More Help Needed for Specialty Dining, Please!

[Worldtraveler 4727]

The Premiere Package with my booking allows for 2 specialty restaurant reservations, and in my Medallion app it clearly states that I have dining credits, but on Aug 2 when I made the two reservations, my VISA was charged. The Medallion app said that I would not be charged for these reservations upon confirmation of the two reservations.

I was charged for 4 dinners each time as my booking is linked to our friends’ and they too have specialty dining credits.

 

Can someone give me some advice? Do I need to call Princess? Any advice if I do have to call?

[Fortunate 2 travel]

They will correct easily onboard, but it will be OBC.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

I really do not want hundreds of dollars in OBC. How do I avoid that?

The Medallion app said I would not be charged when the reservations were confirmed, and they seem to be confirmed b/c it will allow me to delete if I want.

[Steelers36]

39 minutes ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

The Premiere Package with my booking allows for 2 specialty restaurant reservations, and in my Medallion app it clearly states that I have dining credits, but on Aug 2 when I made the two reservations, my VISA was charged. The Medallion app said that I would not be charged for these reservations upon confirmation of the two reservations.

I was charged for 4 dinners each time as my booking is linked to our friends’ and they too have specialty dining credits.

 

Can someone give me some advice? Do I need to call Princess? Any advice if I do have to call?

One issue you have - an admittedly the App is not clear about this at all - is how you made the res.  When you make a booking with dining companions, I am quite sure that DMW is using your credits and not the other party.  At least it was this way a year ago.  What should have done is you make one res for the four of you and the other couple make the other res for the four of you.

 

As to why none of your credits was used, well, it should have indicated the total price (e.g. $156 for 4 @ Crown Grill) and then indicated the credits and a net balance of $0.

 

However, for well over a year - or basically since SD was added I am thinking, many App users have reported not getting their credits recognized.  I saw this behavior myself back in 2022 where some credits were recognized and not others.  IDK the issue and it is a shame that OCEAN IT Team has not fixed this because they have certainly been made aware.

 

Call in to App support and select the DMW option.  If you cancel the res now - ahead of voyage - refund is to your credit card.  Maybe they can help make a new res or you can make it on board if don't want the OBC.  It is Refundable so you will get it back if not spent.

Edited August 5, 2023 by Steelers36

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Does anyone know if you can still load your refundable OBC to your Medallion in the casino and cash out?

[Rick&Jeannie]

While Princess "frowns" on this...many people (myself included) have done so with relatively SMALL amounts...i,e. $50 or so, though the more common situation is that I am PAYING the casino! 🙄

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Thank you for your reply.

I hoping to straighten out Specialty Dining reservations and NOT receive refundable OBC, but in the event that is the only solution, I would rather not wait for weeks after the cruise to perhaps receive a check in the correct amount--too many horror stories on CC on that glitch.

[that]

🤐

[hammo]

I have recently posted the same problem exactly as yours . Made the reservations and checked the cc and the charges were there despite the 2x Specialty Dining being included in our fare. I cancelled and received the refund and tried again . Same result .

I called Princess and the operator was absolutely no help . She said she could see the reservations and that we had been charged but said if we wanted to keep them we needed to go to guest relations and explain and we would receive OBC . I said I was unhappy about spending the first part of embarkation standing in a line at GR and that I didnt want any more OBC . Her reply was cancel and take the chance onboard re dining availability . Hardly the response I was expecting .

Ive also joined the Princess Facebook chat group and had advice about making the bookings via the web rather than the app but that didnt work fo me either . There were similar stories to mine there as well as a few caustic unhelpful remarks. Im about to cancel again and try again , maybe hoping Princess will fix this or someone here have a solution to this Premium Package dining reservation problem .

[Worldtraveler 4727]

Isn't this insane? In addition, the cost/numbers are wacky. 

My VISA was charged $148.93, twice for two specialty dinners and our friends' booking linked to ours who have the same package. Nothing is adding up. $142.93 divided by 4 = $35.73 per dinner. Specialty dining is supposed to be $39 pp.
AND to add to the confusion, my Premiere Gifts and Services Summary lists

Gift ID 02 6709 as $109 pp per night. 

What in the world??
 

Contacted my TA. She doesn't think she can help either. She said since COVID, Princess is very difficult to deal with. So much for TA's.

 

Thrak posted this:

customerrelations@princesscruises.com is your first line of inquiry. If this is the address that is ignoring your queries try these:
 
Princess Cruises Executive Contacts:
 
Primary Contact


Collin Steinke


Director, Customer Relations
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
csteinke@princesscruises.com
 
Secondary Contact


Lorna Warren


Vice President Guest Services
24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
lwarren@princesscruises.com
 
Chief Executive


John Padgett
 President


24305 Town Center Drive
Santa Clarita, CA 91355


jpadgett@princess.com
 
Also, try padgett@HAGroup.com

 

Perhaps we need to begin an intense writing campaign.

I know that we are not the only ones out there affected by this problem.

