Alaska shorex must now be prepaid

[brian1]

If you don't have $1500 for a cruise then maybe you are living above your means and should put that money in a savings account for a normal expense like a car repair or appliance replacement.

The prepayment isn't about affordability, it's about using OBC that would go to waste.

Yeah,lets bring back steerage like on the Titanic,then those poor peasants who have to save up for a holiday can cruise.

[greenie082756]

Remember that most OBC is not refundable if not used during the cruise, so there will be a lot fewer checks sent out than you might expect.

 

However when purchasing excursions and then cancelling this should be refunded as it is not a gift from Princess.

 

True on our last cruise of $950 OBC only the military gift was refundable. We did use part of that money for tours so yep, this is going to take that out of the equation. Guess I'm buying more t-shirts, wine or gamble a bit more in the casino to use the nonrefundable OBC when this takes effect. :D

[jagoffee]

Being able to book and remove a shore excursion opening from inventory was a very nice Princess benefit for the customer. I suspect was not a significant benefit to Princess. Most of us that cruise on other cruise lines as well consider it standard practice to pay in advance. So not a big deal for some of us. I was surprised that Princess maintained this liberal policy for so long. It must have resulted in a higher number of cancellation of shore excursions on average.

 

Since Princess allows TA price discounting I would think the OBC on average would be much less than on a Celebrity cruise somewhat offset by the impact of Princess's liberal OBC stacking policy. For instance on Celebrity instead of an 8% discount we typically receive the 8% as refundable OBC.

 

As Princess continues to offer bundled sales including Drink Packages, free gratuities, etc. the impact will become more significant. I seldom have more than $300/$400 OBC with Princess and I only occasionally book cruise line shore excursions as I prefer smaller private excursions.

 

The bottom line for us is I will certain miss the liberal excursion policy it is not a really big deal for me.

[weedpindle]

I just talked with my Princess Personal Cruise Consultant, he is trying to book an excursion using the OBC. A plus for using a PCC.

 

Just got off the phone with my PCC. He thought he found a workaround (on Wed) on the new policy, but today he said nope, it's pay when booking the tour. Period. No way to use OBC. He said he will continue to research and will let me know if there is a workaround. Meanwhile, I'm complaining to Princess.

[sloopsailor]

You (and many others) are lucky enough to be able to pay $1500 on excursions 9 or more months before a cruise. However there are a large number of cruisers who do not have that money available so far in advance. It is not a matter of lost interest on the money, it is a matter of not having the money available in the first place.

 

Why would they not be able to afford it in advance if they can then afford it during the cruise? I would argue that after paying the full balance for the cruise at final payment time just three months before they take it, they would be less able to afford another $1,500 during the cruise. At least paying for the excursions 9 months in advance spreads out the cost of the cruise over a longer time frame, making it easier for people to pay off these expenses. I realize that everyone's financial situation is different, but for most people, if they cannot afford what amounts to 20% of the cruise total 9 months early, they probably can't afford it at all.

Edited November 4, 2016 by sloopsailor

[JoAnneNYI]

For me it makes a big deal for our upcoming Alaska cruise next Sept. We would not have to plan on paying the bill until a year from now if charged to our cc after boarding in Sept. 2017.

 

Our excursions opened yesterday. Really looking forward to the heli/glacier walkout tour and I hope doesn't sell out before this coming Feb. With Christmas only 6 weeks away we cannot afford to pay right now and need to wait til then.

 

If a deposit was allowed this far ahead I would like that.

 

It's wouldn't matter as much if just booking a cruise now knowing the new structure.

[GJCruiser]

However when purchasing excursions and then cancelling this should be refunded as it is not a gift from Princess.

 

True on our last cruise of $950 OBC only the military gift was refundable. We did use part of that money for tours so yep, this is going to take that out of the equation. Guess I'm buying more t-shirts, wine or gamble a bit more in the casino to use the nonrefundable OBC when this takes effect. :D

 

 

Technically the nonrefundble OBC is NOT able to be used in the Casino. Though that has yet to be enforced in reality on the ship. Once it is (only takes a software upgrade) then the nonrefundable OBC value drops significantly.

[framer]

Can I put this is a very simple way, "MONEY GRAB", because they can.

 

I've always like being able to pay deposit 9-12 months out, pay for cruise 75 days out, take the cruise and have to pay what I spent about 90 days later. It just splits it up.

 

I've given this a lot of thought and when this starts fleet wide I will greatly reduce using them for excursions.

