Got a email from Princess Players Club with ridiculous low rates.

[mammajamma2013]

I also saw the $49 per person for an inside plust $99 port fees/taxes, 5 nights. This was for several cruises on Crown and Regal in November, December, January, and February, Eastern and Western Caribbean. From the time I clicked on the Eastern itinerary, "Select a room" buttons & was transered over, the rate for an inside was roughly $350 per person plus port fees/taxes.

 

Really disappointed.

[Jimorel]

I got one as well. We gamble very little - basically enough to get some cash back from OBC. This is the 2nd offer that I received this year. 20 years of cruising I never received one before. My wife has never received one.

Can you use OBC for the casino? If so and you win how does that work? Thanks!

[BarbinMich]

I'm not sure these deals have anything to do with one's gambling habits, esp. since several non-gamblers are getting them. I just looked at some of the cruises people have mentioned and I think Princess is having trouble filling the ships involved, probably because people are leery to cruise after all the hurricane damage sustained by the Virgin Islands, Barbuda, Puerto Rico, etc. Thus, they're offering these almost last-minute cruises at a deep discount to get pax who will then hopefully spend money on drinks, the casino, their stores, etc. November is also traditionally one of the "slowest" months in the Caribbean (hence lower fares any year) and this year's 3 hurricanes dried up even some/most of their usual business for that month. Hence, stupendous offers for those who can take advantage of a cruise that leaves in a month or so--i.e. folks who don't need to fly to FFL. I just tried to do a "dummy" RT fr Detroit to FLL. For some reason the site wouldn't let me look at a 11/9-11/16 itinerary (outbound worked, return is where it got hung up). Anyway, the fare pp was over $500 for DTW-FLL outbound flight (I was having trouble with the Delta site, so couldn't look at RT fare or at how many seats were left).

[geoherb]

Can you use OBC for the casino? If so and you win how does that work? Thanks!

Yes, you can charge the amount you wish to your onboard account when playing the slots. I never play the table games, but I think you can also use your onboard account to buy chips. For the slots, you establish your account with your cruise card by inserting it into a slot machine. You have to type in your birthday and pick a code. You'll use this code every time you use your card in a machine. You can then either insert U.S. dollars into the machine or choose to charge what you wish to gamble against your onboard account. When you're finished playing, you transfer any balance left on the machine to your card. You can move to another machine, decide to keep the balance on your card, or cash out at the window in the casino. When you do, you'll put your card into a small little machine and have to key in your secret code. Be aware that any balance on your card has to be claimed by a certain time on the last night of the cruise.

[geoherb]

Hence, stupendous offers for those who can take advantage of a cruise that leaves in a month or so--i.e. folks who don't need to fly to FFL. I just tried to do a "dummy" RT fr Detroit to FLL. For some reason the site wouldn't let me look at a 11/9-11/16 itinerary (outbound worked, return is where it got hung up). Anyway, the fare pp was over $500 for DTW-FLL outbound flight (I was having trouble with the Delta site, so couldn't look at RT fare or at how many seats were left).

You could try looking at what Princess EZAir price would be. I was very surprised at how good a rate we got this summer on our flights to and from London--less than half the price of what I was finding on my own through major travel websites.

[geoherb]

The 5 day on the Crown 11/13 is not selling well. Not surprised they are doing anything to try and fill the ship. We are not gamblers at all. Don't even know how to play a slot machine. :eek: After hearing about all these deals, maybe it is time to learn. Would you have to play more than $50 for a week?? I'd rather eat or drink that $50!! LOL :tropical-drink::cocktail::beer-mug:

I don't. On my last cruise, I played $10 in one slot machine and cashed out $11. Neither Princess nor I am getting rich off my gambling.

[Funkat]

per day or whole cruise?

 

pp for a 5 day cruise for an inside, not the $99 pp that was offered in the deal that some were offered.

[pablo222]

I also saw the $49 per person for an inside plust $99 port fees/taxes, 5 nights. This was for several cruises on Crown and Regal in November, December, January, and February, Eastern and Western Caribbean. From the time I clicked on the Eastern itinerary, "Select a room" buttons & was transered over, the rate for an inside was roughly $350 per person plus port fees/taxes.

