friedaliene

It's very true the time lag for processing seems outrageous. I will cut HAL some slack - I wouldn't want to calculate how many cruises were cancelled between beginning of March 2020 to this very day. They have dealt with thousands of refunds - air travel, excursions, specialty dining, cruise WIFI.  I give kudos to all HAL staff I have talked with over the last 5 months - always polite, courteous. If it had been me on the receiving end of all the calls they have taken - I may very well have blown a gasket.  They heard the same account from unhappy cruisers every day and remained upbeat.

I contacted my credit card provider and the travel insurer attached to the credit card. I was at the discretion of HAL to resolve to issue me a refund credit instead of the FCC.  Because, I cancelled  the first issue of COVID cancel policy - I was tied to this policy. According to credit card policy I had accepted policy "A" - because HAL revised and altered the policy, I was tied to the policy "A" and could not dispute even though HAL was continuously revising.  There may have been at least 4 revisions starting mid-Feb. I was at the behest of HAL if they converted my FCC to a credit refund. The credit refund hit my credit card July 27/20, I terminated my Apr 20/20 cruise Mar 6/20.

It may have taken 5 months for the FCC to be converted to refund credit - so I will be grateful for my refund.

• 3 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

  In my experience and reading others', the credit card company can take up to another 60 days.  

• 23 minutes ago, iancal said:

  I would have been initiating a credit card dispute at 30 days.   End of.  Cannot believe how patient people are and how they make excuses for incredibly poor service.   Posters who have done this have seen their monies returned in three weeks or less.....not three months or more.

   

  I was surprised to learn in late March that I had an future credit coming from a travel provider that does about 8 or nine times annual business that HAL does.   Their first heads up came ten days or so after our stay.  Fifteen days later another email saying a credit note was being process.  Another 15 days and the credit note was sent to us.  That is a total of 30 days from the first advice.  We did not not have to call, wait on hold, or wonder.  Crystal clear, timely communication  with time to resolution commitment met.   An organization that does cruises, AI's , hotels, etc.  The lot.  

   

  Not saying that 30 days should be the norm.  But not saying that anything past 60 is, from my perspective, outside of the customer satisfaction window

   

I'm sorry to say but nothing seems logical or sensible when it comes to cruise pricing, special promotions, OBC's.

The port taxes & fees seem to be consist with other search engines or with the cruise line.  Some internet companies charge a processing fee for booking and cancelling.  We had booked with 3rd party internet and I had $25 fee when booking. Then when I terminated they charged $100 US.  Holland advised early on that the "travel agents" would have their commission paid even for COVID related cancellations.  The 3rd party service refunded me my $100 US but I chased that forever as well.  

If they document the figures things may not add up. After all was said and done I might have been out $25 - $35 US.

Of course the final refund I just received when transferred to my Canadian credit card I lost out on the exchange rate.

When we purchased the exchange rate for buying was 1.34 US and of course with credit cards fees.  The refund used an exchange rate of 1.3038.  With Canadian dollar in the toilet everything in US dollars hurts.  I hope that you get a balance sheet that details  their calculations.  Of course there could be mumble jumble "VOO DOO" who knows.

• On 7/28/2020 at 6:38 PM, gigianne said:

  I waited considerable time for a refund of a cancelled cruise (100+ days).  I have asked for an accounting of how they arrived at the amount I received, not sure how long that will take.  You would think it would be automatic to send one.  

   

Holland America Accounting - Direct Phone number:

• 1 - 888 - 663 - 5984 - option # 3

If you call early Seattle time you have quicker response.  I have phoned later in the day and had wait times as long as 1 hr 15 minutes.

Use some of their lingo on them - we at Holland are being "FLUID" at this critical time.  Push them for someone to expedite your processing - this isn't always effective.  

I have been phoning Holland twice weekly since May 7/20.  Was advised June 21/20 that my request for credit refund had been approved by Credit Approval team.  Also, on my last call on July 21/20 advised that my refund was locked in a credit processing loop ??  Again, was this "CORPORATE" double speak?  Who knows??  What ever the last Holland associate did on July 21, moved my credit from lying in unprocessed "LIMBO" into actual being processed.

