poetrylady Posted December 17, 2005 #1 Share Posted December 17, 2005 I'll be cruising in two weeks on the Golden, and already have my "next" cruise in mind (Baltic). I'm just wondering if my DH and I will save money, or get a better deal, if we book with Princess while we are on board the Golden. Tell me about your experiences of booking your next cruise while you are on board a Princess ship. Also, on another thread, a poster referred to a great deal she/he got by booking through her/his American Express platinum card. Is that a better way to go?? It is expensive cruising the Baltics because the cruises are longer and there is the cost of the flights to/from Copenhagen or wherever the departure point is, in northern Europe. I'd like to save $$ where I can. Talk to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted December 17, 2005 #2 Share Posted December 17, 2005 you will not necessarily "save" by booking on board, what does happen is that you can book a particular cruise (or any cruise) with a mere $100 deposit pp, have 4 years to use it, and get a shipboard credit (up to $100pp) depending on cabin and cruise length. It is really a no brainer. You can still get your deposit back if you decide not to cruise. If you book a particular cruise, you can still shop around when you get home to find a better price and have to booking tranferred to that TA. In general terms, you will find that a TA can get you a better price than you can get from Princess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cusyl Posted December 17, 2005 #3 Share Posted December 17, 2005 You can purchase open bookings on the ship. We did this and when you decide where you want to go just notify your travel agent and they will handle the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetrylady Posted December 17, 2005 Author #4 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Thanks for the explanations. Sounds like I should put my money down, while on board, and then go to AmEx platinum travel to finalize the deal. You guys are a great help. I knew I'd get answers here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozeman Posted December 17, 2005 #5 Share Posted December 17, 2005 you will not necessarily "save" by booking on board, what does happen is that you can book a particular cruise (or any cruise) with a mere $100 deposit pp, have 4 years to use it, and get a shipboard credit (up to $100pp) depending on cabin and cruise length. It is really a no brainer. You can still get your deposit back if you decide not to cruise. If you book a particular cruise, you can still shop around when you get home to find a better price and have to booking tranferred to that TA. In general terms, you will find that a TA can get you a better price than you can get from Princess. Sounds like a deal. I'm on Grand next month and looking at another 7day for next Nov/Dec. So-------I can make as little as $100 pp deposit & get OBC. Shop it over the spring for better price from TA, transfer to TA at better price & still keep $50-100 shipboard credit. Is this correct? If so, Can't go wrong then!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted December 17, 2005 #6 Share Posted December 17, 2005 that is why I say it is a "no brainer"...you cannot go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mii Posted December 17, 2005 #7 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Everytime I go on a cruise my DH and I book a future booking or open booking and deposit $100.00. Then when we decide what cruise we want we just contact our TA, give her the booking number and she takes it from there. It is a no brainer and you get shipboard credits from Princess and also if your TA offers credit too. Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozeman Posted December 17, 2005 #8 Share Posted December 17, 2005 that is why I say it is a "no brainer"...you cannot go wrong. Then I'll do that!! Now, --can I book that specific cruise AND ALSO then book an open booking for future use and have up to 4 yrs. to use it. (carrying the OBC with it) BTW--I used to sail on Princess a lot in Love Boat days, but haven't in many years so I'm not familiar with the system--thanks for the tips. Anyone else have a tip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted December 17, 2005 #9 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Snoozeman, yes, you can do both regarding "anyone have any tips"..there are lots if you read the Sticky. "Princess FAQ" at the top of the thread page..a ton of good info in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozeman Posted December 17, 2005 #10 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Thanks chrysalis & Marilyn Princess is going to love having me back as much as I'm glad they now sail from Texas!! Was my favorite line, hopefully will be again!!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floflegs Posted December 17, 2005 #11 Share Posted December 17, 2005 But if you book before you go you won't get the OBC for your next cruise. We did this and were told no. Our TA had advised to book early as it was a charter flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zace Posted December 17, 2005 #12 Share Posted December 17, 2005 We booked a cruise last April while on board, had no idea where we planned to go. Six months later we found the cruise we wanted to go on, booked it, deposit had been paid already. Great deal will probably do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetrylady Posted December 18, 2005 Author #13 Share Posted December 18, 2005 How far out must I book my cruise in order to get an aft balcony or mini suite cabin?? This would be on a Baltics cruise. We can go next summer (o6) or we can go in 07, May would be good. Are we too late? I would assume so, for summer 06, but what about 07. Will Princess know, if we talk to them when we book something while on the Golden? Thanks! (any tips on getting an aft balcony cabin or suite would be appreciated) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted December 18, 2005 #14 Share Posted December 18, 2005 yes, when you are on the ship, the "Cruise Booking Rep" will know if the cabins you want are available. you can also check yourself now and just before you leave via the Princess website...they now have a "booking" area and you can see availablity of cabins (and waitlisted ones). Give that a try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolmama_1 Posted December 18, 2005 #15 Share Posted December 18, 2005 I love the open booking! It takes the sting off of having to get off of the ship, knowing that I can go home and plan the next cruise!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetrylady Posted December 18, 2005 Author #16 Share Posted December 18, 2005 How do you use the cabin availability feature on Princess? Do I find the cruise I want, the date I want, and then check availability? I've been to the "new" Princess site, but I don't find it to be as easy to navigate as the old one was. Is it just ME??? Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted December 18, 2005 #17 Share Posted December 18, 2005 go to princess.com...on the front page, you will see "BOOK", click on it....that will take you to a "BOOK A CRUISE" page...on the right side find "BOOK ONLINE", under that heading you will see "Find a cruise", click on those words...then just start clicking...pick a destination, ship, date, and duration, etc.....just keep clicking as tho you were going to reserve the room...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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