Multiple future cruise deposits, what order used in?

[lorri111]

Hi, just booked a new cruise and we had two future cruise deposits in our names, earned in feb 2019 and recently in feb 2020. We were given the usual option of using the deposit at time of online booking but when I checked cruise personalizer later it said that the later one had been applied not the earlier one. I would have thought the earlier one would be used first, and I don't recall being given a choice at time of booking. This is the first time I have had two at time of booking. I will contact Princess re this tomorrow but wondered in meantime if anyone could shed light on this.

[Colo Cruiser]

6 minutes ago, lorri111 said:

Hi, just booked a new cruise and we had two future cruise deposits in our names, earned in feb 2019 and recently in feb 2020. We were given the usual option of using the deposit at time of online booking but when I checked cruise personalizer later it said that the later one had been applied not the earlier one. I would have thought the earlier one would be used first, and I don't recall being given a choice at time of booking. This is the first time I have had two at time of booking. I will contact Princess re this tomorrow but wondered in meantime if anyone could shed light on this.

For us its always that way. They just grab them and apply.

I have to call to get them straightened out using the oldest ones first.

[lorri111]

3 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

For us its always that way. They just grab them and apply.

I have to call to get them straightened out using the oldest ones first.

Weird, silly me but I would have assumed it would have automatically defaulted to oldest one first.  Odd.

[Colo Cruiser]

Just now, lorri111 said:

Weird, silly me but I would have assumed it would have automatically defaulted to oldest one first.  Odd.

Yeah me too.   🙄

[TM]

We typically have more than 1 cruise credit in the "bank."  Our travel agent always uses the oldest one first.  That's never been an issue.  He does it without even asking.

[Thrak]

They "normally" have used the oldest ones first but I have had them use a new one rather than an older one that was running out of time. I called and had them fix it. Lame. Thanks for the reminder though. I need to check and make sure they used the oldest ones for the cruises we just booked.

[neverbeenhere]

We keep numerous; the oldest has almost always been used first. If we get a check back, that’s okay. 

[trinitygirl]

I don't have a lot of experience, but the two that have been used so far were not used in order of purchase and I too thought it was odd.

[Steelers36]

You would think if making a booking on Princess.com and applying FCD's, the system would default to the oldest (thought I had heard that).  If we have ones with different dates, I always advise our TA, but she goes after the oldest anyway.  They can see the list of them to pick from in POLAR AFAIK.  It just takes a moment to check the dates I would think.

 

[caribill]

10 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

You would think if making a booking on Princess.com and applying FCD's, the system would default to the oldest (thought I had heard that).  If we have ones with different dates, I always advise our TA, but she goes after the oldest anyway.  They can see the list of them to pick from in POLAR AFAIK.  It just takes a moment to check the dates I would think.

 

 

And that is where the problem (and solution) is.

 

It is not automated, both Pricncess agents and TAs pick which FCDs to apply. Some agents do not automatically look for the oldest.

[Reina del Mar]

Unfortunately, not all travel agents understand how Future Cruise Deposits work.

 

We booked with the supposedly specialist cruise department of a large national Travel Agency. Our agent needed to phone Princess three times regarding our FCDs as he had no clue. Tried to apply three each to our booking, then two from husband's 'stash', before eventually getting it all sorted.

 

Was eventually sorted out, but you need to keep an eye on what is being applied to your booking.

 

If you booked with an agent, they will probably need to get it sorted via Princess as Princess usually only want to deal with whoever has made the booking. There have been occasions when they have let us deal with minor issues, but other times have insisted on talking to agent.

[Steelers36]

8 hours ago, Reina del Mar said:

Unfortunately, not all travel agents understand how Future Cruise Deposits work.

 

We booked with the supposedly specialist cruise department of a large national Travel Agency. Our agent needed to phone Princess three times regarding our FCDs as he had no clue. Tried to apply three each to our booking, then two from husband's 'stash', before eventually getting it all sorted.

 

Was eventually sorted out, but you need to keep an eye on what is being applied to your booking.

 

If you booked with an agent, they will probably need to get it sorted via Princess as Princess usually only want to deal with whoever has made the booking. There have been occasions when they have let us deal with minor issues, but other times have insisted on talking to agent.

This is why I like to manage my own travel as much as possible.  Too much drama and personal time to manage agents where many of them in the business are not as savvy as I am.  It can be a real challenge to find a TA who can add value for me to the planning and booking process.  I feel bad for people who have booking issues because they just don't know when a TA screws up or how to figure it out.  But I suppose not a lot different than other important shopping experiences such as a home or vehicle.

 

I may want to source that added value in certain select international situations, but the only value I need from a Princess Cruises TA is that they are on the ball with the basics and provide a good cash discount and add-on benefits when available.

 

[Thrak]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

It can be a real challenge to find a TA who can add value for me to the planning and booking process. 

 

I never expect any TA to know more about booking with Princess than I know. I've spent an inordinate amount of time on these boards and have learned much more than most TAs will know as they spread their knowledge around over multiple cruise lines, airlines, hotels, etc. I'm by no means a fabulous expert but most TAs are less informed. I move my bookings to my TA solely for the discounted price he gives me.

Edited March 1, 2020 by Thrak

[Steelers36]

2 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

I never expect any TA to know more about booking with Princess than I know. I've spent an inordinate amount of time on these boards and have learned much more than most TAs will know as they spread their knowledge around over multiple cruise lines, airlines, hotels, etc. I'm by no means a fabulous expert but most TAs are less informed. I move my bookings to my TA solely for the discounted price he gives me.

With you on that.  My comment you quoted was about finding a TA who can add value to any travel situation.  I acknowledge good ones are out there, but one might be an expert in African Safari's and another in Eastern Europe, etc.  With so many travel resources available to us today, it can be hard to find a value-add expert for what one needs.  Maybe someday I will be in the market.  Meanwhile, like you, in the scope of Princess Cruises, I have found a good TA I can work with, is reliable, and I receive a cruise discount.  (For me, performance and reliability have to go hand-in-hand with the discount aspect.

[Reina del Mar]

In UK we don't have same terms and conditions. We cannot move bookings from Princess to a travel agent..unfortunately, or benefit from re faring if price goes down.

( well we are allowed ONE change for an admin fee of £100).

 

Travel agent we use offers better prices than booking direct with Princess and can offer International flights at reasonable prices; so as you say, we use our knowledge to get the best possible deal whilst keeping an eye on what's happening!

[lorri111]

I just rang Princess and they reversed the deposits so it was applied to correct one. I much prefer to do these bookings myself rather than trust an agent to apply the same level of attention to my booking than I would! I have repriced many bookings to my favour over time by handling it myself.