Holland America to Introduce a New Promotion Called Explore4

[Laminator]

It's more the comments that HAL older pax can't handle their liqour that are offensive. I'm a lightweight when it comes to drinking and I know for a fact I've never made a fool of myself when I've had a bit much. Maybe because I'm 52:rolleyes:.

 

I am not discussing drinking capability. I am discussing marketing strategy. On a good night I can still drink a youngster under the table. The only problem is that I need 2 days to recover while the youngster is back at it again the next day.

[chloes nana]

I received the explore4 catalog yesterday. The word is out.

 

Paraphrasing some of the small print: [Offer] available to recipients of this mailing only, ID number required at booking. 2013 December holiday sailings and select 2014 sailings. Can not combine with shipboard credit offers. Reduced deposit available for new bookings only. Offers are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Limits on beverages consumed and no sharing. More.

 

according to your message then it will not be available for everyone?? only the recipients of the mailing??? And Lisa, what are the messages attached to the ** in your message?

[chloes nana]

Just got the email about this from our TA, but it said it was a limited offer and ends 15 October? They gave me the list of valid cruises in a PDF if you want it.

 

IWANT IT!! can you send it to mee at eeore15atmsndotcom?

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have to say that I got the 123 Go sale from Celebrity for this past April (and the coming Nov and Jan cruises) and since the drink package was free, I never felt like I needed to get my money's worth (it was free!). If I had paid for the package, maybe it would have been different? but since it was free, I just really enjoyed not worrying about it and having a drink when I wanted and if I didn't like something I ordered, I didn't finish it, etc. Really, since the Celebrity drink package includes bottle water, I ended up drinking way more bottled water then I normally would have! The free drink package with the 123 Go sale was the best deal ever (for us at least based on the price we had already paid for the cruise and when we booked anyway. For others on our cruise who had booked earlier than us, it didn't make sense for them to switch to it as they would have paid way more for their room).

 

I am a bit confused though, does HAL have a drink package already? It seems I have read the drink price limit is $7 and there may be a limit of 15 drinks a day. We had a package that sounds like that on Carnival, and I really didn't enjoy it (and it didn't include bottled water). There was also confusion of whether or not pop was included in your 15 drinking, if it is the 15 is easy to hit and would be a waste (I didn't drink and pop because no one could tell me that for sure). On Carnival I don't know that I ever hit the 15 drinks, but I was constantly worried about buying a $5 or less drink and wasting one of my 15 drinks! :rolleyes:

 

Drink Package -- $39.99 per person per day + 15% gratuity. You are limited to 15 drinks a day. Nothing over $7 -- no premium alcohols. House wines only. Each person in the cabin has to buy the package.

 

When we got on the Westerdam in March for a 20 day cruise -- it was offered. It would have cost us $1600 plus the 15% gratuity. No way can we drink that much every day.

 

I asked the bar tender if they sold any of the drink packages -- nope.

 

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have been comparing lots of the prices for this new program hopefully someone at HAL is still tweaking this or the buyers are really going to be getting ripped off :eek:

I have been comparing pricing and just to give you an idea I looked first at the March 10th 2013 Noordam. The price different between purchasing under the current Advantage Fares or with the Explore4 is Drastic and the higher the category the bigger the difference.

Inside cat MM will cost your $450.00 more per person, Balcony cat. VF will cost you $550.00 more per person, SY will cost you $750 more per person SC (this was the odd one) $600.00 more per person, SB $720.00 more per person and SA was $820.00 more per person. Then I moved on and selected the Zuiderdam Alaska for May 17, 2014 this was cat MM inside $900.00 more per person, cat H OV $1100.00 more per person.Bal VF $1700.00 more per person SY was $3300.00 more per person and a shocking $3250 more per person for the SA :eek:

 

Now all I can say is that I am truly hoping they are still tweaking the prices and although HAL claimed this was not starting till the 29th they are offering this now so just be very careful what pricing you are getting. Although the sticker shock along could make you question what you are buying.

Edited July 26, 2013 by LAFFNVEGAS

[Cruising-along]

I have been comparing lots of the prices for this new program hopefully someone at HAL is still tweaking this or the buyers are really going to be getting ripped off :eek:......snip......

 

Now all I can say is that I am truly hoping they are still tweaking the prices and although HAL claimed this was not starting till the 29th they are offering this now so just be very careful what pricing you are getting. Although the sticker shock along could make you question what you are buying.

 

Good advice if someone hasn't already booked, or are paying a very low price for their booking. We had this added to our existing booking, and paid nothing extra to get it. So for us it's a great deal, like getting another $1200+ OBC. As for future possible price drops, I was told it won't be impossible, we will cross that bridge when/if we get to it and make a decision then on whether this is still a good deal for us. :)

[Windsailer]

I was able to add this to my existing booking - Alaska September 2014, but they intially took away my Welcome Back OBC. After a lengthy conference call with HAL and my TA, they gave it back, since it's listed as combinable in the brochure. HAL also said that the CCL stock OBC will also be combinable.

