Are Princess ripping us off?

[stargazer]

Based on reviews here I tried to book the Rancho La Ponderosa for a horse riding excursion next month, I received an email from them telling me to book through the ship as they are the ranch that Princess use for their horse riding, I emailed them back and explained that the ships excursion was a countryside ride and we wanted the beach ride.

I have just received this email from them:

 

yes it's also the countryside, northside and the beach ride the Emerald Princess work together with us

that is our Ranch (Rancho La Ponderosa).

 

The problem is depend how many people we have that day sometimes

we have 10,15 or 24 people from the ship that's why I can 't reserved for that day till I now howmany people we have

 

we keep and touch together one week before if its slow we can reserved direct with us

 

Thanks,

 

Ramon

 

 

I do not have a problem booking through the ship other than the price quoted by Princess is $119 per person while the price on the Ranches website is $65 or $75 per person depending which trail ride you choose.

 

Does anyone else think that this is a big rip off? I don't mind paying a little over the odds but that is ridiculous.

[Toto2Kansas]

Some tours are locked from outside bookings by cruise passengers. This is not uncommon at all. They have a contract with the cruise line and in it they must agree not to book individual bookings from cruise passengers.

 

It's done all the time, and no real way around it unless you can convince them you aren't coming to the port via cruise ship.

 

Sorry, just the way things play out and I don't feel it is ripping us off at all. It is a contract, they have no other choice.

[Pam in CA]

I do not have a problem booking through the ship other than the price quoted by Princess is $119 per person while the price on the Ranches website is $65 or $75 per person depending which trail ride you choose.

 

Does anyone else think that this is a big rip off? I don't mind paying a little over the odds but that is ridiculous.

Sorry, I don't agree with you. The tour operator has an exclusive contract with Princess (and, I'm sure, other cruiselines when they go to that port). You are paying more because Princess includes guarantees and accepts responsibility for their passengers while on the tour which if you booked it independently, would have to assume responsibility for. Princess does all the work of arranging, coordinating, etc. passengers with the tour operator. Yes, it is higher than if you could book independently and yes, it appears to be a bit more than usual, but if you don't like it, book a tour with someone else.

[stargazer]

I can see your point and would understand it if they did have "an exclusive contract with Princess" but if you read the email the fact is that they will be quite willing to take us if they are not booked up by Princess, this is what is annoying me.

 

As for booking with someone else, I have read the reviews of horse riding ranches here on C.C and read all the recommendations and this along with the fact of wanting a beach ride is the reason we choose this Ranch.

[Toto2Kansas]

I can see your point and would understand it if they did have "an exclusive contract with Princess" but if you read the email the fact is that they will be quite willing to take us if they are not booked up by Princess, this is what is annoying me.

 

As for booking with someone else, I have read the reviews of horse riding ranches here on C.C and read all the recommendations and this along with the fact of wanting a beach ride is the reason we choose this Ranch.

 

I would guess that even if not booked up completely by Princess that you still would not be able to book this tour independently. I have not seen any vendor yet that has a contract with the cruise line that is also allowed to book outside passengers from the cruise line. To do so would risk breaking their contract with Princess. I think he is just trying to let you down easy.

[stargazer]

I would guess that even if not booked up completely by Princess that you still would not be able to book this tour independently. I have not seen any vendor yet that has a contract with the cruise line that is also allowed to book outside passengers from the cruise line. To do so would risk breaking their contract with Princess. I think he is just trying to let you down easy.

 

 

Why would he do that? why not just be honest about it and say he can't take my booking, at least that way I would know exactly where I stand and could look elsewhere or choose to book with Princess. Many people on here have said that they have booked independently with them.

[FLACRUISER99]

Does anyone else think that this is a big rip off? I don't mind paying a little over the odds but that is ridiculous.

See how much it will cost if you happen to miss the ship if you think you are getting ripped off by Princess.

[RealDeal]

Colo: Do you mean another "poster's"? LOLOL:D

[agabbymama]

I can't find the link right now, but it was on CC describing how the excursions costs are broken down, and YES, ALL CRUISELINES RIP OFF THE PASSENGERS.

 

The independent excursions are always less than what you pay for a cruiseline excursion. Same tour, but higher cost.

 

That's just the way it is.;)

 

Wait until you have to pay them for a 5 minute transfer because no taxis in port. $24 pp was what Princess charged us for a 5 minute ride.

[stargazer]

See how much it will cost if you happen to miss the ship if you think you are getting ripped off by Princess.

