Future Cruise Packages - scam?

[dog]

44 minutes ago, Sulialto said:

Hard to say - there ARE indeed Princess Packages, being offered by a third party, but identify themselves as Princess- Not sure why they’re allowed to do that. In the future cruise area on our ship they actually have a brochure (albeit a photo copied sheet), with the packages on it. I’ll try and get one and take a pic. Being you’re in the UK, I just don’t know. The actual company in the US is called Open Network Exchange, they’re basically a travel agency.

In Canada

[Sulialto]

On 1/25/2024 at 6:27 PM, dog said:

In Canada

Here you go - they have these at the Future Cruise Office on board - 

[JJean]

I just called princess to book a cruise and the advisor told me about

this package and I can use it toward the cruise I book and is good for

2 years.

[Sulialto]

4 minutes ago, JJean said:

I just called princess to book a cruise and the advisor told me about

this package and I can use it toward the cruise I book and is good for

2 years.

So totally up to you - will You use the hotel credits, etc that you’re paying for? And do you trust the fact that the 3rd party will

be in business by the time you use all your investment? Not at all being contrary- just be sure you know what you’re buying😉

[wallyj]

On 1/25/2024 at 2:42 PM, Sulialto said:

Hard to say - there ARE indeed Princess Packages, being offered by a third party, but identify themselves as Princess- Not sure why they’re allowed to do that. In the future cruise area on our ship they actually have a brochure (albeit a photo copied sheet), with the packages on it. I’ll try and get one and take a pic. Being you’re in the UK, I just don’t know. The actual company in the US is called Open Network Exchange, they’re basically a travel agency.

FYI, Princess has contracted with O.N.E. to handle Future cruises(as of 1/1/2023)on board and now Loyalty(Captains Circle). Just like the Spa, Photo, Casino and other contracted departments, they all wear Princess badges. O.N.E. has access to everyone’s profile and Princess cruising history since they now administer Future cruise and Loyalty.

[Sulialto]

8 hours ago, wallyj said:

FYI, Princess has contracted with O.N.E. to handle Future cruises(as of 1/1/2023)on board and now Loyalty(Captains Circle). Just like the Spa, Photo, Casino and other contracted departments, they all wear Princess badges. O.N.E. has access to everyone’s profile and Princess cruising history since they now administer Future cruise and Loyalty.

Are you saying the Future Cruise people on board are their employees now? Might explain why, when we booked our next cruise on board, the guy we who “helped” us was clueless! We came armed with the blue printed sheets they have available & expected him to be like a travel agent, at least knowledgeable about what was available, cabin locations, etc. All he did was type into the computer to try & get answers. That company really needs to get their act together & train their people. We HAD to use them a few cruises ago, bc we had $1000. vouchers from Verizon- sadly they were also clueless & we couldn’t wait to get back to our regular agent. Oh well - I guess the routine is to just be prepared!

[wallyj]

6 hours ago, Sulialto said:

Are you saying the Future Cruise people on board are their employees now? Might explain why, when we booked our next cruise on board, the guy we who “helped” us was clueless! We came armed with the blue printed sheets they have available & expected him to be like a travel agent, at least knowledgeable about what was available, cabin locations, etc. All he did was type into the computer to try & get answers. That company really needs to get their act together & train their people. We HAD to use them a few cruises ago, bc we had $1000. vouchers from Verizon- sadly they were also clueless & we couldn’t wait to get back to our regular agent. Oh well - I guess the routine is to just be prepared!

Yes, Future cruises and Loyalty on Princess ships are in reality O.N.E. employees. Some previous Princess future cruise agents did decide to become O.N.E. Employees so you may encounter a previously knowledgeable agent/counselor. I believe the changeover was around 1/1/2023. Future cruise is now handled by a contracted third party like the Casino, Spa, Photo, and I think the Shops on Board, and wear Princess badges. I believe Effy, rents the space and they work for Effy, but again will wear a Princess badge.

[Sulialto]

5 hours ago, wallyj said:

Yes, Future cruises and Loyalty on Princess ships are in reality O.N.E. employees. Some previous Princess future cruise agents did decide to become O.N.E. Employees so you may encounter a previously knowledgeable agent/counselor. I believe the changeover was around 1/1/2023. Future cruise is now handled by a contracted third party like the Casino, Spa, Photo, and I think the Shops on Board, and wear Princess badges. I believe Effy, rents the space and they work for Effy, but again will wear a Princess badge.

Good to know - thanks!