[iancal]

Drink packages do not work for us-either wine, spirits, or soft drinks. Any promotion from a cruise line in this regard is lost on us.

 

Years ago the cruise lines did the 'mattress' thing. Published a brochure with inflated prices and then lured the customers in with 50 percent off sales.

 

As an OP said, now they are reverting to car sales promotion tactics. I guess that means more junk mail for us.

 

Next it will be $99. down and don't pay a dime until 2015.

[Cruising-along]

I was able to add this to my existing booking - Alaska September 2014, but they intially took away my Welcome Back OBC. After a lengthy conference call with HAL and my TA, they gave it back, since it's listed as combinable in the brochure. HAL also said that the CCL stock OBC will also be combinable.

 

Sorry your TA had to argue to get the Welcome Home OBC.

 

Ours was combinable with all our OBC:

(Shareholders, Welcome Home, and Future Cruise Deposit)

 

 

[boards]

We also had all OBC combined - Future Cruise Depoist, Welcome Back and a promotional OBC for a total of $350 (we only booked an OV cabin).

[Phyllis13]

I was able to add this to my existing booking - Alaska September 2014, but they intially took away my Welcome Back OBC. After a lengthy conference call with HAL and my TA, they gave it back, since it's listed as combinable in the brochure. HAL also said that the CCL stock OBC will also be combinable.

Do any of you good folks know whether this promotion is going to be offered to us Brits please. We booked our first HAL cruise some weeks ago for Alaska in June 2014 (our cruise is on the list). Any information would be much appreciated:o

[Cruiser Andi]

Do any of you good folks know whether this promotion is going to be offered to us Brits please. We booked our first HAL cruise some weeks ago for Alaska in June 2014 (our cruise is on the list). Any information would be much appreciated:o

 

Hi! I didn't receive the offer by mail like others have. I did call HAL yesterday and was able to get the package. Give them a call and ask to see if you can have it too.

[ICUQT]

Hi! I didn't receive the offer by mail like others have. I did call HAL yesterday and was able to get the package. Give them a call and ask to see if you can have it too.

 

I just had my TA call and I also was able to get this package with no upcharge to my already booked cabin. If it wasn't for CC I would not have known as I have not got any mailings from HAL but then again it is not to be unvailed until July 29 so I am not surprised by that. At any rate I am glad I got it and it hasn't cost me anything.

 

bob

[NMJack]

n it is not to be unvailed until July 29 so I am not surprised by that

 

 

I'm surprised that people are saying this is not to be unveiled until the 29th... I received a HAL brochure earlier this week (monday or tuesday)... and didn't even realize that it has this promotion on the cover.

 

The cover says "Explore4 cruise catalog"... there's a younger couple on the cover, the woman is an asian wearing a red dress.

 

who knows, maybe the post office delivered mine too early.

 

oh, and for the record, I'm a 1 star mariner (just 1 7 day cruise previously) not a travel agent... although i have been hitting the HAL website frequently lately checking on a carib. cruise for January or December... so i've been getting alot of mailings lately... about once every 3 weeks. For those that want more mail from HAL... enter your Mariner ID number when searching for cruises.

[cruz chic]

<snip>For those that want more mail from HAL... enter your Mariner ID number when searching for cruises.

Yeah, it doesn't work that way. It seems that many peole have presented theories of why folks don't recieving mailings and I think it comes down to one thing. If you have a long histroy with HAL and have a current cruise or 2 booked you will not receive anything. I know there are a few exceptions to every rule. I enter my mariner number each and every time and I'm on the website a lot.

Edited July 26, 2013 by lorekauf

[Phyllis13]

Hi! I didn't receive the offer by mail like others have. I did call HAL yesterday and was able to get the package. Give them a call and ask to see if you can have it too.

 

Thanks for this. Do you know if we can approach HAL directly as we booked through a TA? :)

[IRL_Joanie]

Check back on July 29th, I probably was a bit premature in posting :o This is not Officially Lauching till July 29th. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up ;)

 

Lisa, whether it is officially on HAL's site yet or not, it appears it is Official. EDITED TO ADD: What I meant was that IF it is not linked on HAL's Site yet, there is a Link to it in the Notification email (see below the images).

 

I say this because last night we booked a cruise on NA for 9 December 2014 and got the following in my email about 5 minutes later:

 

Open Immediately: Important Notification for Booking #

 

 

The link it has on the notification is now up and running also:)

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/explore4

 

Joanie

Edited July 26, 2013 by IRL_Joanie

[e_brick]

I called Ship Services to Reserve the offered Pinnacle Grill in my Explore 4 offer and was told the reservation is made by the staff ahead of time and you must attend that day/time only.

