Last minute deals

[drommer]

Does Princess offer any last minute deals, (2 to 3 week notice) and if so how do you receive those notices?

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

Does Princess offer any last minute deals, (2 to 3 week notice) and if so how do you receive those notices?

 

Yes, standby deals.

You can sign up for the emails on the Princess website.

[fishywood]

You can sign up to receive e-mail notifications of last minute availability from your ports of choice:

 

Go to http://www.princess.com/ click on Sign In / Register and register if you have not already.

Once in the system, mouse over My Account and click on Profile Information

In the second header (with the Seawitch logo on the left) you will find a button for StandBy Program. Select which ports and notice period you want.

 

I will add that I have taken advantage of many last minute deals from Ft Lauderdale in the past but there was slim pickings this year; even before the peak of the season most cruises were sold out at least four to six weeks in advance.

[drommer]

Thank you all for the advice.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[caribill]

Princess (and the other cruise lines) are working to convince passengers that the best pricing will be long before the cruise date. CCL Corp (which owns Princess) and RCI report that future bookings are up over last year and at higher pricing.

 

Part of the convincing process is to greatly reduce last minute deep discount fares as having those last minute deep discounts does not encourage people to book early. In same cases, they would rather sail with a few empty cabins than have future passengers expect a last minute bargain.

 

In general, the cruise lines are trying to find the sweet spot between sailing full and still having cabins available at a high price close to embarkation day, just like airlines have their highest pricing as the days to takeoff get low in number.

 

Having said that, there still seems to be some good pricing available on some cruises near to embarkation day. Just do not count on it.

[just hooked]

You can sign up to receive e-mail notifications of last minute availability from your ports of choice:

 

Go to http://www.princess.com/ click on Sign In / Register and register if you have not already.

Once in the system, mouse over My Account and click on Profile Information

In the second header (with the Seawitch logo on the left) you will find a button for StandBy Program. Select which ports and notice period you want.

 

Unfortunately we don't have this option in Australia

Would be good if we did

[SianP]

I can't see this an option on the UK website either

[Mike D.]

You can sign up to receive e-mail notifications of last minute availability from your ports of choice:

 

Go to http://www.princess.com/ click on Sign In / Register and register if you have not already.

Once in the system, mouse over My Account and click on Profile Information

In the second header (with the Seawitch logo on the left) you will find a button for StandBy Program. Select which ports and notice period you want.

 

I will add that I have taken advantage of many last minute deals from Ft Lauderdale in the past but there was slim pickings this year; even before the peak of the season most cruises were sold out at least four to six weeks in advance.

 

I don't seem to find this option on my profile. Maybe I'm being less than thorough is searching. I'm a US customer in California (and close to the San Francisco port). Thanks for any suggestions for getting notifications without checking daily.

 

Thanks!

[fishywood]

I don't seem to find this option on my profile. Maybe I'm being less than thorough is searching. I'm a US customer in California (and close to the San Francisco port). Thanks for any suggestions for getting notifications without checking daily.

 

Thanks!

 

In what may be a first for Princess' IT department, signing up for the Last Minute Deal e-mails now requires less tricky navigation.

 

Right at the top of the home page http://www.princess.com in the center of the blue header is an envelope icon labeled 'Sign Up for Special Offers'

Just click and fill in the pop-up with your contact information.

 

If the pop-up is difficult to navigate you alternatively can:

Click on 'Deals' from the same blue header;

Click on 'Drop and Go';

Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill in your name and e-mail address.

[Mike D.]

In what may be a first for Princess' IT department, signing up for the Last Minute Deal e-mails now requires less tricky navigation.

 

Right at the top of the home page www.princess.com in the center of the blue header is an envelope icon labeled 'Sign Up for Special Offers'

Just click and fill in the pop-up with your contact information.

 

If the pop-up is difficult to navigate you alternatively can:

Click on 'Deals' from the same blue header;

Click on 'Drop and Go';

Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill in your name and e-mail address.