Twice I was declined to receive the FCC as an actual "REFUND" credit, this was mid - March and early April.  I think "luck" was on my side the end of April when I got connected to a "Resolution Manager" - Thyme.  He moved my request from declined to "Consideration" for refund approval. By no means has this process been simple. I can be a persistent pest and perhaps I finally wore them down.  All calls are documented on your Cruise account file as well as being recorded.  I kept track of all dates I called and insisted on getting the associates name at the time.  I was advised consistently that my refund was in the "Process Queue", but no one was able to definitively tell me how the request moved up the "Process Queue".

The last Holland credit associate on July 21/20 did something and low and behold my refund was sitting  applied to my credit card this morning July 28/20.

I don't know if you can request a specific Holland associate - the final person who got my refund out of the sludge and got me action was - JULIE.   

• 1 hour ago, JerriBonner said:

  We're still waiting too.  There have been all sorts of reasons.  First said we were not eligible, then that we had not turned in our form asking for a refund, then that it's in process. This has been since March 14.  

I hope your successful in getting your money back in your control.  We didn't want to be locked into a FCC that was time sensitive, meaning you would have to just book something to insure our money was lost to Holland's coffers. 

I'm doing HAPPY HAPPY Dance - cancelled Eastern TA with Holland.  Cruise cancelled Mar 14 - portion of credit was applied as FCC and received portion as a credit.  The cruise would have ended May 9/20.  Holland initially advised that I would be unable to receive actual credit for FCC.  It took twice weekly calls and endless e-mails but today the FCC was converted to actual refund credit to my credit card. 

I can finally put to bed all my follow-ups for refunds of cancellations due to COVID19.

This has been a long and horrendous process to have a credit applied to my credit card.  It's not there yet!! But, a Holland - Accounting associate has advised that the credit was transacted on July 23/20.  WOOO HOOO !!!!

The credit card company has advised that currently transactions take between 10 - 15 business days.

I have called twice weekly since May to inquire about my funds.  Supposedly my credit refund was caught in an accounting loop and was sitting in "LIMBO".  I have every possible body part crossed waiting in anticipation for the credit to hit my credit card.  

When the funds hit my credit card I will do a "HAPPY DANCE" !! 

I don't know where the cruise industry is going to be the near future but I didn't want my funds locked into an "FCC".

Holland has sold 4 ships since this COVID19 began. Do I want to risk cruising before there's a vaccine.

Take care all - stay safe.

We cancelled on Mar 6/20 our Apr 22/20 departure - at this time HAL was offering FCC on the amount that was really no longer eligible for refund but they were allowing FCC for this portion.  I have attached PDF of HAL Press Release Mar 6/20 & Mar 13/20 for your reference. 

I am disputing the FCC credit and have requested a refund to my credit card - this is based on how policy changed almost daily early in COVID.  HAL cancelled our cruise Mar 30/20, but even by Mar 16/20 we would no longer have been able to fly to the US as border was closed for only essential travel.  On Apr. 7/20, they sweetened the pot and would give me 125% FCC plus $250 OBC, if I settled the dispute.  I call weekly to inquire about the refund and advised that it's in "Special Circumstances" queue ??  The dispute does not fall under my Credit Card disputed charges as I got what was being offered at the time.  I will wait for hopefully a decision in my favour. The FCC is still mine if cruising becomes viable ?? I wish you luck getting the FCC which certainly should be allocated to based on the policy.

• 1 hour ago, JerriBonner said:

  We cancelled our March 18 cruise on March 13.  The cruise itself was cancelled a few days later.  On the phone with HA they said because we cancelled before the cruise line cancelled we forfeit the whole amount less the taxes.  We had filled out a form in March where we were offered 100 percent of our cruise refunded or FCC. We elected the refund.  Now they say we don't get it. We're going back to our agent now.