[Gert2011]

On 2/9/2024 at 12:23 PM, wallyj said:

Yes, Future cruises and Loyalty on Princess ships are in reality O.N.E. employees. Some previous Princess future cruise agents did decide to become O.N.E. Employees so you may encounter a previously knowledgeable agent/counselor. I believe the changeover was around 1/1/2023. Future cruise is now handled by a contracted third party like the Casino, Spa, Photo, and I think the Shops on Board, and wear Princess badges. I believe Effy, rents the space and they work for Effy, but again will wear a Princess badge.

Could you please supply a source for your information?

[wallyj]

8 minutes ago, Gert2011 said:

Could you please supply a source for your information?

I have been sailing with Princess for over 20 years and have become acquainted with many former Captain Circle hosts and Future cruise consultants. They will confirm this information if you ask them directly they are O.N.E. Employees contracted by Princess.

 

The Future cruise packages are available to see on board as posted and there have been previous threads regarding them and the company O.N.E.

It is known most cruise lines contract out the Spa, Casino, Photo and Shops. A few will keep in house, I was told MSC still controls most of these venues instead of contracting out.

 

Are you doubting my information?

Edited February 11 by wallyj

[Gert2011]

36 minutes ago, wallyj said:

I have been sailing with Princess for over 20 years and have become acquainted with many former Captain Circle hosts and Future cruise consultants. They will confirm this information if you ask them directly they are O.N.E. Employees contracted by Princess.

 

The Future cruise packages are available to see on board as posted and there have been previous threads regarding them and the company O.N.E.

It is known most cruise lines contract out the Spa, Casino, Photo and Shops. A few will keep in house, I was told MSC still controls most of these venues instead of contracting out.

 

Are you doubting my information?

Absolutely, I doubt all information until I investigate and see the sources.  I did see the advertisement on the Sapphire in November while passing by the Future Cruise desk. 

 

You notice, I didn't say you were wrong, but I've learned not all information shared in print is true so I need more information before I make up my mind.

 

I've had little interaction with Future Cruise consultants as I am a TA.  I know none by name.  In 64 cruises, I've only booked one while onboard with consultant.

 

I'm glad you have cruised over 20 years, you got me beat.  I only started in 2004.

Edited February 11 by Gert2011

[wallyj]

3 hours ago, Gert2011 said:

Absolutely, I doubt all information until I investigate and see the sources.  I did see the advertisement on the Sapphire in November while passing by the Future Cruise desk. 

 

You notice, I didn't say you were wrong, but I've learned not all information shared in print is true so I need more information before I make up my mind.

 

I've had little interaction with Future Cruise consultants as I am a TA.  I know none by name.  In 64 cruises, I've only booked one while onboard with consultant.

 

I'm glad you have cruised over 20 years, you got me beat.  I only started in 2004.

I agree to take info on forums like these lightly and at least figure I may learn something. I am sure many novice cruises are not aware some of the departments are contracted since they all wear Princess badges.

 

As far as the Future cruise packages, a few passengers have shared disappointment and redemption issues. Like any investment in future travel, research and ask as many questions and get everything in writing if possible.
 

You missed out by not talking to the Princess consultants on board since 1/1/23 as Princess introduced an on board booking promo with select sailings at 50% off the Princess web rate and surprisingly the Plus package was also discounted 50%. Many times you would then be able to upgrade to Premier for only $10/day on these promos. On board, with these promos, Premier pricing was not available, but you were many times able to upgrade in the Personalizer. 

 

On a couple of sailings where the cruise Personalizer would not let me upgrade and  calling shoreside, you would be told only the cruisefare was suppose to be discounted and not the packages. They were aware but never closed this loophole, as I was able to book promo sailings in Oct 2023 and upgrade in the Personalizer to Premier for only $10/day. The 50% off promo ended at the end of Oct 2023 and it was reported some cruises were then available at 20-30% off. My last conversation with the on board consultants was bookings are doing well without promos so Princess does not need to offer any additional discounts.

 

I was able to book at least 6 additional sailings during the 50% off promo. 

 

Previously on Princess, there were very few xtra discounts/savings by booking on board.

 

I will be boarding the Discovery soon to see if any offers are available, but a friend who disembarked a few days ago said he asked and was told there were no more on board booking discounts.

[SCX22]

I didn't purchase an FCP, but know someone who did.  I asked if I could look at hotel bookings via their login.  The prices aren't really that great.  Randomly, I put in Manhattan for 3 nights in May 2024 and the prices below are what I got.  Not sure if you can use your entire point balance to redeem hotels stays.  I think, you can only use partial points, which decreases the cost of the stay.  The Princess Promotions hotel booking engine very much resembles Expedia.

[Ombud]

Is there any benefit to solos?? I found their stated hotels higher than I book and O.N.E. less willing to work with me. In fact, one O.N.E. rep actually apologized stating she had the same issue when she was assigned to work on RCCL!!