 

framer

[camarodrivenrs]

I think had Princess thought about this a little more, they could have easily achieved getting the majority of passengers to pay for their excursions in advance while not angering anyone. Why not implement a system like many rental car agencies and hotels use? If a customer is willing to pay in advance, offer them a small discount, say 3-5%, and those that don't want to pay in advance could reserve at the full list price.

 

Either way, when it comes to following industry standards, I like to give my business to a company that is more interested in drawing the line, not just walking it.

Edited November 4, 2016 by camarodrivenrs
spelling

[flamomo]

How sure are we that we will even be allowed to use OBC to pay for excursions if booked after boarding? Has anybody noticed if that was stated anywhere in the Princess announcement?

 

I figure at least part of the reason they are making this change is because enough of us use our OBC to pay for at least some of our excursions that it's cutting into their profits. And if CEO Jan is anything, she IS all about wringing out every penny she can from us.

[Asa Hartz]

Seems like the only way to use reward points for excursions will be to save them for your next cruise, charge the excursions to your Princess Visa, and redeem the points to pay the balance.

[georgiavol]

Too bad Princess doesn't have a similar policy on reserving lounge chairs! Now I could go for that.

[Astro Flyer]

How sure are we that we will even be allowed to use OBC to pay for excursions if booked after boarding? Has anybody noticed if that was stated anywhere in the Princess announcement?

I figure at least part of the reason they are making this change is because enough of us use our OBC to pay for at least some of our excursions that it's cutting into their profits. And if CEO Jan is anything, she IS all about wringing out every penny she can from us.

From the new shore excursions FAQ link I previously posted it states "Onboard credit will not be accepted for pre-reservations, however, it can be used once onboard to off-set payment for additional excursions purchased onboard"

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/excursions.jsp?utm_campaign=SE6SX002_Agents_US&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_source=BRAND&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=OTHER&utm_content=SE6SX002&elqTrackId=322dc87879ee42588c1fd7e69b247fe8&elq=fca66a4a92b64940b6ee11a5fd631190&elqaid=4768&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=5761

Edited November 5, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[gailisacruzin]

Hi

Is it possible to rename this thread to make this a fleet wide conversation instead of calling it "Alaska" cruises need to prepay for excursions. I would do it but I don't know how. This way the complaints will increase and maybe Princess will rethink this policy change.

 

Any thoughts?

[Cruise Junky]

Hi

Is it possible to rename this thread to make this a fleet wide conversation instead of calling it "Alaska" cruises need to prepay for excursions. I would do it but I don't know how. This way the complaints will increase and maybe Princess will rethink this policy change.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Click on the triangle top right of the post and ask the moderators

[caribill]

However when purchasing excursions and then cancelling this should be refunded as it is not a gift from Princess.

 

 

Correct, but my reference to less checks going out was for the non-refundable OBC that can no longer be used to purchase shore excursions if you reserve excursions in advance.

[caribill]

Being able to book and remove a shore excursion opening from inventory was a very nice Princess benefit for the customer. I suspect was not a significant benefit to Princess. Most of us that cruise on other cruise lines as well consider it standard practice to pay in advance. So not a big deal for some of us. I was surprised that Princess maintained this liberal policy for so long. It must have resulted in a higher number of cancellation of shore excursions on average.

 

 

With the current policy of not requiring payment in advance, every Princess cruise I have been on has had a list of sold out excursions by embarkation day.

 

With the long lines at the excursion desk of passengers wanting to book excursions the first couple of days of a cruise, I doubt that there has been a net higher number of cancellations.

[brian1]

Why would they not be able to afford it in advance if they can then afford it during the cruise? I would argue that after paying the full balance for the cruise at final payment time just three months before they take it, they would be less able to afford another $1,500 during the cruise. At least paying for the excursions 9 months in advance spreads out the cost of the cruise over a longer time frame, making it easier for people to pay off these expenses. I realize that everyone's financial situation is different, but for most people, if they cannot afford what amounts to 20% of the cruise total 9 months early, they probably can't afford it at all.

Yes they can,it just takes a little longer for people who earn less than others.Are you embarassed you might bump into your binman by the pool LOL.

