Better room available but could not reach travel agent.

[Princessfan20]

Point is it is impossible for passengers to know what fare other passengers got on the same cruise.  There are all kinds of deals all the time.  

 

I do not believe TA's always or even often get the best deals.  Simple as that and never will.  

 

We do not need them and sometimes on our cruise we have $2000 in OBC's which no TA is going to be able to match.

[redroses]

Travel agent never responded.  They work for a fairly well known agency,  which doesn't allow for online booking and its known for its 90 day last minute ticker. TA was referred by a friend. 

 

The cruise is for a relative, so a little disappointing they could not get a better room.

Edited September 12, 2022 by redroses

[Host CJSKIDS]

23 hours ago, fleeflicker said:

I didn’t realize we could ask on here. Thanks

Unfortunately you can't ask for TA names and recommendations, sorry about that    

[Host CJSKIDS]

On 9/11/2022 at 11:40 AM, Steelers36 said:

A CVP may not be working either on the day you need them.  You should be able to call a Princess rep and put a hold on if Princess.com doesn't allow.  I am thinking since Princess supports TA's, there would be some workaround to this.  Don't recall if we have "been there/done that" in the past (but not recently for certain).

In my experience Princess will not make any changes in categories for you if you are working with a TA, they are I'll occasionally change your cabin in the same category  

 

I'm not sure if a PVP is the same as a CVP but I was able to change categories last time with Princess directly this past January when my PVP is was not available without any issues. 

[sloopsailor]

Deleted. Found the answer. 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2022 by sloopsailor

[Steelers36]

21 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

In my experience Princess will not make any changes in categories for you if you are working with a TA, they are I'll occasionally change your cabin in the same category  

 

I'm not sure if a PVP is the same as a CVP but I was able to change categories last time with Princess directly this past January when my PVP is was not available without any issues. 

Same.  CVP is new term for PVP.  I just meant to suggest to grab cabin and then TA or CVP can deal with it later.

[Joy Bunny]

I am new here and this is my first post. But the topic has raised some questions.

 

What is a Casino Deal that one poster keeps talking about are the best deals, and how to get one? We don't cruise very often, usually every three or four years, and have only been on one Princess cruise. Are these casino deals for high loyalty members, stock holders, people who book expensive rooms, or know the right people, or something else? Being new at this, is it something I can't take advantage of because I am not in a special club?

 

Joy B

Edited September 12, 2022 by Joy Bunny

[Coral]

1 hour ago, Joy Bunny said:

I am new here and this is my first post. But the topic has raised some questions.

 

What is a Casino Deal that one poster keeps talking about are the best deals, and how to get one? We don't cruise very often, usually every three or four years, and have only been on one Princess cruise. Are these casino deals for high loyalty members, stock holders, people who book expensive rooms, or know the right people, or something else? Being new at this, is it something I can't take advantage of because I am not in a special club?

 

Joy B

People who gamble on the ship (I assume frequently).

 

 

[PacnGoNow]

1 hour ago, Joy Bunny said:

I am new here and this is my first post. But the topic has raised some questions.

 

What is a Casino Deal that one poster keeps talking about are the best deals, and how to get one? We don't cruise very often, usually every three or four years, and have only been on one Princess cruise. Are these casino deals for high loyalty members, stock holders, people who book expensive rooms, or know the right people, or something else? Being new at this, is it something I can't take advantage of because I am not in a special club?

 

Joy B

Welcome!  This is really off topic IMO.  I would pose your questions on one of the casino threads in the forum.  Here is a basic thread.

 

There are many others, just search through the Princess forum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2022 by PacnGoNow

[PacnGoNow]

1 hour ago, Joy Bunny said:

I am new here and this is my first post. But the topic has raised some questions.

 

What is a Casino Deal that one poster keeps talking about are the best deals, and how to get one? We don't cruise very often, usually every three or four years, and have only been on one Princess cruise. Are these casino deals for high loyalty members, stock holders, people who book expensive rooms, or know the right people, or something else? Being new at this, is it something I can't take advantage of because I am not in a special club?

 

Joy B

Here’s a more current discussion.

 

 

[Host CJSKIDS]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Same.  CVP is new term for PVP.  I just meant to suggest to grab cabin and then TA or CVP can deal with it later.

