Capt Krunch Posted August 8, 2019 #1 Share Posted August 8, 2019 (edited) Have started to see the non-refundable deposits on Princess cruise fares. This limits flexibility if you want to switch cruises before your final payment. Edited August 8, 2019 by Capt Krunch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnytag Posted August 8, 2019 #2 Share Posted August 8, 2019 What is your question or statement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoohUnderstands Posted August 8, 2019 #3 Share Posted August 8, 2019 Only thing you can do is if you see a sale you like that will put you into the non-refundable deposit category, call Princess and ask if they have the same sale with a refundable deposit option. Many times they do. Pooh 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted August 9, 2019 #4 Share Posted August 9, 2019 It would depend on the level of the "Non Refundable" deposit before I would consider doing a booking under those circumstances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted August 9, 2019 #5 Share Posted August 9, 2019 I read in a previous thread that they will allow you to book more than one cruise that will be at the same time. I replied that this will lead to more non-refundable deposits for cruises. That seems to be the best way to discourage folks from booking cruises that they do not intend to take. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingrob21 Posted August 9, 2019 #6 Share Posted August 9, 2019 (edited) At any given time, cruise lines have multiple "fares" available. Some are the standard brochure rate, some are special TA group rates, some are "targeted" rates at past cruisers (casino players etc), some are promotional rates with non-refundable deposits, and some are promotional rates with a refundable deposit. Obviously, the rates with the non-refundable deposits are the most affordable - so when you use an online booking engine, its usually only going to show you the "best" deal - which may not be refundable. Best bet is to call a knowledgeable TA or Princess and ask about the fare options. Some TA's will only give you one rate, because they make a % of commission on the non-refundable deposit, and hence, they get paid whether you go or not. Some TA's just dont know how to see the various fare options (or cant). And some agencies just dont want their TA's quoting 5 different prices for the same cruise since it can lead to decision paralysis for some customers. NCL is one of the worst cruise lines with this since their promos say "4 for free" yet on most cabins the passenger has to choose just one or two of the 4 free offers and its a real mess to sort out what the final price is (unlimited beverage package for "free" adds additional gratuity to the final price, specialty dining package also adds additional gratuities, yet advertised "for free") If you dont want to pay the non-refundable ask a knowledgeable TA or Princess agent what options there are. For instance, on the Landmark sale, there are sale prices for the same promo - some refundable deposits, other with non-refundable deposits. As you might surmise, the refundable option costs a bit more. If the agent is using the Princess booking engine, they can see all the available fares. If they are using a proprietary one, they may not be able to. Edited August 9, 2019 by cruisingrob21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Hag Posted August 9, 2019 #7 Share Posted August 9, 2019 I recently was able to book a cruise under the Landmark promotion (non-refundable deposits) at the same price, same OBC, and fully refundable deposit by contacting Princess. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted August 9, 2019 #8 Share Posted August 9, 2019 That is the reason for non-refundable fares. Seems obvious to me. DON 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berlingo Posted August 9, 2019 #9 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Here in the UK deposits for cruise and other types of holiday are never, ever refundable. Regardless of the travel company deposits are usually around 10% of the total cost. You may be able to get some money back if you make a claim on your travel insurance but strict criteria are applied, serious illness or death are usually the only acceptable claims. I have never come across a policy with an any reason cancellation term. Also regardless of how much your cruise may be reduced once you have booked you are tied into the price you agreed to pay. Juliax 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donray Posted August 9, 2019 #10 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Deposits should never be refundable. So one should be able to put a deposit down on a dozen rooms and then cancel just before the payment is due and get all your money back? And the cruise lines get what for holding a room? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted August 9, 2019 #11 Share Posted August 9, 2019 58 minutes ago, Donray said: Deposits should never be refundable. So one should be able to put a deposit down on a dozen rooms and then cancel just before the payment is due and get all your money back? And the cruise lines get what for holding a room? Exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Krunch Posted August 9, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Sounds like you work for the cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted August 10, 2019 #13 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Just tried to book online, (my TA is away for a month). Only want to use my future cruise deposits for this booking, but the cruise I want to book online only shows the promotional fare with 10% NON REFUNDABLE deposit. I want to see All Prices online, and not have to Phone the cruise line for this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocklinmom Posted August 10, 2019 #14 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I agree, the least they could do is list all of the prices and deposit options online. A lot of us book online and want to see all of the choices, not just what they want us to see. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted August 10, 2019 #15 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I personally won't book a non refundable fare. When booking a year out too much can happen to change the dates or my availability so I want flexibility. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocklinmom Posted August 10, 2019 #16 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Exactly! Our next cruise is in June 2020 so I would never want a nonrefundable deposit. I don't even know if you can transfer a nonrefundable deposit to a different cruise if you had to cancel? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John99 Posted August 10, 2019 #17 Share Posted August 10, 2019 On a previous thread (around July 27th) there was a discussion on “refundable versus non-refundable deposits”. Some cruisers mentioned using Rate Code N7A to make a non-refundable fare to a refundable fare. The question came up while using the Landmark promo. Some Customer Reps did not have clue what they were talking about (relative to the code) while other Customer Reps understood. Check it out the thread. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682713-refare-with-non-refundable-deposit/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocklinmom Posted August 10, 2019 #18 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Yes I can't imagine trying to sort that out on the phone with a rep. Some know their stuff and many others do not. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted August 10, 2019 #19 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Finding the different rate codes requires TAs to take an extra step in their booking system. Some know how to find and compare the rates for all promo codes and some don’t. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted August 10, 2019 #20 Share Posted August 10, 2019 18 minutes ago, John99 said: On a previous thread (around July 27th) there was a discussion on “refundable versus non-refundable deposits”. Some cruisers mentioned using Rate Code N7A to make a non-refundable fare to a refundable fare. The question came up while using the Landmark promo. Some Customer Reps did not have clue what they were talking about (relative to the code) while other Customer Reps understood. Check it out the thread. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682713-refare-with-non-refundable-deposit/ Here’s one from this week, too. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2686382-changing-non-refundable-to-refundable/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted August 10, 2019 #21 Share Posted August 10, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, dog said: Just tried to book online, (my TA is away for a month). Only want to use my future cruise deposits for this booking, but the cruise I want to book online only shows the promotional fare with 10% NON REFUNDABLE deposit. I want to see All Prices online, and not have to Phone the cruise line for this. This is not a problem. Princess' typical (think "list price") deposit ask is always 10%. If you have FCD's in the bank, you can always use them in lieu of 10%. Only exception are WC's or WC segments that are long like 45 days or more. In this case, your FCD converts to a 3% discount on the cruise fare and you pay a cash deposit. There may be another scheduled deposit at a date between booking and final payment as well for a WC booking. Edited August 10, 2019 by steelers36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antsp Posted August 10, 2019 #22 Share Posted August 10, 2019 My bet is within the next few years all deposits will be non refundable. And in my opinion that’s how it should be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocklinmom Posted August 11, 2019 #23 Share Posted August 11, 2019 As long as the nonrefundable deposit can be moved to a different cruise if you have to cancel for the many things that pop up in life. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted August 11, 2019 #24 Share Posted August 11, 2019 On 8/10/2019 at 3:27 PM, antsp said: My bet is within the next few years all deposits will be non refundable. And in my opinion that’s how it should be. If this is the case, my bookings will be last minute. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Krunch Posted August 11, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted August 11, 2019 I don't think anyone likes to book in advance with a non-refundable deposit. I agree with you, more will book at the last minute. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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