 

I went back to the Explore 4 web screen and linked to the Terms and Conditions and read the official wording for it and the other items. Note no chance for random drawing for a Le Cirque night!!!

 

You will receive the reservation in your cabin on your embarkation day.

 

I have always enjoyed the Pinnacle Grill dining experience, and look forward to our surprise day and time.

[kazu]

I was able to add this to my existing booking - Alaska September 2014, but they intially took away my Welcome Back OBC. After a lengthy conference call with HAL and my TA, they gave it back, since it's listed as combinable in the brochure. HAL also said that the CCL stock OBC will also be combinable.

 

I just had my TA call and I also was able to get this package with no upcharge to my already booked cabin. If it wasn't for CC I would not have known as I have not got any mailings from HAL but then again it is not to be unvailed until July 29 so I am not surprised by that. At any rate I am glad I got it and it hasn't cost me anything.

 

bob

 

I'm just wondering why some are able to get it with no upcharge and others not? I was in the boat that there was an upcharge as Lisa described earlier. It wasn't worth it for us to take it (cost more than it was worth).

 

It seems strange that some are getting it with no up charge. perhaps they are fixing the pricing slowly?? One can only hope

[startwin]

Yeah, it doesn't work that way. It seems that many peole have presented theories of why folks don't recieving mailings and I think it comes down to one thing. If you have a long histroy with HAL and have a current cruise or 2 booked you will not receive anything. I know there are a few exceptions to every rule. I enter my mariner number each and every time and I'm on the website a lot.

 

I think you are absolutely right. Many moons ago I used to get regular emails and specials from HAL. But for quite a few years now, we always have at least one cruise booked. And we get nothing. In fact, right now I am feeling pretty shafted by HAL and not happy with them at all, but not ready to elaborate yet. I will, eventually.

[kazu]

Everyone should be offered the same amenities. The point I am trying to make is I believe HAL is trying to accommodate a younger demographic. Actually the word accommodate is not the correct word to use as they do not have much of a younger demographic. They are trying to get that younger demographic on their ships. And when they do they will be offered great deals on future cruises as one star mariners. Look at the comments in this thread. Most of the responses revolve around 7 drinks a day is being quite a bit. One response states 10pm just became 6pm.

 

Do you really think that HAL does not know their market? Of course they do. They realize that a younger crowd drinks more. I remember back in the day....(barely)

 

Breakfast of Champions - 1 or 2 Bloody Mary's

Lunch - 1 drink

Afternoon at the pool 3 more drinks

Dinner - 1 or 2 more drinks

 

I have pretty much hit the 7 drink limit and the night is still young. Now I'll be paying for the next 3 or 4.

 

Mrs. Laminator has yet to hit the back in the day period but she gets her drinks free from the casino so there is no costs.

 

I don't know if this will attract the 'younger' demographic in all honesty.

 

The younger demographic seem to like newer, brighter, shinier ships. It doesn't matter to many of them if there are 3,000 or 4,000 passengers. They like new and even HAL's newest ship is old to them.

 

If you take a look, I think you will find that HAL probably has the oldest overall fleet in the mass market.

 

That being said - some of them definitely like drink packages - but some of the older demographic also like them:D

[NextOne]

My PPC just replied that it would require rebooking to get the Explore 4 package and prices have gone up substantially since we originally booked. Grrrr! :mad:

Edited July 26, 2013 by NextOne

[sail7seas]

Thanks for this. Do you know if we can approach HAL directly as we booked through a TA? :)

 

 

If you used a TA to make your booking, all dealings with HAL have to go through TA.

 

[Windsailer]

:mad:The small print in their Terms and Conditions:

 

Free Specialty Restaurant dinner: Guests who purchase an inside stateroom will receive one complimentary Canaletto dinner per person; guests who purchase Ocean-view Obstructed category staterooms and above will receive one complimentary Pinnacle Grill dinner per person. Specialty Restaurant offer is not transferrable or refundable. Reservations and dining times will be assigned and a confirmation card for Specialty Restaurant dining will be placed in your stateroom upon embarkation day.

 

What if I don't want to eat there at 8:30 pm on a Formal Night? Doesn't appear to be any way to change the reservation. I guess we'll see how it works during the roll-out.

[DSLibrarian]

I'm just wondering why some are able to get it with no upcharge and others not? I was in the boat that there was an upcharge as Lisa described earlier. It wasn't worth it for us to take it (cost more than it was worth).

 

It seems strange that some are getting it with no up charge. perhaps they are fixing the pricing slowly?? One can only hope

 

We got it without an increase but I wonder if that's because we booked a year and a half out and there has been no change in fare at all (and, believe me, I've been watching for one!!) I expect, if there is a decrease worth it to us and we are able to get it, we will lose this.