Fare Under Review After Final Payment

[[Big Z]]

So I discovered almost two months after the final payment that my cruise fare shot up and that I suddenly owe money despite having paid in full. I didn't bid on any upgrades or anything like that and I was able to make my reservations for dinner, make an excursion booking, and got my flight confirmation through EZ Air. The only reason I found this out is because I wanted to add a couple of pre-cruise things (pre-paying gratituties, etc) and discovered I could not without owing what works out to be approximately an additional 30% of my base fare. 

 

Called Princess and now my apparent promo code that I originally booked under is no longer attached and now the entire cruise fare is under review. Apparently, this has to do with a previous software update that screwed things up. 

 

Has this happened to anyone else? Any tips besides have all my documentation/correspondence at the ready (which I do)? 

 

Thank you in advance. 

[windsor26]

Good luck  if stuck try feedback@princesscruises.com   They seem to reply where other addresses ignore you

[Sea Hag]

Wow! I wish you the best on getting this sorted out. 

[Lady Arwen]

Oh, my goodness, I have never heard of such a thing!  Please keep us informed as to your outcome.  This can’t be right!

[Coral]

This is sort of similar - I think.......

 

 

[gottagocit]

I’m pretty confident their system will show the history of your booking including original cost and promos assigned etc and they’ll eventually get the appropriate person to correct the fare. You’re almost certainly not the only one who has this surprise waiting to be discovered. Their system was down for maintenance Saturday and much of Sunday per a notice I read Saturday. Good luck. 

[Coral]

17 minutes ago, gottagocit said:

Their system was down for maintenance Saturday and much of Sunday per a notice I read Saturday. Good luck. 

Their systems are down for maintenance most weekends.

[spookyfudge]

Yes happened to us, we bellied up to the bar and paid the extra, no further problems.

[Bgwest]

33 minutes ago, spookyfudge said:

Yes happened to us, we bellied up to the bar and paid the extra, no further problems.

What an odd thing to do. 

[Bgwest]

9 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

What an odd thing to do. 

Or claim to have done. 

[azbirdmom]

Good thing you have all of your documents.  Nothing like injecting stress into what should be a very relaxing experience!  Hope you hear that it's been resolved very soon. 

[[Big Z]]

RESOLVED

 

While I was expecting a phone call, I got an email (with the booking confirmation attached) stating that I owe nothing extra and my rate is indeed being honored. Logged into my Princess account and it says the same thing. 

 

Happy that this was resolved quickly. 

[WAvoyager]

It’s unfortunately important to keep all information regarding promos when booking with Princess.  We once booked a comped cruise, which had some additional included items.  There was some issue so they had to rebook the cruise.  When rebooked, the extra comped items (part of the promo) were all missing.  They had no record of the promo code associated with the offer, and required us to prove that they ever had such an offer.  Fortunately we kept the original mailer, and were able to find it and provided the code for them.

 

You would think that keeping track of the promos you offer directly to your customers would be a pretty basic thing to do, but…

[david63]

1 hour ago, WAvoyager said:

important to keep all information regarding promos when booking with Princess.

Not just Princess but in any other similar situation in all walks of life

[Hlitner]

On 3/22/2023 at 7:19 AM, [Big Z] said:

So I discovered almost two months after the final payment that my cruise fare shot up and that I suddenly owe money despite having paid in full. I didn't bid on any upgrades or anything like that and I was able to make my reservations for dinner, make an excursion booking, and got my flight confirmation through EZ Air. The only reason I found this out is because I wanted to add a couple of pre-cruise things (pre-paying gratituties, etc) and discovered I could not without owing what works out to be approximately an additional 30% of my base fare. 

 

Called Princess and now my apparent promo code that I originally booked under is no longer attached and now the entire cruise fare is under review. Apparently, this has to do with a previous software update that screwed things up. 

 

Has this happened to anyone else? Any tips besides have all my documentation/correspondence at the ready (which I do)?   

 

On 3/22/2023 at 7:19 AM, [Big Z] said:

 

Thank you in advance. 

I hope it all works out.  But this is another reason (among many) that we have long suggested that folk's book through reputable high volume cruise agencies/agents.  This gets you a very detailed invoice and decent customer support if something goes wrong (like on your booking).  Once you have paid a deposit and get a booking number (from the cruise line) you have a contract!  The cruise line cannot unilaterally change the price unless it is specified in the terms of the booking.  If they do change the price (or terms) you have the right to cancel (and get a full refund) or you can put the matter into "dispute" with your credit card company (at least for those in the USA).