   

Mar 13-20 Press Release Pause of Global Ship Operations.pdf Mar 6-20 Press Release New Book With Confidence Program.pdf

The FCC are not visible on your personal profile page.  Supposedly it is registered under the original booking number of the cancelled cruise. This credit is linked to your Mariner number we just can't see it.  I did receive an e-mail notification directly from HAL advising us of our individual FCC.

• 2 hours ago, seb1899 said:

  Not sure if this is the right place to respond or ask a question.

  ...

• Copy - FCC notification received

A competitor cruise-line has posted a chart of exact dates that claims will be processed. Holland can't be that scattered brained that they don't have a chart for processing claims by cruise departure date.  Maybe they would have fewer calls if they kept us apprised of their time-line for processing and thereby avoid an influx of calls. Just a thought Holland.

• 6 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

  Refunds are coming, if people would stop calling Holland every few days asking for there refunds.they might be able to do it faster.

  The amount of calls Holland is getting every day is crazy.

   

  3 hours ago, VacationCharlene said:

  I totally agree with you BUT this is where HAL could of saved themselves a lot of time, money, etc by being more forthcoming and keeping people apprised with emails etc.  Not until recently have they started adding more information that has been very helpful.  FYI I never called JUST to ask about my refund.......only at a time where I was booking another cruise and had someone on the phone!  Can't wait for things to get back to "normal".  Safe travels all!

   

I don't know the finesse of cruise lines accounting but it appears that extras such as drink packages, excursions or WIFI are credited back much at quicker pace than the actual cruise fare. It seems all the PLUS items are under another dept. control whereas cruise fares fall under the reservations department. Reservations dept. reviews then passes the approved credit to accounting for processing. I could be out to lunch but "Reservations" & "Accounting" are both on cruise credit processing overload. In "Normal" business practice the volume of cancellations being processed is probably small. Supposedly, staff from other areas have been moved to assist with the volume.  From past experience if I book an add on and then cancel the credit shows up approx 3 working days later. 

I filed on Mar 26/20 a claim with Allianz the insurer linked to my Visa / Travel card (Canada) for recovery of certain expenses, yesterday via snail mail dated May 6/20 they are requesting additional documentation. I had called their claims "Hot Line" (that is joke - every one is working from home (WFH) 45 minutes on hold to be advised that it will probably be another 6 weeks before I hear anything. I'm now going to be derogatory the speed that these companies are working is like dealing governmental bureaucracy and yes lots of time government employees. 

Well, I was in contact with Visa / Canada dispute this a.m. I'm waiting for FCC to be returned as full refund credit. According to associate I don't have a dispute to receive cash refund. The dispute reverts back to "Cancellation Policy" as was established at point of purchase. That the refund policy doesn't mitigate based on the "NEW" "Revised" options that have changed 3 perhaps 4 times since early March 2020.  I have escalated in Disputes to a higher power.  Will have to wait and see what out come will be.

I don't have answer for you.  The wait times just keep growing. 

Yesterday on another Roll Call, someone advised that NCL - is headed for bankruptcy.  NCL - is seeking to split shares and seeking outrageous loans to cover them. They have 3 new ships - somewhere in the new build stages.  I haven't looked at Carnival Corp. which falls under corporately but their shares have plummeted as well. Carnival has new ship Mardi Gras currently under construction (big bucks commitment).  

Even RCL - UK president advises that destinations will be coming back over extended period.  

Consider, all the support workers that have been furloughed over this pandemic and getting them to the various ships ports.

RCL - is picking up cruise staff at various ports, taking them all to England and I think they have chartered a flight for these folks to their country of origin they will then get what ever transportation to their home destinations.  RCL advises that to adjust the Medical Infirmaries needs to be addressed as well. 

Personally, I have filed dispute with Allainz - VISA travel coverage, as well waiting on HAL, I'm trying to have all my options covered.  

