Laurie59

We just got off the Rotterdam with standby cruise. We were offered a balcony upgrade the next day due 249/pp

We’re on a standby cruise now. Heard 3 days before. We were offered an upgrade next day to a balcony.  Always people upgrading then a room available. Good luck

Both got an interior and one upgraded to a verandah then

I never checked prices for a verandah. The price I stated included everything I had to pay for, port fees, gratuity and have it all package

Yes we took it, lol our bargain stand by program blew up

1 hour ago, KAKcruiser said:

That is a good price to upgrade to a verandah.  I think you would be much happier if you took the offer.

Much happier 

6 minutes ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

How many days is your cruise? 

9 days

5 minutes ago, Chris and Marcy said:

Just got the email that we are sailing on March 29th! It came in at 11:31 so check your email peeps! It looks like they haven't assigned a room number?  It just says standard.  Did anyone get a room assignment?  How do they know where to send the luggage lol.

 

We got a room assignment for interior. Got notice yesterday.. just received an offer to upgrade to veranda for $249 pp.  you will get room soon

Ok we were cleared yesterday for an interior room we just got an upgrade offer for a veranda for $249 each. We’re so tormented, our bargain standby isn’t a bargain when we added the Hal Package. Now it will be another $500. All in for veranda port charges gratuity and upgrade would be $3000. Not sure what prices were for a regular sailing were since we only did the standby. Is that still a good deal and have others taken the upgrade 

Dec 11

Totally agree, this would have been worth it if we got a better room.  At least we have the few perks with Hal package

2 minutes ago, cbr663 said:

 

You really want to keep an eye on HAL's numerous sales.  For instance, I am Canadian and HAL has the 7 day Zaandam Wine and Country sailing on the Stand by list.  At $49US standby it isn't a bargain when it is currently advertised for $349 CDN for an inside cabin.  Better to pay $49 CDN pp/pd right now than roll the dice on paying $49 US pp/pd on standby.

9 minutes ago, drtravel47 said:

I did the Queen Mary 2 twice inside.  I slept like a baby. But as we always say, "How much time do you spend in your cabin?"

 

PS....One of my clients paid about a month ago,  the other about 10 days ago. I wonder how long the standby list is!!??

Looking forward to sleeping like a baby

 

We paid Dec 11..our bargain is up to $2600. With HAL package and gratuities.. hopefully I won’t be writing from prison after being in such close quarters with no windows🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

17 minutes ago, drtravel47 said:

When did you pay for the cruise?

I have 2 clients waiting for them to clear.

I check many times a day,  but still no luck. Just found out we made our March 29th  cruise out of Fll. We did get the interior cabin for our 11 day cruise. 

On 3/24/2024 at 12:35 PM, Lauren Spray said:

Sorry you didn't make it on board.  Hope your alternative vacation plan is still enjoyable for you.

On 12/27/2023 at 9:32 PM, boze9999 said:

Looking forward to seeing how this new experiment goes! Thanks for being our guinea pig!

 

 

We found out today we made the March 29 cruise. I’m a little apprehensive. We paid more for the Hal package than the interior room.  By the time you add taxes, fees and gratuities it’s not much of a bargain anymore🤦‍♀️ the room seems claustrophobic… I know it’s an interior but except for the bed you have no where to go..this might be a long 9 days. 

1 hour ago, Lauren Spray said:

We are trying the wait list.  10 day Eurodam in April.  Either we get it or we don't.  We live within driving distance to Ft Lauderdale.  We cruise a lot.

 

But I have learned so much reading this board that I think I will try other alternative booking options next time.

 

Will come back a week before (or when we find out) and let you know if we were successful. 

7 days and counting for our standby from Ft. Lauderdale on the 29th. 🤞🤞we get on otherwise we’ll have a

 staycation day at Hard Rock 🤣

We’re standby on the same cruise. Fingers crossed we get on.

Guess you are ready update us on ease of check in and if you were able to get any wireless or drink package. And have a great time

Good for you…were you packed already. Which port? We are standby March 29 cruise from Ft. Lauderdale

On 1/25/2024 at 7:21 AM, FlaMariner said:

 

I agree with that!

 

We are usually not "early adopters" (this example is a good reason why) so it's been great intel to see how this "new" program really rolls.......Now that we see that it is exactly as it states...a STANDBY program, it will not work for us.....Unless we move next door to the port....not a bad idea, actually. LOL. 

 

I'm glad HAL has a plan to fill up the ship with $$$ for situations when guests do not make it to the ship......but for us, planning is half the fun.

1 hour ago, crmc said:

Just notified that we will be sailing on the Amsterdam tomorrow! No cabin assigned.

17 minutes ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Good for you. Be sure it is the Nieuw Amsterdam! Holland America sold the Amsterdam 3 years ago. 

I believe this program is to fill last minute cancellations not to fill unsold rooms. As far as being able to find out you have a cabin up to embarkation, you must be very flexible, live fairly close to port and just go with the flow

1 hour ago, cbr663 said:

Just wanted to add that several posters keep posting that this program is for Inside Cabins.  No where in the T&Cs does it state any type of stateroom at all.  The only mention of stateroom is this statement,

 

"Guests shall have no ability to select or request a certain room type on the Cruise and, if a stateroom is available, guest will automatically be assigned to such stateroom; no upgrades available."

 

I understand fully that if you want to participate you should do so with the understanding that you may indeed receive an inside cabin, but let's not forget this program is to fill unsold staterooms.  Unsold staterooms can be at any stateroom category.

Good to know that notification for not getting on was given and refund should not take too long. We are on standby for March 29. We are 1 1/2 hours away from port. I can have my bags packed quickly! 🤞🤞🤞

Why were you expecting a refund when you thought you weren’t getting a room HA specifically said no cancellations.. seemed like the program worked like it was supposed to and you did get a room after all