Explore4 Special- Bad Deal

I have often observed that with duty-free shops in airports -- you pay the "duty" upfront. Meh. I guess if your aim is to get as much booze or cigarettes into your home country as possible? IDK

I happen to know what beverages cost my Sis and BIL for last year's 7-day Alaska ($275, and they may have been conservative when it came to things like espresso drinks, fresh juices), call that a minimum 2 person-weeks. Fare went up $100pp for a 14-day cruise, for 2 benefits we will use -- SBP and dinner at PG (although we probably wouldn't have paid for it, so knock its value down to value of Canaletto, which we would do) -- so $100 for a value to us of ~$275+$20 for the dinner. For us it was a win! Other cruises and cabin categories, reports were not so favorable.

I looked into the Explore 4 for a Caribbean cruise and noticed the prices were higher than the same cruises I looked at a few weeks ago. Not worth it for us. Last Fall I looked at a few Royal Caribbean cruises that offered "free" drinks, etc. and when I was almost through booking one of them, I noticed a very large surcharge for those "free" perks. Didn't finish the booking.

free - not free - but for us PrePd --- coffee, drinks with out thinking. Bottled water - dinner in the Pinacle. None of this is free and no one lied to me. But I like it so there....

Heads up! If you have a casino rate ( 30-35% off ) you MAY get your fare for pre Explore 4 prices WITH Explore4 thrown in. I did.

It's a kick butt deal in that case!!!!!!

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Heads up! If you have a casino rate ( 30-35% off ) you MAY get your fare for pre Explore 4 prices WITH Explore4 thrown in. I did. It's a kick butt deal in that case!!!!!!

 

 

Hi Denise, We've been getting a 20% casino club discount for our VB balcony staterooms. Just wondering if you guys are in a neptune suite to get your 30-35% casino club discount.

 

Your buddes, Martie & Doug

Hi Denise, We've been getting a 20% casino club discount for our VB balcony staterooms. Just wondering if you guys are in a neptune suite to get your 30-35% casino club discount.

We are Neptune Suite customers and our discount is in IndyDenise's range. It may be the special Hoosier casino discount. Indiana people are desirable customers!

That's one reason why I book through the cruise line rather than through a travel agent.

Just curious as to how the pricing compares between booking directly with the cruise line vs. with a TA.

Do you have any insight into this, or thoughts on it? We always book through the cruise line as well, but sometimes I wonder whether a good TA can get us better deals (in general). So many folks swear by their trusted TAs, and seem to be very loyal to them.

Just curious as to how the pricing compares between booking directly with the cruise line vs. with a TA.

 

Do you have any insight into this, or thoughts on it? We always book through the cruise line as well, but sometimes I wonder whether a good TA can get us better deals (in general). So many folks swear by their trusted TAs, and seem to be very loyal to them.

There are benefits with booking with certain TA's. Some still discount but most can't or won't because of HAL's rules. So they give a nice OBC instead. Either way, you can save money :)

Just curious as to how the pricing compares between booking directly with the cruise line vs. with a TA.

 

Do you have any insight into this, or thoughts on it? We always book through the cruise line as well, but sometimes I wonder whether a good TA can get us better deals (in general). So many folks swear by their trusted TAs, and seem to be very loyal to them.

Love our PCC at HAL- knows us and what we like. I like being able to access my booking and not having to wait until Monday if I have a question on Saturday or Sunday. If booked through a TA HAL pretty much can't change anything if you call them.

Sure, you can probably get a little more OBC from a TA as they pull it out of their commission but in the long run I'm planning on staying with the PCC. Even though everyone says upsells are sent out at the same time if I got an offer late Friday and had a TA I'd most likely have to wait till Monday to move on it. Most likely would be long gone by then- with a PCC I can call any HAL rep on Saturday morning and lock it in.

There's more I like- we'll talk on board. Remind me on the ship!

Love our PCC at HAL- knows us and what we like. I like being able to access my booking and not having to wait until Monday if I have a question on Saturday or Sunday. If booked through a TA HAL pretty much can't change anything if you call them.

 

Sure, you can probably get a little more OBC from a TA as they pull it out of their commission but in the long run I'm planning on staying with the PCC. Even though everyone says upsells are sent out at the same time if I got an offer late Friday and had a TA I'd most likely have to wait till Monday to move on it. Most likely would be long gone by then- with a PCC I can call any HAL rep on Saturday morning and lock it in.

 

There's more I like- we'll talk on board. Remind me on the ship!

A "little more OBC"? How about 10 times as much? That's what your turning down. The right TA will discount your cruise by 10% or offer 10% OBC. I have a PCC too and my TA will do every thing the PCC will do plus 10%. That's 10 times what the PCC will do.

How many times have your received an offer for an upsell late on a Friday or on a weekend? How many times have you given up 10%?

As I said, I too have a PCC and I'm glad I do. I book through her and she gets the credit. Right before Final, I transfer to a TA and get the 10%. My PCC knows I do this and she says it doesn't affect her compensation a bit.

We are Neptune Suite customers and our discount is in IndyDenise's range. It may be the special Hoosier casino discount. Indiana people are desirable customers!

We get the 30% casino discount and we never book suites.

Heads up! If you have a casino rate ( 30-35% off ) you MAY get your fare for pre Explore 4 prices WITH Explore4 thrown in. I did. It's a kick butt deal in that case!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Denise, We've been getting a 20% casino club discount for our VB balcony staterooms. Just wondering if you guys are in a neptune suite to get your 30-35% casino club discount.

 

 

 

Your buddes, Martie & Doug

 

 

 

Love LOVE you guys! You made my cruise. Martie you are so sweet and fun.. and Doug is a kind soul!

 

We did book a NS for the Mediterranean cruise. It also came with 2 free nights precruise in a hotel in Barcelona.

 

But my flyer does say 30-35 % off certain cruises.. and the Cuban one I wanted was not discounted at all. Thus the switch to the Med.

 

Xxxoooxxxoooo

 

 

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We are Neptune Suite customers and our discount is in IndyDenise's range. It may be the special Hoosier casino discount. Indiana people are desirable customers!

 

 

 

I just spit out my New Coke Zero .. I'm cracking up here.

 

Long live the breaded tenderloin!

 

 

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Ask HAL to give you a price WITHOUT Explore4, as it might surprise you. I saved $1000 pp this way. It is a little discussed (except on these boards) option that your TA and/or HAL has.

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We are Neptune Suite customers and our discount is in IndyDenise's range. It may be the special Hoosier casino discount. Indiana people are desirable customers!

 

That has to be it!

I called HAL today to get a price to Alaska next summer without Explorer4 . It was only $200 less and I has to book it with a non-refundable deposit. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

 

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I got a quote for $100 less for a March 2019 7 day Caribbean. I told my PCC I'll wait.

I called HAL today to get a price to Alaska next summer without Explorer4 . It was only $200 less and I has to book it with a non-refundable deposit. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

 

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I just booked August 15th to Alaska. Was offered Explorer4 and only $350 down instead of $700. (or) $350 off of the deposit, but non refundable.