HAL has refined the art of Making it near impossible to book a cruise with them.

[wesport]

I also have been having problems with the web site. Can not save favorites anymore. Can not delete old favorites. When I click on one of my favorites, it pulls up 776 cruises leaving by date. What gives?

[wishful thinking]

Hi Sail. So sorry you're having to go through this. Please keep trying as I know the decision to sail again has been a long time coming. Keep us posted, and good luck my friend :)

[dfish]

I'm sorry for the frustration you are feeling. The random PCC is probably just a booking agent, although I've had good luck with them in the past. I now use the PCC assigned to me and she does a marvelous job.

 

Part of the problem is this is technically a holiday weekend. I wanted to book a replacement cruise for the one I had to cancel recently and my PCC is out until Tuesday. Perhaps, if you wait until Tuesday, regular staff will be on hand to take care of you.

 

Good luck to you and I'm happy you are ready told sail the blue hulled beauties again.

[DaveOKC]

You might try a PCC on Monday. I know the PCC I use only works M-F. Perhaps the "seasoned" PCC only work during the week?

I agree that HAL's website is not user friendly!

 

While there are exceptions of course, I generally agree with this approach. Not only for HAL, but other companies/services/etc. when I have to speak with someone I try to wait until a weekday and first thing in the mornings. This is when the more experienced people seem to work.

[kelleherdl]

:confused:HAL's booking engine has continued to get worse in the last 12-18 months (not that it was great to begin with). Once you finally get to the cabin selection page if you pick the "choose your own cabin" option it gives you lower grade cabins and a poor selection of location and no ability to select alternate options on that deck. Meanwhile their sister brand Princess has one one the easiest to use and most intuitive booking platforms available from the cruise lines. Meanwhile they share a common travel agency booking platform.... Go figure

 

I booked our first cruise on Princess for this September. I echo you comments on their website. Even looking at air travel can be easily considered. Same parent company. Should be no-brainer to port that technology. Sure I understand there may be underlying database issues, but front end should be as capable.

 

I do not use a TA so ignoring the website is not for me. I want to look at all options for my prospective cruises and then work thru our PCC.

 

BTW Princess EZAir offering for business class for our cruise was 'very' generous.

 

Dennis

[3rdGenCunarder]

:confused:HAL's booking engine has continued to get worse in the last 12-18 months (not that it was great to begin with). Once you finally get to the cabin selection page if you pick the "choose your own cabin" option it gives you lower grade cabins and a poor selection of location and no ability to select alternate options on that deck. Meanwhile their sister brand Princess has one one the easiest to use and most intuitive booking platforms available from the cruise lines. Meanwhile they share a common travel agency booking platform.... Go figure

 

[bold is mine] They have changed the order of steps. Now when you click "BOOK," it no longer takes you to category selection. Instead, it takes you to the inside guarantee list. Look at the blue "2 STATEROOM" bar, and below it you'll see that you can click on "Stateroom Type" and get to the category selection page. That's also where you can enter a specific cabin number to check availability. It's a royal pain to go through that, but if you're patient, you can check specific cabins. It does seem that they're making guarantees more visible than specific cabin choices. Change in booking philosophy to sell more guarantees (and give themselves flexibility) or just someone screwing around with the website??????

 

(If you just want to see a cabin category but not check specific cabins, click on your desired category before you click "BOOK" and it will take you to the list of levels within that category. If you don't make a choice, inside is highlighted as the default search.)

 

I use the website only to do my research to find an itinerary and date I like, and then I call my TA to check cabins and make a booking.

 

Sail, I'm glad you want to "come home" to HAL. I agree with others who said that a call on Tuesday morning might get you someone who knows what's what.

Edited January 16, 2017 by 3rdGenCunarder

[AmberTeka]

I burst out laughing when I read your post.

 

I could not manage the booking engine on HAL.

 

I finally had a Big On Air Travel Agency Book 2 cabins. The name shall never be mentioned as it is very tough going when one does so.

