Beware, false advertising on Princess's displayed deposit

[bobpell]

Looked up on Princess website for 10 day cruise on Caribbean Princess Oct. 28, 2025.

Intrigued by $99 deposit in red letters on their website

Called our TA and told him to book a suite

He fought with Princess for 2 hours when they applied deposit of $2,160.00

Apparently the $99 displayed on their Ad did not apply to suites??!!

Not impressed

Bob

[voljeep]

11 minutes ago, bobpell said:

Looked up on Princess website for 10 day cruise on Caribbean Princess Oct. 28, 2025.

Intrigued by $99 deposit in red letters on their website

Called our TA and told him to book a suite

He fought with Princess for 2 hours when they applied deposit of $2,160.00

Apparently the $99 displayed on their Ad did not apply to suites??!!

Not impressed

Bob

 

[Mark_K]

Presumably, when the terms said ‘standard deposits only’ it was meant to separate the offer from suite deposits.

 

If so, it could have easily been made clearer.

[Paula_MacFan]

We booked a suite for an upcoming Panama Canal cruise under the $99 promotion and had to pay a total deposit of $1,600 for two passengers.  I was a little surprised during the booking process but paid the deposit anyway as we really want to take this cruise and we didn't have any FCD left to apply.  

[waltd]

Suites have always had a higher deposit.  

[memoak]

1 hour ago, waltd said:

Suites have always had a higher deposit.  

Not when you use FCD’s

[startedwithamouse]

Offer Terms & Conditions

 

Up to $200 Onboard Spending Money + Up to 35% Off Fares + 3rd & 4th Guest Sail Free + $99 Deposit

GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL OFFERS IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT(“Offer(s)”): Offers only available to legal residents of North America. Offers only available for new bookings, on select cruises, on a limited availability, are capacity controlled (regardless of stateroom availability), and may not be combined with other offers or promotions (aside from those listed herein). Other exclusions may apply; void where prohibited. Changes or refunds may not be permitted. Offers and their parts (if any) are not transferable, not substitutable, and not redeemable for cash. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (“PCL”) is not responsible or liable for any errors, including printing or other errors. PCL may change or revoke Offers at any time. A deposit is required, and amount of deposit may vary according to the cruise length, stateroom type, and number of stateroom guests. All values are in USD. Offers valid on new bookings made between 3/1/24 and 5/31/24 for select and available PCL cruises.

*Fares are per guest and apply to minimum lead-in categories only on space-available basis at time of booking. Fares for other categories may vary. Fares are non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom only. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests. Fares and other values quoted in U.S. dollars. A deposit is required for first and second stateroom guests and amount of deposit varies according to the cruise length, stateroom type, and number of stateroom guests. This offer has limited space. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are additional.

 

$99 Deposits applies to full, standard deposits only and shall not further reduce already reduced or discounted deposits. Offer not available on World Cruises and Cruises 45 days. Cruises in which final payment is required are not eligible for this offer.

Edited March 9 by startedwithamouse

[FLAlaska]

$99 doesn't usually apply to suites. I just booked the Sky TA in a reserved minisuite and go the $99 deposit.  

 

I also booked the Sky Jan 11 in an S4, higher deposit but did give me a $200 OBC with the Plus package

[bobpell]

Thanks startedwithamou, I now know to read the fine print

Bob

[cr8tiv1]

I have been caught many times for not reading the fine print.  That's why I depend on my TA to keep me on the straight and narrow.  Also, having FCDs (purchased on previous cruises for $100) is the optimum way to go. 

 

My TA will never allow me to book a non-refundable deposit.  Right after covid, it was difficult to book suites since all FCDs had expired.  I've been lucky to not have had to pay large deposits for suites.

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Offer Terms & Conditions

 

Up to $200 Onboard Spending Money + Up to 35% Off Fares + 3rd & 4th Guest Sail Free + $99 Deposit

GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL OFFERS IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT(“Offer(s)”): Offers only available to legal residents of North America. Offers only available for new bookings, on select cruises, on a limited availability, are capacity controlled (regardless of stateroom availability), and may not be combined with other offers or promotions (aside from those listed herein). Other exclusions may apply; void where prohibited. Changes or refunds may not be permitted. Offers and their parts (if any) are not transferable, not substitutable, and not redeemable for cash. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (“PCL”) is not responsible or liable for any errors, including printing or other errors. PCL may change or revoke Offers at any time. A deposit is required, and amount of deposit may vary according to the cruise length, stateroom type, and number of stateroom guests. All values are in USD. Offers valid on new bookings made between 3/1/24 and 5/31/24 for select and available PCL cruises.

*Fares are per guest and apply to minimum lead-in categories only on space-available basis at time of booking. Fares for other categories may vary. Fares are non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom only. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests. Fares and other values quoted in U.S. dollars. A deposit is required for first and second stateroom guests and amount of deposit varies according to the cruise length, stateroom type, and number of stateroom guests. This offer has limited space. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are additional.

 

$99 Deposits applies to full, standard deposits only and shall not further reduce already reduced or discounted deposits. Offer not available on World Cruises and Cruises 45 days. Cruises in which final payment is required are not eligible for this offer.

 

Offers only available for new bookings, on select cruises, on a limited availability, are capacity controlled (regardless of stateroom availability), and may not be combined with other offers or promotions (aside from those listed herein). Other exclusions may apply; void where prohibited.

[startedwithamouse]

43 minutes ago, bobpell said:

Thanks startedwithamou, I now know to read the fine print

Bob

Sorry this happened to you.

 

It's tricky and easy to miss.