olya1972

Thank You, RocketMan.

The total of cabins sold and the total of guarantees sold cannot exceed the number of cabins in that class.

Suppose there are a total of 50 NS on a ship.

Suppose 30 have been booked by specific cabin number (not guarantees).

Suppose 18 guarantee cabins have been sold.

Only two more cabins would be available for sale.

The guaranteed bookings do not have cabins assigned so there is a total of 20 cabins that have not been assigned. These 20 would appear as "available for booking." even though only two more cabins could be sold, ie, would "be left".

Suppose someone calls and books a cabin and another person calls and books a guarantee. No more cabins could be sold and the number available for booking would go from 20 to 19 to zero.

Yes, I understand that. However, out of 11 cabins I was able to do dummy bookings on the upsell department offered only two specific ones, not any two out of 11. That's why I was wondering. Thank You for above explanation, though. It's very clear. (What I am trying to say is that they allowed me to chose out of two specific cabins, not out of 11 cabins they have, even though only 2 of those 11 are available, but it should be any 2, no?)

Just an update. Sailing to Alaska on Oosterdam, May 14th, Seattle round trip. We had our on-line TA contact Up-sell Dept. and were offered an up-sell from VB balcony to Neptune Suite, SA for $448 per person (total $896 for family of four). Original offer came 10 days ago (30 days to sail date) at $1098 per room total, which we declined. This current offer we accepted. Per TA Upsell rep. states there are only two NS left and we were given choice between the two, both NS across from Neptune lounge, one on the port, the other on the starboard side. However, HAL and other websites show about 11 NS available for booking. Is it only particular rooms they offer as up-sell (or is it a sales tactic "the last two rooms left")?

Thank you all who replied.

Hank, we book with different promotion this time (OBC and cheapest rate available at the time), no prepaid gratuities, but I am aware of that perk, received it few times. Thank You.

I am trying to prepay gratuities for our up-coming HAL cruise, but unable to figure out how to do so on HAL website either in MY ACCOUNT or CHECK-In sections. Is it possible to prepay on HAL? How? (We did it easily on NCL) Thank You.

I think you would all be much more comfortable in a neptune suite and the price sounds reasonable. If you can afford it, I would go for it. But, you shouldn't delay because sometimes the offers sell out in a hurry.

Thank You, KAKcruiser.

Juneau: another vote for the Blue Bus. You can also spend more time at mendenhall and return when you want.

 

Sitka: we walked around the town and rented mountain bikes. Got a reindeer sausage for lunch.

 

Ketchikan: the Native Heritage Center was really worth it and about a 20 minute walk from the dock. Totem Bight park is readily accessible by public bus. In 2010 it cost $4 for both of us to go round trip

We are in Ketchikan until 1 pm. Is there enough time to take city bus to Totem Bight park and back? How long is the ride? Thank You.

You need to realize that going from a VB to a Neptune is skipping Signature Suite...I don't know how much lower it will go for you from the VB. The passengers in Signature Suites may get the benefit of a lower upsell cost as they're already in the 'higher rent district'.

 

Remember that just because 20 Neptune suites show as available, that may be only to choose from. It could be that 10 are already sold as guarantees and have not yet been assigned.

 

You might get a lesser cost upsell to a Signature Suite....

Agree with everything you said, have been thinking same thoughts, that's why posted a question here. We actually cannot go to Signature suite because Signature suites can accomadate only up to three people, we are four in a room. In fact, the upsell e-mail came as an offer for Signature Suite for $299 per person (I guess also meaning first two people in a cabin). I had the TA contact HAL and then they offered NS since they can't put our party in Signature Suite. Thank You for your response.

I could never see myself spending that much pp . If you think it won't make much difference to the enjoyment of your cruise, I would stay where you are.

Thank You, Tinknock50. That's exactly the point : I do think it will make a difference with four people in a room which is twice the size, plus suites on Oosterdam have been refurbished, but not the balconies and people have been commenting on wear and tear in balcony cabins. Besides that, we have never been in a suite ( did about 15 cruises). My question is really is it a good deal or we can hold off and do better ( from people's previous experiences)?

