S&S vs 3 for free--one or the other or both???

[NoWhiners]

Hi all

 

This will be only our 2nd cruise on Princess, so still trying to figure things out.

 

If we have s&s, is that compatible with 3 for free? People on our RC have been posting that they have saved doing 3 for free over s&s. I would love to save more but we don't want to give up s&s.

 

Does anyone know if we can do both, or do we give up s&s if we go to 3 for free?

 

Thanks for sharing your experience

ML

[Astro Flyer]

Hi all

 

This will be on;y our 2nd cruise on Princess, so still trying to figure things out.

 

If we have s&s, is that compatible with 3 for free? People on our RC have been posting that they have saved doing 3 for free over s&s. I would love to save more but we don't want to give up s&s.

 

Does anyone know if we can do both, or do we give up s&s if we go to 3 for free?

 

Thanks for sharing your experience

ML

You can only use one promotion for each cruise...no combining benefits.

 

We had S+S bookings (onboard credit) but the 3 for Free had a lower net cost. Our TA made the switch & we kept the same dining time & upgraded to a better category of cabin with the 3 for Free's benefit...pay for the lowest category & receive the highest available category within type of cabin.

 

"FREE Stateroom Location Upgrade applies to booking the stateroom location you wish to sail in for the price of the lowest category within that stateroom type during this promotion only. Offer is based on availability in like to like stateroom types (Interior to Interior, Oceanview to Oceanview, Balcony to Balcony). Upgrade offer excludes select categories, including but not limited to premium categories and suites. Offer does not apply to land portion of a cruisetour".

[satxdiver]

No, you cannot have both. For me the S'n'S is far superior to the 3 for free sale but it is a personal viewpoint. If you go for the 3 for free, you will lose the S'n'S.

[NoWhiners]

You can only use one promotion for each cruise...no combining benefits.

 

We had S+S bookings (onboard credit) but the 3 for Free had a lower net cost. Our TA made the switch & we kept the same dining time & upgraded to a better category of cabin with the 3 for Free's benefit...pay for the lowest category & receive the highest available category within type of cabin.

 

"FREE Stateroom Location Upgrade applies to booking the stateroom location you wish to sail in for the price of the lowest category within that stateroom type during this promotion only. Offer is based on availability in like to like stateroom types (Interior to Interior, Oceanview to Oceanview, Balcony to Balcony). Upgrade offer excludes select categories, including but not limited to premium categories and suites. Offer does not apply to land portion of a cruisetour".

 

No, you cannot have both. For me the S'n'S is far superior to the 3 for free sale but it is a personal viewpoint. If you go for the 3 for free, you will lose the S'n'S.

 

Thanks for the replies, especially satxdiver. I was thinking it had to be this way but the RC was alittle confusing.

 

I will call and check it out but we are fine with s&s and what we paid.

 

Thanks

ML

[f-mattox]

You can not use both. I had two cruises booked with the Sip & Sail promotion but I took the optional onboard credit instead of the drink package. When the 3 For Free sale started I crunched the numbers and found out I was better off with the 3 For Free. I lost some onboard credit but with the paid gratuities I came out $332.00 ahead on the two cruises with the 3 For Free. All I had to do was call 800-PRINCES with my booking numbers handy and in 10 minutes it was it was all done.

[skynight]

We calculated that the break even between Sip&Sail vs 3 for Free is just under spending $50/day for two people on all beverages. You just have to to prepare a spreadsheet and work out the net cost. We maintain historical records of itemized expenses for each cruise. This allows us to compare.

[Wishing on a star]

It really depends....

We paid a bit more when we booked for S-and-S.

We could change to 3-for-free, and save...

But, then, after buying specialty coffees, waters, all drinks, etc...

I figure we would come out about even.

 

If you don't anticipate spending a lot on these drinks onboard, and if you don't mind paying per drink, as you go... which can sometimes make you feel more limited, then you could re-book under the new promo.... maybe get a slightly better cabin?

 

If you want to enjoy the all inclusive benefits of the S-and-S, then, the difference in cost might be worth it for you.

 

One really has to start crunching the numbers!

[yags]

We had S & S but decided to go 3 for free. Our reasoning was the dollar difference was almost the same and we realized those funds immediately. The room discount, gratuities, and OBC was immediate and since we are not big alcohol drinkers (Coffee yes, Hello IC) we did not have to worry about drinking $543.60 before we realized the bargain. I tried for both but was shot down. If you can do it please let me know I will try again. BTW this will be my 2nd cruise on princess too.

[elfinmagic]

If you drink a lot (10 plus drinks per day every day go with the s & s

 

The 3 for 3 pays gratuities, OBC and upgrades

[A&Jfamily]

We did not switch to 3 for free on our balcony (the cost of S&S would be about $800) but did on our boys interior. They ended up with same room costs, free gratuities and $150 in OBC which will cover their nonalcoholic beverages package and leave them some money for the candy store or arcade! It goes to show you as other posters have noted that you just need to evaluate the bottom line of what you would be spending.

