exxige

Thanks for the reply makes sense to take a van option if they are available that is something I did not find in my searching! thanks again. We are flying in a day early so there is no rush to get to the hotel from the airport and we have Lots of time when leaving the ship as well so if we had to wait a bit that would be ok

Hi All,

I have been searching some and it seems as though a cab from the airport and back is one of the best options as we have ruled out the Train.

Our group will consist of 4 Adults each with a checked bag and carry on item. My question is will the cabs from the airport and obviously from canada place back to the airport be large enough to accomodate a group and luggage of this size? Or should we plan on getting two cabs?

Thanks!

That is a big red flag! Your agent should be charging your money directly to the cruise line.

 

Are they putting it in their bank account and paying the cruise line some other way? I would never ever use an outside agent that was not taking my credit card and paying the cruise line directly.

 

 

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Not really a big red flag as the big box company does not normally accept AMEX however the confusion for me was they processed the original down payment directly with Holland so I assumed it would be no problem... Its not a huge deal considering I got better perks and a cheaper price booking through them then anywhere else I researched.

If you buy Onboard Credit that is handled directly with HAL via the same mechanism as booking a shore excursion. I'm still waiting to see if buying OBC has worked for me this time around.

 

Your TA not accepting American Express suggests that they don't make payments directly with the line and instead take payment from you and then remit to travel providers - which in this case means you probably wouldn't get the credit anyway. The $500 payment has to reflect being made directly with the cruise line.

See I was thinking the same except the down payment that went through when we booked coded as the cruise line... not sure maybe I will just have to forget about this.

so our TA does not accept Amex.... any way around this? It appears I cant make a payment direct to holland?

Just FYI I do not see this offer on my AMEX platinum personal and chatted with a representative and got the below.

Promotional offers are based on the solicitation. Offers is designed to deliver personalized offers that are relevant to card member. Because of the targeted nature of this program, not every person will receive every offer, and we cannot extend offers by request​​​​​​​

Our marketing team is reviewing accounts based on where you live, spending habits and the type of Card you have before they make offers available on a card. As a valued Card Member there may be future offers available for you. They'll send you an email when your card is eligible for this offer.​​​​​​​

As of now you can have those offers that are found in "my offers" tab or if an email was sent to you about this offer.​​​​​​​

These offers are sent in slots

You may receive it in upcoming days, upon review our marketing team will send you email when your card is eligible for the offer

You may get the better deals from the current one

Doesn't look like I have it offered on my card yet, but when this was offered before any payment of $500 or more to the line earned the benefit - you didn't need to "book" during the offer period. One of the times I've used it was as a partial payment at final payment time (I have another card with better benefits than the usual Amex benefit for travel spending). Read the terms on the Amex website to be sure.

so I have my final payment in March I should be able to call and make a 500$ payment with my Amex platinum and get the 100$?

hrmmm Called to try and get this done and found that "non-refundable deposits" also mean you cannot re-book to take advantage of the new fair had to sacrifice everything we had and basically start over resulting in a worse deal for both options. O well

interesting we are doing an Alaska cruise in June and I checked our room (inside stateroom Guar) and its 500$ more... however we are bringing my grandparents and they have a vista suite and it looks like its about 250$ PP less. However, they would receive 50$ less on board credit. Sounds like I will be calling today.

Yes, you meet up in Juneau. This excursion is 6 hours. I am booked. I was looking to see about other excursions, but many leave before we would get back at approx. 4-4:30. Not really interested in Mendenhall Glacier, since we would already see Sawyer.

 

A popular excursion in Juneau is whale watching. They seem to be 4-5 hours. I can see the Humpback whale at home.

 

We plan on going into town to look and grab some Halibut fish n chips. Will be hungry after Tracy Arm, as they only sell snacks on board.

Awesome thanks for the info we actually did plan to do whale watching in Juneau so I will have to see what the party wants to do more.

From your itinerary.... sounds like you have an opportunity to double your Glacier viewing experience with this excursion.

 

On your itinerary, this popular excursion will be the first to sell out with a mid-water transfer. It helps to maximize your Juneau time....

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ExcursionDetails.action?excursionCode=100030935&portCode=TAC&destCode=A&requestSource=shoreExcursions

Woah this looks awesome I had no idea this was an option we are on a 7 day in June with about the same itinerary as the OP. It looks like we would get off the main ship in the ARM to the smaller ship and then meet the main ship in port at Juneau? I don't see any information on the length of this excursion wonder if we would have time in port for something else?

will do I appreciate you checking

Yes. I did that this summer. I made a partial $500 payment and got the AMEX $100 right then. Then paid off the balance when the final was due.

good to know thanks! that link says it ended dec 31 though so I might have missed out.

I wonder if I would be able to call the TA and just pay 500$ of the final payment that's due in march with my AMEX...

For all who are booked...cyber sale ends tomorrow,. Free gratuities $25 beverage card ends tomorrow.Never thought would apply to my 28 day cruise to Tahiti would apply. Called ta he says he doesn't see it . I say call Holland,. Took awhile( longer on line the better) lol. And I got it. Woohoo saved like 750.00!!!!

Did you book direct with HAL?

looks like this is live now 50$ beverage card and prepaid gratuities. I wonder when places such as big box will show this on bookings.... ends 11/28

@exxige

I should have mentioned -- do NOT state the name of your TA or the agency. Against the rules! Sponsorship of online agencies keeps CC free for all of us.

 

I did read your answer about the big-box store, but I see it was removed -- so this is an explanation why. That's a nice perk BTW! But, any changes or questions for HAL will have to go through them... I'll stick with my PCC.

Wow thanks for the heads up nooby mistake!

Thanks for the heads up we will be in an ocean view so 13.50$

Everything seems worded very poorly or maybe just cause I'm new! The explore 4 sounds like we will owe gratuity with each drunk when we read it

Hi all,

Planning our first cruise Alaska 7 day round trip on Holland america. I have been reading about the daily service charge of 13.50 per person. I assume this is charged daily and collected at the end of the cruise?

Also the package we are looking at comes with the explore 4 option does this have any impact on the daily 13.50 charge? it appears it covers any extra charges on the drinks (gratuity).

Lastly if the explore 4 does not cover it will the on board credit we are getting cover it? it appears our ocean view room will come with 140$ on board credit.

Just trying to understand all of the charges and would rather not have any surprises at the end of the trip!

Thanks,

Thanks I will do that I was not sure if such a new question was ok in that area!

Hi all,

Planning our first cruise Alaska 7 day round trip on Holland america. I have been reading about the daily service charge of 13.50 per person. I assume this is charged daily and collected at the end of the cruise?

Also the package we are looking at comes with the explore 4 option does this have any impact on the daily 13.50 charge? it appears it covers any extra charges on the drinks (gratuity).

Lastly if the explore 4 does not cover it will the on board credit we are getting cover it? it appears our ocean view room will come with 140$ on board credit.

Just trying to understand all of the charges and would rather not have any surprises at the end of the trip!

Thanks,