 

 

It would be nice to start a thread or answer a post without fear of some people making unnecessary or sarky comments when all most people want is some feedback, helpful suggestions or information and not to be ridiculed or "flamed".

 

there are many different nationalities on this board and sometimes things can be taken up the wrong way, so it would be nice if people thought before they typed, my mother always told me that if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all and I try to live by this. We are all on this board for the same reason, because we love to cruise so lets all try to remember this and treat others as we would like others to treat us.

[Happy2Cruise4Fun]

If you book it and you have a good time then you are not getted ripped off is the way I see it.

 

Can you find something cheaper, probably and as stated they may have a contract with the cruise line. 1 person or small group VS the potential for every week customers getting sent your way; I see where their loyalty would be.

 

Your on vacation, just book it and don't worry about it and have a good time.

[RealDeal]

You're right, Stargazer...

 

(PS: You wanna see flames? Go over to the Celebrity board....OMG!)

[FLACRUISER99]

It would be nice to start a thread or answer a post without fear of some people making unnecessary or sarky comments when all most people want is some feedback, helpful suggestions or information and not to be ridiculed or "flamed".

 

there are many different nationalities on this board and sometimes things can be taken up the wrong way, so it would be nice if people thought before they typed, my mother always told me that if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all and I try to live by this. We are all on this board for the same reason, because we love to cruise so lets all try to remember this and treat others as we would like others to treat us.

I don't understand what your problem is?? I was just trying to make the point that the Princess will assure that you make the ship if you book with them. Boy do you like to flame. BTY way I think your post is making unnecessary or sarky comments.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Probably the reason the price difference on this is so much higher than, for instance, a bus tour is because it involves animals. There are inherent dangers in dealing with a large animal such as a horse and I'm sure the cruise line's liability is high. Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

[Sincity]

Yes, it is higher than if you could book independently and yes, it appears to be a bit more than usual, but if you don't like it, book a tour with someone else.

 

 

Well said.

[trideltjenn]

I know that when we've taken horseback riding tours it was quite a bit of a drive to whereever the ranch was. The tour price includes your transportation which if you just went through them, you would have to add that into the cost of the trip, and plus you dont want to have to worry about not making it back to the ship in time. If something happens when your on one of the ship tours they will wait for you which is good piece of mind to have =):p

[FLACRUISER99]

Stargazer sorry if I offended you I think you took my post the wrong way. I meant no harm.

[Pam in CA]

YES, ALL CRUISELINES RIP OFF THE PASSENGERS.

It depends on your definition of "ripped off." When Princess or any other cruiseline has a contract with a tour operator, there are all sorts of hidden costs, including liability. They also coordinate or arrange for transportation (and all those hidden costs) and, in effect, guarantee that the tour will be as expected. Many of us responding to this thread have taken ship's tours when there was a problem or it wasn't "as advertised." Princess takes responsibility for that and almost always refunds at least part of your tour cost. If you book a tour independently and you didn't like it or it wasn't what you expected, what recourse do you have?

 

The point is that it's not as cut and dried or absolute as the numbers appear.

[cruzinsusan]

We have always booked our excursions through princess. No question they are more expensive than booking on your own (sometimes more than double). But for us the peace of mind we get knowing the ship won't leave without us is well worth the extra cost and we are able to enjoy ourselves that much more.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[stargazer]

Stargazer sorry if I offended you I think you took my post the wrong way. I meant no harm.

 

No harm done, as I said before, we are all here for the same reason, because we love to cruise

[Kinkacruiser]

Hi Ramon,

I know where you are coming from and must admit that initially, I was booking private tours while in port, just to save a few dollars.

However, I now appreciate that the extra 30-40%(I see in your costings it's more than that) we pay for the Princess shore excurions is justified, for the following and possibly other good reasons:

Firsty, there is less to fuss about all round...no researching on the net, you're not having to send deposits with bookings or confirming reservations.

Then on the day of the excursion , you are escorted to your tour , which is operated by professional operators and beautifully organised via the Princess shore excursion staff. If the weather is not suited, or you choose to cancel (with adequet notice) , you receive a full refund on your ship account.

Finally, you will arrive at the designted return time and never have to worry about missing the final boarding call.

As a final point, ask yourself how often will you get the opportunity to do what this shores activity promotes and you'll be more inclined to pay the extra.

I hope you enjoy the horseriding at Rancho la Ponderosa. Maybe it will be a slightly longer trail ride?

