misleading advertising by Princess.

[mosy]

We have cruised with Princess for the past 10 years and have always been very pleased with our cruises. Last week I rec'd a letter from the supervisor of the Players club inviting me to join a VIP Cruise. It stated that a stateroom had been reserved for myself and a guest and that among other things I would receive $250.00 in casiino credits. The fine print at the bottom states that member was responsible for all govt taxes and fees, travel to and from embarkation and alcohol on board etc. They gave a phone no to call.

When I called iwas told that here was a charge for the state room. This was not stated anywhere in the letter. I asked the lady I was talking to if she had had a lot of calls from people thinking that this was a free cruise. She said they had and that they have sent out a covering letter of explanation. Covering letter or not. This was a dlibrerate ploy to mislead. They knew very well what they were doing by leaving the stateroom charges off the letter. I have a letter of my own ready to go to Princess and we will consider another cruise company in the future. I am disappointed that they have chosen to use these kind of tactics:mad:

[Stevesan]

In my experience every business offers "come ons" in one form or another. Cruise lines aren't immune from that strategy.

It's to Princess's crdit that they're obviously so unaccustomed to the practice that they worded it badly enough to require a retraction of the wording. :p

[Coral]

I agree - misleading.

[LETS PARTY]

I think the casinos are run by a outside contractor

[bhopal21]

I got the same letter but didn't think for a minute that "having a stateroom reserved" meant that Princess was furnishing the cabin, just the gaming incentives.

 

Now if it had said, "We have a complimentary cabin reserved for you" that would have been another story.

 

Mike:)

[Ken076]

Are you sure the letter was directly from Princess? The letter apparently stated there was a room reserved, not that there was a room "paid for" - I picked-up on that IMMEDIATELY. ken

[cruisemom42]

I got the same letter but didn't think for a minute that "having a stateroom reserved" meant that Princess was furnishing the cabin, just the gaming incentives.

 

Now if it had said, "We have a complimentary cabin reserved for you" that would have been another story.

 

Mike:)

 

I got the same letter and thought the same. Didn't for a minute think the room was free.

[wander]

I did not receive such a letter, but from what OP wrote, I never would have thought the cabin was free.

[jacketwatch]

The letter was a come on, no doubt. However it didn't say the room was free, just that it was reserved. It may have given you the IMPRESSION that a room was included but of course you have to get that in writing. Honestly I would not give up on Princess just for this. Best of luck. Larry

[Toto2Kansas]

I got the same letter but didn't think for a minute that "having a stateroom reserved" meant that Princess was furnishing the cabin, just the gaming incentives.

 

Now if it had said, "We have a complimentary cabin reserved for you" that would have been another story.

 

Mike:)

 

I got the same letter and thought the same. Didn't for a minute think the room was free.

 

I agree with you both. I never once thought that Princess was offering a 'free' or 'complimentary' cruise in the letter. Only incentives to cruise, provided by the player's club.

I do think some read into these offers what they want them to read, and jump quickly to conclusions.

 

I would love to know how many of the 'smaller gamblers' (smaller meaning they allot $500-$1000 or less in the casino for a cruise) actually were thinking that Princess was sending them a free cruise because they gamble? Just out of curiosity. :confused:

[Colo Cruiser]

Why not blame OPC? They are the ones who are misleading.

[Sandytoes]

It always pays to read the fine print

 

It's usually marked with a *

 

;)

[dutchess43]

Unfortunately this comes under the heading if an offer seems to good to be true then it probably is. I have to agree with sandytoes always read the fine print. Yes it was misleading but the letter did say reserved & not free.

[kooljamming]

We have cruised with Princess for the past 10 years and have always been very pleased with our cruises. Last week I rec'd a letter from the supervisor of the Players club inviting me to join a VIP Cruise. It stated that a stateroom had been reserved for myself and a guest and that among other things I would receive $250.00 in casiino credits. The fine print at the bottom states that member was responsible for all govt taxes and fees, travel to and from embarkation and alcohol on board etc. They gave a phone no to call.

When I called iwas told that here was a charge for the state room. This was not stated anywhere in the letter. I asked the lady I was talking to if she had had a lot of calls from people thinking that this was a free cruise. She said they had and that they have sent out a covering letter of explanation. Covering letter or not. This was a dlibrerate ploy to mislead. They knew very well what they were doing by leaving the stateroom charges off the letter. I have a letter of my own ready to go to Princess and we will consider another cruise company in the future. I am disappointed that they have chosen to use these kind of tactics:mad:

 

Any assumption of free would be 'too good to be true'. You did the smart thing and called for clarification. For this you are considering another line?

