice to ensure that we would be able to reach Singapore in time to embark safely.Firstly AC flight delayed 2 hours plus resulting in Missed connection in Munich. Plane full AC requested volunteers to check a bag Did so only to have bag lost for duration of cruise Still not found post cruise. Considerable inconvenience without contents.

Arrived Munich 2.5 hours late to chaos Refirected at 3pm to Paris on Air France Tried in vain to contact Princess from Paris incurring huge roaming charges All toll free contact tel #s not accessible .Eventually spoke with someone called who was unable to assist referring us to princess Air Eventually reached Someone called Vanessa who assured us that ship leaves at 6pm so if we arrived at the projected time of 4.30pm there would be no problem We arrived in Singapore at 5pm Collectdd our baggage and found one had been lost Met outside. U Princess rep who informed us ship had sailed at 5pm and we could bord in Nha Trang We had to them register lost luggage before trying to make travel arrangements to Nha Trang Only options wee 11 hours duration travel and stopovers in Ho Chi Min Eventually found flight of 7.5 hours duration following day with stop over in Ho Chi Min city So needed to get overnight hotel in Singapore aS well as in Nha Trang to ensure not missing ship again Reached Nha Trang at dusk Tool cab to hotel but driver refused to drop us in front of hotel Instead left us with baggage at corner of street After hauling bags down street found hotel had stairs to climb! Now starving and stressed found that hotel only accepted Vietnamese currency Settled for smallmpizz with our Zavailable funds ZRryurned to sparsely furnished room ready for. Hot shower to find no hot water and showe in room likely to flood as. no proper drainageDrcide to skip shower Next morning tool cab to dock Driver struggled to locate cruise dock Eventually found it and boarded. No lost luggage located for entire trip Two dYs before disembarking I contacted a viral infected and Was quarantined Disbarked and proceeded to Lufthansa Airlines to check in only to be told that while we had a booking Our tickets had been cancelled by Princess AirThe alternative was buy tickets back and hope for.a Refund After attempts by airline employee for almost 4 hours he was not able to contact Princess Air to rectify their error and authorize our tickets We were quoted $US 2900 each for ticket so we attempted to look at other airlines only to find tickets were equally pricey Evenhually at about 9pm the Lufthansa Manager Mahmud managed to locate someone in London UK who facilated the tickets We were then able at last to get a bite to eat before boarding at midnight to Frankfurt with a stopover and then to Toronto to arrive at 12.40 pm on Saturday

We are now out of pocket for the hotels and airfares .So much for Princess Air and Lufthansa We shall see what the company's response is and keep you all updated

[cruiser113]

.............and this is why we always go one to two days before cruise.......

[Thrak]

Hard lesson to learn but... I can't imagine trying to fly in on the same day to board at a destination so far away. If you used a TA and weren't warned about this sort of thing you have a right to be peeved with the TA. If you set it all up yourself trying to save money by not having to pay for meals and lodging for a day or two before the cruise then there is nobody to blame but yourself.

 

Personally, I would want the extra time before the cruise. I just can't see flying somewhere far away and not taking a day or two (at least) to see the sights.

 

Sorry you had such a difficult and stressful time. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Thrak

[easyboy]

Sorry about your horrible experience. I hope you find an acceptable resolution to your concerns.

[Colo Cruiser]

What a nightmare. Sorry you had to experience this.

With over 20 hours of flights we would never consider going less then 2 days early. I have looked at flights through EZ Air for Princess Asian cruises quite extensively and was not pleased with what I saw for flights and times. We have decided regardless that we will probably never cruise Asia because of this. :(

Edited January 29, 2017 by Colo Cruiser

[caribill]

We are now out of pocket for the hotels and airfares .So much for Princess Air and Lufthansa We shall see what the company's response is and keep you all updated

 

PrincessAir says they will get you to the ship if the flights do not get you to the port on time.

 

Definitely ask Princess to reimburse you 100% of your extra cost to get to the ship, including the phone charges you had trying to contact PrincessAir.