Let me begin my commentary by describing my interaction with several departments at Princess Cruises head office prior to sailing.

I sent an E-mail to Captain's Circle requesting correction of an error in my wife's status. I received a form letter reply that bore absolutely no relevance to the request submitted. I sent a second E-mail to Captain's Circle, this time I also copied Princess Customer Relations. I was again ignored by Captain's Circle, but Princess Customer Relations Department quickly, courteously and efficiently resolved the problem. Captain's Circle can learn a great deal about courteous customer service from the Customer Relations Department.

Shortly after we made our final payment, I sent an E-mail and all other relevant documentation on December 6, 2011 to "shareholderbenefit@princesscruises.com", requesting an on-board credit provided to holders of 100 or more shares in Carnival Cruises, (the parent company). I sent a follow up E-mail in early January but still received no response. My travel agent was able to navigate the Princess bureaucracy and had the credit deposited to my on board account by late January 2012. Again disappointed by a Princess department's lack of courtesy. Read more