We were booked on Princess for Sept to the Middle East and cancelled. We had to pay deposits of 600 each. Price was 3500 each. yep, just less than double. I agree, people holding on to cabins just in case will re think. Perhaps some of us might get the cabin we actually want then.
Sorry, I realize this thread is a little old but had a thought......
I'm wondering if this will keep so many people from jumping and booking cruises as soon as they are released on the schedule, to get the lowest fare which results in the fares going up faster. Then, so many cancel or book a different cruise before final payment is due.
We have an RCI cruise booked for April, 2009. It is a 12 night southern Caribbean out of NJ. We booked it last July and paid $1,519 pp (all taxes, fees, etc. included) and thanks to Dolores snagged an aft corner balcony . Since then, for that same $1,519, all you can now get is an inside stateroom. The suites and balconies are all sold out (or being held by TA's). This cruise is still 8 months away!!! I wonder how many people will cancel before final payment? And how many people aren't booking now because of the lack of suites and balconies? But as we near final payment date others will drop out. Sorry, rambling....... I guess my point is that it will better ensure that only people who are really serious will book, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if it will hurt them in the long run. I know I wouldn't want to tie up a couple thousand dollars for more than a year.
Having said all of that we have future cruise credits with Princess
As for your cruise, this is the main reason why we always recommend booking a cruise as early as possible - often, that is the cheapest rate. So don't pay any attention to these ads that say book a last minute cruise and save 80%! Booking at the last minute is almost always a bad idea. And it's not unusual for that particular cruise on the Explorer of the Seas to sell out or get very close to it - it's very popular. And because of the length and time of year, the suites and balconies will always be the first cabins to get booked.
I know it did Pete, we just like to use the Fcc, owe more at the end but would rather the money in our bank, not Princess or any cruise line for that matter
As for your cruise, this is the main reason why we always recommend booking a cruise as early as possible - often, that is the cheapest rate. So don't pay any attention to these ads that say book a last minute cruise and save 80%! Booking at the last minute is almost always a bad idea. And it's not unusual for that particular cruise on the Explorer of the Seas to sell out or get very close to it - it's very popular. And because of the length and time of year, the suites and balconies will always be the first cabins to get booked.
Pete
Based on my experience with this RCI cruise and booking over 600 days in advance I couldn't agree more. Our others have been booked anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months in advance. The FCCs are awesome and I plan to keep on getting them and using them.
Sort of off topic, but what are your thoughts as far as sticking with one cruise line and the advantages to that? We have one NCL cruise and 2 Princess under our belts right now. I have a Carnival coming up and that's it until the big 12 night RCI, as far as I know right now
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
-
Sun Deck
-
Princess Cruise Line
-
New Policies & Deposit Amounts for Princess
#
. Since then, for that same $1,519, all you can now get is an inside stateroom. The suites and balconies are all sold out (or being held by TA's). This cruise is still 8 months away!!! I wonder how many people will cancel before final payment? And how many people aren't booking now because of the lack of suites and balconies? But as we near final payment date others will drop out. Sorry, rambling....... I guess my point is that it will better ensure that only people who are really serious will book, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if it will hurt them in the long run. I know I wouldn't want to tie up a couple thousand dollars for more than a year.
Linear Mode