 

 

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

Thank you for your reply.

I hoping to straighten out Specialty Dining reservations and NOT receive refundable OBC, but in the event that is the only solution, I would rather not wait for weeks after the cruise to perhaps receive a check in the correct amount--too many horror stories on CC on that glitch.

You can gamble in the casino by charging either slot machine cash or table chips to your cabin account.  But you must gamble and then you can cash out net balance later on.  You need to cash out before casino closes on last night of the voyage.  They make a lot of announcements.  Make sure the casino is open on last day and night and not in Canadian waters and closed.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, hammo said:

advice about making the bookings via the web

Same advice is given here.  IMO, there is more bad info on X than here.

[Steelers36]

4 minutes ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

My VISA was charged $148.93, twice for two specialty dinners and our friends' booking linked to ours who have the same package. Nothing is adding up. $142.93 divided by 4 = $35.73 per dinner. Specialty dining is supposed to be $39 pp.

Most certainly, SD pricing has no cents involved.  However, not all locations are $39.  For example, Sabitini's is $35.  Crown Grill is $39.  

 

One would hope the DMW help desk (selection on Princess' phone tree options), would be able to explain what is going on.  But first, knowing which SD location you booked would be helpful.  

 

I have never seen an incorrect amount anytime I was playing with SD booking, but have not been attempting it in 2023.

 

I presume you have a typo above with the $149.93?

[Worldtraveler 4727]

6 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Most certainly, SD pricing has no cents involved.  However, not all locations are $39.  For example, Sabitini's is $35.  Crown Grill is $39.  

 

One would hope the DMW help desk (selection on Princess' phone tree options), would be able to explain what is going on.  But first, knowing which SD location you booked would be helpful.  

 

I have never seen an incorrect amount anytime I was playing with SD booking, but have not been attempting it in 2023.

 

I presume you have a typo above with the $149.93?

Sorry for any confusion. The amount charged to my Visa twice on the same day for four people at the Crown Grill for both nights was $142.93 (not the $148.93 you listed) 

Both bookings are entitled to two specialty dining evenings, as I stated above. 
Only my Visa was charged, even though our bookings are linked, and both bookings on the Medallion app still state dining credits are available. 
How to get Princess to remove the Visa charges and use the credits from both bookings, seems  to be the million dollar question here.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

24 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

You can gamble in the casino by charging either slot machine cash or table chips to your cabin account.  But you must gamble and then you can cash out net balance later on.  You need to cash out before casino closes on last night of the voyage.  They make a lot of announcements.  Make sure the casino is open on last day and night and not in Canadian waters and closed.

Thank you for that clarification. Appreciated. 

[msd808]

Had the same issue and App would not allow us to use the credit and it also involved another party linked to our reservations. Guest services easily credited to our onboard account and now we wait the weeks for a refund. Appreciate all the point of contacts as these may be necessary if credit is not refunded in a timely or timely-ish manner.

 

Did not want to cancel and then try to rebook onboard since there was very limited availablity, but now we take our chances on the refund.

 

Tried to resolve with cruise consultant and got an out of office response and no further response.

[hammo]

Tried sending the email below to the addresses provided by Worldtraveller .Not surprisingly the jpadgett@princess.com didnt go through . Not sure about the others .

 

Dear Princess Cruise Line , 

 

Many Princess Cruisers are sharing the same problem I am having regarding trying to make Specialty Dining reservations with our Premier Package Dining credit . There are several threads both on CC and the Facebook pages . We are asking you to try and rectify this problem of charging us full price to our CC's instead of recognising we have dining credit for two Specialty dinners .

Below is an example of just one thread .

 

I have tried several times including contacting Princess without any result or suggested remedy except Guest relations onboard , which I expect will have many many angry embarkers as unhappy as I am . I could send a copy of all the posts etc if you like ?

Thanks in anticipation , 

P. Hammo

Posted yesterday at 08:16 AM

I have recently posted the same problem exactly as yours . Made the reservations and checked the cc and the charges were there despite the 2x Specialty Dining being included in our fare. I cancelled and received the refund and tried again . Same result .

I called Princess and the operator was absolutely no help . She said she could see the reservations and that we had been charged but said if we wanted to keep them we needed to go to guest relations and explain and we would receive OBC . I said I was unhappy about spending the first part of embarkation standing in a line at GR and that I didnt want any more OBC . Her reply was cancel and take the chance onboard re dining availability . Hardly the response I was expecting .

Ive also joined the Princess Facebook chat group and had advice about making the bookings via the web rather than the app but that didnt work fo me either . There were similar stories to mine there as well as a few caustic unhelpful remarks. Im about to cancel again and try again , maybe hoping Princess will fix this or someone here have a solution to this Premium Package dining reservation problem .Tried again via the Web rather than the app - same  result . 

[Abercrombie2019]

On 8/5/2023 at 7:28 PM, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

Isn't this insane? In addition, the cost/numbers are wacky. 

