Booking casino offer online

[emmak8]

This will be a first for me. Are there any problems to anticipate? 

[EDDY0827]

Yes!

Any and all changes to your booking MUST be done by the casino dept. This includes Ez-Air and insurance. You should also be very vigilant about your booking. Check often, things have a habit of mysteriously disappearing from from your booking or the entire booking is dropped. It happened to me. A TA is usually most helpful for these bookings, IMO.

[memoak]

40 minutes ago, EDDY0827 said:

Yes!

Any and all changes to your booking MUST be done by the casino dept. This includes Ez-Air and insurance. You should also be very vigilant about your booking. Check often, things have a habit of mysteriously disappearing from from your booking or the entire booking is dropped. It happened to me. A TA is usually most helpful for these bookings, IMO.

You can also book these through a CVP

[Shippy]

 Do not think you can book online.

I get emails from the casino department all the time listing available cruises with their discount

Although it looks like you can book online, every time I have tried it, you cannot complete the booking.

You must call.

  That actually worked out better for me the last time. I called on a booking that said it was available

 for a penthouse for $1,000.  You could not chose the cabin.

 I was told these cruises are capacity controlled & that category was no longer available.

I was clearly disappointed. Then the gentleman told me he could get me on the sailing that was one week later & I could pick my cabin for that same price !

That sailing was not listed on my original email.

Needless to say...I booked it immediately.

One thing to remember...If you book through  a casino offer...it does not matter how far out the cruise date is...you must pay in full at the time of booking. Regular cancellation dates do apply for refunds.

 

 

[azbirdmom]

I booked online the day the feature appeared on their website.  These are the problems I encountered:

 

1) While I was booking the fare showed as inclusive of Princess Plus.  But the comped Princess Plus did not appear anywhere on the documents that I received after booking.  Casino reservations folks weren't helpful, ended up sending an email to the executive group (about this and other issues with the reservation) and they added it for me.  This has happened to some other folks but recently I've heard that if your email / snail mail offers indicated that Plus was comped that it came though on the booking.  Princess has also added a pop-up box on the screen that appears right after the cruise search that allows you to see if Princess Plus is included in the offer so I think this error may not happen as frequently now.

2) If you have multiple offers for free play, VIP / Ultimate VIP, etc. you can't tell which one of these offers underlies your booking until after you've booked.  The amount of free play will then appear on the Travel Summary and Onboard Services screen.  Note that you can't book CBS offers online, you need to go through Princess for these.

3) The Princess systems did not recognize my husband's Captain's Circle status after I entered his name and birthdate.  This resulted in an overcharge for Princess Vacation Protection as the booking process thought he was a new member.  And when I contacted Princess to correct the booking to include his Captain's Circle number the PVP cost was corrected but it kicked up a $100 charge for changing passengers.  I was unable to correct this through casino reservations and this is something else that was corrected following my reach out to management.  I recommended to Princess that the passenger #2 screen should be modified to either allow the option for entering a Captain's Circle number or include a dropdown to allow selection of a passenger that you've cruised with in the past.

 

Some have reported no problems with booking online but as you can tell I ran into multiple issues with my experience.  I tend to use the online process now for modeling purposes and will call if I decide to book.

[memoak]

26 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

I booked online the day the feature appeared on their website.  These are the problems I encountered:

 

1) While I was booking the fare showed as inclusive of Princess Plus.  But the comped Princess Plus did not appear anywhere on the documents that I received after booking.  Casino reservations folks weren't helpful, ended up sending an email to the executive group (about this and other issues with the reservation) and they added it for me.  This has happened to some other folks but recently I've heard that if your email / snail mail offers indicated that Plus was comped that it came though on the booking.  Princess has also added a pop-up box on the screen that appears right after the cruise search that allows you to see if Princess Plus is included in the offer so I think this error may not happen as frequently now.

2) If you have multiple offers for free play, VIP / Ultimate VIP, etc. you can't tell which one of these offers underlies your booking until after you've booked.  The amount of free play will then appear on the Travel Summary and Onboard Services screen.  Note that you can't book CBS offers online, you need to go through Princess for these.

