After the Regal Princess’s second consecutive cancellation from Galveston, Texas, Princess Cruises introduced it could improve the Future Cruise Credit score (FCC) supplied to affected friends, elevating it from the unique 25% to 50% of the bottom cruise fare.
The change follows a wave of frustration from passengers who reported pricey journey disruptions because of the late cancellations.
A Princess spokesperson confirmed that repairs on the Regal Princess are underway, with the purpose of resuming voyages from Galveston by November 10.
“We’re actively speaking with friends booked on this voyage to maintain them knowledgeable,” the spokesperson mentioned, including, “as a gesture of goodwill, friends affected by the cancellations of the October 27 and November 3 sailings will obtain an elevated FCC, which will likely be routinely utilized to visitor accounts.”
A Sample of Cancellations Leaves Company Annoyed
The problems started in the course of the ship’s latest transatlantic journey from Southampton, the place mechanical troubles reportedly surfaced.
Though the Regal Princess arrived in Galveston as scheduled, technical points prevented the ship from beginning its deliberate voyage on October 27, forcing hundreds of friends to regulate their plans on the final minute.
One passenger shared their expertise with Cruise Radio, detailing how the late cancellation announcement left them scrambling:
“I discovered in regards to the cancellation late Wednesday – needed to cancel lodge for the night time earlier than, switch to port automobile rental, flight. Because it was so late, I used to be penalized on all of them – misplaced over $350.00 in non-Princess reservations. As an elite member of Princess, I might want to resolve if I might use them or discover a higher cruise line.”
Learn Extra: Techincal Points Cancel Second Regal Princess Cruise
The disruption was much more costly for different friends, with some already en path to Galveston, Texas when the information broke.
One other passenger, who had made their approach to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) earlier than studying of the cancellation, mentioned:
“We had been scheduled to embark on the Regal Princess Oct. 27 crusing…We had been already at LAX. We had taken the Airbus and stayed an evening in a lodge. Now we’ve got to undergo Princess insurance coverage to attempt to recoup these bills.”
These cancellations meant that friends not solely misplaced their cruise but additionally took hits on non-refundable reservations, like motels and transportation, which the FCC doesn’t cowl.
Princess Cruises’ Elevated Future Cruise Credit score
In response to the backlash, Princess Cruises enhanced its compensation supply. The new FCC improve to 50% applies routinely and can be utilized for bookings made by Could 31, 2025, with sailings by Could 31, 2026.
Moreover, friends who booked Princess Plus or Premier packages or had been a part of the Captain’s Circle Loyalty Accelerator promotion will nonetheless obtain the improved loyalty factors.
Learn Extra: Find out how to Use a Future Cruise Credit score
Nonetheless, even with this improve, some friends stay unconvinced that the FCC makes up for the effort and expense incurred.
As one visitor put it:
“For the 2 of us, the entire in future cruise credit is about $600. However we had been left to cope with motels, airport transfers, and a scramble to cancel flights. They knew at the least every week in the past they’d not be prepared. Cancel sooner and I might have gotten again extra of my cash.”
What’s Subsequent for Regal Princess?
Princess Cruises stays optimistic that repairs will conclude in time for the Regal Princess’s scheduled November 10 departure.
“Our group stays centered on making certain a protected and pleasurable expertise, and we stay up for welcoming friends aboard,” the spokesperson famous.
Wrap Up
It’s a ready sport to see if Princess Cruises’ goodwill gesture of a 50% future cruise credit score will restore the arrogance of seven,200 canceled friends.
It’s also a great reminder to learn the cruise line passage contract earlier than crusing to know your rights and to buy journey insurance coverage.
The cruise line shouldn’t be required to refund any extra cash over what was initially paid for the cruise. Nonetheless, it’s a good suggestion for visitor retention.
Learn Extra: What You Must Know About Journey Insurance coverage