• Just now, GabbiRose said:

  What reason do I enter on the form for the dispute since I am the one who cancelled it. I'm sorry I even had to consider a dispute. When I first cancelled on 3/7, HAL told me 7-10 days to see the credit back on my card. I waited patiently. After 15 days, I called HAL and they said 30 days. I had no more communications with HAL since that call. I then read on these forum that the wait is 60 days, then 90 days. Well, I am 61 days today and still NOTHING from HAL.

   

I spoke to HAL - reservations associate this morning. As Atexsix indicated, I suggested that HAL could post all the ships / cruise that have had the refunds issued. Keeping us uninformed is only adding to every ones frustration. In fairness I think they are all flying by the seats of their pants. We consumers are fickle purchasers. HAL's biggest problem is "LACK" of public communication, use the web-site to update us. Maybe, we need to take this to HAL face book site. We have more power as a collective.  They view Cruise Critic, but it's not out there for public viewing.

Hello ON cruiser - in Tdot, Too often, I speak without considering the audience. I should have refrained from putting all our American neighbours in one big "Bin".  I also sat on a "VISA - hold" to talk with a Dispute Associate only to have my call dropped - annoying but this is life these days. I am frustrated and want instant gratification of them saying "YES" we will expedite for you. I have to have the patience of respecting the queue - as our cousins across the pond are most respectful of the queue. We lived in the UK - ions ago, I was young and naive, I had a verbal take down for jumping the queue. It's a lesson, I was only required to experience once.

Oh, I do miss having a lovely Greek dinner on the Danforth, having a lazy spring day on Toronto Island, a stroll along the Beachs, or wondering aimlessly thru Ikea without a care in the COVID19 butt. Oh to return to the simple, uncomplicated life.  This too will Pass. 

• Just now, ON cruiser said:

  With all due respect to my fellow Canadian Friedaliene in the charming city of Kitchener, ...   

Let me introduce you all to Pluto Living - there is collection of Pluto's take on how we get thru COVID19.

I hope you enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fzazzle.ca%2Fstore%2Fpluto_living&redir_token=JUbSPg3sls4r1_JMqSfjiLrskQd8MTU4ODIyMTM1NUAxNTg4MTM0OTU1&v=yoAa_3r5qTI&event=video_description

Sorry, but you Americans are way to litigious. So you see a lawyer for consultation at $225 - $300 US an hour.  How many lawyers you think HAL has. So potentially you could exhaust whatever refund your eligible for in legal fees. 

Some one here keeps mentioning BBB - they too are an organization with no clout or muscle.  The BBB is just a joke. They aren't going to fight HAL again they are independent city/town organization trying to help the small business owner in the community. Have some patience is stressing over this going to get you your money any sooner.  friedaliene

• Holland America - 15 ships
• 15 ships = 25,000 passengers
• 10 day cruises = 4.5 weeks (Mar 14 - Apr 25)
• HAL has cancelled global operations until June 30/20 another 9 weeks of 7 days cruises cancelled for another 25,000 deposited / paid passengers
• doesn't include WIFI, pre-booked excursions, Flight Ease arrangements, speciality dining, pre/post hotels thru Holland, beverage packages, pre-paid gratuities.

Is your stressing over this gonna get you your refund any sooner? Any HAL associate I've spoken to has been cordial and pleasant. At least HAL answers their phones, some of the Internet Travel - hotels, flights, cruises don't even pick up their phones.  The world has gone to Hell in a hand basket. Resolve to be nice to these poor folks, they are just trying to pay their rent, feed their families and get thru this COVID19 - HELL. 

Disputed charges under the "old normal" fell under the 60 day's.  In the "COVID19 oxymoron Normal" I'm left with impression this is a movable target.  

I spoke to a resolution specialist today, Holland has shifted staff from "Excursions / Speciality dining" over to processing either FCC or direct refund credit. The Holland associate did ask if I was experiencing financial hardship, employment termination or family member death, I guess they might expedite the refund, I have no explicate reason for pushing this other than I want my money.

