3 for free is now listed on some cruises

[ProfMHC]

I called today to get re-fared from Landmark Sale promo. Discovered that “upgrade” promo did not apply to any “A” cabins. Mini suite, balcony, interior — didn’t matter. If it was an A - too bad.  I had assumed that only club class, premium balcony, etc, were excluded but no! This time even simple “A” cabins were locked out as well. No MA, BA, IA.  Just B-F cabins. 😭

[rocklinmom]

Hmm interesting! What does that mean if you have an IA cabin booked? You can't get the 3FF promo at all, or it's a higher fare? My sister was hoping to have her TA refare her under 3FF but they do have an IA cabin. 

[Grammy J]

We booked our Hawaii 2020 cruise with the 3 for free.  Does anybody have a guess when the Alaska September cruise data might be available? Would like to use the 3 for free with it. Thanks!!

[ProfMHC]

22 minutes ago, rocklinmom said:

Hmm interesting! What does that mean if you have an IA cabin booked? You can't get the 3FF promo at all, or it's a higher fare? My sister was hoping to have her TA refare her under 3FF but they do have an IA cabin. 

 

I could get the pre-paid gratuities and OBC but had to pay the full MA fare and not get it re-fared to the lowest possible mini suite fare.  If I had a MB MC MD or ME I could re-fare to MF. This was NOT what was done last year during this sale.  We had a MA cabin that I was able to get re-fared to lowest price mini. This is yet another change like the non-refundable deposit. I stayed with the Landmark sale promo and with a 2021 cruise I kept the refundable deposit intact. 

[rocklinmom]

Wow good to know, thanks! I'm not liking all of these changes either. 

[tere247]

57 minutes ago, tere247 said:

The one that just ended. No free gratuities but $150 OBC. Sky New Years 2020 mini suite 

I meant to say $250 pp OBC

[phred119s]

5 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

Our cruise fare after discounts for our Baltic cruise came down $40 for three for free.  But to book that we would lose $180 in perks adding up the OBC + free gratuities given for 3 for free compared to the $500 in OBC we got for the Landmark sale.  No deal for us!

Ours is Baltic too. 

[ehogan]

Just refared our 29 day Asia cruise. Kept our cabin and our refundable status, our cabin price went down slightly, lost about $100 OBC pp. but with free gratuities we are saving about $900.  So glad I checked.

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, ProfMHC said:

I called today to get re-fared from Landmark Sale promo. Discovered that “upgrade” promo did not apply to any “A” cabins. Mini suite, balcony, interior — didn’t matter. If it was an A - too bad.  I had assumed that only club class, premium balcony, etc, were excluded but no! This time even simple “A” cabins were locked out as well. No MA, BA, IA.  Just B-F cabins. 😭

 

5 hours ago, ProfMHC said:

 

I could get the pre-paid gratuities and OBC but had to pay the full MA fare and not get it re-fared to the lowest possible mini suite fare.  If I had a MB MC MD or ME I could re-fare to MF. This was NOT what was done last year during this sale.  We had a MA cabin that I was able to get re-fared to lowest price mini. This is yet another change like the non-refundable deposit. I stayed with the Landmark sale promo and with a 2021 cruise I kept the refundable deposit intact. 

It has been this way for the past several 3FF's.  "A" category excluded.  You pay the "F" price and can select up to a "B".  If you really did get a "MA" last year for a "MF", it must have been a fluke I am thinking.

 

Also, you can do what I did once.  I had an Inside "IA" booked and 3FF came along, I dropped down to an "IB" quite happily and saved on the fare and got the new promo.  Of course you are giving up the price plan you booked under, but you can elect to change. 

 

[pwales]

13 hours ago, rocklinmom said:

I just refared our four cabins with 3FF and our fare went down over $100pp, plus picked up grat's and OBC for all of us (not just first two in cabin). Still refundable deposit!! Check the popup window when doing a mock booking. 

👍

[Steelers36]

  13 hours ago, rocklinmom said:

I just refared our four cabins with 3FF and our fare went down over $100pp, plus picked up grat's and OBC for all of us (not just first two in cabin). Still refundable deposit!! Check the popup window when doing a mock booking.

 

 

Yes, the pop-up window clearly warns the customer they are about to book a NRD fare.  You have to call in to get the RD fare - or call your TA.

