Don't want nor need Explore4 - can you book without?

[cbr663]

Op, if you share with us the sailing date, ship and cabin category you were interested in we could provide you with an estimate of the reduced cost.

[Cruiserbillyboo]

Thanks everyone for the advice and insight.

I called HAL directly.

Said I wanted to book without E4.

They said fine, no problem. Didn't give me a hard time about it or anything.

Booked for $600 less than the TA was quoting, and then transferred the reservation back to the TA.

All is good!

:)

[MCC retired]

Thanks everyone for the advice and insight.

I called HAL directly.

Said I wanted to book without E4.

They said fine, no problem. Didn't give me a hard time about it or anything.

Booked for $600 less than the TA was quoting, and then transferred the reservation back to the TA.

All is good!

:)

 

And you transferred your booking back to that TA ???????

Unbelievable loyalty to a lazy TA.

[Cruiserbillyboo]

And you transferred your booking back to that TA ???????

Unbelievable loyalty to a lazy TA.

 

 

Many previous good experiences with this TA.

I don't believe in "one strike and out".

I'll be watching closely in the future.

Three strikes and we'll re-visit the relationship.

:)

[DaveOKC]

Many previous good experiences with this TA.

I don't believe in "one strike and out".

I'll be watching closely in the future.

Three strikes and we'll re-visit the relationship.

:)

 

While your loyalty is good (and based upon good experiences), I think I would settle for 2 strikes being out.

 

I felt the same with my TA and overlooked several issues. Finally I change to a HAL PCC and now wish I had made the change earlier!

[cbr663]

Thanks everyone for the advice and insight.

I called HAL directly.

Said I wanted to book without E4.

They said fine, no problem. Didn't give me a hard time about it or anything.

Booked for $600 less than the TA was quoting, and then transferred the reservation back to the TA.

All is good!

:)

 

So happy that it worked out well for you. HAL offers pricing with and without E4, it is just not very transparent about the without E4 pricing.

 

Here's a tip for those with cruises booked and wishing to add the E4. When you call to see if you can the E4, you are re-pricing the cruise with a particular promo. A small reduction in price to add the E4 may seem like a great deal, but don't forget to also ask what the cruise costs now without the E4. You may discover the the cruise price without the E4 has dropped significantly since you originally booked.

[Paulinda]

I was looking at doing a Caribbean cruise next spring. The explore 4 price is $1,099 pp for a verandah cabin. When I sign into HAL.com the price is $799 pp. That's a significant difference to me.

[DaveOKC]

I was looking at doing a Caribbean cruise next spring. The explore 4 price is $1,099 pp for a verandah cabin. When I sign into HAL.com the price is $799 pp. That's a significant difference to me.

 

Assuming it is a 7 day cruise, that comes out to about $43 per day. Not a great deal, but not a bad one if you are at least a moderate drinker (remember that it includes sodas and water).

[Tinknock50]

While your loyalty is good (and based upon good experiences), I think I would settle for 2 strikes being out.

 

I felt the same with my TA and overlooked several issues. Finally I change to a HAL PCC and now wish I had made the change earlier!

 

I really like dealing with directly with HAL because it is a lot easier to make changes than a TA. However, 90% of the time I have gotten a cheaper rate with a TA. Stretching my limited dollar is important to me.

Edited September 15, 2016 by Tinknock50

[SilvertoGold]

This thread has been very informative.

 

I just received an email from a TA I use once in a while.

 

For a 20 day cruise the choice is:

 

inside Explore4: 5200 pp or without 3700 pp

outside Explore4: 5741 pp or without 4249 pp

balcony Explore4: 6805 pp or without 5300 pp

 

So for $1500 pp you get the bev package and a Pinnacle Dinner. Subtracting the Dinner cost, it works out to $73.25 per person per day for Explore4 .

 

The TA wrote: "that is a lot of drinks". Also, it is more than just purchasing the Signature Bev package, isn't it?

[DaveOKC]

This thread has been very informative.

 

I just received an email from a TA I use once in a while.

 

For a 20 day cruise the choice is:

 

inside Explore4: 5200 pp or without 3700 pp

outside Explore4: 5741 pp or without 4249 pp

balcony Explore4: 6805 pp or without 5300 pp

 

So for $1500 pp you get the bev package and a Pinnacle Dinner. Subtracting the Dinner cost, it works out to $73.25 per person per day for Explore4 .

 

The TA wrote: "that is a lot of drinks". Also, it is more than just purchasing the Signature Bev package, isn't it?

