current promotion with shore excursion credit question

[susiesan]

I just rebooked my Sept. 12 Veendam Quebec-Boston cruise under the current promotion. Besides saving $916 for the same Cat G outside cabin I had booked and losing the beverage package, I will be getting a dining package and a shipboard credit of $300. TA says $50 of the ship credit can be used towards beverages and $250 has to be used for shore excursions.

I have never heard of a limitation on how you use your ship credit. I have no details on the dining package and what that involves. I'm ecstatic to save over $900 on the cost of the cruise.

 

I am not interested in the shore excursions as I have a rental car waiting for me at each port. Do you think if I ask onboard I can apply the credit toward other things like beverages, casino chips, or gratuities? Even if they refuse to do this and I don't use the shore excursion credit I'm still way ahead.

[rkacruiser]

I also took advantage, thanks to my travel agent, of the Anniversary Sale package to receive another drop of price (my 2nd) with my 2nd increase in on board credit since booking for the final HAL voyage of the Statendam. My travel agent tells me, based upon her conversation with HAL in Seattle, that the on board credit can be used for any onboard expense. I am sure they would like you to use it for shore excursions, but it is my understanding that it does not need to be.

[DaveOKC]

As has been stated often on this board, no one knows for sure how HAL will handle this (from the Anniversary Sale). So, its up to you to chance it or not.

[Crew News]

Our HAL PCC says that the ship computers have no way of knowing about the excursion-only OBC. OBC is in a single account. So it can be used for any on-board purchases.

[CowPrincess]

Our HAL PCC says that the ship computers have no way of knowing about the excursion-only OBC. OBC is in a single account. So it can be used for any on-board purchases.

 

And my PCC said it was to be used only for shorex. Trust HAL to have no clear answer. Or multiple, different "clear" answers :eek: :D

[DaveOKC]

Our HAL PCC says that the ship computers have no way of knowing about the excursion-only OBC. OBC is in a single account. So it can be used for any on-board purchases.

 

This is exactly what my PCC told me as well, and it makes sense when you see how HAL handles the onboard accounts now. I will use some of my $800 in OBC for excursions and some for other things.

[rkacruiser]

Our HAL PCC says that the ship computers have no way of knowing about the excursion-only OBC. OBC is in a single account. So it can be used for any on-board purchases.

 

Thank you. Nice to know that my travel agent gave me the correct information.:D

[Crew News]

Thank you. Nice to know that my travel agent gave me the correct information.:D

 

We spent two hours at dinner with our HAL PCC (almost 19 years at HAL) in Seattle on Memorial Day and this question was discussed at length with her. When the ship's computers are uploaded with passenger information, there is only one category of OBC in the passenger database. To create a new field in the passenger database for a short term promotion would be a nightmare.

 

Don't look for another "excursion-only" OBC promotion again.

 

FWIW HAL is moving to a new, smaller, building in Seattle and PCC's will be telecommuting from home to allow HAL to take advantage of a Seattle Telecommuting tax write-off.

[cruz chic]

We spent two hours at dinner with our HAL PCC (almost 19 years at HAL) in Seattle on Memorial Day and this question was discussed at length with her. When the ship's computers are uploaded with passenger information, there is only one category of OBC in the passenger database. To create a new field in the passenger database for a short term promotion would be a nightmare.

 

Don't look for another "excursion-only" OBC promotion again.

 

FWIW HAL is moving to a new, smaller, building in Seattle and PCC's will be telecommuting from home to allow HAL to take advantage of a Seattle Telecommuting tax write-off.

 

For once, hals crappy systems work in our favour :D.

[rkacruiser]

Crew News,

 

Thanks for your response. I was aware that a Home Office move was going to take place.

 

I wonder if such telecommuting will work to the benefit of HAL's guests.

[cruz chic]

Crew News,

 

Thanks for your response. I was aware that a Home Office move was going to take place.

 

I wonder if such telecommuting will work to the benefit of HAL's guests.

 

Apparently commuting in Seattle is quite the pain. At my last job I did have the ability to work from home. I can tell you that I was much more productive at home than I was at work. I didn't have the distractions. That said I have a strong work ethic. I'm sure that hal has a way to track productivity. If people aren't doing their job they will likely notice it.

[Crew News]

Crew News,

 

Thanks for your response. I was aware that a Home Office move was going to take place.

 

I wonder if such telecommuting will work to the benefit of HAL's guests.

 

With a HAL cellphone at hand, you may be able to talk to your PCC on weekends and holidays rather than waiting for them to come into the office to check their phone messages. Our HAL PCC lives 42 miles from the current HAL office and is quite happy to save the time/gasoline cost with the new changes. We shall see how clients are affected.

