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For clarification purposes, Princess said the 30% deposit would be based on the cruise fare. For the purpose of deposits, they determine the cruise fare to be the cruise fare and port fees combined, which is the price you will see advertised or quoted for a cruise. This does not include the taxes or fuel supplement.
And yes, it is 30% of the cruise fare for everyone in the cabin. The deposit is currently only for the first two in a cabin even if you have more than two. Whereas the new policy requires a deposit based on the cruise fare for everyone in the cabin.
Needless to say, this is a substantial increase. For example; I have a group going to Alaska in July 2009. Had they booked their suites this year, the deposit was $900 per cabin, but next year it's over $2500! Who wants to tie up that kind of money for 15 months?
I have no doubt this will affect bookings.
And, like Canarymoon, I wonder if this is a test to see how it flies before implementing it company-wide. And if it's successful, I'm sure other cruise lines will follow suit.
Hopefully, there will be enough lost bookings that they'll change their minds on this. I would hate to see this start a new trend.
Pete
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