As the HAL associate was explaining this pandemic started in Dec/19 with all the ships in Asian ports. Having to re-schedule or refund any passengers booked in Asia. I know they had a World Tour that was due to disembark in Fort Lauderdale but passengers had to be re-routed from Australia. We tend to forget how many thousands of passengers were booked on a fleet of 15 ships over this extended period. I think we need to remember that these poor HAL staffers are hearing the same story over and over by the thousands.  We think our problem or situation is unique and we get caught up in the "big royal "I", I think of it like a two year old the world as they know it is what revolves around them. Everyone's world has been taken out of a normal orbit. Does berating a HAL staffer change the backlog they must be experiencing.  I'm trying to be a softer, kinder, more understanding person during this, stressing and going ape poop isn't gonna make it happen any faster.  friedaliene

Was just speaking to HAL associate (Apr 27/20).  Inquiring as to what strategy credits were being processed.  Basicially, my refund was approved as of Apr 7/20 for cruise departure of Apr. 22/20.  The queue they have established is 60 days from HAL refund approval.  Therefore according to HAL associate, I should see my refund applied to my credit card.

As the associate confirmed HAL has been inundated with requests either under their "FCC" plan or dollar to dollar applied to credit cards.  Hopefully, I can do my "Happy Refund Dance" around June 8/20.  Stay safe and maintain as happy disposition as this COVID19 has ground the world to a stop.  friedaliene

• 1 hour ago, Alibaster McGillicutty said:

  We used big-online-TA for our May 3 Alaskan HAL cruise.  Also booked a pre/post hotel for 1 night each thru them.

  Booked air with Alaska Air.

   

  3/30 we received a notice from big-online-TA that told us HAL cancelled our cruise (which we were patiently waiting for them to do given the situation) and it provided a link. 

   

  Fingers crossed! ...

   

   

  9 hours ago, IPB4IGO said:

  I cancelled a June 28 cruise on March 16. It still showed up on my account until two or three days ago, then it finally disappeared. I haven't received my deposit back yet, of course. ...

   

I just discovered that under NCL corporate banner are Regent Seven Seas and Oceania.  I agree with Janet 76, no one knows how things will shake out after the COVID19 nightmare.

Friends, currently booked on Royal in Nov are wondering if things are gonna be squared away with the virus. Quite a few are beginning to question if the virus and flu will rear their ugly heads. With no vaccine available I don't know if I would want risk the "Petri" dish of a cruise ship.

• 20 minutes ago, Janet76 said:

  We will cancel before final payment given the fact refunds are taking 60-90 days.  Looking at CCL/NCL/RCL financial balance sheet, ALL three companies are bleeding bad. I would not be surprised if any of them file for chapter 11 BK and start diluting stock shares to keep the company afloat. We are not ready to hand out large sum of money during financial uncertainty.

   

From you refunds being processed so quickly, Celebrity under the Royal corporate umbrella is doing fiscally better than poor Carnival Corp.  Also, based on your loyalty to Celebrity they doesn't want an unhappy future cruiser !!  I will do my HAPPY Dance  

- when I receive my FCC back as a credit refund to my credit card.  

Not cruiser related, but received my refund from hotelier in Amsterdam, was booked 3rd party internet server.  Was booked as a non-refundable booking.  I guess when COVID19 "poop" hit the fan all hospitality providers had to re-think their strategy.  

My summation - tourism, hospitality providers are going to be hurting for awhile. All those TA working for internet services from their homes have all been hit.  I will give Holland kudos from paying the commissions to all the 3rd party TA's.  Joanne (aka - friedaliene)   

I've tracking friends that on Royal - T/A in Nov 1/20 (Barcelona).  They have tourism articles advising that Spain might be locked down until New Year 2021.  Also, new concerns about CDC advisement of temperature check prior to boarding.  If you have elevated temp - cruise-line (any) are to deny boarding.  So if your deny boarding, off you trot to find a hotel that are also temp checking and can deny you accommodation.  If, you get to Europe and then have to re-board back to North American - 1. will you find a flight home: 2. will they allow you to board with elevated temp.