 

In your case, if you have a hard copy or e-mailed info that supports your case, you can use that leverage.  With a decent cruise agent you would simply send them a quick e-mail or make a fast call.  When you book direct it is all up to you.

 

Many fans of booking direct with cruise lines will say "I want to keep control" and now you see that "keeping control" is meaningless if you get into a dispute with the cruise line. In your situation would document all my phone calls and not agree to any extra payments.  If the cruise line does charge you an additional fee (without your authorization) then immediately put that extra charge under "dispute" with your credit card company.

 

Hank

 

 

[SargassoPirate]

I tend to keep what some may call too much documentation for every trip.  I put little faith in electronic devices and QR codes that replace paper tickets or boarding passes.  I carry a small 3-ring binder with a paper copy of the cruise booking, a printout of whatever any special package is, all flight itineraries, hotel reservation, and rental car reservations.  Basically anything that can disappear or be revised electronically.

 

A paper document is worth its weight in gold and trumps electrons every time.

[Lady Arwen]

47 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

I tend to keep what some may call too much documentation for every trip.  I put little faith in electronic devices and QR codes that replace paper tickets or boarding passes.  I carry a small 3-ring binder with a paper copy of the cruise booking, a printout of whatever any special package is, all flight itineraries, hotel reservation, and rental car reservations.  Basically anything that can disappear or be revised electronically.

 

A paper document is worth its weight in gold and trumps electrons every time.

We do the same, except we have a travel folder with labelled dividers.  Goes in a carry on bag.  I know it’s extreme, but it makes me feel more confident travelling.

[azbirdmom]

2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

We do the same, except we have a travel folder with labelled dividers.  Goes in a carry on bag.  I know it’s extreme, but it makes me feel more confident travelling.

Same here!  It has come in handy when there are errors in OBC or other things when we are onboard.

[reedprincess]

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

 

I hope it all works out.  But this is another reason (among many) that we have long suggested that folk's book through reputable high volume cruise agencies/agents.  This gets you a very detailed invoice and decent customer support if something goes wrong (like on your booking).  Once you have paid a deposit and get a booking number (from the cruise line) you have a contract!  The cruise line cannot unilaterally change the price unless it is specified in the terms of the booking.  If they do change the price (or terms) you have the right to cancel (and get a full refund) or you can put the matter into "dispute" with your credit card company (at least for those in the USA).

 

In your case, if you have a hard copy or e-mailed info that supports your case, you can use that leverage.  With a decent cruise agent you would simply send them a quick e-mail or make a fast call.  When you book direct it is all up to you.

 

Many fans of booking direct with cruise lines will say "I want to keep control" and now you see that "keeping control" is meaningless if you get into a dispute with the cruise line. In your situation would document all my phone calls and not agree to any extra payments.  If the cruise line does charge you an additional fee (without your authorization) then immediately put that extra charge under "dispute" with your credit card company.

 

Hank

 

 

As you can see, it was resolved, all to OPs satisfaction...

 

10 hours ago, [Big Z] said:

RESOLVED

 

While I was expecting a phone call, I got an email (with the booking confirmation attached) stating that I owe nothing extra and my rate is indeed being honored. Logged into my Princess account and it says the same thing. 

 

Happy that this was resolved quickly. 

 

[warren buffet]

Just now, [Big Z] said:

RESOLVED

 

While I was expecting a phone call, I got an email (with the booking confirmation attached) stating that I owe nothing extra and my rate is indeed being honored. Logged into my Princess account and it says the same thing. 

 

Happy that this was resolved quickly. 

is that a more or less normal price. (I understand if you are elite or gamble in the casino you may get better prices than the gen public).    i ask because there was a posting recently about princess having princess premier prices cheaper than princess plus.    none of the people who booked them has written back on the board post to say whether princess honored it in the end.  

[cr8tiv1]

I’m glad I am not the only doubting Debbie out there.  
 

I have a folder…with dividers for all my travel plans. Hard copies are added frequently. 
 

When I travel, I compartmentalize them into these handle dandy pocket folders for this particular trip (flight, immigrations/customs, hotel, cruise docs, visas, flight, etc.)

 

Overkill with screen shots and an album for those same documents?????