 

Carnival did the same thing. They had the PERFECT Booking engine. had prices of categories........Now. Takes forever. BIG Photos. Little information

 

Easy. Simple. Princess.............pretty good

NCL.................don't even try anymore

 

And we wound up with a "G" category big OV for my daughter, Son in law and grandchild. BATHTUB. At good price. And we have a Verandah "D" guarantee, so we don't know. We have done guarantees with HAL before and know you take your chances. Both times, we were pleased. did not get suites or such, but nice cabins. We are glad to be back on HAL after some years, so hopefully we get Mid Ship. Other than that, we are not picky. Looking forward to the cruise!!!!

WHY don't they all use Princess Model?

Edited January 16, 2017 by AmberTeka

[sail7seas]

I have the name of a highly recommnded PCC but I am havin second thoughts, unfortunately. HAL has done me a big disservice and has nixed my enthusaiasm. SWhile I apprec iate all tthe posts here and particularly Buce Muzz, I wish I didn't have to beg them to get their ' booking ct' together.

. It is not a mattter of me wiggling for the lowest possible price. there is no low price for a solo b ooking a Neptune Suite. that is not an issue with me.

 

I don't know if i m going to b eg them to make my booking or just give up.

Edited January 16, 2017 by sail7seas

[OlsSalt]

(bolding by me) : That's true and one of the reasons we mostly use an online travel agency that allows to pick more cabins.

Nevertheless I was stunned several times during the last weeks when I tried to book a cruise - found a cruise quite easily, picked a cabin, filled in the relevant information and was told that my country doesn't exist...

 

Ach du Lieber!.... more Russian hacking? :cool:;);)

[sppunk]

FWIW I just went through booking an alaska 2018 cruise on my iPad without issue. I stopped before I hit submit, I ran into no issues. Could choose the SA I wants, etc.

 

Also Princess runs HAL's web structure now.

[whogo]

"I tried to make a booking ttoday wi th a 'random' PCC who spouted so much in correct information it was not possi ble for me to book with him." What in correct information could a PCC spout? I see only two responses. "Yes, ma'am, that cabin is available" or "Sorry, ma'am, that cabin is unavailable."

[donaldsc]

Last weekend I spent some time on the phone with a HAL shore excursion rep who was sure that Akrotiri and Acropolis were the same place. Oh, well, at least they are both in Greece.

 

Consider yourself lucky. I am surprised that they did not try to throw Akron in the mix. After all, the names sort of look the same. LOL!!!

 

DON

[taxmantoo]

FWIW I just went through booking an alaska 2018 cruise on my iPad without issue. I stopped before I hit submit, I ran into no issues. Could choose the SA I wants, etc.

 

Also Princess runs HAL's web structure now.

 

Agreed. I also did it yesterday. If you take the time to read the options given to you before pushing the buttons, anybody can do it. It is not the most user friendly but anyone who can read and follow instructions "properly" should not encounter problems.

[Copper10-8]

Last weekend I spent some time on the phone with a HAL shore excursion rep who was sure that Akrotiri and Acropolis were the same place. Oh, well, at least they are both in Greece.

 

You would get an argument from the Royal Air Force on that ;)

[Cruiz'nBaers]

OK Sail... take a few deep breaths, collect yourself and try again. I have booked HAL cruises recently (for last September and this coming May) using the website as my guide and a random cruise specialist at the toll free number. The specific cabin you are wanting may not be available but, I am sure that you will find something that will suffice quite nicely. If you don't like the person you are dealing with, ask to speak to someone else. Maybe a supervisor could serve you better. Getting frustrated is easy, but, I know you will succeed. Please keep us informed I'm sure many off us would like to know the outcome. If all else fails, go with your friends.

Edited January 16, 2017 by Cruiz'nBaers

[Sequim88]

Also Princess runs HAL's web structure now.

 

The web site or the booking engine too? One thing to pop a web site with "catalog" search options and another to link to an order management ("reservations") system and back-end database. Based on comments on Glassdoor.com it seems that part of the HAL IT group is still in Seattle where it is hard to compete for talent with the major high-tech employers in the area. Other online comments seem to have distinct themes related to middle-management and bureaucracy stifling innovation.

 

As for the PCCs another theme on Glassdoor was use at HAL of a 9/80 compressed workweek schedule. Means the have every other Friday off.

 

We've never used a PCC before but did for this next cruise and so far experience has been pretty good. Used TAs before too but did not see any advantages. I suspect the TA handled things when HAL switched our ship better than a TA might have - certainly much faster. Hard to say - when you have a great relationship with someone it's easy to stick with that.

