New Policies & Deposit Amounts for Princess - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Cruise Planner · 03-21-2008, 09:19 PM

This just in from Princess about their new policies and new deposit amounts.

Pete

NEW DEPOSIT POLICY FOR PRINCESS CRUISES

We are starting to release our new programs for Summer 2009 and beyond, beginning with Europe 2009 which was announced just last week. With the release of these new programs, we have also made some significant changes to our general policies, so it is most important that you review this information carefully.

DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS for 2009 - 2010 will be based on a percentage of the fare rather than a flat dollar amount. Most voyages will require a deposit that represents 30% of the cruise fare.

CRUISE CHANGE FEES will no longer be assessed for adding or changing land packages, or changing the first or last name on a booking (including name corrections).

MINIMUM AGE for children will be 6 months on all trades except for Exotics and Transatlantics, where the minimum age will be 12 months. Minimum age for escorted cruisetours is 5 years old.

NEW SUITE CATEGORY WS will be created on Caribbean Princess when she undergoes her drydock in 2009. These suites will have a picture window instead of a balcony.

ESCAPE FARES will be the new name for our Early Booking Discount Fares, reinforcing our Escape Completely tagline.

SPECIAL PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNTS will be launched beginning with Europe 2009. The discount applies to all categories and begins at program launch. The discount expires Sept. 30, 2008 for Alaska and Europe, and Dec. 31, 2008 for all other trades. It combines with many different fare types including other past passenger promotions. Specific discount amounts will vary by trade. For Europe, the discount is $100 per person.

SMALL SHIP GROUP ALLOTMENTS have been increased to 32 beds maximum (versus 16 in the past) on Royal, Pacific, and Tahitian Princess.

SHIPBOARD CREDIT AMENITIES have changed from a per-person amenity to a per-stateroom amenity. Now you can allocate shipboard credit as a group benefit with as little as 2 amenity points.

Char · 03-21-2008, 10:57 PM

Wow! The deposit will really go up compared to other cruise lines which are based on length of cruise!

The cruise we currently have booked with Princess required a $250 PP deposit and that same cruise today would require about $100 PP more....and that is just a 7 day cruise.

I expect a lot of folks who book several cruises to hold space until they decide which one they want will think twice about tying up their money that way.

Cruise Planner · 03-21-2008, 11:43 PM

But in many circumstances, it could actually be less. When you figure the average deposit is $250, that equates to a cruise price of $833 based on a 30% deposit. Remember, it's 30% of the 'cruise price', so that does not include the port fees, taxes, or fuel-supplement. (At least that's the way I read it.)

But I hear what you're saying about the $100 deposit and I believe they will still offer that for people who book their next cruise while on their current cruise and also for those who book into group space.

It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Pete

Cruise Princess · 03-22-2008, 12:22 PM

Thanks Pete for post all of this!

sue miller · 03-22-2008, 12:32 PM

But for those who do not book on board and want the higher priced balconies or suites that is going to be a big hunk of change to put down a year or more before the cruise!! Princess will get all the interest on that money not the cruisers!! Strange that the cruiselines are catering to the yong people and families but this move could keep a lot from NOT booking in todays economy, imagine all the families that book two cabins

.

Cruise Planner · 03-22-2008, 03:35 PM

As I said, it'll be interesting to see how all this plays out - especially considering the fact that what one cruise line starts, others are soon to follow if it benefits them. And as you mentioned, they've got your money for some time earning interest on it.

Based on how prices vary depending on the season and on the type of cabin booked, this could be beneficial to those who book the off-season cruises and the lower ended cabins. But you're right, those who book during the high-season, the upper ended cabins, or more than one cabin may end up laying out a considerable deposit, which may have an impact on whether they book with Princess or another cruise line.

If other cruise lines follow suit, it'll be a moot point and we'll all have to bite the bullet. If they don't, then perhaps Princess will be negatively affected enough that they'll reconsider.

We'll see.

Pete

sue miller · 03-22-2008, 03:40 PM

Yup another way to get fuel costs in the bank!! Granted it will make final payment lower but many don't have that much to book with in the beggining!!

djgifford · 03-22-2008, 04:56 PM

I wonder if they are going to increase the deposits for booking on board, their FCC program...

djgifford · 03-22-2008, 06:02 PM

Looks like I will have to get some more frequent cruise sales for the lower deposits going!

djgifford · 03-26-2008, 08:26 AM

Keep in mind too, that the 30% is based on the Princess Pricing, not necessarily your TA's price.

Also, historically, Princess only asked for deposits per cabin, not per person...so if you had a triple or quad it was the same deposit as a double. Now the 30% is calculated on the total for the cabin...something that could turn families away...

I would prefer they keep a lower deposit initially and add a second deposit half way between the initial deposit and the final deposit, if they are that upset about cancellations at final payment.