3) The Princess systems did not recognize my husband's Captain's Circle status after I entered his name and birthdate.  This resulted in an overcharge for Princess Vacation Protection as the booking process thought he was a new member.  And when I contacted Princess to correct the booking to include his Captain's Circle number the PVP cost was corrected but it kicked up a $100 charge for changing passengers.  I was unable to correct this through casino reservations and this is something else that was corrected following my reach out to management.  I recommended to Princess that the passenger #2 screen should be modified to either allow the option for entering a Captain's Circle number or include a dropdown to allow selection of a passenger that you've cruised with in the past.

 

Some have reported no problems with booking online but as you can tell I ran into multiple issues with my experience.  I tend to use the online process now for modeling purposes and will call if I decide to book.

These types of issues are the reason I book through my CVP. I can pick which free play I want to use if I have multiples available 

[HughMann]

31 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Casino reservations folks weren't helpful, ended up sending an email to the executive group (about this and other issues with the reservation) and they added it for me. 

Would you mind sharing that email? I have a similar issue and the phone agents are not helpful.

[azbirdmom]

2 minutes ago, HughMann said:

Would you mind sharing that email? I have a similar issue and the phone agents are not helpful.

 

Here is the list of folks that I sent the email to - good luck: https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/princess-cruise-lines/

[emmak8]

Thank you for all your help. I thought cruise vacation planners do not book casino cruises? 

[memoak]

24 minutes ago, emmak8 said:

Thank you for all your help. I thought cruise vacation planners do not book casino cruises? 

They started doing it several months ago

[DallasGuy75219]

4 hours ago, Shippy said:

One thing to remember...If you book through  a casino offer...it does not matter how far out the cruise date is...you must pay in full at the time of booking. Regular cancellation dates do apply for refunds.

This also includes EZAir, despite the EZAir documents showing showing a later final payment date.

[2MellowCruisers]

We just did our first casino booking online and this is what we have experience so far.

 

We had a cruise in March and before going on this cruise, we decided to look online to book an Alaska cruise for later.  We chose a cruise and noticed that it was a casino deal for a free balcony with the option to upgrade to a mini-suite or suite for an additional fee.  Since I have to get time off approved, I put in the request at work and went on our cruise.  When we got back and with vacation approved, we went back online to book the cruise.  To our surprise, every room was now free for the cruise we wanted, suites included.  Just this cruise, the prior two cruises have an up-charge for the minis and full suites.  Now Princess Plus is included even though none of the ads we get sent are for suites or lately include Princess Plus.  Of course, we book a suite since we have not sailed in one yet but have always wanted to.   After booking, one of our free play offers is not showing so we called the casino department to have it added.  Then noticed that my Captain’s Circle number was not showing so we called the casino department again to add that.  But this is bugging me because of course it has to be a mistake and I don’t want them to cancel the cruise when they finally see this mistake.  The price to upgrade to a suite on the prior two cruises is reasonable to us since now we are excited to be in a suite and would pay that upgrade amount for this cruise.

 

A week later, this cruise is still showing free for all rooms if we try to book.  I call the casino department to double check this being a free cruise and I am assured that it is.  They tell me it includes Princes Plus and that the casino has already paid $xxxx dollars.  I say “great” and let them know that my worry is that it will be cancelled.  The next day, I realize that the dollar amount they said was paid by the casino was actually the exact amount we paid for deposits, taxes, port fees and insurance and including EZ-Air. 

 

The next day I call back, this time to Princess CVP line since people have spoken highly of them.  They too confirm that it is a free cruise.  She tried to up sell Princess Plus or Premier but I told her Princess Plus was included so she checked and agreed that it was included.  I told her my worries of the cruise being cancelled since it looks too good to be true but she says that all looks good.  I now feel I have done my part to double check this and have it corrected.  So now it is a waiting game for an ax to fall.  I check daily to be sure we still have our cabin.  I also keep looking online by doing mock bookings and the prices have been zero the entire month of April and into May.  As of today, the suites are sold out and now show an up-charge for the mini-suite.

 

So as for online casino offer booking, I’m not sure I’m comfortable yet.  Maybe this is not a mistake.  We do spend a lot of time in the casino.  I think in the future I will look online at offers and call the casino line to book.  We may also look at getting a CVP.  We have used a TA in the past a few times but they will no longer book free casino offers.