 

For Inside, Outside and Balcony thats about all you get. Suites (all levels) get free tips and $200 in Internet.

 

For $73.25 per day, I would buy my own drinks!

[SilvertoGold]

For Inside, Outside and Balcony thats about all you get. Suites (all levels) get free tips and $200 in Internet.

 

For $73.25 per day, I would buy my own drinks!

 

Absolutely!

[cabinluvn]

We were able to add it to our January and July cruises for $25/pp/day. Couple of beers, couple glasses of wine, and specialty coffee and already ahead of the game

 

 

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[Bill B]

There are so many variables no blanket statements are possible.

 

I have booking with solo supplement on a 22-day cruise. I just had my TA price the cruise without the Explore 4 package. After the TA's discount is adjusted, I would save $1,280.

 

A 22-day Signature Beverage Package is $1,137.18 + 15% = 1,307.76. I don't know (or really care) what Pinnacle Grill Dinner for one person is worth... not much because I'm already paying to eat in the Dining Room. I would NEVER buy a SBP or PGD. With Explore 4, HAL is 'selling' them to me (at a slight discount).

 

However, without Explore 4, the deposit goes from $300 to $1009 AND becomes non-refundable!

 

I will leave my booking with Explore 4 for now... and re-evaluate the day before final payment. Only then will I be able to make an 'informed decision'.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sadly I see LOTs of wrong information on this thread. First off, every single sailing is different.... Every single Travel Agency is different. There are some special pricing out there with select travel agencies that the price for the Explore4 is actually lower than the Advantage Fares that do not include Explore4. Or in some cases the even without special pricing the price with Explore4 is exactly the same with the Advantage Fare or an agency may have Group pricing with out Explore4 that the price is even cheaper than Advantage Fares. As well as a lot depends on the category booked. Also someone stated they saw a much lower price when they logged into HAL's web site. Yes that is possible as well since HAL is again offering Special Mariner pricing that seems to be directed at 2 and 3 star Mariners but it is also Regionally assigned under Mariner numbers depending on where you live and the cruise you are looking at.....Then the other option that could cause a lot lower price when you log in is if you have any discounts from Casino Credit even if you played just a small amount on your last cruise they are offering some deep discounts especially for the remaining part of 2016.

Just too many pointing fingers here without knowing the full story.

 

What I suggest to the OP is for them to call the TA ask them if they priced this with their Mariner number and if they are offering special pricing ( Group or Select Account) and WHAT WOULD the cost be if they took Advantage Fares and if the Agency has Group pricing.

[SilvertoGold]

Sadly I see LOTs of wrong information on this thread. First off, every single sailing is different.... Every single Travel Agency is different. There are some special pricing out there with select travel agencies that the price for the Explore4 is actually lower than the Advantage Fares that do not include Explore4. Or in some cases the even without special pricing the price with Explore4 is exactly the same with the Advantage Fare or an agency may have Group pricing with out Explore4 that the price is even cheaper than Advantage Fares. As well as a lot depends on the category booked. Also someone stated they saw a much lower price when they logged into HAL's web site. Yes that is possible as well since HAL is again offering Special Mariner pricing that seems to be directed at 2 and 3 star Mariners but it is also Regionally assigned under Mariner numbers depending on where you live and the cruise you are looking at.....Then the other option that could cause a lot lower price when you log in is if you have any discounts from Casino Credit even if you played just a small amount on your last cruise they are offering some deep discounts especially for the remaining part of 2016.

Just too many pointing fingers here without knowing the full story.

 

What I suggest to the OP is for them to call the TA ask them if they priced this with their Mariner number and if they are offering special pricing ( Group or Select Account) and WHAT WOULD the cost be if they took Advantage Fares and if the Agency has Group pricing.

 

An informative post, Lisa. Thanks for taking the time!

 

I see that you have to be careful with Explore4. In some cases, such as my example, you can pay more for Explore in booking it with a cruise than if you just purchased the SBP on board. That is amazing and people should be aware of the possibilities.

[Tinknock50]

This thread has been very informative.

 

I just received an email from a TA I use once in a while.

 

For a 20 day cruise the choice is:

 

inside Explore4: 5200 pp or without 3700 pp

outside Explore4: 5741 pp or without 4249 pp

balcony Explore4: 6805 pp or without 5300 pp

 

So for $1500 pp you get the bev package and a Pinnacle Dinner. Subtracting the Dinner cost, it works out to $73.25 per person per day for Explore4 .

 

The TA wrote: "that is a lot of drinks". Also, it is more than just purchasing the Signature Bev package, isn't it?

