Selected cabin changed to a Guarantee!

[Sopwith]

It's been a while since we sailed with HAL. We became disenchanted a few years ago and have avoided them, but since we spotted an itinerary that appealed we thought we'd give it a try again to see if things have improved.

 

However, we're off to a bad start. We selected a certain cabin and paid the deposit. After final payment and looking at the invoice I see that they have switched us to a Guarantee for the same category. I realize that this could work out to our advantage, however we could also be directly under the Lido restaurant or the pool deck, which we specifically wanted to avoid. I had our TA check, and they claim they don't know how it happened. They have allegedly promised to get our selected cabin back or upgrade us. I'm afraid I don't trust them to come through.

 

Is this normal for HAL these days to switch you out of a selected cabin without asking or telling? Doesn't bode well for our future relationship, which is already fragile.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I've never heard of this happening, so I'd have to say that this is not normal. It sounds to me like somebody in Seattle bumped a wrong key somewhere. Or maybe someone wanted to book your cabin for a special reason (like adjoining its neighbor) and instead of contacting you or giving you a nearby assignment, they tossed you into the guarantee pool when they gave away your cabin. Just guessing, trying to make sense of something that doesn't make sense.

 

I hope they can get your cabin back. Guarantee prices often drop after final payment. If they can't retrieve your choice of cabin, I think they should reprice your reservation at the current guarantee price (assuming it's lower) or give you a nice upgrade.

 

I prefer to choose my cabin and say "do not upgrade." If this happened to me, I'd keep calling until they make it right.

Edited August 2, 2016 by 3rdGenCunarder

[jtl513]

Is this normal for HAL these days to switch you out of a selected cabin without asking or telling?

We were once moved three cabins down the hall from the one we had chosen to another at the same category without contacting us. I think they wanted our choice because it was connecting.

[rocsailor]

I've never heard of this happening, so I'd have to say that this is not normal. It sounds to me like somebody in Seattle bumped a wrong key somewhere. Or maybe someone wanted to book your cabin for a special reason (like adjoining its neighbor) and instead of contacting you or giving you a nearby assignment, they tossed you into the guarantee pool when they gave away your cabin. Just guessing, trying to make sense of something that doesn't make sense.

 

I hope they can get your cabin back. Guarantee prices often drop after final payment. If they can't retrieve your choice of cabin, I think they should reprice your reservation at the current guarantee price (assuming it's lower) or give you a nice upgrade.

 

I prefer to choose my cabin and say "do not upgrade." If this happened to me, I'd keep calling until they make it right.

Could someone please help me to understand booking procedures to me? I made my deposit on a western Carribian cruse and they booked me in to a numbered cabin and this shows up on my website as the cabin I booked, am I to think that this will change after final payment. Have always been given the cabin I booked before on Hal?

[gophercruiser]

To the OP, did you book with a TA or direct with HAL. Either way you should have received a final invoice showing either a numbered cabin or a "guarantee" and from this you would make final payment. Did the TA or Hal not ask you if you would accept an "upgrade" at no cost if available. Errors can indeed happen but the chance that your booking agent did not follow proper procedures is much more likely.

[Cruizer Bill]

I've never heard of this either. It's time to take action. Jump on the phone to your Travel Agent and if this does not fix the situation, call HAL. Are you sure this cabin choice was confirmed? Are you sure that the cabin your requested was actually available? If so, jump into action and don't suffer in silence.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Could someone please help me to understand booking procedures to me? I made my deposit on a western Carribian cruse and they booked me in to a numbered cabin and this shows up on my website as the cabin I booked, am I to think that this will change after final payment. Have always been given the cabin I booked before on Hal?

 

 

It happened to us on Princess one time but never on HAL.

Be sides seeing your cabin number on HAL's cite, be certain that you get a confirmation showing your cabin number.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It's been a while since we sailed with HAL. We became disenchanted a few years ago and have avoided them, but since we spotted an itinerary that appealed we thought we'd give it a try again to see if things have improved.

 

However, we're off to a bad start. We selected a certain cabin and paid the deposit. After final payment and looking at the invoice I see that they have switched us to a Guarantee for the same category. I realize that this could work out to our advantage, however we could also be directly under the Lido restaurant or the pool deck, which we specifically wanted to avoid. I had our TA check, and they claim they don't know how it happened. They have allegedly promised to get our selected cabin back or upgrade us. I'm afraid I don't trust them to come through.

 

Is this normal for HAL these days to switch you out of a selected cabin without asking or telling? Doesn't bode well for our future relationship, which is already fragile.

 

 

This is not normal. Hopefully you will get your original cabin back. Has HAL given you a reason for the change? Has HAL offered any kind of compensation -- like an upgrade or shipboard credit?

[wannagonow123]

Any chance the cabin was a wheelchair accessible one and they needed it?

