Price drop agony

[DaveOKC]

"HAL should offer [you] something?" They are... they allow you to reprice for the lower rate. As others have said, when you reprice before final payment, you are really cancelling your first reservation then booking a new one at the new promotion. Here's my latest HAL experience. I booked a cruise. A few months later, the Explore 4 promotion was offered. It cost me $300 per person more if I wanted it. Well, Explore 4 included gratuities ($210 value), dinner for 2 at Pinnacle Grill ($70 value) Internet credit ($200 Value) and drink packages ($740 value) so my total "value" for two was around $1220 for an upcharge of $600. So I did it. Then the promotion ended and the prices dropped to about $600 per person less. So I could give up the Explore 4 and save $1200. But I'd lose $1200 in benefits. So I kept the Explore 4. Then the Explore 4 came back but the cabin price dropped $200 per person. So I took advantage. Final cost $200 total more than ORIGINAL booking, but with perks, the cost was $1000 less than original cost. Anyway, my point is this, you need to add up the cost of your cruise and subtract the value of the perks offered. Only that way can you get the "real" price of your cruise. In your case, you can get the cabin for $1200 less but would lose $500 in perks. So you'd SAVE $700. That's a no brainer. Keep in mind, as the cruise approaches, you can always reprice again if there is lower rates with perks you'll use. But, HAL doesn't need to "offer" you anything. The mere fact that they allow you to conveniently reprice anytime you want prior to final payment is more than fair.

 

This post is a GREAT example of why you need to monitor your cruise after you book! It only takes a few minutes once a week or so to save you bit time (sometimes).

[pamrose228]

Also my gut tells me this balcony cabin was front of the ship, which I hate. My ov partial view is mid ship. For some reason HAL was resisting telling me the cabin number.

 

The main reason I wanted the balcony was the size of it. We are three adults Me, dh and ds the later two are 6'4". Big guys

 

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[RuthC]

Some of the perks offered do not cost the line the equivalent in cash. If you accept paying $500 more in cruise fare for $600 in drinks, HAL is still way ahead. Their liquor (or soda) costs are not $600. Maybe $150. Someone in the restaurant industry once told me that the cost of soft drinks was about 10 cents to the restaurant for the raw materials. Same for the internet and extra fee restaurants. The prepaid gratuities would be the only straight savings that I can see.

It doesn't matter what the perqs cost HAL; it matters what it would cost the passenger for those perqs.

 

Example, my daily expenditure for drinks is probably about $11, with an occasional increase. So, I would figure (generously) $15/day if a drink package were added. I don't care how much it costs HAL; that's how much it would cost me.

Soda costing HAL $0.10 matters not. If you drink soda, figure about how many you have per day, then multiply by the price you would pay on board (it has gone up slightly from the $2.24 it used to be, but I don't know the current price). That is the value to you.

[RandyinDEN]

HAL is not a socialist/non-profit organization, they are a business. They won't continue to be in business unless they make money. Once you book, you take your chances on pricing drops. It is part of the game. Just except it and enjoy your cruise.

[iancal]

Buying a cruise is not different than buying a plane ticket. There will be people who paid more than you, the same, and less. Live with it. It is reality.

 

The only thing that matters is if you are comfortable with the price.

 

Even though we typically buy it during the final payment window the prices often change. If the price subsequently shoots up we do not feel particularly smart. If it goes down we don't cry in our beer or beat ourselves up so to speak. Market forces. So we set a buy price that we are comfortable with and when/if it hits we buy.

 

There are lots of reasons to book early and sometime that can indeed be the best price. Not for us though because we have very good flexibility from both a time and destination perspective that allows us to cherry pick. And we most certainly do. Fare price options have a cost and a associated risk in terms of price fluctuation. You have to determine you comfort with that exposure vs. price.

 

I think the focus should be on you and what price you are comfortable paying. Why concern yourself about subsequent pricing if you cannot take advantage, or be penalized by it? It becomes a mugs game. We used to do it, but since this is now how we travel we have stopped looking backward at what we paid and we concentrate our efforts on our future plans/fares.

 

If you think a price is too high simply don't book. There are lots of other great cruise alternatives to HAL, and lots of other great travel alternatives to cruises.

Edited August 19, 2017 by iancal

[pamrose228]

Buying a cruise is not different than buying a plane ticket. There will be people who paid more than you, the same, and less. Live with it. It is reality.