 

I found the princess site difficult.

 

Search for cruises -- $49

 

Select cabin type: Inside: $350

 

Click the $350 button anyway, and one section (like aft) was $49, while the

rest of the insides were $350.

 

The $350 button is very misleading.

[azbirdmom]

I found the princess site difficult.

 

Search for cruises -- $49

 

Select cabin type: Inside: $350

 

Click the $350 button anyway, and one section (like aft) was $49, while the

rest of the insides were $350.

 

The $350 button is very misleading.

 

Princess site difficult? That's an understatement. ;) I noticed the same thing when I was checking that 12/10 Regal cruise with the $299 mini suite. By the way, the $299 price for a mini suite now appears for the same itinerary on the Regal that leaves 2 weeks earlier. Seems like they are adding some more inventory to this sale.

[pablo222]

Princess site difficult? That's an understatement. ;) I noticed the same thing when I was checking that 12/10 Regal cruise with the $299 mini suite. By the way, the $299 price for a mini suite now appears for the same itinerary on the Regal that leaves 2 weeks earlier. Seems like they are adding some more inventory to this sale.

 

After reading your post, I looked at regal prices.

 

11/26 and 12/10 have the same itinerary, so they show up together.

 

I first see $399 mini-suite for 11/16.

I click 12/10 to see the prices ... $8-something

I click back to 11/26 -- now $299 mini-suite.

 

I took a screen shot of the $299, just in case I dreamed the whole thing.

 

But, when I drill down, the low prices are not available.

 

I expect cruise critic will be flooded with posts from unhappy cruisers who

purchased these cruises at 'normal' prices.

[dickinson]

I don't see any of those great prices. I have tried logging in and not logging in.

[Working 2 Cruise]

I don't see any of those great prices. I have tried logging in and not logging in.

 

Please remember that these fares are not offered to everybody. I'm just grateful we were able to get it for our November cruise.

 

I'm hoping these fares last until November 1, so I can add my son but not hopeful.

 

Also, for those who booked in advance at the regular fare, this is what can happen after final payment. If they aren't happy, they can cancel and rebook. Or not book until after payment. This is as has always been! Targeted emails, etc. This time is no different, just lower fares than usual because of the hurricanes.

 

Also, remember that these fares are offered for certain amount of cabins and specific ones...

[Host CJSKIDS]

I do wish they would lower the fare for the 2 night regal sailing. It was sold out but I'm sure many people canceled since the ship nows leaves at 9 pm and the substituted Princess Cay with Nassau.

[pablo222]

Please remember that these fares are not offered to everybody.

 

I think they were offered to casino players, as those customers could best enjoy

princess' nondeterministic web site.

 

 

[cdngrl]

its the first time in 14 years i got an offer like this and i rarely gamble. i spend maybe $20 a year in the casino. i am lucky that i can take the time off next month to take advantage of this. the airfare from the west coast is twice as costly as the cruise! the biggest decision was if i could manage a b2b or more... i can't but sure would like to!

 

the website is wonky. the higher price is often coming up until i get as far as selecting the cabin where it finally shows the discounted price.

[Vegastime]

I'm not sure these deals have anything to do with one's gambling habits, esp. since several non-gamblers are getting them. I just looked at some of the cruises people have mentioned and I think Princess is having trouble filling the ships involved, probably because people are leery to cruise after all the hurricane damage sustained by the Virgin Islands, Barbuda, Puerto Rico, etc. Thus, they're offering these almost last-minute cruises at a deep discount to get pax who will then hopefully spend money on drinks, the casino, their stores, etc. November is also traditionally one of the "slowest" months in the Caribbean (hence lower fares any year) and this year's 3 hurricanes dried up even some/most of their usual business for that month. Hence, stupendous offers for those who can take advantage of a cruise that leaves in a month or so--i.e. folks who don't need to fly to FFL. I just tried to do a "dummy" RT fr Detroit to FLL. For some reason the site wouldn't let me look at a 11/9-11/16 itinerary (outbound worked, return is where it got hung up). Anyway, the fare pp was over $500 for DTW-FLL outbound flight (I was having trouble with the Delta site, so couldn't look at RT fare or at how many seats were left).