 

Thanks, I get it now. I didn't understand that when I signed up for the offers that would include the drop and go cruises since the site never asked me for port(s), duration and "warning time".

 

Best,

 

MD

[moki'smommy]

Princess (and the other cruise lines) are working to convince passengers that the best pricing will be long before the cruise date. CCL Corp (which owns Princess) and RCI report that future bookings are up over last year and at higher pricing.

 

Part of the convincing process is to greatly reduce last minute deep discount fares as having those last minute deep discounts does not encourage people to book early. In same cases, they would rather sail with a few empty cabins than have future passengers expect a last minute bargain.

 

In general, the cruise lines are trying to find the sweet spot between sailing full and still having cabins available at a high price close to embarkation day, just like airlines have their highest pricing as the days to takeoff get low in number.

 

Having said that, there still seems to be some good pricing available on some cruises near to embarkation day. Just do not count on it.

 

Yes and no to the above, because the cruise line also needs to factor in what the typical passenger spends on board. Some lines make special rates available to employees and travel agents in order to fill cabins. While these severe discounts don't earn them any money, they are better than an empty cabin--the crew still get their tips (keeping them happy) and if the passenger buys even a single beverage, the line will make some profit. Sailing with an empty cabin is a loss for all concerned. Other lines choose to offer significantly discounted cruise fares. My guess is that they have a computer algorithm that tells them how much to reduce the fares based in part on how many cabins are remaining.

 

Sure, they want to fill cabins in advance and at higher rates, but that doesn't always happen.

 

If you can be flexible as to cruise dates, if you live within driving distance of the port, etc., you can get some good pricing SOMETIMES. If your good cruise fare is going to be eaten up by high air fares, perhaps it isn't such a good deal.

[cruiser113]

we snagged a 15 day Hawaii cruise r/t LA with a last minute deal ( 4 weeks before sailing) with a $1099 for ocean view cabin and we were happy.

[jennybenny]

we snagged a 15 day Hawaii cruise r/t LA with a last minute deal ( 4 weeks before sailing) with a $1099 for ocean view cabin and we were happy.

That's a great deal!

[Croptop]

Here's a direct link the Standby Program sign-up page (you probably need to be logged into your account first though):

 

https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/standbyProgram.page

[Superfragger]

There are definitely last minute deals to be had but we've found that booking a year or so in advance will get you the best fares and also the best deposit and cancellation policies (without taking additionnal insurance). From our observations, last minute deals aren't necessarily much cheaper but may include some extras such as free specialty restaurants or some onboard credit.

 

If you live near a cruise port, the Standby Program is definitely worth looking into as we believe that's where the real deal is.

[baronessk]

I live close to FLL and have been signed up for 9 years. I've never been notified once!

[fishywood]

I live close to FLL and have been signed up for 9 years. I've never been notified once!

 

You should log into your Captains Circle account and make sure e-mail is enabled as a form of contact. Even if you have entered your e-mail address in the 'Sign up for Special Offers' box if your Circle account has e-mail contact unchecked you may not receive any.

 

Interesting that a previous response mentioned getting OBC and other perks. In all my years of booking almost exclusively after final payment with promo codes directed to me I have never gotten a single dollar of OBC from Princess (beyond shareholder) and only twice have been able to take advantage of the current promotion even after a hefty post-final-payment-date price drop: in 2012 under the "price includes Government Taxes and Fees" promo (so only around $400 total p/p for 7 nights on Grand Princess) and the Spring 2016 free gratuities promo.

[floridalover5623]

I live close to FLL and have been signed up for 9 years. I've never been notified once!

Don't feel to bad, nether have I. ;p

[antsp]

The real last minute bargains go to the Interline agents, the public don’t get to see the low low prices

[teecee60]

Does Princess offer last minute deals, (2 to 3 week notice) and how do you receive those notices?

