Not complaining, but how in the heck did I get a free cruise?

[Kruzin Karen]

I've been on 20+ cruises, but only 2 were with Princess; both short "Getaway" cruises out of Los Angeles. On the first cruise we were in a mini suite, on the second they offered to upgrade our mini suite to a full suite for a small amount of money; of course we agreed! We've only been home a week, and amongst the usual battery of offers from cruise lines on our e mail was an offer for a complimentary inside cabin on any West Coast Getaway during the month of January from the Casino department. Having been fooled before, I laughed and ignored it for a few days; one of those obviously too good to be true kind of things. I'm not laughing anymore; I'm booked! We paid the taxes and fees ($75 each), and we paid $10/day to upgrade from an inside to a balcony, category BB. It cost us $230 total to book a $1,100 cruise.

I'm certainly not complaining, but I don't get it. I spent about 15 minutes in the casino on the last trip, and not much more on the 1st trip. The West Coast Getaways have been VERY reasonably priced, so I assume they're not selling well, but wow!! Can anyone tell me how this might have happened? We're platinum with Norwegian and they've never offered us anything!

[KBS1607]

Good for you! I hope you have a great cruise.

I'd just like to live near a port.

[Bill B]

Simple -

The cruise is not selling well. They'd rather give you a free cruise than sail with an empty stateroom... because they're gambling your on board spending will more than make up for their costs. Plus, 'sailing full' prevents having to deal with mutinous crew... because they are not getting their gratuities.

Edited December 12, 2014 by Bill B

[Pam in CA]

Earlier this year, Princess literally gave these short cruises away to anyone. They can't sell them. The deal I took last January was 100% credit of my cruise fare towards a future cruise. Many booked B2B's or longer and a lot became instant Platinum or Elite Captain's Circle members.

[Bill B]

... this shows what a cruise is really worth. If things continue as they are, I can foresee a future with 'reverse online auctions' - where cruise lines will be 'paying' pax for making a booking.

[memoak]

I also received this offer - would jump on it in a heartbeat but I will just be getting of the Star on Jan 3rd after my Christmas and New Years cruise. My work load is super busy in January so I really can't justify taking of some more time. I believe they are having alot of trouble filling the short cruises.

[Kruzin Karen]

All this makes sense, but why do you suppose they're having so much trouble selling them? Carnival has been successfully selling similar itineraries for years, and now Princess prices are less then Carnival for the same cruise! I love these short Getaways; they're fun, inexpensive, and a great "intro to cruising" for those who've never sailed before. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina are wonderful ports, and I've found a Brazilian steakhouse in Ensenada that makes me look forward to this port every time we're there. Another friend had an amazing zipline experience in Ensenada. What am I not getting?? Why is this such a tough sell? Mind you, I'm not a sun or hot weather enthusiast...

[helenb]

I also received this offer - would jump on it in a heartbeat but I will just be getting of the Star on Jan 3rd after my Christmas and New Years cruise. My work load is super busy in January so I really can't justify taking of some more time. I believe they are having alot of trouble filling the short cruises.

 

 

Wow, we haven't received this offer, and we're in the SF Bay Area as well!

 

Have you joined our roll call for the Star, Momoak? Make sure you drop by the thread! We're planning a fun meet & greet on December 20.

Edited December 12, 2014 by helenb

[Kinkacruiser]

Our 4 day LA-Vancouver cruise in mid - May on the Pacific isn't selling either.

Congrats on a winning combination and enjoy :).

[Pam in CA]

All this makes sense, but why do you suppose they're having so much trouble selling them? Carnival has been successfully selling similar itineraries for years, and now Princess prices are less then Carnival for the same cruise! I love these short Getaways; they're fun, inexpensive, and a great "intro to cruising" for those who've never sailed before. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina are wonderful ports, and I've found a Brazilian steakhouse in Ensenada that makes me look forward to this port every time we're there. Another friend had an amazing zipline experience in Ensenada. What am I not getting?? Why is this such a tough sell? Mind you, I'm not a sun or hot weather enthusiast...

I'm guessing that even though for Princess, these are well-priced, they're still a lot more expensive than Carnival. I think it is an attempt to attract Carnival cruisers but I don't think it's working too well. Princess isn't a "party", high-energy cruise line.