[paganwoman]

While on the Oosterdam Jan 2015 I booked a cruise on the Prinsendam for July 2016 and picked a specific cabin (per the FCC recommendation as I had never been on this ship) I remember her asking if we wanted upgrades and I said no because we liked that particular cabin spot. All was well until only 3 days before sailing. We were already traveling and I had printed out everything prior to leaving home (boarding passes, luggage tags) I received an email stating our cabin had been changed (what???) We went from an ocean view mid ship to vista suite balcony. The only problem is that is was above the showroom and more forward in the ship. Not a spot I would have picked. Now in all fairness, having the balcony was great, but not so much the noise every evening from 10-11pm (we went to the early shows). Plus I had to get the hotel to reprint everything for us. So we have another cruise (with the original cabin picked) on the same ship for next year and we will see what happens.

[geoherb]

I've never heard of a cruise line bumping a passenger from a specific cabin to the guarantee pool. I'd call my travel agent immediately if our cabin was changed from the one I booked to a guarantee in the same category. When I agreed to be open to upgrades, I don't expect to be moved to another cabin in the same category.

[RuthC]

There's a big difference between allowing upgrades, and HAL moves you, requesting "no upgrade" and you are moved anyway (it happens, rarely) a few days before the cruise leaves, and being switched from a selected cabin to a guarantee quite a while before the cruise.

 

We have all read of people allowing upgrades and getting them. We have read a few times of people being switched (either upgrade or in the same category) just before sailing when they requested "no upgrade", which the cruise contract allows.

But I have never, ever, read of a HAL passenger being switched from a chosen cabin to a guarantee. Sounds like someone messed up somewhere along the line. There isn't a doubt in my mind about that, and my money is on the TA as the person who made the mistake.

[jtl513]

... am I to think that this will change after final payment.

As I said in the post before yours, it happened to us once ... but I believe it's very rare. In some cases you may want it to happen, if a major problem developed in the cabin on the previous cruise! :)

[Sopwith]

The TA is on it, I'll let you know how it turns out. I have a hunch the problem rests with the TA, not with HAL.

[3rdGenCunarder]

The TA is on it, I'll let you know how it turns out. I have a hunch the problem rests with the TA, not with HAL.

 

Thanks for checking in. If final payment wasn't long ago, there should still be some cabins in good locations. I hope you get something good to make up for your trouble.

[Jemima]

...Guarantee prices often drop after final payment. If they can't retrieve your choice of cabin, I think they should reprice your reservation at the current guarantee price (assuming it's lower) or give you a nice upgrade...

 

No. Guarantees are for a specific cabin category and are the same price as any other cabin in that category. There is not a separate guarantee price. I've been sailing HAL since 2002 and have always booked guarantee cabins. My usual choice is an F or FF category guarantee. I'm 4 star so I'm an experienced guarantee cabin booker.

[3rdGenCunarder]

No. Guarantees are for a specific cabin category and are the same price as any other cabin in that category. There is not a separate guarantee price. I've been sailing HAL since 2002 and have always booked guarantee cabins. My usual choice is an F or FF category guarantee. I'm 4 star so I'm an experienced guarantee cabin booker.

 

I think you missed my point. The OP booked a specific cabin before final payment date. Now it's past final payment date. HAL typically starts to lower guarantee prices after final payment, so the OP's original price was probably higher than the current guarantee price. If HAL is going to toss the OP into the current guarantee pool, they should adjust the cost of the cruise to the current guarantee price if they can't get the original cabin back.

[Sopwith]

I have booked guarantees before, but not for a while. It's always been a bit cheaper than booking a specific cabin.

[Jemima]

I think you missed my point. The OP booked a specific cabin before final payment date. Now it's past final payment date. HAL typically starts to lower guarantee prices after final payment, so the OP's original price was probably higher than the current guarantee price. If HAL is going to toss the OP into the current guarantee pool, they should adjust the cost of the cruise to the current guarantee price if they can't get the original cabin back.

 

Again HAL doesn't have special guarantee prices; the price is the same for as a specific cabin at that category. Couple 1 book a C guarantee and couple 2 book a specific C cabin at the same time. Both will pay the same price. If prices later goes down, the new price will be the same for both guarantees and specific cabins at that category.

 

Anyway there is something odd about OP's problem. I agree with Ruth that a TA error is the most likely cause. Did OP have an earlier invoice with the selected cabin listed? Was the selected cabin originally listed on his reservation information on the HAL website?

Edited August 3, 2016 by Jemima

[3rdGenCunarder]

Again HAL doesn't have special guarantee prices; the price is the same for as a specific cabin at that category. Couple 1 book a C guarantee and couple 2 book a specific C cabin at the same time. Both will pay the same price. If prices later goes down, the new price will be the same for both guarantees and specific cabins at that category.