We are booked in VB balcony (the only one which is more expensive is VA) and got the up-sell offer for Neptune Suite at $549 per person (Total VB to Neptune suite $1098). We declined hoping to get better offer (Oosterdam to Alaska, 7 days round trip from Seattle). We do want to move to NS, there are four of us in a cabin (two kids). Is it a mistake to hold off for better offer? We are 30 days to sailing. There are 20 NS show as available to book.

Can I call Up sell Dept. directly if I booked through on-line TA? Any question I have cruise company refer me back to TA. Is it different when it comes to up sell? Thank You.

Thank You

Any one who traveled on Oosterdam post January, 2017 smoking change policy: Where are designated smoking areas on that ship. I found some comments here on CC referring to an article citing only one area on starboard site by the pool bar? Are there any other outside smoking areas? Inside areas (like cigar bar, etc)? Thanks.

Of course to brochure price.

I agree that it doesn't make sense since these are larger cabins then the regular balcony.

Signature Suites would be perfect, but they don't allow four in a cabin.

What is rack rate?

I don't think I'm supposed to say the name of a travel agency, but here's the deal: 7 nights in Alaska and kids sail free. No cancellations, refunds or changes. Decent cabin location. Decent online reviews of the travel agency. Less than half the price the cruise line itself is offering it for.

 

So what am I missing? Where's the catch? I can buy private trip insurance, so that takes care of the no refund clause. What else am I missing? I've never booked through a travel agency before (because I've never seen such deep discounts).

 

Please share your experiences with me!

 

Thanks!

Hi, I think I know exactly the deal you are talking about. Unfortunately I am booked on the same cruise at higher rate and non-refundable deposit, so I could't re-book with that deal ($599 inside, $799 balcony, kids sail free, Seattle round trip. ) I contacted the agency offering the deal and spoke with TA there whom I found highly professional and significantly more knowledgeable about HAL ships then my original on-line TA. I did some research and there is an article about these preferred rates right here somewhere on CC website. It actually explains how such rates can be possible. If you can book it, I would definitely do it. Like I said, I was trying to cancel my original booking to take advantage of this deal you mention.

Thank You, DaveOKC.

I asked this question on another thread and then came by this one. We have booked through on-line TA. I am sure the agency is very unlikely to look for me even if they are contacted with up-sell offer. We are four (two teens) in balcony cabin and would love to move to Neptune Suite , but we are also on a budget (Alaska, air fair to Seattle, three days in Seattle, it's a lot). What is the best way for us to go about up-sell and in a manner that will be the least expensive? Is there a chance that HAL would contact us directly via e-mail?Thank You.

BTW. Is there a way to get Neptune Suite without Suite perks ( we just want a larger room), but of course if it allows price reduction?

We booked through third party ( on-line ). Will up-sell offers come to my e-mail or to the online TA (who, I am sure would never contact me)? Thank You.

These are in effect on some Alaska cruises right now for 2017.

We sailed in regular Balcony Oceanview cabin. Allure is a WOW ship. We loved it. We sailed a dozen times on good ships (NCL, RCCL, Celebrity and Princes, new ships, none could compare to Allure in WOW factor). It was in 2014, things might have changed since.

I think you'll still be out of luck should HAL drop their prices. You would still lose the deposit if you were to cancel and rebook under the new pricing. Non refundable means just that. That's how you got a fare you were happy with at the time at which you booked.

I don't need to cancel and rebook in that case. If price drop occurs before final payment and the agency I booked through lowers prices accordingly, price can be adjusted.

When I was asking a question, I was thinking in terms of transferring the booking from one TA to another.

Thank You all who responded.

I would call the cruise line rather then ask here.

 

Keith

I would love to call cruise line, but they don't want to talk to me because I booked through travel agency

Yes, I asked if anything can be done and was told No, I got cheapest price available as per cruise line. The other offer is a specific agency exclusive, came from Travelzoo. HAl website and all agencies show same old prices. I guess I have to wait till HAL changes prices, but my final payment coming up. Never had experience with non refundable deposits before, plus it's our first time with HAl. We sailed on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and once on Princes, but Princess was a last minute booking, so no issues there.

Alberta Quilter, you are correct, I must be out of luck. One thing I don't understand is how there could be such big difference in price among on-line TAs. As far as perks, we don't have any except small OBC same though as in new offer.