 

The only thing that matters is if you are comfortable with the price.

 

Even though we typically buy it during the final payment window the prices often change. If the price subsequently shoots up we do not feel particularly smart. If it goes down we don't cry in our beer or beat ourselves up so to speak. Market forces. So we set a buy price that we are comfortable with and when/if it hits we buy.

 

There are lots of reasons to book early and sometime that can indeed be the best price. Not for us though because we have very good flexibility from both a time and destination perspective that allows us to cherry pick. And we most certainly do. Fare price options have a cost and a associated risk in terms of price fluctuation. You have to determine you comfort with that exposure vs. price.

 

I think the focus should be on you and what price you are comfortable paying. Why concern yourself about subsequent pricing if you cannot take advantage, or be penalized by it? It becomes a mugs game. We used to do it, but since this is now how we travel we have stopped looking backward at what we paid and we concentrate our efforts on our future plans/fares.

 

If you think a price is too high simply don't book. There are lots of other great cruise alternatives to HAL, and lots of other great travel alternatives to cruises.

 

 

 

The airline I use on most occasions will give you travel bank $ if the fare drops signicantly. Happened 3 times with me.

 

 

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[RocketMan275]

The airline I use on most occasions will give you travel bank $ if the fare drops signicantly. Happened 3 times with me.

 

 

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The cruise line is giving you $700 back. Why is this even an issue?

[Underwatr]

The airline I use on most occasions will give you travel bank $ if the fare drops signicantly. Happened 3 times with me.

The same is true of Southwest (most other airlines generally charge a change fee) but even with Southwest it's considered the same as canceling and rebooking.

[pamrose228]

The cruise line is giving you $700 back. Why is this even an issue?

 

 

 

No they are not. Where did you read this?

 

 

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[IndyDenise]

Some of the perks offered do not cost the line the equivalent in cash. If you accept paying $500 more in cruise fare for $600 in drinks, HAL is still way ahead. Their liquor (or soda) costs are not $600. Maybe $150. Someone in the restaurant industry once told me that the cost of soft drinks was about 10 cents to the restaurant for the raw materials. Same for the internet and extra fee restaurants. The prepaid gratuities would be the only straight savings that I can see.

 

 

 

It's not about value to HAL.. but value to me. I dont care what HAL pays for things but what I have to fork out .

 

The free drink package saves me a boat load of money . And mine is free , my cruise price was not inflated when Explore 4 came out.

 

Winner winner chicken dinner.

 

 

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[kazu]

The cruise line is giving you $700 back. Why is this even an issue?

 

No they are not. Where did you read this?

 

 

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I thought from what was posted that they were $700 ahead of the game too.:o:eek:if they took the new price.

 

I guess I am missing something, or can't understand the math or the post?

[RocketMan275]

No they are not. Where did you read this?

 

 

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I read it in your post below:

 

I think a HAL rep has a difference mentality than a TA.

As for the difference is rate quite a bit. I can get my cabin for $600 less app now that's a total of $1200 the perks come to $500 so the real difference is $700. You can figure out distribution all you want, HAL should be offering me something. Final payment due is 5 weeks, will be on the phone the next day.

 

BTW TA said she had a client who booked an interior after final she was bumped to ov, then balcony and given $900 in future cruise credit too book

 

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Near as I can tell, on your original booking you had $500 in perks. The price of this cruise has dropped by $1200 but the $500 in perks have been removed. It appears you want the new price saving $1200 and you want to keep the $500 in perks. Is that correct?

[pamrose228]

I read it in your post below:

 

 

 

Near as I can tell, on your original booking you had $500 in perks. The price of this cruise has dropped by $1200 but the $500 in perks have been removed. It appears you want the new price saving $1200 and you want to keep the $500 in perks. Is that correct?

 

 

 

Nothing has been removed. If I upgrade to a balcony the perks go away. I did not upgrade.

I was told by TA they would match price when I booked 7 months . They also wanted a $1050 unrefundable deposit

 

 

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[RocketMan275]

Nothing has been removed. If I upgrade to a balcony the perks go away. I did not upgrade.

I was told by TA they would match price when I booked 7 months . They also wanted a $1050 unrefundable deposit

 

 

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I'm confused and I wish you would help me understand what is going on.

You originally booked an OV for how much? What perks came with that offer?

What is the price of the OV now? What perks are with that offer?

What is the price of the balcony? What perks are with that offer?