Also, Royal has instituted fitness for travel for over '70's, needs to be completed by your family doctor, high blood pressure, COPD, diabetes, heart ailments or conditions. Some travellers questioning validity, I have to assume that it falls under similar criteria as "Pre-existing conditions" for travel / health coverage.  This moves the liability to the traveller.  Stay safe, self distance and now wear the damned masks.  This is my posting from few days ago. Trying to remain positive in this world of craziness.

• On 4/22/2020 at 1:15 AM, friedaliene said:

  I have CYBER flown to Fort Lauderdale - at 7:45 am today in anticipation of boarding my T/A to Amsterdam - ship boarding is Apr 22/20.  Of course I've cyber packed way to much as always.  Paid through the nose for N95 masks - for hubby and me.  Flew a huge Oxygen hyper filter to cleanse our cabin air. and have a case of DUCT tape to seal the windows and doors.  Have 2 personal Hazmat suits that I had converted to have oxygen feed when we leave the cabin. We tried eating soup in Hazmat suits - it's a messy affair.  Sleeping in Hazmat suit is awkward when you need to roll over and going to the Loo - well you don't want me to go there.    

   

  Stay safe and practice Social Distancing.   Joanne (aka - friedaliene)

   

   

Perhaps e-mail to Alan Fox - might get some butts moving.  VTG - says booking associates are working remotely.

Last year, I had issue with TA assigned to my booking, a response from Mr Alan Fox was received, but that could have just been "the standard corporate gobble de goop" .  Any way the e-mail contacts for Mr "President" Fox and a resolution associate this was autumn 2019 are: 

1. cderdak@*****.com - resolution associate (who knows if he's still there)
2. alanfox@*****.com

VTG - COVID19 - update screen advising 30 to 90 days refund processing credits.  The web page also advises if it's possible to delay to Apr 30/20.

They also have Resorts to Go - contact = 800-998-6928

• 23 minutes ago, kstrittm said:

  Wow, I guess I've been bamboozled...  I use Vacations To Go.  I canceled my 3 cruises (2 HAL, 1 RSSC) in March and haven't seen a penny for the deposits or the insurance payments.  My cruise counselor tells me to be patient.  I tried to escalate to her boss, but it looks like he was laid off.  They don't provide a replacement name; only a toll-free phone number that rings off the hook.

   

  Anybody have any suggestions on my next move?  Should I write to Allan Fox (president of VTG)? 

   

  Thanks in advance...

Good Luck.  Joanne (aka-friedaliene)

Dave & Yvonne - Glad to hear you & Yvonne doing well and I assume so are your girls.  I guess things this summer at Montauk might be iffy?  I've not seen the COVID19 numbers for Connecticut but NY state has been hit so hard.  I don't know which side of fence your on politically but Governor Andrew Cuomo certainly comes across above the normal politician.  Some of the WH press meetings are all over the map inconsistent messaging and ill informed medical advice from non-medically trained persons.  I hope Yvonne's aunt and  uncle are healthy as well.  The aunt was a retired military nurse (if my memory isn't in a fog).  

Our one daughter is in suburb of Chicago her company has had her on work from home since beginning of April.  Our other girl, returned back to school and has graduated as a nurse.  This make me (mom) nervous, she was doing home nursing for independent living seniors.  She starts a new position in the ER of one our hospitals, right on the front line.  Things here in Canada aren't great but nothing like the USA numbers.  Our largest impact seems to be in long-term care facilities, Quebec has had great difficulty in senior homes.  Many are still 70's style, 4 bed wards with only curtains.  Margaret / Ian, and Jeff / Brenda are booked on the Allure - TA for Nov 1/20.  Allure is supposed to be in dry dock getting repairs and refurbished.  I have been following their Roll Call - I guess Europe isn't opening up anytime soon so the cruise could get cancelled.  A lot are concerned about travelling without a vaccine available and ships being a huge petri dish.  The Allure isn't in dry dock as Spain still has things shut down.  

