Princess Cruises is offering a price matching “Best Price Guarantee” as the world’s booking boom means more people than ever are snapping up their cabins and suites early.
“From June 14 – September 12, 2024, guests can book their dream Princess cruise holiday with the added confidence of knowing they are securing the absolute best price available,” says a company statement.
If a cruiser finds a lower price before making their final payment on a voyage between July 1 and September 2, 2024 for any 2025 or 2026 departure, Princess will give them an onboard credit with a value of 120 per cent of the difference between what the guest paid for the original booking.
It’s a first for Princess and may well spark a new price matching war among Australian lines that will make cruise passengers the winners.
The reason for the move is the rush to book as cruising becomes more popular. More cruisers are booking early than ever and they have been joining by large numbers of younger new-to-cruise families.
Traditionally, as vessels end the selling cycle, line’s begin to offer deals. But that disadvantages those who book early.
“Our new guarantee underscores the Princess commitment to offering unparalleled value and exceptional service to guests…value that is unmatched by land-based holidays,” said Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer.
“With our booking volume for 2025 voyages already nearly 30% higher than it has ever been at this point in the typical booking cycle, securing your spot early has never been more important and this offer not only guarantees the best rates, but also ensures guests can choose their preferred dates and destinations.
“This way, guests can enjoy the best selection of Princess worldwide destinations and accommodations, knowing they have the best rate available for their cruise.”
How Princess Price Matching works
How it Works
Valid for cruise bookings made during our Earlybird Sale, running between June 14 and September 12, 2024, for any 2025 or 2026 departure, finds an active, publicly available lower price for the identical verified booking on princess.com prior to the final payment of the cruise, guests can submit a Guarantee Claim Form and Princess will give the guest an onboard credit (OBC) with a value of 120% of the difference between what the guest actually paid for the original booking and the located fare (or other mutually agreed makegood). Visit the offer here: Best Price Guarantee – Princess Cruises – Princess Cruises Full terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.princess.com/en-au/plan/best-price-guarantee/terms-and-conditions
Princess is not alone.
Who else offers price matching?
Royal Caribbean also offers a price guarantee program where if the cruiser finds a better price within 48 houses from the time you book, you will receive the different as a non-refundable onboard credit inside final payment or rate adjustment outside final payment.
Celebrity Cruises, like its sister brand, will honour the reduced cruise fare to available prevailing cruise fare. If full payment has made and the request has been submitted on or before the due date, a refund will be issued of the difference.
But if the request is submitted after the due date of final payment and the booking is within 48 hours from creation, Celebrity will apply an onboard credit to the booking in the amount of 100 per cent of the difference in price.
Carnival Cruise Lines in America has also said that if you find a better Carnival-advertised deal within two days of booking your cruise, you can get 110 per cent of the difference in onboard credit.
Currently, sites like Booking.com and Expedia offer price matches for travel products like hotels against competitors and even the hotel sites themselves.
But all the cruise line policies won’t allow you to price match against travel agent offers which often get good deals, bundled with hotels and flights.
For more, go to Princess.com.
