Lower fare

[eb]

I just checked on the Princess site and the cruise that I have booked has gone down by about $150 /person. I went to my TA office and my agent was not in but the one who was in had the look that I was speaking greek when I ask about getting a refund down to the lower fare. He said that he had never had to deal with fares going down.
My question is what do I need to have or talk to to get the lower fare. I have seen on here where some have had it refunded back to their card and others have had it refunded as s credit for on board credit. I don't care which one happens I just need advise on what I should say or ask for. What info do I need to be armed with. This cruise is the first one that I have used this TA so I am not sure what their answer will be.
Thanks for the help.
EB

[f-mattox]

First, find somebody at your agency that knows what they are talking about. An agent that tells you he has never had to deal with a fare going down is either not telling you the truth, or started in the business yesterday.

If you get no satisfaction there, call Princess direct (1-800-PRINCESS) and explain the situation.

[Dave]

I went to my TA office and my agent was not in

Give your agent a chance to work on the refund. He or she may not know about it yet. Do you know when they'll return to the office?

I hope your agent *has* dealt with lowering fares and won't give you the song and dance you encountered from the person mentioned in your post. If the lowered price happens before you have paid the final balance it is usual for your final balance to be decreased. At least that is my experience.

Let us know what happens.

[eb]

I do plan on talking to her on Monday. She has been helpful to this point and I have not talked to her about it yet. The guy I talked to may have not wanted to say anything about it because I was not his client. No panic here just want to get it taken care of.
I am planning another cruise for the spring before this one and I want to know that they will take care of these types of things before I get another one going with them. As the ticker shows the one I am talking about isn't until Oct.09 so lots of time.
Thanks
EB

[gdjoslin]

If she gives you a blank look. Just ask her to call the Cruise Line and check the price. My TA checks the prices on a regular basis for her clients.

[Dwayne]

Give your agent a chance to work on the refund. He or she may not know about it yet.

This is absolutely right. The cruise lines adjust fares often during a day. Your agent maybe was not aware of your particular ship and sailing date having a fare decrease during a Holiday weekend.

Dwayne

[eb]

I do plan on letting her work on it. I have not talked to her yet because of the holidays. I was just surprized when the guy that was holding down the store gave me that "you must be crazy" look. I will talk to my TA on Monday.
I will let you know what happens.
EB

[RichC]

On our up coming cruise in Dec Princess has discounted the price also. I've contacted our TA who in turn called Princess & there telling her that it is only for new bookings but there willing to give us a cat increase or go with a guarantee cat. Since we're just giving up an obstructed view for a guaranteed unobstructed cabin or better, there's no reason not to take a chance.
It can't hurt to call the TA & see what they can do.
No more future cruise booking for me until the economic conditions turn around for the cruise industry. There seem to be to many good deals popping up lately due to the lack of bookings.

[Dwayne]

No more future cruise booking for me until the economic conditions turn around for the cruise industry. There seem to be to many good deals popping up lately due to the lack of bookings.

Rich, I don't have my next one booked either. There are lots of good deals though if you can drive to a port. I should have something settled in the next few weeks though. Not having a cruise booked makes me feel a little empty inside.

About the lower fares and only being applied to new bookings. This can happen with new promotions. If the fare goes down in your current booking rate/code they should honor it though. I would take the chance too with the upgrade.

Dwayne

[sparks1093]

I've read a couple of threads on this topic and it makes me less inclined to buy a cruise too far in the future.