Stay safe, healthy and practice self distancing.  This is scary times, tourism and hospitality are gonna take a while for their comeback.  Joanne (aka-friedaliene)

The level of refunds / FCC credits having to be processed by all the cruise-lines is probably huge, really huge. While, I am remaining positive that HAL will come thru I have also processed Visa / Travel Card insurance coverage request.

This is on a Canadian Visa / Travel Card.  There are limitations to the dollar value the insurance covers $1,500 (Cdn.) each. I also sought council from VISA / disputed charges and they have indicated a glimmer of hope that this may be eligible for a disputed charges.  The insurer of the Visa / Travel Card when I filed my claim had 26,000 claims submitted (this is for Canadian Visa card holders only).

My booking was with a 3rd party Internet service, initially they were charging $100 (US) to process the cancellation.  Then HAL published in one of their Press Releases that Travel Agencies and their associates would be receiving the commissions earned on the cancelled bookings.  I contacted the Internet Agency and requested my cancellation fee be refunded as the agency was double dipping.  It took 3 completed calls and numerous others that were dropped and 3 weeks processing time but I got most of my $100 (US) minus all the currency exchange calculations.  I'm NOT complaining about $8.00 short fall in the daily changes for currency exchange. 8 bucks is a coffee and doughnut (that I don't need).

I also am only a 2 Star Mariner most of my clout is with Princess (Platinum).  

I think Carnival Corp - the corporate umbrella needs to recognize travel days between all of their lines.  Royal Caribbean - looks at travel days between all their lines - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara.

• 47 minutes ago, Island Dog said:

  HAL cancelled our 3/27 cruise on The Rotterdam on March 14th. I immediately opted for the refund and actually submitted the request twice for my money back. On April 9th my TA reached out to let me know that my agent I usually do business with was laid off and that this person would be handling my future bookings. I asked if she could check with HAL on the status of my refund since my DW had been laid off and the money would be beneficial. Get this. HAL told her I had requested a FCC! I definitely had not. She was then told I would have to wait up to 60 days from April 9th to see my refund. I don't think I am unreasonable in thinking that it is totally unacceptable for me to have to wait nearly 90 days from when THEY cancelled my cruise to receive my refund. I am only a 2 Star Mariner so I guess I'm not a priority. This whole thing is leaving a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Especially since others who cancelled on their own accord are seeing refunds in days, not waiting for months like me.

   

  1 hour ago, nyceve said:

  My cruise was April 19th from Fort Lauderdale.  HAL is holding a huge amount of my money.  They are not playing fair at all, and risk losing the goodwill of their loyal mariners.  I haven't received anything, I cancelled in March. I am very dismayed with how HAL is handling this.

   

Joanne (aka - friedaliene) 

We cancelled our HAL - T/A on Mar 6/20 - departure date was Apr. 22.  I received early on the Flight Ease portion of my booking as well as the credit still available under cancellation date restrictions.  At the time, HAL was only issuing FCC = to the balance, but no enhanced FCC, for the portion that no fell in cancellation guidelines.  Since then HAL has revised their position and has agreed to a refund credit of the monies sitting as FCC.  I was advised 60 days minimum for processing and that was Apr. 7/20.  I just keep checking my bank records daily if it has been processed through.

• 2 hours ago, Reagan0712 said:

  I’m not looking for the refund of my cancelled Alaska cruise until at least July or August.  I filled out the refund cancellation as soon as HAL stated the cruise was cancelled. Today I received an email informing me that I still needed to provide them with my flight information for my arrival in Alaska.  This tells me the cancellation as not yet been processed.

   

  1 hour ago, gigianne said:

  I am now just past 6 weeks since cancelling on March 8th.  I had received a reply e from HAL  7 - 14 business days to process, then in another e, 4 - 6 weeks.  The 6th week was yesterday.  Patience is a virtue I guess.  

   

Hi Martha/Dave, Yvonne/Dave- Joanne from T/A 2018 Jewel of the Sea.