 

Anyway there is something odd about OP's problem. I agree with Ruth that a TA error is the most likely cause. Did OP have an earlier invoice with the selected cabin listed? Was the selected cabin originally listed on his reservation information on the HAL website?

 

You still don't understand what I'm trying to say. I am looking at this as bookings made at DIFFERENT times. OP booked a specific cabin BEFORE final payment. Now final payment date has been reached, a LATER date. At this LATER date, OP discovers the booking has been changed to a guarantee. Prices are likely to have been lowered because this LATER date is AFTER final payment. So HAL gave the OP essentially a new booking when they changed the specific cabin to a guarantee. At the very least, HAL should make this rebooking at the lower AFTER final payment prices, if the change is HAL's fault. If it's the TA's fault, the TA should be willing to eat some of the cost of OP's cruise.

[TiogaCruiser]

Again HAL doesn't have special guarantee prices; the price is the same for as a specific cabin at that category. Couple 1 book a C guarantee and couple 2 book a specific C cabin at the same time. Both will pay the same price. If prices later goes down, the new price will be the same for both guarantees and specific cabins at that category.

 

That is not always true. I am watching several cruises now (and have been for awhile), and I HAVE seen several examples where the "let us pick your cabin" price is the least expensive. ( The lowest level of an inside or OV chosen by cabin number being MORE than the Guarantee price). IIRC you tend to book higher level cabins. That may be why you haven't seen this.

Edited August 3, 2016 by TiogaCruiser
If you want something done WRONG, use spell check.

[Cruising-along]

Again HAL doesn't have special guarantee prices; the price is the same for as a specific cabin at that category. Couple 1 book a C guarantee and couple 2 book a specific C cabin at the same time. Both will pay the same price. If prices later goes down, the new price will be the same for both guarantees and specific cabins at that category.

 

Anyway there is something odd about OP's problem. I agree with Ruth that a TA error is the most likely cause. Did OP have an earlier invoice with the selected cabin listed? Was the selected cabin originally listed on his reservation information on the HAL website?

 

That is not always true. I am watching several cruises now (and have been for awhile), and I HAVE seen several examples where the "let us pick your cabin" price is the least expensive. ( The lowest level of an inside or OV chosen by cabin number being MORE than the Guarantee price). IIRC you tend to book higher level cabins. That may be why you haven't seen this.

 

Sorry, but I agree with Jemima about Guarantee prices being the same as specific cabin prices. Have been booking Guarantee 98% of the time for 12 years and are 4-star. We have never seen a time when it's any cheaper. We don't book higher category cabins, always OV or Verandah.

 

Also I don't think "let us pick your cabin" means the same thing as going with a guarantee and getting your cabin assignment later close to sailing.

 

Maybe it happens rarely, like the "several examples" you have seen, but were they marked "guarantee"?

 

Edited to add, we always tell our PCC we want a guarantee cabin in X category. The price we're charged is the same as the prices shown for specific cabins in that category.

Edited August 3, 2016 by Cruising-along

[seashell]

SOPWITH - any word? Let's all hope that HAL and TA make it right. I have not heard of this happening before.

 

the only experience i've had with a change was an upgrade. I was running late and one of the last ones to make it on board (flight problem). I was escorted on the ship to check in at the desk. the security guy asked for my cabin number and I told him but the HAL rep corrected me with a new number. All i could think was I made it and I don't care where the cabin is. I am on vacation. I was upgraded several levels. Nice suprise. I hope you either get a nice upgrade or a price cut for someone's mistake. Stay on top of it.

 

Most of all I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Sorry, but I agree with Jemima about Guarantee prices being the same as specific cabin prices. Have been booking Guarantee 98% of the time for 12 years and are 4-star. We have never seen a time when it's any cheaper. We don't book higher category cabins, always OV or Verandah.

 

Also I don't think "let us pick your cabin" means the same thing as going with a guarantee and getting your cabin assignment later close to sailing.

 

Maybe it happens rarely, like the "several examples" you have seen, but were they marked "guarantee"?

 

Edited to add, we always tell our PCC we want a guarantee cabin in X category. The price we're charged is the same as the prices shown for specific cabins in that category.

 

"Let us choose" is the online version of guarantee. If you click on "let us choose" the next screen shows you the lettered categories (in the case of the Zuiderdam cruise I just tried this with, it offers four guarantee letter categories of outside cabins). It also says this:

For this option we select the location and specific stateroom for you, and notify you prior to departure. Guests are guaranteed to be assigned a stateroom in the category selected or higher.

[Cruising-along]

"Let us choose" is the online version of guarantee. If you click on "let us choose" the next screen shows you the lettered categories (in the case of the Zuiderdam cruise I just tried this with, it offers four guarantee letter categories of outside cabins). It also says this:

 

 

Thanks for the info, I'm surprised none of our guarantee cabins have cost less...wondering what we've missed out on lol!