[flamomo]

From the new shore excursions FAQ link I previously posted it states "Onboard credit will not be accepted for pre-reservations, however, it can be used once onboard to off-set payment for additional excursions purchased onboard"

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/excursions.jsp?utm_campaign=SE6SX002_Agents_US&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_source=BRAND&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=OTHER&utm_content=SE6SX002&elqTrackId=322dc87879ee42588c1fd7e69b247fe8&elq=fca66a4a92b64940b6ee11a5fd631190&elqaid=4768&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=5761

 

 

Thanks ..... obviously I missed that detail, probably because I was feeling pretty irate about the required prepaying of pre-reserved tours.

[seafish]

JoAnneNYIWell-If prepay a princess excursion...remember this http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/shore_excursions_faq/best-price-guarantee. As soon as I pay I will be searching for price comparison and sending my form in to be paid the difference. As I do like to use my princess visa to get 2x points when paying.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The operative word in the Princess Best-Price-Guarantee is SAME. Usually - you will not find the "same" tour - hey that's not the same tour as Princess - different tour name, tour length and/or time, exact itinerary, to/from tour start/end, etc. When there is the same tour vendor - e.g.- Skagway White Pass Scenic Railway, etc., - in port ship's passengers can only book through Princess - you know the drill. And - what about those OBC - looks like we will not be able to use those dollars for Princess Excursions - what's next - Gratuities? Ok - so how best to use my $1,000 OBC - Oh I know - I'll go to the casino - no can't use them there either - we have the new CC dining so speciality restaurants are sort of out. We'll need to get fairly creative in order to use up all those dollars - not a lot of good options. Makes you think - are OBC's going away? We love Princess and have been very loyal customers - but despite what other lines do - the sad truth is that Princess management is taking a marketing position gamble - that we need Princess more than Princess need us. It's all about pushing the revenue limit until sales slack.

[JoAnneNYI]

Guess I won't be buying any CCL stock now! With the sip and sail promo and not able to use any obc for excursions I really won't need that much! Guess I'll be playing more bingo!:)

[jagoffee]

With the current policy of not requiring payment in advance, every Princess cruise I have been on has had a list of sold out excursions by embarkation day.

 

With the long lines at the excursion desk of passengers wanting to book excursions the first couple of days of a cruise, I doubt that there has been a net higher number of cancellations.

 

Based on a few of the comments maybe there will be less sold out excursions until after boarding.

 

You might be correct that with the past liberal policy people did not really cancel, but I would have thought a lot of people would have booked "just in case". I have read that some people even book two cruises at the same time and decide later.

[nanabananna]

Just checked and the tours are open for our May 27 cruise tour. I was looking at tours and clicked on reserve and it then said must pay now or it will disappear within 24 hours.

This is nuts. Why should i pay now, big bucks, and then not be able to use any of our OBC later? Not happy about this at all.

 

Guess we will book on our own. As far as i can tell Princess will be loosing lots of $. Not smart at all.

 

Yep, that is true. We are also on the May 27 Star Princess. I am still paying for our trip. I cannot make reservation until after that is paid in February. :mad:

 

I just hope there will be availability to the excursions we would like to take when I will be able to pay. I think this is unfair from Princess.

Think it would do any good to express our views? Probably not. :(

[JimmyVWine]

Based on a few of the comments maybe there will be less sold out excursions until after boarding.

And therein lies the irony. All this angst about not being able to apply OBC to the excursions. But if they don't sell out until after boarding...you will be able to use OBC because you will be booking once on board. Despite the sound and fury, I suspect that it signifies nothing. If an outside vendor offers an acceptable product, people will book that. If Princess offers a more unique or more practical option (where the "return to the ship" guarantee really matters), people will book that and pay for it. In the end, this has been our strategy for decades.

[JimmyVWine]

Think it would do any good to express our views? Probably not. :(

I'll bet that expressing our view would not change the pre-payment requirement. But I am more optimistic about our collective ability to cause a re-thinking of the OBC issue. Princess obviously knows that people covet their OBC and that it is a driving factor in booking cruises for many people. After the creation of the AIBP and with pre-paid gratuities becoming a common sale strategy, somebody, somewhere in the Princess hierarchy has to be bright enough to figure out that excursions will be the #1 area where people want to apply their OBC. When people start boarding with $300 in OBC with no way to spend it, Princess will begin to see fallout. In an industry where a 3% decline in bookings is devastating, it stands to reason that Princess would react. I think that if people limit their complaints to the OBC issue instead of the bigger picture pre-payment issue, we could see a change. It would be easy to implement and could be a make-or-break issue for that critical 3%, not to mention the much higher percentage of people who move their excursion bookings to third party vendors.

Edited November 5, 2016 by JimmyVWine