 

I agree....this has been one of the most informative threads I have seen in a long time. It is good to know I might get get a better price if I dispense with the Explore4 which I generally have little to no interest in. I am realistic that this may not happen with a particular cruise I am interested in, but I sure as heck will ask!

 

I am fortunate that I was able to take advantage of temporary price drop for the only cruise I have booked. But I will keep my eyes open if Explore4 is part of the deal in the future.

[Tinknock50]

.....

 

What I suggest to the OP is for them to call the TA ask them if they priced this with their Mariner number and if they are offering special pricing ( Group or Select Account) and WHAT WOULD the cost be if they took Advantage Fares and if the Agency has Group pricing.

 

....and also don't forget to ask what it would be with/or without the Explore4.:)

[esimon]

Love these posts -- everybody is an expert LOL -

 

Our cruise was booked without Explore 4 -(kind of bummed) and now they offer it. $200 - more with this benefit

 

yes is is a benefit - even if you don't drink anything which the original poster doesn't

[Tinknock50]

Love these posts -- everybody is an expert LOL -

 

Our cruise was booked without Explore 4 -(kind of bummed) and now they offer it. $200 - more with this benefit

 

yes is is a benefit - even if you don't drink anything which the original poster doesn't

 

You could probably cancel and re-book to get this benefit. But you may have a cabin you particularly want and could lose in the meantime. Or have you already taken your cruise? Well there is always next time. :)

 

Sometimes you don't need an "expert".....just real experience where people have gotten a cruise for a better price. You can always weigh the benefit of Explore4 against better pricing, just as have you have done here. This isn't rocket science. :) lol

Edited September 16, 2016 by Tinknock50

[DaveOKC]

Good points about doing your own analysis instead of relying on what someone else tells you. Its not very hard to do and ony takes a few minutes - but the reward can be significant!

[SilvertoGold]

You could probably cancel and re-book to get this benefit. But you may have a cabin you particularly want and could lose in the meantime. Or have you already taken your cruise? Well there is always next time. :)

 

Sometimes you don't need an "expert".....just real experience where people have gotten a cruise for a better price. You can always weigh the benefit of Explore4 against better pricing, just as have you have done here. This isn't rocket science. :) lol

 

I agree.

 

I take it all: expert advice and everyone's experience and appreciate it every bit of info!!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

You could probably cancel and re-book to get this benefit. But you may have a cabin you particularly want and could lose in the meantime. Or have you already taken your cruise? Well there is always next time. :)

 

Sometimes you don't need an "expert".....just real experience where people have gotten a cruise for a better price. You can always weigh the benefit of Explore4 against better pricing, just as have you have done here. This isn't rocket science. :) lol

Adding the Explore4 if it is now available for your sailing does NOT require canceling and rebooking, they can just add it.

 

Secondly...someone else's experience MAY NOT APPLY. As I try to state every single ship, sailing, date, itinerary is all very different. Everyone's Travel Agency can have very different offers or theri Mariner number has a select discount. So reading what others have gotten more than likely WILL NOT Apply. So YES leaving it to a TRUE Experienced Travel Professional or your HAL Personal Cruise Consultant they are the Experts that can tell you what the REAL options are for your particular instance. If you feel you are not getting the answers you want then call someone else for a second opinion.

Just because you READ it here on Cruise Critic does not mean it will work or will apply to your sailing.

Too many people get upset reading CC and hearing that someone else got something they did not.....but you do not know if that person booked the same cruise, same category, did the agency they had have Select pricing? Did that other CC member have Casino Discount?

There are just too many variables and each and every single one of you are totally different and have a different situation.

[draftxhorselover]

Does that mean with the Explore4 package, you can take water off the ship when you head off on excursion?

 

Just about to cancel a Celebrity Cruise we booked due to many issues and re-book instead a cruise on a HAL Westerdam trip which has a better itinerary for my interests.

 

learning loads here. thanks all :D

[Cindy]

Does that mean with the Explore4 package, you can take water off the ship when you head off on excursion?

 

 

 

Just about to cancel a Celebrity Cruise we booked due to many issues and re-book instead a cruise on a HAL Westerdam trip which has a better itinerary for my interests.

 

 

 

learning loads here. thanks all :D

 

 

 

I'm counting on being able to do that. I have not had a beverage package on HAL, but I have had one on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. Getting bottled water and taking it off the ship was not a problem.

 

Just as an aside, I switched a booking from Celebrity Constellation to the Westerdam for what I thought was a better itinerary.[emoji3]

 

 

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