 

I signed up for and I do receive "last minute deal" emails from Princess, but I have never booked with them... because I can almost always find lower prices (sometimes MUCH lower) from a couple of on line cruise consolidators. Many people still think that travel agencies are forbidden from offering prices lower than those from the cruise lines. This is completely false... you can quite often get lower prices AND more OBC/perks from large, well known, reputable online agencies, especially after final payment. :cool:

 

Some lines make special rates available to travel agents in order to fill cabins. While these severe discounts don't earn them any money' date=' they are better than an empty cabin--the crew still get their tips (keeping them happy) and if the passenger buys even a single beverage, the line will make some profit. Sailing with an empty cabin is a loss for all concerned.

 

Other lines choose to offer significantly discounted cruise fares. My guess is that they have a computer algorithm that tells them how much to reduce the fares based in part on how many cabins are remaining. Sure, they want to fill cabins in advance and at higher rates, but that doesn't always happen.

 

If you can be flexible as to cruise dates, if you live within driving distance of the port, etc., you can get some good pricing SOMETIMES. If your good cruise fare is going to be eaten up by high air fares, perhaps it isn't such a good deal.[/quote']

 

Your comments are an absolutely outstanding synopsis of the fascinating world of cruise pricing and I agree with you completely on all counts... based upon six years of personal experience! ;)

 

I am retired military on a fixed income, and can cruise as much as I do ONLY if I can find great deals. Finding last minute deals (especially after final payment date) has become one of my favorite hobbies. Four years ago I booked a 15 night transatlantic from Rome to Miami on Celebrity for only $449pp! Three years ago I got a 23 night transpacific on Celebrity for only $799pp. Also got a 14 night Alaska cruise on Diamond Princess a few years ago for $799pp... Just finished a 13 night T/A on RCCL for only $531pp and just five days ago, booked a 15 night Star Princess to Hawaii for $1099pp... but am also getting a total of $650 OBC.

 

A flexible schedule and a willingness to spend 2-4 minutes on the internet can save THOUSANDS. :cool:

[tere247]

Always sign into your account. This morning I signed in and saw a deluxe balcony on the April 1, Regal Princess for $309 per person. Turns out it was an exclusive casino rate.. Surprised me as we don't go to the casino. This will be our 21st Princess cruise. Yes, we booked. :D

Edited January 30, 2018 by tere247

[justafem]

The real last minute bargains go to the Interline agents, the public don’t get to see the low low prices

 

I completely agree! Hubby and I got a HECK of a deal on our upcoming Feb 16, 2018, 10 day Mexican by using a site where TA's "compete" for your "cruise" booking, 60 days before sailing.

 

$1211, including port fees and taxes with $50 onboard credit. Less than $60 per day, per person (guaranteed obstructed view).

 

I'd been watching the cruise for a while, couldn't decide between the Feb 6 or Feb 16 date. Feb 16 won because of hubby's work schedule. Did the bidding site several times, until the price fell to what I couldn't turn down. Still no room assignment, but who cares! We get to cruise again!

 

Heck, we couldn't stay at motel 6 and eat at Mcdee's for that price!

[Optotronics]

I signed up for drop and go/ last minute deals a couple months ago and saw a pretty good deal right after Christmas, but passed. Then on Thursday got the email for an offer of $399/pp for a balcony on the march 20th 10 day on royal princess. Called my TA right away and got a BB cabin on caribe deck. So with port taxes it came to $1068 and the FCC along with stock benefit and something from TA, we totaled $275 in obc (just wnoufh to cover tips). So $52/ day each for balcony with tips covered:)

Only problem is the airline tickets cost more than the cruise;)

[geoherb]

We've also been fortunate to get some last-minute casino offers recently. We took a 10-day last month on the Royal and have a 7-day booked for next month on the Regal. For next month's cruise, we have over $300 in OBC plus comped gratuities. Part of the OBC was from not being in the Ocean Medallion. The other was using an FCD and being a shareholder plus getting some from our TA.

[teecee60]

Just got an email from Princess about a "drop and go" deal on the 14 night Crown Princess transatlantic departing 3 April for only $799pp (inside)/ $1539pp (balcony)...only problem...

 

Same ship, same cruise, same day, booked at a large on line cruise agency is $689pp/$1077pp