I didn't realize that, thanks!

[Joy Bunny]

25 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Welcome!  This is really off topic IMO.  I would pose your questions on one of the casino threads in the forum.  Here is a basic thread.

 

There are many others, just search through the Princess forum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not a regular Princess customer so forgive me for not knowing that this is a casino exclusive benefit so to post my question on the Princess casino threads. 

 

It then seems to be a special benefit for frequent customers of Princess casinos, correct? That makes it unavailable for new cruisers to Princess, or infrequent customers, or even non-gamblers, where a travel agent would be available to anyone. That suggests that it makes a travel agent a better choice for good deals than an exclusive program that most people can't benefit from. 

 

I'll stick with looking for a good travel agent as has been recommended by most people. Thanks to all of you for that recommendation. We're about to plan an Alaska cruise for next year, which is why I am here. 

 

Thanks again. 

[Host CJSKIDS]

@Joybunnywelcome to cruise critic!  
 

Your question is a great one and if you could start a thread with it, that would be wonderful. 
Unfortunately going off topic like this is not in the guidelines for the site. 
 

again welcome!  If you need help figuring out how to start a thread let us know. 

[Joy Bunny]

5 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

@Joybunnywelcome to cruise critic!  
 

Your question is a great one and if you could start a thread with it, that would be wonderful. 
Unfortunately going off topic like this is not in the guidelines for the site. 
 

again welcome!  If you need help figuring out how to start a thread let us know. 

 

Sorry. I am new here and don't understand the nuances to participating in discussions.

 

With that in mind, I was only reacting to all the comments by Princessfan20 which are insistent that he/she always gets better deals than any travel agent could offer. So, I only wanted to understand what they were referring to. Without knowing what casino deals were, their comments meant nothing to me. I sincerely thought that my question was not off topic. 

 

I'll refrain from asking too many questions in the future so as to not make a nuisance of myself. Sorry. 

[PacnGoNow]

10 minutes ago, Joy Bunny said:

 

Sorry. I am new here and don't understand the nuances to participating in discussions.

 

With that in mind, I was only reacting to all the comments by Princessfan20 which are insistent that he/she always gets better deals than any travel agent could offer. So, I only wanted to understand what they were referring to. Without knowing what casino deals were, their comments meant nothing to me. I sincerely thought that my question was not off topic. 

 

I'll refrain from asking too many questions in the future so as to not make a nuisance of myself. Sorry. 

Not a nuisance at all.  If you see a comment, just quote back to that person and they will respond. 
I connected you to threads which I thought would help.  
Don’t be afraid to start a new thread if you don’t see your subject matter.

We are here to help. That’s what we do.

 

 

[Host CJSKIDS]

24 minutes ago, Joy Bunny said:

 

Sorry. I am new here and don't understand the nuances to participating in discussions.

 

With that in mind, I was only reacting to all the comments by Princessfan20 which are insistent that he/she always gets better deals than any travel agent could offer. So, I only wanted to understand what they were referring to. Without knowing what casino deals were, their comments meant nothing to me. I sincerely thought that my question was not off topic. 

 

I'll refrain from asking too many questions in the future so as to not make a nuisance of myself. Sorry. 

I really apologize for making it seem as you couldn't ask questions. Really welcome to cruise critic!  
 

This site is the perfect place to ask as many questions as you need to as well as get a ton of wonderful information. 
 

 

[jagoffee]

On 9/11/2022 at 9:30 PM, SantaFeFan said:

 

That you find it hard to believe doesn't change the fact. For that cruise Princess listed it around $9,300 for a Princess Plus Mini-Suite a few months ago when I booked the cabin. The TA gave me a price of $7,315.26 for the same room and package. And I have the invoice to prove it (pasted below). You can verify the cruise line's prices and the cabin locations with Princess if you still don't believe it. 

 

Here is the CURRENT price as of today for the cabin next door (prices have stayed very stable):

 

 

 

 

And the invoice for my cabin (note: subtract trip insurance and the total is actually $7,299.00):

 

 

 

 

“You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.”

