How does Future Cruise Credit/Deposit work?

[babycutie]

First time purchased FCC on my Alaska cruise this Aug. Not sure how to apply this to my current booking.

 

I booked a cruise for March 2023 on princess.com today.  Even though I see that I have $100 FCC in my account, it still asks me to put a credit card deposit.  I paid for it with my credit card.  Then I called Princess to ask if they can apply my FCC to the current booking.  The "navigator" I spoke to seem to not know how to apply it to my booking.  She put me on hold for over 20 mins then got disconnected.  

Can someone explain how FCC supposed to work as I was not able to get an answer from princess.  I even called them earlier before I booked the cruise online but the agent cannot see the same discounted price that I see online.  I am Platinum so I suspect I get a bit better price than new princess cruisers.  She kept telling me because that price is offered for me only, she could not see it and hence she could not help me book.  So I just thanked her and booked the cruise myself online for the discounted price I saw.  She told me I should be able to select my FCC when I pay but I didn't see it and she couldn't help with that.

So here I am.  How do I apply FCC to my current booking?  I also heard you have to cancel and rebook but I really don't want to because I don't want to lose the 'kids sail free' promo which ends tomorrow.

[thinfool]

If you paid for the $100 future cruise DEPOSIT, you need do nothing.  It will be applied, at your direction, to your next booking.  This is an FCD  (future cruise deposit)

If you missed a port or a cruise you booked was cancelled, you will be issued an FCC....future cruise credit.  Totally different critter from the FCD.

Personally I use a travel agent who knows the nuances of using these items with Princess.  The FCD is pretty straightforward, the FCC has a ton of different ways to use it.

From your description, you have an FCD.

Tis too bad you found someone at Princess who didn't know the difference.  Next time tell them you have an FCD.  It will go well.

 

[skynight]

A future cruise deposit is individual. You purchase it on board and it is good for a future booking two years from the date of purchase. When it is time to book the FCD is the full deposit for the individual. When applied that person also receives OBC, amounts depend on length of cruise and category of cabin. Did you have an FCD for each of the 1st two passengers in the cabin? If yes, the FCD(s) should be designated to be used as the deposits at the time of booking. Then each of the 1st two passengers would cover the entire deposit with their $100 FCDs.

Regarding booking on line. I'm not certain how to apply FCD(s) when booking on line, or if it is even possible. We always used a Travel Agent. Others have booked direct by calling their Personal Princess booking contact.

Suggest you try to call Princess' booking line, not the customer service line, to reach a personal contact and explain what happened. Maybe they can help.

[leck57]

7 hours ago, babycutie said:

First time purchased FCC on my Alaska cruise this Aug. Not sure how to apply this to my current booking.

 

I booked a cruise for March 2023 on princess.com today.  Even though I see that I have $100 FCC in my account, it still asks me to put a credit card deposit.  I paid for it with my credit card.  Then I called Princess to ask if they can apply my FCC to the current booking.  The "navigator" I spoke to seem to not know how to apply it to my booking.  She put me on hold for over 20 mins then got disconnected.  

Can someone explain how FCC supposed to work as I was not able to get an answer from princess.  I even called them earlier before I booked the cruise online but the agent cannot see the same discounted price that I see online.  I am Platinum so I suspect I get a bit better price than new princess cruisers.  She kept telling me because that price is offered for me only, she could not see it and hence she could not help me book.  So I just thanked her and booked the cruise myself online for the discounted price I saw.  She told me I should be able to select my FCC when I pay but I didn't see it and she couldn't help with that.

So here I am.  How do I apply FCC to my current booking?  I also heard you have to cancel and rebook but I really don't want to because I don't want to lose the 'kids sail free' promo which ends tomorrow.

 

Oh dear, you obviously struck a numpty at Princess. You shouldn't have paid anything, just used the FCD as the deposit, which also gives you some OBC depending on the cabin booked and length of the cruise. Not sure how easy it will be to get your paid deposit money back now.

Fares are the same. There is no special price for using a FCC or because you are Platinum, as I am.

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, babycutie said:

First time purchased FCC on my Alaska cruise this Aug. Not sure how to apply this to my current booking.

 

I booked a cruise for March 2023 on princess.com today.  Even though I see that I have $100 FCC in my account, it still asks me to put a credit card deposit.  I paid for it with my credit card.  Then I called Princess to ask if they can apply my FCC to the current booking.  The "navigator" I spoke to seem to not know how to apply it to my booking.  She put me on hold for over 20 mins then got disconnected.  