What is you want Holland to do? Be specific, don't just say match the price.

[pamrose228]

I'm confused and I wish you would help me understand what is going on.

 

You originally booked an OV for how much?

$1550 pp for 2 possible 3rd $99

 

What perks came with that offer Grats for 2, $100 obc from HAL $100 from TA

 

 

What is the price of the OV now? No more exist in my cat G for 3. Closest cat $ 953 for first two but is obstructed view. What perks are with that offer? None must leave a 1050 non refundable deposit

 

What is the price of the balcony? $1130 first 2 pp third $99

No perks $75 obc with TA nonrefundable depository

What perks are with that offer?

 

What is you want Holland to do? Be specific, don't just say match the price.

 

Just upgrade me to the same level upper promenade balcony cabin. Much more room for three adults and let me keep my original perks

 

 

 

 

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[perditax]

It seems kind of clear that part of the price drop is due to removing the perks from the price.

 

It also seems like the perks you're losing almost exactly match the amount of money you're saving. So you get a balcony for the same total cost, if you rebook. Seems like a win. And maybe don't bother with the TA.

[pamrose228]

It seems kind of clear that part of the price drop is due to removing the perks from the price.

 

It also seems like the perks you're losing almost exactly match the amount of money you're saving. So you get a balcony for the same total cost, if you rebook. Seems like a win. And maybe don't bother with the TA.

 

 

 

How do you get the math

 

Original fare total $3700 less $500 perks total $3200

Similar cabin now $2000

Balcony cabin now $2600

 

How is that almost exactly the same

I do not want to give them 1050 unrefundable

 

So accustomed to Carnivals ES, fill out a form, screen shot the new rate bingo

 

 

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[RuthC]

You are making it sound like you want the perqs from one promo, and the fare from a different promo.

It doesn't work that way. You can pick one promo or the other, but in its entirety. You can't cherry pick the benefits from a variety of promos to craft a personal package of your own.

[pamrose228]

You are making it sound like you want the perqs from one promo, and the fare from a different promo.

 

It doesn't work that way. You can pick one promo or the other, but in its entirety. You can't cherry pick the benefits from a variety of promos to craft a personal package of your own.

 

 

 

No I just don't want to be penalized because I booked early esp when I was told they price match

 

 

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[RocketMan275]

No I just don't want to be penalized because I booked early esp when I was told they price match

 

 

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If your category is sold out, there can't be a price drop on that category.

[oaktreerb]

Was your original booking on a nonrefundable deposit for a fare of $3700-500 promo for a value of $3200?

The same cabin is now fared at $2000? According to your TA they price match which means you should get the TA to pricematch at $2000 and keep the $500 promo. That would be a deal.

 

You cannot cancel and rebook because you have a nonrefundable deposit? The larger balcony stateroom would mean a cancel and rebook.

[elganpat]

Booked my Panama partial in May for December. Major price drops for that date. TA called HAL today to try to upgrade. They were willing to upgrade my partial view window room to balcony on same deck. Caveat all my perks would go away...., free grats $200 obc. I said no thanks. TA said HAL upgrade more after final payment. What's your thoughts?

 

 

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I recently called them to change my cabin and he said the prices had gone down so I got a cabin in a higher category for $40 less. He told me to call back every month to get better prices. I am paid in full

 

 

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[IndyDenise]

How do you get the math

 

Original fare total $3700 less $500 perks total $3200

Similar cabin now $2000

Balcony cabin now $2600

 

How is that almost exactly the same

I do not want to give them 1050 unrefundable

 

So accustomed to Carnivals ES, fill out a form, screen shot the new rate bingo

 

 

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You do realize that if you price match on Carnival you STILL have to abide by the current offer rules. You may lose any OBC to get a smaller rate.

 

Plus you keep talking about Non refundable deposit. Early Saver rates on Carnival ARE non refundable!!!

 

 

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[pamrose228]

I recently called them to change my cabin and he said the prices had gone down so I got a cabin in a higher category for $40 less. He told me to call back every month to get better prices. I am paid in full

 

 

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See they are not budging with me

 

No I did not have a non refundable deposit. Zero deposit.

 

There are others available in my cat but for 2 or 4, not 3.

 

Unfortunately I booked with a TA and Hal would only deal with them.

 

Did you have any perks?

 

 

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[pamrose228]

I have used ES rate and retained all my perks with 3 sailing. One sailing I got 3 price drops. Never had to rebook.

 

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