A question for Australian HAL cruisers

[colbe]

We are from NZ travelling with DB and SIL(first time cruisers) on a Med cruise. They are from Australia. I know that you have different laws with regards to cruise prices, so I have some questions.

1. When they booked, the travel agent said that the price quoted was inclusive of gratuities. Is it normal in Australia for this to be included in the fare quoted?

2. If so, will their credit card still have a $60 hold placed on it when they board?

3. When they come to pay the final part of the fare, will this be the exact amount as quoted in $A, or will it be based on the $US-$A conversion on the day of payment.

Thanks for your help.

Edited May 10, 2015 by colbe

[Bescotti]

We are from NZ travelling with DB and SIL(first time cruisers) on a Med cruise. They are from Australia. I know that you have different laws with regards to cruise prices, so I have some questions.

1. When they booked, the travel agent said that the price quoted was inclusive of gratuities. Is it normal in Australia for this to be included in the fare quoted?

2. If so, will their credit card still have a $60 hold placed on it when they board?

3. When they come to pay the final part of the fare, will this be the exact amount as quoted in $A, or will it be based on the $US-$A conversion on the day of payment.

Thanks for your help.

 

I've done two HAL Med cruises over the last two years, booking through HAL in Australia, so to answer your questions:

 

1. Gratuities are not included - unless your travel agent is paying for them as an incentive. TAs often say this but this is not true for HAL.

2. A hold will be placed on your credit card to cover onboard spending, not just gratuities.

3. I paid the exact fare that was in force when I paid my initial deposit, regardless if the exchange rate altered.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise. The fact that I have done 2 Med cruises over the last two years shows you how much I enjoyed my time in the Med with HAL.

[colbe]

I've done two HAL Med cruises over the last two years, booking through HAL in Australia, so to answer your questions:

 

1. Gratuities are not included - unless your travel agent is paying for them as an incentive. TAs often say this but this is not true for HAL.

2. A hold will be placed on your credit card to cover onboard spending, not just gratuities.

3. I paid the exact fare that was in force when I paid my initial deposit, regardless if the exchange rate altered.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise. The fact that I have done 2 Med cruises over the last two years shows you how much I enjoyed my time in the Med with HAL.

 

Thank you. That is exactly the information that I wanted.

[freanesi]

I agree with Colbe. We booked through a TA (not HAL). Gratuities were not included with our fare. A hold will be placed on your credit card. If you look on the HAL web site, and log on with your booking number you can find out how much per day they will place on hold. HAL ships (from my understanding) work in $US. So any monies held on the credit card will be in $US converted to $AUD.

 

Good luck with trying to work out how much to allow. I know I have countered into my budget the conversion from $US to $AUD. I have also tried to work out how much to allow for gratuities and spending on board. Who knows! We're on holidays and celebrating an adventure! Happy planning. Jen. :)

[Stratheden]

We are from NZ travelling with DB and SIL(first time cruisers) on a Med cruise. They are from Australia. I know that you have different laws with regards to cruise prices, so I have some questions.

1. When they booked, the travel agent said that the price quoted was inclusive of gratuities. Is it normal in Australia for this to be included in the fare quoted?

2. If so, will their credit card still have a $60 hold placed on it when they board?

3. When they come to pay the final part of the fare, will this be the exact amount as quoted in $A, or will it be based on the $US-$A conversion on the day of payment.

Thanks for your help.

 

We have done a HAL cruise that was booked from Australia and the gratuities were included.

 

It was part of a land/sea package sold by a well known Australian company. Of course our gratuities would have been included in the cost of the tour as was the land tour gratuities. It is just easier for us Australians to deal with a tipping culture that we do not understand.

 

We always choose 'all inclusive tours' whenever possible.

[Wastegirl]

As has been previously answered, you purchase the cruise in AUD from your TA that is what you pay in final payment. However be aware once on board everything is in USD, so your Gratuities, drinks, any souvenirs, casino, speciality restaurants, etc will be on your bill in USD at the end of the voyage and when they take the payment out of your credit card at the end, the credit card company will do the conversion from USD to AUD. So while you bill will say one thing your credit card will say another.

 

Being the type of person I am, I purchased ahead of time On Board Credit, which when purchasing through the HAL website shows it in AUD (though its less when you get on board as it is converted to USD). I purchased enough to cover gratuities and how much I think I would spend on board. That way I have a $0 bill at the end of the voyage, and if there is any left over it is returned to you.