 

Good Luck

[TomCruises]

We have cruised with Princess for the past 10 years and have always been very pleased with our cruises. Last week I rec'd a letter from the supervisor of the Players club inviting me to join a VIP Cruise. It stated that a stateroom had been reserved for myself and a guest and that among other things I would receive $250.00 in casiino credits. The fine print at the bottom states that member was responsible for all govt taxes and fees, travel to and from embarkation and alcohol on board etc. They gave a phone no to call.

When I called iwas told that here was a charge for the state room. This was not stated anywhere in the letter. I asked the lady I was talking to if she had had a lot of calls from people thinking that this was a free cruise. She said they had and that they have sent out a covering letter of explanation. Covering letter or not. This was a dlibrerate ploy to mislead. They knew very well what they were doing by leaving the stateroom charges off the letter. I have a letter of my own ready to go to Princess and we will consider another cruise company in the future. I am disappointed that they have chosen to use these kind of tactics:mad:

 

 

 

Oops! It seems that you have misunderstood! You read something you wanted in the letter that clearly wasn't so! It certainly isn't the fault of Princess!

[kooljamming]

Oops! It seems that you have misunderstood! You read something you wanted in the letter that clearly wasn't so! It certainly isn't the fault of Princess!

 

I know who is to blame

Jimmy Buffet had an idea in Margarittaville

 

Some people claim that theres a woman (Princess) to blame

But I know its my (your) own damn fault

Yes and some people claim that theres a woman (Princess) to blame

And I know its my (your) own damn fault

 

Maybe this by Milli Vanilli:

 

Blame it on the rain (rain)

Blame it on the stars (stars)

Whatever you do don't put the blame on you (ME)

Blame it on the rain yeah yeah

You can blame it on the rain

 

I really think it's this by Jamie Fox:

 

Blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose

Blame it on the 'tron, gotcha panties off

Blame it on the ah-ah-ah-alcohol, blame it on the ah-ah ah-ah ah-al-co-hol

[Northender]

Pauline you are so funny:D

 

OP - So glad you clarified the "free cruise" with the Players Club.

We get all kinds of letters, etc. How many people have gone to Time Share stuff to get free luggage and a free trip to the Bahamas. Of course the trip is out of FLL or Miami for two days. You have to get to Florida and back.:eek: And the free luggage won't even hold your undies for two days:rolleyes:

 

It is the same premise. Also you stated you received a letter from the Players Club. That is not Princess. Perhaps you should still cruise Princess and just not use the casino:cool:

[taxmantoo]

I know who is to blame

Jimmy Buffet had an idea in Margarittaville

 

Some people claim that theres a woman (Princess) to blame

But I know its my (your) own damn fault

Yes and some people claim that theres a woman (Princess) to blame

And I know its my (your) own damn fault

 

Maybe this by Milli Vanilli:

 

Blame it on the rain (rain)

Blame it on the stars (stars)

Whatever you do don't put the blame on you (ME)

Blame it on the rain yeah yeah

You can blame it on the rain

 

I really think it's this by Jamie Fox:

 

Blame it on the goose, gotcha feeling loose

Blame it on the 'tron, gotcha panties off

Blame it on the ah-ah-ah-alcohol, blame it on the ah-ah ah-ah ah-al-co-hol

 

But NEVER NEVER "Blame it on the Bossa Nova"

[coiran]

Do we even know if it was an offer from Princess or some third party?

 

Ron

[bjboothman]

Ron, I got the same letter yesterday and it was on Princess letterhead (DH and I each received one and each letter referenced our Platinum membership number).

 

Oddly, we each received a letter from Princess rescinding the offer two days before we received the original offer.

[cruisemom42]

But NEVER NEVER "Blame it on the Bossa Nova"

 

 

But you COULD "Blame it on the Boogie"

[PictureChris]

Sort of like when an Auto Dealer on the radio states that all credit applications will be accepted. To me that means that when you fill it out and go to hand it to the person, they will "accept" it. It doesn't mean they will "approve" it.

[coiran]

Ron, I got the same letter yesterday and it was on Princess letterhead (DH and I each received one and each letter referenced our Platinum membership number).

 

Oddly, we each received a letter from Princess rescinding the offer two days before we received the original offer.

 

Is that what they call "putting the cart before the horse"?

 

Ron

[Colo Cruiser]

To heck with the third party, what about #2?? :confused:

[mii]

Ron, I got the same letter yesterday and it was on Princess letterhead (DH and I each received one and each letter referenced our Platinum membership number).

 

Oddly, we each received a letter from Princess rescinding the offer two days before we received the original offer.

 

I have a question: since you got the letter how did you take it. Did you think it was also misleading like the OP did.

 

Marilyn