Edited September 5, 2019 by steelers36

[caribill]

17 hours ago, puppymama1 said:

Our May, 2021 British Isles doesn't show the 3FF.... Anyone know if it will be included?  I was really hoping for a price reduction!

 

Probably be included in next year's 3for1 promotion at this time in 2020.

[caribill]

10 hours ago, ProfMHC said:

I called today to get re-fared from Landmark Sale promo. Discovered that “upgrade” promo did not apply to any “A” cabins. Mini suite, balcony, interior — didn’t matter. If it was an A - too bad.  I had assumed that only club class, premium balcony, etc, were excluded but no! This time even simple “A” cabins were locked out as well. No MA, BA, IA.  Just B-F cabins. 😭

 

Same as last year

[caribill]

17 hours ago, lola2013 said:

We booked last year's cruise under Sip and Sail; since I don't drink anything but water or lemonade, I asked if they could switch out the promo...they gave me $600 OBC instead (for a 14 night cruise).  That worked out perfectly; don't see the benefit of having a perk like a beverage package that I won't use.  The OBC was a great alternative.

 

Two years ago when SnS was offered (probably when you booked your last year's cruise), they did have an OBC alternative.

One year ago, there was no OBC alternative during the SnS promotion.

[caribill]

9 hours ago, ProfMHC said:

 

I could get the pre-paid gratuities and OBC but had to pay the full MA fare and not get it re-fared to the lowest possible mini suite fare.  If I had a MB MC MD or ME I could re-fare to MF. This was NOT what was done last year during this sale.  We had a MA cabin that I was able to get re-fared to lowest price mini.

 

Last year I booked a balcony cabin (for this year) under 3for-free. The BA category was not included last year for us, so ended up in a BB. Mine was a new booking, not a re-fare.

[ProfMHC]

8 hours ago, steelers36 said:

 

It has been this way for the past several 3FF's.  "A" category excluded.  You pay the "F" price and can select up to a "B".  If you really did get a "MA" last year for a "MF", it must have been a fluke I am thinking.

 

Also, you can do what I did once.  I had an Inside "IA" booked and 3FF came along, I dropped down to an "IB" quite happily and saved on the fare and got the new promo.  Of course you are giving up the price plan you booked under, but you can elect to change. 

 

 

I’ll happily take last year’s fluke/glitch! I did look at dropping down to MB and trying that. But ours is a B2B and the remaining cabins were sold out aft and quite forward  stern. Not a good choice — at least for us. The OBC/gratuities amount was a wash with what we currently hold so we are choosing to stay put.  Also, our Landmark sale deposit is refundable, 

[joe d]

This has always been my favorite promotion. Usually I can't wait to book one or two cruises, but not this year. Not only is it non refundable but my usual January cruise is $1248 pp more than my January 2019 cruise (same cruise, similar ship, two days different in timing). 

[rocklinmom]

Yes it's definitely not as exciting anymore with the changes. Add a higher fare and what's the point really. 

[ProfMHC]

Agreed! Always thought this was the best promotion Princess did each year.  Not this time! Currently have three booked and it didn’t work for any of them. And the cruise I was waiting to book wasn’t included as it’s too far out. I’ll definitely not look forward to any future 3FF promotions! 

[Steelers36]

6 hours ago, joe d said:

Not only is it non refundable

Have you been reading the posts on 3FF promotion?  There is definitely a RD option and you may find it costs no more to book it over the NRD version shown on Princess website.  Any price difference will be cabin category and cruise itinerary dependent.  Inquire with Princess or your TA.  Cannot do much about a price change on a particular cruise, however.  That is a bummer, but who knows what kind of deal you got last year.

[Cruise Raider]

I was waiting for this sale ... it's always my favorite as we are able to combine with our casino discount.  This year, it states it is a non-refundable deposit but was able to refare it with a refundable deposit as the cruise is well over a year from now. 

I originally booked this under the Landmark sale (also with a refundable deposit).  I had decent pricing but booked a lower category balcony to save a little $$.  

So, with the 3FF promo, I lost quite a bit of OBC but, it was almost awash with the free gratuities ... so only out $50 there.  But, I was able to upgrade to a better cabin category and received about $150 off the original pricing ... so still saved $100 and got a more preferable cabin location to boot.  And ... with a refundable deposit, albeit,  I am paying slightly more for the overall total.