"Too much" onboard credit/White Pass+Yukon RR

[fann1sh]

Yes, this is silly, but - help!

 

We're going to Alaska on Nieuw Amsterdam on the last run of the season: my "sister" and our 90+ dad.

 

We booked small boat whale watching for Juneau, and flightseeing with Michelle for Ketchikan. Ship's own White Pass train for Skagway pre-booked through HAL, but.....what do we do with onboard credit?

 

$13.50 x 3 x 7 = just over $300 for hotel service charge will knock off a chunk, but we have $550. We booked before Explore4 expired, so drinks are already included.

 

"NO" to: gambling, internet, spa, and (*sigh* I wish it weren't so) Pinnacle and Canaletto dining - still arguing with Sis about that one.

 

We don't want a cabana because we already have a wake watch balcony.

 

My retirement hobby is buying jewellery wholesale and reselling at a modest profit, so...."no" to the shops.

 

I keep circling back to that pre-booked train excursion. Should I cancel, then re-book onboard?

 

I want to be absolutely certain we get on, as the train is such a highlight. Want to use the pier spur for Dad's knees sake. We may have him in a transport chair.

 

Has ANYONE ever heard of the train selling out? It was my impression they just add more rolling stock if seats begin to sell out.

 

Can you cash out unused onboard credit at cruise end?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[TiogaCruiser]

In the past several people have posted instructions on how to cash out in the casino.

[jtl513]

Since the WP&YRR is a "must do" I wouldn't take a chance on cancelling and rebooking. It might be limited capacity, and there might be a waiting list that would take your spots.

 

Can you cash out unused onboard credit at cruise end?

That depends on the source. If it came from HAL or Carnival (stockholder credit) then generally not, but if it came from TA/friends/family/self then it is refundable.

 

You could "cash out" a few hundred by charging $100 or $200 against your room card in a casino slot machine, taking a few spins, and then cashing out. You can each do it on different nights.

 

You didn't say "no" to pictures for the memories.

 

If all else fails, increase your HSC so at least it goes to the crew rather than HAL.

 

:)

Edited July 19, 2016 by jtl513

[fann1sh]

Thanks! TiogaCruiser, you were first with the casino suggestion, but....thanks, John, for explaining how that works.

 

HAL was supposed to pony up a $300 credit, and the rest is the ta, but I don't want to get in a tug-of-war, "Who's on First?" over which money goes where.

 

Increasing the service charge if the casino fails.

[jtl513]

HAL was supposed to pony up a $300 credit, and the rest is the ta, but I don't want to get in a tug-of-war, "Who's on First?" over which money goes where.

I've never been in the situation, but have read many times that money from HAL gets used first.

 

I didn't check on the "last run of the season" N.A. sailing, but on 7/26 the WP&YRR is waitlisted ... so apparently it is limited capacity at least sometimes.

Edited July 19, 2016 by jtl513

[alwaysfrantic]

Is it a credi from your travel agent or from HAL? If it's a travel agency incentive just have it refined to your credit card on file at the end of the cruise.

[sue1898]

I highly recommend the behind the scenes tour of the ship. We did it a couple of weeks ago on the Nieuw Amsterdam. It's fascinating! You might want to check it out. Cost is $150 pp and it's 1 hour on a port day and 2 hours on a sea day. There is lots of walking including stairs.

[avian777]

I've never been in the situation, but have read many times that money from HAL gets used first.

 

This has been our experience as well.

 

FWIW, OP: (1) IMO the "White Pass+Yukon RR" is truly a "must-see/must-do" excursion and (2) IMO the last run of the season is the best time for an Alaskan cruise.

 

Smooth sailing ...

[Alberta Quilter]

I supposed laundry is included with your room since you're paying the higher HSC already but if it isn't, get that. Does anyone play bingo? That will eat up quite a bit of OBC.

 

Other than those suggestions, I agree with the suggestion of the Behind the Scenes tour. It was great; I just considered it a shore excursion at sea (it was one tour, on a sea day, when I did it) in 2011.

[DaveOKC]

Since the train is rather large and they run several trains a day, I would seriously doubt that you would not be able to book once onboard. Just to be safe however, I would book it first thing after I boarded.

 

As to different train times, it should not matter much to you as the only other thing to do in the area is to go into town and shop (or tour the train station). There is an inexpensive bus to the ship or it is about a mile walk.