― Daniel Patrick Moynihan

 

 

 

Although I agree that one can get a significant discount using a TA.  My experience is more in the 8-10% range.  You above example is hard to believe.  I suspect your recollect that the prices have remained stable since your booking is suspect.  The type of discount is likely more that the TA’s total potential commission.  
When booking a Princess cruise, I keep an email capturing the actual Princess price and the TA’s discounted price at the same point in time.  This way, I know if Princess lowers the price, so I can have my TA lower their price.  Perhaps  you can go back and check the email from your initial TA quote.
 

“just because you state that Princess’s price quote today is the same amount as their price when you made your booking with the TA does not necessarily make it true”

[SantaFeFan]

1 hour ago, jagoffee said:

Although I agree that one can get a significant discount using a TA.  My experience is more in the 8-10% range.  You above example is hard to believe.  I suspect your recollect that the prices have remained stable since your booking is suspect.  The type of discount is likely more that the TA’s total potential commission.  
When booking a Princess cruise, I keep an email capturing the actual Princess price and the TA’s discounted price at the same point in time.  This way, I know if Princess lowers the price, so I can have my TA lower their price.  Perhaps  you can go back and check the email from your initial TA quote.
 

“just because you state that Princess’s price quote today is the same amount as their price when you made your booking with the TA does not necessarily make it true”

 

 

I pulled out my written notes and the price listed on the Princess website on Sept 26, 2021 (the day before I booked it with that TA) was $4362pp for an ME category mini suite with Princess Plus package, for a total of $9234 with taxes, ports and fees. Today, the ME mini suite next door to mine with the same package is $9224, ten dollars less. I would say that is pretty stable, wouldn't you? I am not lying, as you seem to be implying in your last sentence. Nor is my memory inadequate, as you seem to be implying in your first paragraph. 

 

I researched over a dozen travel agencies and received quotes from several them, all much better than Princess directly. That I was ambitious enough to take several hours to research competent TAs that had better fares resulted in me being rewarded with a great rate. And I make no apologies for taking that route and succeeding while you have not. 

 

Besides, I did not post my final fare in my original comment to boast, but to encourage others to do some research so they might be rewarded with better deals than simply taking the easy approach and booking directly through Princess. I am not sure why some people here find providing helpful information is something to challenge, and even being accused of falsehoods. Since when is helping people a bad thing?

 

Oh, and one more thing. There was a downside to choosing that TA over Princess - the TA only offers $85 OBC while Princess offered $100, a $15 dollar reduction in OBC. That's pretty extreme, right???

Edited September 13, 2022 by SantaFeFan

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

 

I pulled out my written notes and the price listed on the Princess website on Sept 26, 2021 (the day before I booked it with that TA) was $4362pp for an ME category mini suite with Princess Plus package, for a total of $9234 with taxes, ports and fees. Today, the ME mini suite next door to mine with the same package is $9224, ten dollars less. I would say that is pretty stable, wouldn't you? I am not lying, as you seem to be implying in your last sentence. Nor is my memory inadequate, as you seem to be implying in your first paragraph. 

 

I researched over a dozen travel agencies and received quotes from several them, all much better than Princess directly. That I was ambitious enough to take several hours to research competent TAs that had better fares resulted in me being rewarded with a great rate. And I make no apologies for taking that route and succeeding while you have not. 

 

Besides, I did not post my final fare in my original comment to boast, but to encourage others to do some research so they might be rewarded with better deals than simply taking the easy approach and booking directly through Princess. I am not sure why some people here find providing helpful information is something to challenge, and even being accused of falsehoods. Since when is helping people a bad thing?

 

Oh, and one more thing. There was a downside to choosing that TA over Princess - the TA only offers $85 OBC while Princess offered $100, a $15 dollar reduction in OBC. That's pretty extreme, right???

I did not mean to leave you with the impressive that I did not believe one could save significant money with a TA that discounts Princess cruise.  I was challenging the 23.5% discount that you were quoting.  (Using an apple to apple comparison)  If you reviewed your notes then obviously it is true.  I have never seen one more than 10%. I certainly would not want people expected over a 20% discount, especially for a cruise so far in advance.  

I apologize for challenging your recollection.  You should be commended for your good fortune.  

[SantaFeFan]

38 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

I did not mean to leave you with the impressive that I did not believe one could save significant money with a TA that discounts Princess cruise.  I was challenging the 23.5% discount that you were quoting.  (Using an apple to apple comparison)  If you reviewed your notes then obviously it is true.  I have never seen one more than 10%. I certainly would not want people expected over a 20% discount, especially for a cruise so far in advance.  