Can someone explain how FCC supposed to work as I was not able to get an answer from princess.  I even called them earlier before I booked the cruise online but the agent cannot see the same discounted price that I see online.  I am Platinum so I suspect I get a bit better price than new princess cruisers.  She kept telling me because that price is offered for me only, she could not see it and hence she could not help me book.  So I just thanked her and booked the cruise myself online for the discounted price I saw.  She told me I should be able to select my FCC when I pay but I didn't see it and she couldn't help with that.

So here I am.  How do I apply FCC to my current booking?  I also heard you have to cancel and rebook but I really don't want to because I don't want to lose the 'kids sail free' promo which ends tomorrow.

As others have said, you purchased FCD's. 

 

I am not sure if this is the best place to get into this, but I am hearing more of folks calling in with cruise booking inquiries and ending up speaking with a "Navigator".  This term has always been applied to the people who assist with MC App and DineMyWay issues.  These days, they seem to be outsourced overseas resources.  I am not even sure they have full access to the booking system (POLAR).  The last thing you want is to have a Navigator touching or messing with a cruise booking.  Only bad things can ensue, believe me.  I have read stories and a good friend is still messed up three weeks later.  So, curious what option you selected when calling in.  You should have selected new cruise bookings from the phone menu to get a sales agent.

 

Next, when self-booking on Princess.com, were you logged in?  If you are not offered to pay deposit with FCD's, just put the booking on hold and call in to have them applied. 

 

Now, this business of an offer for you only.  Well, there is no such thing as an offer code for a single guest.  That aside, Princess does make up offer codes and target certain markets.  When you are logged in to Princess.com, the website is supposed to show you the best offer for you.  But it only shows one as we know.  If you use another booking engine - say a third-party engine from certain travel agencies - you can see ALL of the fare codes you are eligible for and decide which is best option.  No matter how many, or what type of fare code, any Princess booking agent can book you under any of those codes.  As can an outside TA.  Or an internal Princess TA (a CVP).  It is patently wrong for an employee of Princess to tell you they cannot help you book such a fare code as you mentioned.  Obviously the person you had on the phone doesn't book cruises.  

 

Call back and a real sales agent and explain what happened and how you were misinformed.  Whether they refund your cash deposit and apply FCD's instead or cancel your booking and start over, you can use those FCD's.

 

I really get upset when guests call in to Princess and are completely misinformed because it just reflects so poorly on the company and makes for a bad guest experience.

[cr8tiv1]

Vocabulary Lesson according to Mork (aka me)

 

FCD - Future Cruise Deposit can only be purchased on previous cruises for $100 that will be charge to your credit card on file (not cruise portfolio).  They are to be used as a deposit toward a future booking.  By using a FCD you will also receive OBC dependent on cabin category.  Expiration date:  2 years

 

FCC - Future Cruise Credit given by Princess for a cancelled cruise.  Usually has an expiration date or book by date.  Can be applied to cruise payment, EZ Air, port taxes and fees.

 

OBC - Onboard Credit that you receive from a promotion or purchasing ahead (as in casino credits).

      (includes Military OBC)

 

Shareholder OBC - Requires ownership of 100 CCL stock.  OBC is dependent on length of cruise.

 

Medallion Class App - mobile device app that lets you check in.  Also, most (but not all) of it can be done on a Web Based link.

 

Medallion - Little round thing a ma-jig that opens your cabin door and allows you to do a few other things like get you on/off the ship.

 

MedallionNet - paid inTERnet service/wi-fi/surfing the internet for email, google, etc

 

phone app on board (Ocean Concierge) - inTRAnet.  Used for ordering and finding people

 

Ocean Navigator - the IT folks who are supposed to help you with the Medallion Class App.

 

Help me out folks...I know there are a lot of other missing definitions.

 

And my favorite:  A mini-suite is NOT a suite.  It is a gloried balcony cabin.  No suite perks, even with Club Class.

 

 

 

[caribill]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Vocabulary Lesson according to Mork (aka me)

 

FCD - Future Cruise Deposit can only be purchased on previous cruises for $100 that will be charge to your credit card on file (not cruise portfolio).  They are to be used as a deposit toward a future booking.  By using a FCD you will also receive OBC dependent on cabin category.  Expiration date:  2 years

 

FCC - Future Cruise Credit given by Princess for a cancelled cruise.  Usually has an expiration date or book by date.  Can be applied to cruise payment, EZ Air, port taxes and fees.

 

 

An FCD is considered a special type of FCC by Princess and will be shown when you look at a list of your FCCs on the Princess web site.

[babycutie]

Thanks for all the reply.  It is FCD (deposit) that I purchased on board. 

So I called back and another agent didn't know what was going on.  She kept telling me that it's because I put in my contact information wrong, which I did not because I logged in and the invoice has my Captain's Circle's member's number.

After talking for a while she finally transferred me to someone who knew exactly what to do.  She applied the FCD for the cruise I booked that morning for both me and my husband's.  It was just bad luck that I got a few agents that didn't know what they were doing, which made it much harder than it supposed to be.  