Kind regards,

Anna

[swom]

We really wanted to do the BOB thing in ..........I think it was St Thomas, but can't remember for sure which port. (so many ports, so little time) and I emailed them directly because they were sooooo much cheaper than booking through the ship. They emailed me back the same thing you received, except they never said: depending on the number of bookings, I might be able to do it. They told me I HAD to book through the ship or I couldn't do this excursion. I understood that they had a contract with the ship and accepted it. Didn't like it, but understood the reason, so I just found another excursion that I booked on my own.

A contract is a binding legal document. If the ship has contracted with a certain company, they have exclusive rights to that tour.

We might not like the fact that we have to pay the extra price, but if we really want to do that excursion, we have to follow the rules.

There are advantages to booking excursion through the ship. I personally don't book ship excursion unless it's something that I really really want to do.

But you do have a choice and you do have to play by the rules.

Bites sometimes, but............we always have choices.

Enjoy your cruise!!! :D:D:D

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

It would be nice to start a thread or answer a post without fear of some people making unnecessary or sarky comments when all most people want is some feedback, helpful suggestions or information and not to be ridiculed or "flamed".

 

there are many different nationalities on this board and sometimes things can be taken up the wrong way, so it would be nice if people thought before they typed, my mother always told me that if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all and I try to live by this. We are all on this board for the same reason, because we love to cruise so lets all try to remember this and treat others as we would like others to treat us.

 

I agree that different people may take things differently, but that is because they take other's opinions personally. When someone offers an opinion, it is always about the person offering the opinion and not the person the opinion was meant for.

 

Now for my opinion. LOL. Many posts on this board are to seek guidance or information about an upcoming cruise or to make the best choice possible regarding a cruise. However, there are other posts that are only placed on these boards because the person is angry about something and wants others to agree (getting ripped off) or they want to do something that is not the norm (not tipping) and want an okay from others and when they don't get the agreement or the okay, they get angry. In these situations, the OP should expect a lot of differing opinions and even some anger. However, back to my first point: Don't take anything personally.

[kooljamming]

Based on reviews here I tried to book the Rancho La Ponderosa for a horse riding excursion next month, I received an email from them telling me to book through the ship as they are the ranch that Princess use for their horse riding, I emailed them back and explained that the ships excursion was a countryside ride and we wanted the beach ride.

I have just received this email from them:

 

yes it's also the countryside, northside and the beach ride the Emerald Princess work together with us

that is our Ranch (Rancho La Ponderosa).

 

The problem is depend how many people we have that day sometimes

we have 10,15 or 24 people from the ship that's why I can 't reserved for that day till I now howmany people we have

 

we keep and touch together one week before if its slow we can reserved direct with us

 

Thanks,

 

Ramon

 

 

I do not have a problem booking through the ship other than the price quoted by Princess is $119 per person while the price on the Ranches website is $65 or $75 per person depending which trail ride you choose.

 

Does anyone else think that this is a big rip off? I don't mind paying a little over the odds but that is ridiculous.

 

Yes, without a doubt. I never feel good paying that much for the same thing. However this is the nature of the business. Depending on the travel time, it might be worth it to book with the ship. If I do an ship excusrion (rarely) I don't cry too much if I am getting a good deal on the fare. I consider it a trade-off between lower fares and paying more for things like excursions, pics and drinks. My budget is limited so this kind of difference would be a big deal to me.

 

Enjoy your trip and safe travels

[caribill]

However, I now appreciate that the extra 30-40%(I see in your costings it's more than that) we pay for the Princess shore excurions is justified, for the following and possibly other good reasons:

Firsty, there is less to fuss about all round...no researching on the net, you're not having to send deposits with bookings or confirming reservations.

Then on the day of the excursion , you are escorted to your tour , which is operated by professional operators and beautifully organised via the Princess shore excursion staff. If the weather is not suited, or you choose to cancel (with adequet notice) , you receive a full refund on your ship account.

Finally, you will arrive at the designted return time and never have to worry about missing the final boarding call.

As a final point, ask yourself how often will you get the opportunity to do what this shores activity promotes and you'll be more inclined to pay the extra.

 

 

All good points.

 

However, one downside is that you will often be on a bus with up to 50 people and be one of several Princess tour busses that reach a destination at the same time.

 

With a self-arranged tour, you will likely be part of a much smaller group that can cover all that the Princess tour does but not be there when the crowd is, and you also will be able to stop at locations the Princess tour cannot go to.

 

Using reputable tour guides that are recommended by Cruise Critic posters greatly minimizes the chance that you will not be back at the ship in time. On a private tour, I always aim to be back at least an hour before ship's departure.