[kazu]

There are many good agencies out there. Some of whom do doubt advertise on this web site. The key things to double check:

 

-always pay by credit card and ensure that you card is charged by the cruise line NOT the travel agency. Get the price and benefits in writing.

 

-get your cruise booking number, then go on the cruise line site and ensure that the booking, category, etc, price agree with what you were told

 

-make certain that the agency does not charge for re-prices, cabin changes, or cancellations (other than what the cruise line charges)

 

-when you are told what the OBC is, ask if there are additional OBC, upgrades, or freebees available! Also ask if the agent is aware of any similar competing cruise deal. We have been pleasantly surprised a few times when we have asked these questions.

 

Bolding is mine. I always check my reservation on the HAL site, cabin, etc. But I have NEVER been able to see the price on my reservation. Sure, I can get it on a dummy booking but since my TA has better pricing than there, no way to verify it that I am aware of.

 

How do you check your pricing?

 

I have her confirmation saying paid in full. So, as far as I am concerned, I sould be able to print off my docs in a few weeks ;)

[sppunk]

The web site or the booking engine too? One thing to pop a web site with "catalog" search options and another to link to an order management ("reservations") system and back-end database. Based on comments on Glassdoor.com it seems that part of the HAL IT group is still in Seattle where it is hard to compete for talent with the major high-tech employers in the area. Other online comments seem to have distinct themes related to middle-management and bureaucracy stifling innovation.

 

As for the PCCs another theme on Glassdoor was use at HAL of a 9/80 compressed workweek schedule. Means the have every other Friday off.

 

We've never used a PCC before but did for this next cruise and so far experience has been pretty good. Used TAs before too but did not see any advantages. I suspect the TA handled things when HAL switched our ship better than a TA might have - certainly much faster. Hard to say - when you have a great relationship with someone it's easy to stick with that.

Princess is under HAL; part of the regroup was Princess taking control over the web structure. They've used the same backend booking engine for years though.

[sail7seas]

Soooo, I got the usual suite we almost always book on the class of ship I booke.d I c alled this morning, got PCC I knew from when myPCC of many years on retired, this p PCC Hhas his act together and he mader my booking into 'my' Neptun suite e, in blink of an eye. I havv e my conirfmation, booked m t hird pafty insuance and am enjjoying that wonderful feeling of knowing I have a H AL cuise booked.

Edited January 16, 2017 by sail7seas

[summersigh]

Soooo, I got the usual suite we almost always book on the class of ship I booke.d I c alled this morning, got PCC I knew from when myPCC of many years on retired, this p PCC Hhas his act together and he mader my booking into 'my' Neptun suite e, in blink of an eye. I havv e my conirfmation, booked m t hird pafty insuance and am enjjoying that wonderful feeling of knowing I have a H AL cuise booked.

Yea !!! Glad to hear you found someone to make sailing life easier :)

[sppunk]

Good to hear you booked.

[iancal]

...I cannot check my booking price on HAL but do on some other lines.

 

-can see it on our current Princess cruise.

 

-fairly certain I have seen it on our Celebrity and RCI cruises.

 

-cannot remember about Carnival or NCL

[fatcat04]

HAL's website is bad BUT not as bad as Disney, sorry to say. Those are our preferred holidays and both have sorry websites. And you would think making your online booking process as smooth as silk would be a priority. Not like either doesn't have the ability and funds to make a truly great website/online booking site.

 

I have been fortunate to never have had a bad phone experience with either however. But our PCC has been a real darling and come thru for us on multiple occasions. When she leaves or retires from HAL, I will be lost.

[RocketMan275]

Soooo, I got the usual suite we almost always book on the class of ship I booke.d I c alled this morning, got PCC I knew from when myPCC of many years on retired, this p PCC Hhas his act together and he mader my booking into 'my' Neptun suite e, in blink of an eye. I havv e my conirfmation, booked m t hird pafty insuance and am enjjoying that wonderful feeling of knowing I have a H AL cuise booked.

 

So happy for you. Perseverance pays off.

You know we're all looking forward to hearing all about your cruise when you return.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

So glad it worked out for you. Let the planning begin.