 

[MissP22]

On 8/31/2022 at 12:21 AM, leck57 said:

Oh dear, you obviously struck a numpty at Princess.

I had to look that one up on Google.

I learn something new every day.  😉

[treesah]

@Steelers36 So, so true.  I called Princess re: changing cabin and re-faring.  Got a numpty for sure.  Screwed up my booking so I told her to get me back to the original cabin which she did with a $200+ overcharge.  Spent 1-1/2 hours trying to correct with no success.  I proceeded to the Chat feature and the problem was resolved in 10 minutes.  Caution:  if the so called Navigator starts calling you Miss XYZ, find an excuse to hang up.

[Wildcatllamas]

Now, try being a TA and deal with long hold times to only end up with one of these folks that have no clue. I know that most of them are absolutely frazzled but it is all I can do to remain polite and courteous at times.

[daydreamer16]

On a related topic, what is the OBC when using a FCD?

Thanks!

[lynn2002]

Forgot to purchase a Future Cruise Deposit whilst on board.  Disembarked yesterday.  Does Princess email guests to ask if they wish to purchase a FCD within the next couple of weeks or have I missed the opportunity?

[MissP22]

2 hours ago, lynn2002 said:

Forgot to purchase a Future Cruise Deposit whilst on board.  Disembarked yesterday.  Does Princess email guests to ask if they wish to purchase a FCD within the next couple of weeks or have I missed the opportunity?

If I recall correctly there is a short time period when you can still purchase the FCC's after leaving the ship. I would contact Princess ASAP.

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, lynn2002 said:

Forgot to purchase a Future Cruise Deposit whilst on board.  Disembarked yesterday.  Does Princess email guests to ask if they wish to purchase a FCD within the next couple of weeks or have I missed the opportunity?

The grace period policy may not be in effect.  You should contact Customer Relations ASAP.  

 

I never forget as I usually get it done shortly after boarding. 

[JF - retired RRT]

5 hours ago, lynn2002 said:

Forgot to purchase a Future Cruise Deposit whilst on board.  Disembarked yesterday.  Does Princess email guests to ask if they wish to purchase a FCD within the next couple of weeks or have I missed the opportunity?

If they do let you purchase after you disembark, the OBC is reduced.

 

 

[JF - retired RRT]

16 hours ago, daydreamer16 said:

On a related topic, what is the OBC when using a FCD?

Thanks!

3-6 days $15 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $25

7-10 days $25 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $50

11-16 days $75 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $100

17+ days $125 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $150

Pretty good return for $100.

Edited September 4, 2022 by JF - retired RRT

[Daniel A]

3 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

3-6 days $15 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $25

7-10 days $25 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $50

11-16 days $75 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $100

17+ days $125 for inside/OV, suites/mini-suites/balconies are $150

Pretty good return for $100.

Those amounts are per person using the FCD correct?  If both parties on a booking are using FCD, then it's $100 per person for a 14 day cruise in a mini?  

[brisalta]

6 hours ago, MissP22 said:

If I recall correctly there is a short time period when you can still purchase the FCC's after leaving the ship. I would contact Princess ASAP.

 

You cannot purchase a FCC. You can only purchase a FCD.

[JF - retired RRT]

1 hour ago, Daniel A said:

Those amounts are per person using the FCD correct?  If both parties on a booking are using FCD, then it's $100 per person for a 14 day cruise in a mini?  

Correct. We've have as much as $900 on our longer cruises with combing OBC from FCD, TA, Princess booking, military and stock.

[JF - retired RRT]

1 hour ago, brisalta said:

 

You cannot purchase a FCC. You can only purchase a FCD.

Well, yeah. But it's Princess' fault. They're the ones who list our FCDs under FCC.

[MissP22]

14 hours ago, brisalta said:

 

You cannot purchase a FCC. You can only purchase a FCD.

I believe you are correct. I keep interchanging the FCC and FCD acronyms, which is confusing to people.  

[skynight]

20 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Well, yeah. But it's Princess' fault. They're the ones who list our FCDs under FCC.

In my Captain's Circle account FCDs are specifically shown as "Future Cruise Deposits." However they are listed under the general heading Future Cruise Credits. 

[JF - retired RRT]

8 minutes ago, skynight said:

In my Captain's Circle account FCDs are specifically shown as "Future Cruise Deposits." However they are listed under the general heading Future Cruise Credits. 

Yeah. That's why people get confused.

[cr8tiv1]

Nobody amended my post, so I am going to throw in two more:

 

PVSA - The Passenger Vessel Services Act (I always mix up the letter orders)

 

The Jones Act - Transportation of merchandise. 
 

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-23?language=en_US