My VISA was charged $148.93, twice for two specialty dinners and our friends' booking linked to ours who have the same package. Nothing is adding up. $142.93 divided by 4 = $35.73 per dinner. Specialty dining is supposed to be $39 pp.
AND to add to the confusion, my Premiere Gifts and Services Summary lists

Gift ID 02 6709 as $109 pp per night. 

What in the world??

What is the on board currency for the cruise?  Is the cruise in Australia?

[Worldtraveler 4727]

7 hours ago, hammo said:

Tried sending the email below to the addresses provided by Worldtraveller .Not surprisingly the jpadgett@princess.com didnt go through . Not sure about the others .

 

Dear Princess Cruise Line , 

 

Many Princess Cruisers are sharing the same problem I am having regarding trying to make Specialty Dining reservations with our Premier Package Dining credit . There are several threads both on CC and the Facebook pages . We are asking you to try and rectify this problem of charging us full price to our CC's instead of recognising we have dining credit for two Specialty dinners .

Below is an example of just one thread .

 

I have tried several times including contacting Princess without any result or suggested remedy except Guest relations onboard , which I expect will have many many angry embarkers as unhappy as I am . I could send a copy of all the posts etc if you like ?

Thanks in anticipation , 

P. Hammo

Posted yesterday at 08:16 AM

I have recently posted the same problem exactly as yours . Made the reservations and checked the cc and the charges were there despite the 2x Specialty Dining being included in our fare. I cancelled and received the refund and tried again . Same result .

I called Princess and the operator was absolutely no help . She said she could see the reservations and that we had been charged but said if we wanted to keep them we needed to go to guest relations and explain and we would receive OBC . I said I was unhappy about spending the first part of embarkation standing in a line at GR and that I didnt want any more OBC . Her reply was cancel and take the chance onboard re dining availability . Hardly the response I was expecting .

Ive also joined the Princess Facebook chat group and had advice about making the bookings via the web rather than the app but that didnt work fo me either . There were similar stories to mine there as well as a few caustic unhelpful remarks. Im about to cancel again and try again , maybe hoping Princess will fix this or someone here have a solution to this Premium Package dining reservation problem .Tried again via the Web rather than the app - same  result . 

 

I totally understand your frustration.

I would not have knowingly re-posted from another CC member anything I did not think was helpful. But I did notice that all the other addresses in the above list include "princesscruises" in their address and not just "princess." Perhaps you could try to send your email again. 

Best of luck.

[Worldtraveler 4727]

28 minutes ago, Abercrombie2019 said:

What is the on board currency for the cruise?  Is the cruise in Australia?

 

Excellent thought! Yes, it is. 

I converted $142.93 from AUD to USD. It comes to $93.80  😵‍💫 The numbers are still not making sense.

[Abercrombie2019]

41 minutes ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

 

Excellent thought! Yes, it is. 

I converted $142.93 from AUD to USD. It comes to $93.80  😵‍💫 The numbers are still not making sense.

Your credit card statement will show what the charge was in AUD and the exchange rate used to convert to USD.

[Abercrombie2019]

$39 USD is charge for Crown Grill but ship will convert to AUD for your charge.  Your credit card will convert back to USD.  CC rate will not be same as Princess conversion rate.

[Steelers36]

9 hours ago, Worldtraveler 4727 said:

 

Excellent thought! Yes, it is. 

I converted $142.93 from AUD to USD. It comes to $93.80  😵‍💫 The numbers are still not making sense.

Can you please clarify?  You are American and booking a voyage in Australia would be in USD.  Ship currency is AUD, but if you booked SD in advance using DineMyWay, you would be charged in USD.

 

Are you saying you booked the SD on the ship and it is the only charge to your on-board account?  So your on-board account had $0 AUD opening balance and closed with just the SD charges?  Otherwise, how are you saying your credit card was charged this odd amount?

 

If you were on the ship, you would know what they were charging in AUD for the SD cover charge.  I would work from that to USD.

 

Also, did you allow Princess to convert your on-board account charges (AUD) to USD before billing your credit card?  This is a bad option and you always want the travel provider to bill you in their home currency (AUD in this case) and let it convert on your credit card statement.  Otherwise you get ripped with extra conversion charges.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Yeah...I'm not following this one either...

[Worldtraveler 4727]

I don't know what else to tell you or how to explain these odd charges either.

On August 3 through the Medallion App, I made two reservations for 4 people (all have two specialty dining credits each) at the Crown Grill for Nov 7 & 12, 2023, and my Visa alerted me that there were two charges made on the same day for the same amount. 

My TA did get a hold of Princess. The agent said she could see the charges but could not do anything--wait to get onboard and they will be removed. I hope the agent meant refunded. I have been told by others on here that I would receive refundable OBC. 

 

Hi there, I noticed your card was charged twice for the same amount. Here are the details:

PRINCESS CRUISE LINES Thursday, August 3, 2023 $142.93 Thursday, August 3, 2023 $142.93

 

Edited August 7, 2023 by Worldtraveler 4727