[PacnGoNow]

50 minutes ago, 2MellowCruisers said:

We just did our first casino booking online and this is what we have experience so far.

 

 

 

We had a cruise in March and before going on this cruise, we decided to look online to book an Alaska cruise for later.  We chose a cruise and noticed that it was a casino deal for a free balcony with the option to upgrade to a mini-suite or suite for an additional fee.  Since I have to get time off approved, I put in the request at work and went on our cruise.  When we got back and with vacation approved, we went back online to book the cruise.  To our surprise, every room was now free for the cruise we wanted, suites included.  Just this cruise, the prior two cruises have an up-charge for the minis and full suites.  Now Princess Plus is included even though none of the ads we get sent are for suites or lately include Princess Plus.  Of course, we book a suite since we have not sailed in one yet but have always wanted to.   After booking, one of our free play offers is not showing so we called the casino department to have it added.  Then noticed that my Captain’s Circle number was not showing so we called the casino department again to add that.  But this is bugging me because of course it has to be a mistake and I don’t want them to cancel the cruise when they finally see this mistake.  The price to upgrade to a suite on the prior two cruises is reasonable to us since now we are excited to be in a suite and would pay that upgrade amount for this cruise.

 

 

 

A week later, this cruise is still showing free for all rooms if we try to book.  I call the casino department to double check this being a free cruise and I am assured that it is.  They tell me it includes Princes Plus and that the casino has already paid $xxxx dollars.  I say “great” and let them know that my worry is that it will be cancelled.  The next day, I realize that the dollar amount they said was paid by the casino was actually the exact amount we paid for deposits, taxes, port fees and insurance and including EZ-Air. 

 

 

 

The next day I call back, this time to Princess CVP line since people have spoken highly of them.  They too confirm that it is a free cruise.  She tried to up sell Princess Plus or Premier but I told her Princess Plus was included so she checked and agreed that it was included.  I told her my worries of the cruise being cancelled since it looks too good to be true but she says that all looks good.  I now feel I have done my part to double check this and have it corrected.  So now it is a waiting game for an ax to fall.  I check daily to be sure we still have our cabin.  I also keep looking online by doing mock bookings and the prices have been zero the entire month of April and into May.  As of today, the suites are sold out and now show an up-charge for the mini-suite.

 

 

 

So as for online casino offer booking, I’m not sure I’m comfortable yet.  Maybe this is not a mistake.  We do spend a lot of time in the casino.  I think in the future I will look online at offers and call the casino line to book.  We may also look at getting a CVP.  We have used a TA in the past a few times but they will no longer book free casino offers.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!  Thank you for your post, as it may be helpful to others.

 

I don’t blame you, I would be just like you…checking and rechecking.  Let us know how it all works out for you.

Edited May 14, 2023 by PacnGoNow

[jwattle]

2 hours ago, 2MellowCruisers said:

We just did our first casino booking online and this is what we have experience so far.

 

 

 

We had a cruise in March and before going on this cruise, we decided to look online to book an Alaska cruise for later.  We chose a cruise and noticed that it was a casino deal for a free balcony with the option to upgrade to a mini-suite or suite for an additional fee.  Since I have to get time off approved, I put in the request at work and went on our cruise.  When we got back and with vacation approved, we went back online to book the cruise.  To our surprise, every room was now free for the cruise we wanted, suites included.  Just this cruise, the prior two cruises have an up-charge for the minis and full suites.  Now Princess Plus is included even though none of the ads we get sent are for suites or lately include Princess Plus.  Of course, we book a suite since we have not sailed in one yet but have always wanted to.   After booking, one of our free play offers is not showing so we called the casino department to have it added.  Then noticed that my Captain’s Circle number was not showing so we called the casino department again to add that.  But this is bugging me because of course it has to be a mistake and I don’t want them to cancel the cruise when they finally see this mistake.  The price to upgrade to a suite on the prior two cruises is reasonable to us since now we are excited to be in a suite and would pay that upgrade amount for this cruise.