[neilrr]

All this makes sense, but why do you suppose they're having so much trouble selling them? Carnival has been successfully selling similar itineraries for years, and now Princess prices are less then Carnival for the same cruise! I love these short Getaways; they're fun, inexpensive, and a great "intro to cruising" for those who've never sailed before. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina are wonderful ports, and I've found a Brazilian steakhouse in Ensenada that makes me look forward to this port every time we're there. Another friend had an amazing zipline experience in Ensenada. What am I not getting?? Why is this such a tough sell? Mind you, I'm not a sun or hot weather enthusiast...

 

Kruzin Karen - The cruise lines (on the west coast) have always had a problem attracting west coast passengers. Many passengers wanted Celebrity to also keep a ship out west, but the overall demand is generally poor. They then have to sell out the ship for nothing just to book the cabins. You also have the current situation in Mexico and the bad press in general; cruise lines are hesitant to go there and have cancelled Mexican ports. We live in S. FL and we have many passengers come from the west coast to take cruises here.

 

Personally, we even avoid the Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Cancun, Jamaica, etc..) cruises. We like the Eastern and Southern, as the islands tend to be much more prosperous and safer.

 

Happy Sailing..:)

Edited December 12, 2014 by neilrr

[pusywillow]

All this makes sense, but why do you suppose they're having so much trouble selling them? Carnival has been successfully selling similar itineraries for years, and now Princess prices are less then Carnival for the same cruise! I love these short Getaways; they're fun, inexpensive, and a great "intro to cruising" for those who've never sailed before. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina are wonderful ports, and I've found a Brazilian steakhouse in Ensenada that makes me look forward to this port every time we're there. Another friend had an amazing zipline experience in Ensenada. What am I not getting?? Why is this such a tough sell? Mind you, I'm not a sun or hot weather enthusiast...

 

If I lived close to a port I would jump on it too. Usually flights cost more than my cruise.

 

Sue

[RMM34667]

I received the call for this offer out of FLL. Just not for me, called once for my sister and once for my mother.

 

But I booked a 5 day @ $50 pp (+taxes & Fees) for two side by side Caribe deck balconies. I am going to print boarding passes and put them in Christmas Cards.

 

Merry Christmas.

[shredie]

I'm guessing that even though for Princess, these are well-priced, they're still a lot more expensive than Carnival. I think it is an attempt to attract Carnival cruisers but I don't think it's working too well. Princess isn't a "party", high-energy cruise line.

 

This is probably true. The Carnival shorties are often dirt cheap ($90 pp.)

 

Kruzin Karen - You also have the current situation in Mexico and the bad press in general; cruise lines are hesitant to go there and have cancelled Mexican ports.

 

This was the case a couple of years ago, but the lines have been adding in ports lately. Mazatlan is back on the regular circuit, for instance. The short coastal cruises both Carnival and Princess do are primarily to California ports with a stop in Ensenada. Ensenada is not one of the notorious Mexican drug cartel hot spots (although some might try to convince you otherwise) so it's not big scary Mexico that's keeping people from cruising out of the west coast, as you claim. As Pam says, Carnival has a lock on the economy cruise getaway market here.

Edited December 12, 2014 by shredie

[AmberTeka]

All this makes sense, but why do you suppose they're having so much trouble selling them? Carnival has been successfully selling similar itineraries for years, and now Princess prices are less then Carnival for the same cruise! I love these short Getaways; they're fun, inexpensive, and a great "intro to cruising" for those who've never sailed before. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina are wonderful ports, and I've found a Brazilian steakhouse in Ensenada that makes me look forward to this port every time we're there. Another friend had an amazing zipline experience in Ensenada. What am I not getting?? Why is this such a tough sell? Mind you, I'm not a sun or hot weather enthusiast...

Because the price of two airline tickets to California is shocking. And when five ports are close enough to drive..at the max ..6 hours to Miami.....3 to Port Canaveral and to Tampa.....just makes no sense.

I have a free offer from Carnival for short cruise on their ships sailing from California. it must be that California is not selling well. Just guessing. The Fascination out of Jacksonville...sailing full every week for five day cruises. Ditto Sensation out of P.C. don't know about Miami. Did a five day on Fascination. Loved it. But it is a southern passenger ship mostly.. Very laid back. I am southern. so..I like slowing down and sitting and thinking and sipping iced tea............some don't.