 

 

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[2pbears]

I think those that find the 3 for free to be a better value are probably those who do not drink a lot of beverages, whether it be alcohol, soda, water or coffees. While we do not drink enough to justify paying for the AIBP, our onboard tab for beverages would easily exceed the cost of gratuities plus $150 OBC. Therefore we opt for the Sip and Sail whenever it is available.

[Thrak]

We did not switch to 3 for free on our balcony (the cost of S&S would be about $800) but did on our boys interior. They ended up with same room costs, free gratuities and $150 in OBC which will cover their nonalcoholic beverages package and leave them some money for the candy store or arcade! It goes to show you as other posters have noted that you just need to evaluate the bottom line of what you would be spending.

 

 

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For us it would be horrible. 28 day cruise with 18 sea days. Sip and Sail all the way. :) Same thing for our 2019 cruise. The idea of a 49 day bar bill is not something I even want to think about. :eek:

[Wishing on a star]

Ohhhh THRAK, we should all have that horrible problem!!!!

What a delimma/decision!!! Hahahaha!!!

: )

[Thrak]

Ohhhh THRAK, we should all have that horrible problem!!!!

What a delimma/decision!!! Hahahaha!!!

: )

 

My children will have zero inheritance. We don't have a lot but what we do have will all be spent. ;p

[WisCruiser2]

My children will have zero inheritance. We don't have a lot but what we do have will all be spent. ;p

 

On our first (and only so far) Alaska trip, we met a lovely Australian woman who was traveling solo, well into her 70s. She told us something that has become our mantra. She said, "This is my SKI trip -- Spending the Kids' Inheritance!" and we said, "You go, girl!"

[NoWhiners]

I think those that find the 3 for free to be a better value are probably those who do not drink a lot of beverages, whether it be alcohol, soda, water or coffees. While we do not drink enough to justify paying for the AIBP, our onboard tab for beverages would easily exceed the cost of gratuities plus $150 OBC. Therefore we opt for the Sip and Sail whenever it is available.

 

Yes, that is what I am starting to think. We are going for 27 days, so the drink package will get a workout :D

 

For us it would be horrible. 28 day cruise with 18 sea days. Sip and Sail all the way. :) Same thing for our 2019 cruise. The idea of a 49 day bar bill is not something I even want to think about. :eek:

 

And our 27 days include a TA, don't want to think about that bar tab either :)

 

ML

[yags]

For us it would be horrible. 28 day cruise with 18 sea days. Sip and Sail all the way. :) Same thing for our 2019 cruise. The idea of a 49 day bar bill is not something I even want to think about. :eek:

For an extended cruise I can understand the S&S all the way. We are only doing 10 days and if I could have gotten Princess to put our beds behind the counter at the International Café I would have stayed with the S&S.

[DinoDucky71]

We had a RT Alaskan cruise from Seattle for next year booked under the Sip 'N Sail promo, but I switched it to the 3-for-free the other day. For the two of us, we saved $100 each off the cruise fare.

 

Granted, the monetary value of the Sip 'N Sail was worth more from an accounting standpoint, we felt that (like many others) we wouldn't drink enough each day to justify the "deal". The $75 each OBC and the $95 in paid gratuities wlll be a welcome addition to our vacation.

 

We also moved from a balcony cabin on Baja deck to a premium balcony on Caribe. Although, that I have no strong feelings either way. It's nice for the upgrade (I think?) but would have been fine staying in our original cabin.

[Papa Yoda]

One other thing: 3 for Free is combinable with CASINO discount, S-n-S is generally not.

 

Casino Discount

Stateroom Percent

Interior 35%

Oceanview 30%

Balcony 25%

Mini-Suite 20%

Suite 15%

10% less for Alaska, Japan, and Europe sailings

[ar1950]

My children will have zero inheritance. We don't have a lot but what we do have will all be spent. ;p

 

At least leave them a cruise diary of those cruises so they will know how much fun their inheritance bought. :D

[Tedferg]

It really depends on the cruise. We had S&S however price of cruise dropped significantly with 3-for-free. Plus $200 OBC and $270 for pre-paid Gratuities per cabin. We will purchase AIBP and still save $$$ under 3-for-free.

[Thrak]

On our first (and only so far) Alaska trip, we met a lovely Australian woman who was traveling solo, well into her 70s. She told us something that has become our mantra. She said, "This is my SKI trip -- Spending the Kids' Inheritance!" and we said, "You go, girl!"

 

I've seen bumper stickers and such about spending the kid's inheritance but never seen it described using the acronym "SKI" trip. The sound you hear now is me filing the serial numbers off... :cool:

[yags]

It really depends on the cruise. We had S&S however price of cruise dropped significantly with 3-for-free. Plus $200 OBC and $270 for pre-paid Gratuities per cabin. We will purchase AIBP and still save $$$ under 3-for-free.

That is exactly what happened with us. We will have to still pay for our coffees and occasional cocktail but will still work out better.

[Thrak]

That is exactly what happened with us. We will have to still pay for our coffees and occasional cocktail but will still work out better.

 

Get a coffee card. Better than paying individually for foo foo coffee and totally "legal" to share the punches.

[smm0218]

I don't suppose the "coffee" card works for soda, I get my caffeine through cola not coffee. ;p