Haljo1935

Finally able to get into the actual sale and when I filter within the pre-filtered Labor Day Sale filter, I am finding some options showing as "Flexible Fares" with refundable deposits. So, either a glitch or not all Labor Day specials will have non-refundable deposits. I'm digging in as I would do a $99 deposit if it's refundable. Of course, not on an inflated price as some have reported. But at least knowing they're not all non-refundable gives me reason to look.

I have found I can use on first day but later. Just ask in the spa when you get on.

Seeing this again way too frequently

My frenemy 400 Bad Request has visited again. While trying to view the Labor Day special cruises I got this, look familiar?

I'm not aware of AARP OBC being offered for Carnival cruises; I only know about HAL. The cruises are not booked through AARP, they're booked direct w/HAL or a TA after your AARP membership is confirmed. Neither the gift cards nor the OBC has anything to do w/AARP Travel Center.

Cherry on Top

Yes, you read correctly. They looked to be having a marvelous time and we realized we were smiling when we looked at them. She didn't have a chair to pull out (she was seated on the bench along the wall, he was in a chair across the table from her), but I felt like he would have had she been in the chair instead of him. I hope they had pictures taken. 🙂

Condolences @Sharon in AZ you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you @Iamthesea. What I meant by "type" of OBC is if it's Shareholder, AARP, Military, EarlyBooking Bonus, Loyalty, etc. I was just curious to know where it was coming from. So it looks like your TA is doing a great job of getting you OBC. And yes, if it's not non-refundable, any you don't use will be refunded back to the CC you have on file w/HAL. I find that happens quickly after I get home. Good to know you were able to cancel the other booking. I've never used the chat feature, so nice to learn it works well. Looks like you've got a great cruise planned - safe travels, enjoy your cruise!

Agree - needs to maintained with new ones added on a regular basis or it will become outdated again. Will enjoy it while it's current.

Aligned with others - credit for cancelations is restored within a day to your booking for you to use again. And even though the terms state that the excursion credits are $100 per excursion, you can use the full amount on more than 1 excursion. If you go over, you just pay the difference. But you cannot share them between passengers.

Yes in MDR you can order as you mentioned w/o surcharge. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

I agree. But it's always worth asking. You just never know who blew out a knee loading up the suitcases to head to the airport...

Pretty decent experience w/HAL in AK and can say I've never seen excursions go on sale. Doesn't mean they won't, but haven't seen it. Aligned w/ @RuthC that the train sells out quickly, so it would be best to book it when you see availability. We missed out on the luxury tickets but still thoroughly enjoyed the train. And as Ruth said, you can do the lumberjack show on your own. I agree that you can safe $$ on that by eating onboard; just buy tickets at the port. You might consider using AARP gift cards to pay for your excursions as that will get you a 10% discount. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Until I read it showed for @deliver42 on a mock booking, I was going to say perhaps the new special package is w/grats and w/o internet. Not gonna win a popularity contest for this, but...Specials come and go and if there was a new one, doesn't mean something from a previous package should now be free; it just means it's no longer part of a package. Since @deliver42 sees it the "right" way, it's likely another marketing opportunity that wasn't proofread well enough.

You will see referred to as "Chocolate Surprise"

FWIW - I logged into one of my bookings on my phone using Chrome and took that screenshot after reading your question, so it seems to be working w/that combination. Definitely something off if you haven't redeemed them. Just to be sure, are you selecting a venue that qualifies for the credits?

See sale the banner on the homepage, but of course, no special deals for me - my friend "bad request " has made a visit when I click to see the cruises available.

It should show you have credits to use. Once used, it will show as redeemed. Did you see this when you logged into the booking then clicked to book dining?

@Cheadle_Chick it's worth another phone call to HAL to see what's available and get a rate. Don't be afraid to negotiate, just be reasonable. Just because it was ridiculously priced when you talked to them, you don't know how many cancelations they've had since then. They will be motivated to take your $$ to fill those beds. And yes, there will likely be signs at Guest Services saying there are no upgrades available, but go anyway as soon as you get on the ship. One of you go stand in that line and other one take the kiddos someplace like Lido for lunch and meet up after the one who lost the coin toss finishes at Guest services. Smile and very nicely ask to be put on the wait list for an upgrade - they do have a wait list and they do work through it. Sometimes it takes until the next morning so just check back if haven't heard from them after breakfast. And when they call, you can still negotiate. Sometimes the offers are very generous and I jump on them, sometimes I've negotiated a better rate and sometimes I decline. They will usually let you go look at the cabin before deciding and will never just arbitrarily move you. The cost of the upgrade will be added to your account. So, no there's no longer anyone doing at the port, but it can be done onboard if there's availability. Good luck, safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

HAL does not use an upgrade bid process.

You do have to get your membership verified after you join and before you book.

Grand Turk native.

Size impacts itineraries, too - smaller ships can get into port that larger ships can't. Some ports both can get in, but larger ships have to dock in a different location because they're too big for the "regular" dock.

You've got time - channel your inner Nike and Just Do It!! Lol