[memoak]

I should be clearer on the offer I got. It was for 3-4 day cruises from LA or 4-5 day cruises from FTL. The offer was described as a "casino offer" but came from Princess Cruises. It could very well be that only those folks who frequent the casino, I play every day but not at real high stake tables, are getting this offer

[dickinson]

I just checked on Carnival. Feb 9 (one day before my 4 day Crown Princess cruise) has insides From $139. My 4 day is from $229. Theirs goes to Catalina Island and mine to San Diego. Both go to Ensenada. Big difference in price. No wonder mine is half empty!!

[geoherb]

Congratulations! I guess I should play the casino more often. I went a few times on our summer cruise--more than usual since the casino on the Caribbean Princess is located where it is. We went through it a lot more than we usually do because of our cabin near the front of the ship.

[RMM34667]

I should be clearer on the offer I got. It was for 3-4 day cruises from LA or 4-5 day cruises from FTL. The offer was described as a "casino offer" but came from Princess Cruises. It could very well be that only those folks who frequent the casino, I play every day but not at real high stake tables, are getting this offer

 

I sailed Nov. 1st. on the CB. I spent a lot of time and money in the casino. I did not get this offer.

 

My sister who threw in a $20 or two here and there recieved the VIP Casino offer (but they called me because I put my phone number down when I booked her cabin in November).

 

My mother spent more time and money in the casino than my sister, but about 1/3 of what I did. (I am my father's daughter). She was also offered the VIP Casino Deal. It was a complementary Inside cabin. Just pay taxes and fees. Again the call came to me as I put my phone number down when doing the earlier booking.

 

So not sure what the criteria is. I did receive a letter at the end of the last cruise offering casino cash if I book before Nov. 12th. So I'm hoping I not only get the $50 balcony, but also the $250 cash to spend!

 

Maybe they will continue to have problems selling these cruise and another offer will be made next month!:)

[jollyjones]

The problem with short cruises as far as I'm concerned is airfare. It costs me so much to get to any embarkation port that I want a longer cruise. Even doing b2b on these real shorties doesn't appeal since the turnaround day isn't very inspiring. I am doing a b2b on a 7 and a 5 night in Feb, that's as short as I'd go.

 

And, as a solo, I usually get a 165% single supp. but on a 5 nights or less cruise, it seems to be 200% across the board so they're not even very good value for me.

[skf]

I spent about 15 minutes in the casino on the last trip

I didn't spend anything at all on my own cruise card, & still got the offer today.

[Thrak]

. I'm not laughing anymore; I'm booked! We paid the taxes and fees ($75 each), and we paid $10/day to upgrade from an inside to a balcony, category BB. It cost us $230 total to book a $1,100 cruise.

 

Can I ask what cruise you are booked on? Are all of these offers going to people sailing out of FLL or are any going to the west coast?

[DrivesLikeMario]

I spent about 15 minutes in the casino on the last trip

I didn't spend anything at all on my own cruise card, & still got the offer today.

 

I wish I could get the offer for my sons. Irritates the heck out of me that my DH can get the offer, but our sons can't. For my DH & I, it was $508 with a $200 OBC for a balcony cabin, but for our sons, almost $1,000 with no OBC IF I were stupid enough to book that fare. I guess that's where things equal out - some pay an inflated price to cover those that are getting the "free" deals.

[shredie]

Can I ask what cruise you are booked on? Are all of these offers going to people sailing out of FLL or are any going to the west coast?

The Crown, Jan. sail dates for 3 and 4 day cruises out of LA. The offer gives OBC (mine says casino only not refundable) but the fares are the same as what's on the website. It seems to work only for parties of 2. Both DH and I got one. He is in the casino a lot, me not so much.

 

OH, there are a couple of 7 day mexicos in Feb.

[AKman2495]

I too will not take a short cruise because the time (and cost) to travel is a big impact.

 

As for the why they are not selling? I believe they are breaking into a new market on the west coast. That market will take some time to develop. Many of these cruises are loss leaders to get people on the ships.

 

The problem comes in after 2 years or so. then they might have to rethink their strategy.

 

Only time will tell....