We were scheduled to leave on T/A - today actually but of course tourism has been turned upside down.  I hope this message finds you and Tom holding up with this COVID19.  Jeff & Brenda and Margaret & Ian are scheduled for T/A - Nov 1/20 out of Barcelona. The Allure is supposed to be in dry dock get repairs and cabin upgrades but currently nothing happening on the ship.  I managed to recover and cancel all my hotels or venue bookings but still waiting for final refund to my credit card.  All the lines offering FCC at 125% plus varying OBC ranging for $125 to $250 based on number of cruise days.  I opted for refund credit - who knows when tourism and hospitality industry will be up and running again.

Here's my post from our cancelled T/A.

• I have CYBER flown to Fort Lauderdale - at 7:45 am today in anticipation of boarding my T/A to Amsterdam - ship boarding is Apr 22/20.  Of course I've cyber packed way to much as always.  Paid through the nose for N95 masks - for hubby and me.  Flew a huge Oxygen hyper filter to cleanse our cabin air. and have a case of DUCT tape to seal the windows and doors.  Have 2 personal Hazmat suits that I had converted to have oxygen feed when we leave the cabin. We tried eating soup in Hazmat suits - it's a messy affair.  Sleeping in Hazmat suit is awkward when you need to roll over and going to the Loo - well you don't want me to go there.    

   

  Stay safe and practice Social Distancing.   Joanne (aka - friedaliene)

•  

  On 11/13/2019 at 12:53 PM, MiniChunks said:

  ...

  

• On 11/10/2019 at 12:27 PM, hannahsnana said:

  Hello Joanne!

  So good to hear from you! I think often of that TA and all the great people we met! Unfortunately we have not had the chance to cruise with any of them again! ...

  Martha

   

   

FYI - Press Release:  Carnival Corp - April 14/20 - Global Pause of Operations through to June 30/20.

This covers Carnival, Princess, Holland America & Seabourn. Other lines under Carnival Corp: Cunard, Aida, P & O, or Costa currently aren't included in this pause of operations.  They are still holding operations until May 15/20.

Princess / Alaska will not be operating nor the lodges, trains under the land packages.  Of course Canada has closed it's ports of operation until July 1/20.

• I send this text only as a caution. I can't foresee into the future I read lots and trying to digest where the cruise industry is at this point and time. Many of you will likely elect to take an enhanced FCC.  Also, I realize that many were booked with other corporation. The current share value for Carnival Corp has gone from $56 Dec. 26/19 to a current Apr. 3/20 posting of $8.62 a share. On Mar 13/20 Carnival Corp. secured the final portion of loan procurement balance of $3 billion to shore up the Corp due to COVID19.  For the fiscal year end of November 2020, Carnival Corp is predicting a net loss.

   

  The American Federal government is not including the cruise industry for any type of funding assistance.  The cruise industry has chosen to register their business off-shore.  If you don't pay American taxes why should you received American assistance?

   

  All cruise-lines have taken a huge financial hit it will remain to be see who comes out the other side.  

  I was prudent and chose to cancel early. I managed to recover all my commitments on flights, hotels and extended travel in Europe.  In talking to an associate on Apr 2/20 - VISA - Travel Card (Canada) insurance coverage to date they have 24,000 requests for funds recovery - this insurance is to a maximum of $1,500 (Cdn) per individual.  I also spoke to an associate with Visa / Disputed charges, they too are overwhelmed and working with reduced staff. Their position was attempt resolution with the Vendor / Holland .

I cancelled Mar 6/20 for cruise departure Apr 22/20.  My only option at time was FCC for portion of cruise past cancellation deadline plus credit card refund for balance of cruise plus the Flight Ease booking.  I had requested that the FCC be refund back to credit card.  This was declined twice.  On Apr 7/20 - Holland will now issue the FCC they hold, back as a refund to my credit card.  I was advised that this accounting process could take up to 60 days.

Stay safe, self distance.