I apologize for challenging your recollection.  You should be commended for your good fortune.  

 

Thank you for understanding. I have been accused by several people of making this up, and perhaps I am a bit defensive. But I promise, I am not making this up.

 

I got lucky with this particular booking. It's possible others may be able to as well. I have received great deals in the past, but not quite this good, but typically better than 10%. I put much effort in my research, spending several hours contacting various TAs I have used in the past, and occasionally using a cruise "broker" to contact additional TAs to find the best deals. In the end those few hours result in enough savings to be able to cruise more often. And, I never stop watching for price reductions. If they get lower than my booked fare, I will jump on them. Unfortunately those have been infrequent. 

 

The only cruise I have ever paid the full published cruise line fare was the first one. Then I was hooked on cruising and began putting in a real effort to better afford cruising while also being able to enjoy upgraded accommodations, i.e.: an ocean view instead of an inside; a balcony instead of a ocean view; and now a deluxe or mini-suite instead of standard balconies.  

 

The moral of the story - if a person is willing to put in the time and effort, there are significant savings that can be found if one is patient and tenacious. 

[AZjohn]

I have seen once in a blue moon the mega discount from a TA that @SantaFeFan is sharing about but, doesn’t happen that often.

 

I commend him/her for reaching out to several TA’s to “compete” against each other for the best bottom line price.

 

I always considered these mega deals as a combination of group pricing plus part of TA’s commission, but don’t know for sure. Just once in a while the timing is right and the stars are aligned for a mega deal.

 

Normal discounts I’m happy with is 12 to 15 percent.

 

Cheers,

John

[brisalta]

On 9/11/2022 at 10:44 AM, SantaFeFan said:

 

No reason to be snarky. I value saving money over instant responses. I save enough money over several cruises to afford to take another without it costing me more money. Different approaches for different goals. 

 

 

I have actually seen instances were a fare has been less expensive at Princess than at a discount web site.  Princess does change prices more frequently on their direct sales website than what they offer to travel agents. You have to watch the prices on a near daily basis to get the best price.

Edited September 14, 2022 by brisalta

[caribill]

3 hours ago, brisalta said:

 

I have actually seen instances were a fare has been less expensive at Princess than at a discount web site.

 

A TA web site cannot post discounted prices for Princess. You need to ask for a quote to find out what the TA price would be.

 

There is no reason that a competent TA cannot at worst meet any price you can get from Princess directly (other than special rates such as Friends/Family or casino) and the better TAs can beat any Princess price.

 

The discounts/amenities that TAs provide come from several sources:

 

o Many TAs set up group bookings for each sailing. Then the TA gets a discount which the good TAs pass on to customers and the not-good TAs use to increase their bottom line.

 

o TAs get commissions on each sale. Some give some of that discount back to the customer to prvide a bigger discount.

 

o TAs with the group bookings get amenity points for each reservation. These amenity points can be used by the TA to add OBC to the booking or give a casino credit or provide a wine or buy a specialty dinner, etc. However, they can instead be used for the benefit of the TA, for example, adding to the TAs commission.

[Coral]

3 hours ago, brisalta said:

 

I have actually seen instances were a fare has been less expensive at Princess than at a discount web site.  Princess does change prices more frequently on their direct sales website than what they offer to travel agents. You have to watch the prices on a near daily basis to get the best price.

This is probably because with Princess - you are logging into their site so you see any targeted rates for your account. If you go to a random website with out entering your info (Capt Circle or phone number to look up your offers) - you will see just a published fare.

 

Travel agents should be able to get the same exact price that Princess offers. Many travel agents will discount on top of that.

 

Princess does a lot of targeted prices that require your info to quote you. You get that when you login to their website.

[Reina del Mar]

On 9/11/2022 at 5:56 PM, Ereggae said:

This is the reason I book directly with Princess as, in addition to calling, the live chat is very efficient.  No cruise line will deal with you directly if you book with a TA.

I have found that Princess and Royal Caribbean have dealt with me directly, even though I use a travel agent to book…it’s all about the attitude you show them..polite but determined works for me !!!!