 

 

The airlines (at least United) in the Washington DC area were doing great fares to match the Southwest sale. Was able to find air for $49 each way.

[OSU Buckeyes 1980]

Look now. I just went without logging in. December 7 days CHEAP. Not logged in. Mini suites $299 for 12/10. December 1 balcony Southern $254.

[geoherb]

...

Also, remember that these fares are offered for certain amount of cabins and specific ones...

Exactly. I jumped on the special for the Regal's December 10 cruise. I notice that the prices have gone back up on our cruise.

 

I was also looking into other possible cruises. The prices of some types of cabins have gone up for me on some of them. For instance, I was looking at the Crown's December 1 cruises. I could still book an inside at $149, but balcony cabins are now back to where they were last week before the email offer came out.

[ScottChez]

IT IS OVER, CHECK AGAIN NEXT NOVEMBER>

This is real but only for few. I think it is over now as it was for a limited amount of rooms they needed to fill ASAP.

Carnival does this also from the Casino department. Carnival and Princess are the same company.

 

The computer has a formula to get players back into the casino ASAP. It is not base on $$$$ . played in the past only that you did play.

Some if this is a Lottery as the computer just picks casino players that the formula thinks they will come back.

 

P.S. I only gambled $40 on slots, but they were $1 slots . that got me in the system.

 

Most likely they will offer this again next November as there seems to be a pattern to this, mixed in with Hurricanes.

[azbirdmom]

I just checked again and the $299 mini suite fares for the December 10th Regal cruise were displayed again. I quickly grabbed it this time. If you're interested in availing yourself of these great fares and don't see it immediately, keep checking. It paid off for us!

[Cruise Junky]

I just checked again and the $299 mini suite fares for the December 10th Regal cruise were displayed again. I quickly grabbed it this time. If you're interested in availing yourself of these great fares and don't see it immediately, keep checking. It paid off for us!

Yep. Just saw $258 Cdn for a balcony on that one. Can't believe the 5 dayers in November are going for $58 cdn for an inside. :o

[pablo222]

I don't see any of those great prices. I have tried logging in and not logging in.

 

I think the best have passed ... at least for the moment.

 

I still see:

 

Crown 11/13, 5 days 299 inside, 399 balcony

Crown 12/17, 5 days, 329 inside, 399 balcony

Royal 11/25 5 days, 349 inside, 399 balcony

 

Possibly lower if you log in, and princess wants to entice you.

 

These seem ok, but not astounding, like over the weekend.

[pablo222]

I just checked again and the $299 mini suite fares for the December 10th Regal cruise were displayed again. I quickly grabbed it this time. If you're interested in availing yourself of these great fares and don't see it immediately, keep checking. It paid off for us!

 

After logging in, for 12/10, I see:

 

Inside $99, Balcony $199, Mini-Suite $299

 

If you drill down, you see mini-suite $849

 

Don't give up!

 

Click the $849

 

Choose my own / Choose for me: $299

 

If I don't log in, I see only $849.

 

They like me. They really like me! :)

[azbirdmom]

After logging in, for 12/10, I see:

 

Inside $99, Balcony $199, Mini-Suite $299

 

If you drill down, you see mini-suite $849

 

Don't give up!

 

Click the $849

 

Choose my own / Choose for me: $299

 

If I don't log in, I see only $849.

 

They like me. They really like me! :)

 

They must really like you! I had the same experience with different prices on different screens but it the price toggled between $299 and $899. I held my breath until I got the confirmation #. First time booking myself. We usually go through a TA and get discounts and OBC but with this low fare I don't think there would be much she could do for us.

[cdngrl]

We usually go through a TA and get discounts and OBC but with this low fare I don't think there would be much she could do for us.

i thought the same thing. i just wanted to get it booked before it went up as well! i don't believe i'll see another deal like this and i worried it would sell out quickly. it actually did--many people (me included) must have put a 24 hour hold on the cabins because the next day there were spaces opened up again.