Edited June 15, 2015 by Crew News

[susiesan]

I also took advantage, thanks to my travel agent, of the Anniversary Sale package to receive another drop of price (my 2nd) with my 2nd increase in on board credit since booking for the final HAL voyage of the Statendam. My travel agent tells me, based upon her conversation with HAL in Seattle, that the on board credit can be used for any onboard expense. I am sure they would like you to use it for shore excursions, but it is my understanding that it does not need to be.

 

This is what I thought and hoped, that an OBC can be used for everything. When my agent said HAL would keep track of it, some on beverage sand some on shore excursions, I thought that sounded complicated and too much for the computers to track.

 

I just happened to look at the HAL web site and saw the lower price. My TA never finds these deals. I always find them myself. But she cheerfully changed my booking.

[Lauranne]

I was told by HAL (regular phone in agent) that the Anniversary sale would be regular OBC and indeed that is what it comes up as. I hope that this is true.

Laurie

[poconut]

With a HAL cellphone at hand, you may be able to talk to your PCC on weekends and holidays rather than waiting for them to come into the office to check their phone messages. Our HAL PCC lives 42 miles from the current HAL office and is quite happy to save the time/gasoline cost with the new changes. We shall see how clients are affected.

 

How do you get a HAL PCC? I booked my cruise direct with HAL and each time I have called I have to talk to a different person.

[Crew News]

How do you get a HAL PCC? I booked my cruise direct with HAL and each time I have called I have to talk to a different person.

 

If you ask, HAL will assign you a PCC or you can request one by name.

[IRL_Joanie]

And my PCC said it was to be used only for shorex. Trust HAL to have no clear answer. Or multiple, different "clear" answers :eek: :D

 

Might I suggest that, just from every other poster on this thread, it might be time for you to change PCC's?

 

Just thinking that you might want to take advantage of someone who may be more knowledgeable than the one you have now.... Obvious to me that your current PCC is giving you a different answer than all the rest of us have received from ours.:(

 

I want all of us to be able to take advantage of what we can and to get the right answers. Hope that makes sense....

 

Joanie

[susiesan]

I was told by HAL (regular phone in agent) that the Anniversary sale would be regular OBC and indeed that is what it comes up as. I hope that this is true.

Laurie

 

I got the revised invoice from my TA today showing the lower price. It says:

"$300 OBC, Pinnacle Grill dinner, Canaletto dinner"

 

Nothing about what the OBC is to be used for. Is there something on the online reservation record at HAL website that shows the status of your OBC, price of cruise, dining request,etc? I looked up by reservation number and all I see is the cabin number. Where do I look for reservation details?

[DaveOKC]

I got the revised invoice from my TA today showing the lower price. It says:

"$300 OBC, Pinnacle Grill dinner, Canaletto dinner"

 

Nothing about what the OBC is to be used for. Is there something on the online reservation record at HAL website that shows the status of your OBC, price of cruise, dining request,etc? I looked up by reservation number and all I see is the cabin number. Where do I look for reservation details?

 

Since you booked through a TA, it will not show up online. You have to get a printout from your TA.

[susiesan]

Since you booked through a TA, it will not show up online. You have to get a printout from your TA.

 

Interesting how what shows up online differs between the Carnival brands. I took a Princess cruise in January and every detail about my booking was online: dining time, OBC, price, bed configuration, etc. How odd that HAL shows you nothing other than your cabin number.

Edited June 15, 2015 by susiesan

[DaveOKC]

Interesting how what shows up online differs between the Carnival brands. I took a Princess cruise in January and every detail about my booking was online: dining time, OBC, price, bed configuration, etc. How odd that HAL shows you nothing other than your cabin number.

 

On HAL I can see OBC, price and dining time (no bed configuration) on line. Also transfers and special services purchases (and payments made to date).

 

On the receipt that my HAL PCC sends me I can further see the bed configuation and any "Value added Items" (HAL promotions).

[susiesan]

On HAL I can see OBC, price and dining time (no bed configuration) on line. Also transfers and special services purchases (and payments made to date).

 

On the receipt that my HAL PCC sends me I can further see the bed configuation and any "Value added Items" (HAL promotions).

 

Where are you looking? Under what tab or category?

[DaveOKC]

Where are you looking? Under what tab or category?

 

Under View or Make Payment - on the bottom of the reservation.

[cruz chic]

Under View or Make Payment - on the bottom of the reservation.

 

I believe susiesan said she booked thru a ta. If so she will not see that info IIRC.

[mollyanne]

This is a very timely topic for me since I asked today to have my son's reservation re-fared to include perks from the Anniversary Sale. We have a PCC at HAL and she came through for them. Son and GF are booked in a VF so they picked up $200 in "shore excursion" credit and the dining package!

 

I knew I had read here on CC that the shore excursion credit didn't have to be used for that specific purpose so this is all good news. (I think!) They actually are planning on one excursion through HAL but are booking and paying for it upfront so they do not lose out.