Edited July 19, 2016 by DaveOKC

[OlsSalt]

Check how many other ships might be in port on the same day to see the wait list potential for the White Pass RR - indeed something that should not be missed along with the US Park System information center in town about the Yukon Gold Rush. The more you know and read ahead of time, the more extraordinary this train ride becomes.

[kevingastreich]

I highly recommend the behind the scenes tour of the ship. We did it a couple of weeks ago on the Nieuw Amsterdam. It's fascinating! You might want to check it out. Cost is $150 pp and it's 1 hour on a port day and 2 hours on a sea day. There is lots of walking including stairs.

 

I've always wanted to do this. Can you book ahead of time or only once you are on board? Also, do you book it over the phone or do you have to go to the front desk (or elsewhere)? Thanks.

[david,Mississauga]

If there is more than one ship in port there is normally a train for each ship. The WP&Y has a lot of coaches (about 85 as of last year) but there is a practical limit to the number operated on each train.

 

Last year the conductor told me that on one day there would be five "sections" of the morning train. Four were for ship's excursions and one would leave the Skagway station. Each train would have about 15 coaches.

 

If the HAL excursions are sold out it may be possible to buy tickets from the railway, but most likely you would have to board at the station in town, although I have seen the "HAL" train stop at the edge of town for a few non-cruise ship passengers. The saving in booking direct with the railway is almost nothing, unlike many other shore excursions which earn a lot of profit for the cruise line. Depending on the pier, the train may be parked immediately alongside the vessel - a good reason to book the ship's train.

[DaveOKC]

If there is more than one ship in port there is normally a train for each ship. The WP&Y has a lot of coaches (about 85 as of last year) but there is a practical limit to the number operated on each train.

 

Last year the conductor told me that on one day there would be five "sections" of the morning train. Four were for ship's excursions and one would leave the Skagway station. Each train would have about 15 coaches.

 

If the HAL excursions are sold out it may be possible to buy tickets from the railway, but most likely you would have to board at the station in town, although I have seen the "HAL" train stop at the edge of town for a few non-cruise ship passengers. The saving in booking direct with the railway is almost nothing, unlike many other shore excursions which earn a lot of profit for the cruise line. Depending on the pier, the train may be parked immediately alongside the vessel - a good reason to book the ship's train.

 

We booked our own from the train station but used a local company (who picked us up at the ship and dropped us off at the downtown station) to do it. Nice thing about this was that we had the entire car for the three of us! The main reason we did this was that we wanted to do a train ride "up" and a small bus ride "down". We ended up downtown to explore (we could have been dropped off at the ship if we wanted). The entire trip was great.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I've always wanted to do this. Can you book ahead of time or only once you are on board? Also, do you book it over the phone or do you have to go to the front desk (or elsewhere)? Thanks.

 

You have to book on board. It's very limited, so I'd go to the front desk asap and ask about it. We did it on Zuiderdam 4 or 5 years ago, and it was definitely worth it. I think the front desk made the arrangements back then, but that may have changed.

[sue1898]

You have to book on board. It's very limited, so I'd go to the front desk asap and ask about it. We did it on Zuiderdam 4 or 5 years ago, and it was definitely worth it. I think the front desk made the arrangements back then, but that may have changed.

 

Correct, book on board. We were in a suite so went immediately to Neptune Lounge and had the concierge sign us up. There must be at least 3 people sign up to have it and maximum is 8. We had 3 and it was great that it was so personal. There is a small blurb in the On Location boarding day but they do not promote it otherwise. At the end of the second tour you get a goody bag and a free adult beverage of your choice at the Ocean Bar (great time to splurge over the $8 limit of the beverage package)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done the train excursion in Skagway 3 times.

Twice it was sold old -- sometimes there are several ships there as well as a ship's excursion from Haines that can fill up the trains quickly.

Check the date you will be in Skagway at this site and see how many ships will be in port with you:

http://claalaska.com/?page_id=632

[just_cruising_along]

I've always wanted to do this. Can you book ahead of time or only once you are on board? Also, do you book it over the phone or do you have to go to the front desk (or elsewhere)? Thanks.

 

You should go to the front desk as soon as you can when you board. They will take the $150 per person immediately. We did this last year and it was great. Our tour was broken up into two-days and if you are curious how things run, this is a great way to learn.

 

If you have your heart set on a shore excursion, I would keep it as you have it and not worry about rebooking once onboard. The lines for the shore excursion office the first day can be long, crowded and a bit chaotic.

 

Did you mention Internet? That should eat up your OBC fairly quickly :)

 

Have fun.