 

 

 

A week later, this cruise is still showing free for all rooms if we try to book.  I call the casino department to double check this being a free cruise and I am assured that it is.  They tell me it includes Princes Plus and that the casino has already paid $xxxx dollars.  I say “great” and let them know that my worry is that it will be cancelled.  The next day, I realize that the dollar amount they said was paid by the casino was actually the exact amount we paid for deposits, taxes, port fees and insurance and including EZ-Air. 

 

 

 

The next day I call back, this time to Princess CVP line since people have spoken highly of them.  They too confirm that it is a free cruise.  She tried to up sell Princess Plus or Premier but I told her Princess Plus was included so she checked and agreed that it was included.  I told her my worries of the cruise being cancelled since it looks too good to be true but she says that all looks good.  I now feel I have done my part to double check this and have it corrected.  So now it is a waiting game for an ax to fall.  I check daily to be sure we still have our cabin.  I also keep looking online by doing mock bookings and the prices have been zero the entire month of April and into May.  As of today, the suites are sold out and now show an up-charge for the mini-suite.

 

 

 

So as for online casino offer booking, I’m not sure I’m comfortable yet.  Maybe this is not a mistake.  We do spend a lot of time in the casino.  I think in the future I will look online at offers and call the casino line to book.  We may also look at getting a CVP.  We have used a TA in the past a few times but they will no longer book free casino offers.

 

A TA who wants your future business would still book a free casino offer as a gesture of goodwill. I certainly would. (Yes, that's what I'm doing since I retired, enjoying my passion for travel) 😁😁

[2MellowCruisers]

2 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic!  Thank you for your post, as it may be helpful to others.

 

I don’t blame you, I would be just like you…checking and rechecking.  Let us know how it all works out for you.

Thank you.  I've been lurking too long.  I am curious how others will respond to OP's post.

[2MellowCruisers]

28 minutes ago, jwattle said:

A TA who wants your future business would still book a free casino offer as a gesture of goodwill. I certainly would. (Yes, that's what I'm doing since I retired, enjoying my passion for travel) 😁😁

Thank you for your reply.  This is something I will surely think about!

[emmak8]

Thank you for sharing. I would be checking as you are doing. Have a wonderful cruise!

[mbglib]

I booked a casino offer online and the price appeared as it should when I booked, but when I received the confirmation, the price was much more expensive.  It took a few calls to find the right person who would/could fix it as when I would call the casino line, it would be automatically transferred to the regular line and they would tell me to call casino and so it went.  I did finally get it fixed, but I would think it would have been easier to call the casino line (if I could have connected to it) before booking.  This happened in early April, 2023.

[emmak8]

I booked my casino offer with my cruise vacation planner. Details so far are correct. Now to book the flights? If I book EZ air will I need to pay right away?

[emmak8]

What if I book my flights independently and pay right away? Will this screw up my casino deal/travel summary?

[Jadn13]

54 minutes ago, emmak8 said:

What if I book my flights independently and pay right away? Will this screw up my casino deal/travel summary?

You mean book them through the .com? 
You have to pay right away but in the past this has caused bookings to cancel, it may be different now but I’d be careful

[emmak8]

No I mean booking directly with airline and pay right away?h

[dcrow72]

On 5/14/2023 at 3:49 PM, DallasGuy75219 said:

This also includes EZAir, despite the EZAir documents showing showing a later final payment date.

I booked my EZair online at Princess.com and did NOT have to pay for it in advance; payment was due at final payment.   I actually changed it a couple of times as well  No calls to casino line at all.  

[blizzard44ca]

Is there a way to tell if you have booked under a casino fare?

 

I saw a great deal when logged in, that we booked (online), but I can’t tell what kind of fare it is (and if there may be any extra restrictions that go along with it).

[emmak8]

Has anyone booked a casino offer (not the casino discount- the free room offer) using a princess vacation planner?  I booked the last offer using CVP and on the travel summary it says travel agency is Princess cruises. The cost was as if booked through casino and paid.  On previous offer booked through casino rep the travel agency is casino comp on my travel summary.  Another weird thing is the travel summary states there are 0 formal nights and 0 smart casual nights. Has this happened to anyone else? I plan to call CVP tomorrow as well as casino dept.