Price drop after booking

[Mackie2u2]

Hi all.  We (husband and I) booked and paid in full for a cruise in June aboard the Eurodam in Alaska for September of this year.  The prices have dropped.  I called and they offered us each a $100 beverage card and dinner in the Pinnacle.  I mentioned that my husband used a cane and we one cabin from the very end of aft section and there were closer rooms to the elevator.  She moved us a little down the hall, in the same class of verandah cabin, and hey, every little bit helps with him!  Anyone else have an experiences with price drops and offers after final payment recently?  

[bennybear]

I think each situation is different and probably depends how big the drop and how much penalty there would be if you cancelled.  And your TA.   We were recently very pleased with the response to a huge decrease.  

[epanchenko]

My Alaska cruise in August dropped in price a lot from when I booked in December.  We unwisely did final payment in December with only $50 OBC as a perk.  My research indicated that Alaska cruises were very in demand.  My obstructed view oceanview cabin is now the same price as a verandah.  We called HAL yesterday to explain, and we were offered an upgrade to a verandah, which we took.

Edited July 31, 2019 by epanchenko
More explanation

[epanchenko]

2 hours ago, epanchenko said:

My Alaska cruise in August dropped in price a lot from when I booked in December.  We unwisely did final payment in December with only $50 OBC as a perk.  My research indicated that Alaska cruises were very in demand.  My obstructed view oceanview cabin is now the same price as a verandah.  We called HAL yesterday to explain, and we were offered an upgrade to a verandah, which we took.

 I meant to say the oceanview cabin price back in December is now the same price as a verandah.  I wonder if Ovation of the Seas is taking business away from HAL in Alaska.

[operakatz]

1 hour ago, epanchenko said:

 I meant to say the oceanview cabin price back in December is now the same price as a verandah.  I wonder if Ovation of the Seas is taking business away from HAL in Alaska.

 

I wouldn't think so. Ovation doesn't do same itinerary and embarks on Fridays so requires 6 work vacation days for working folks as opposed to weekend embarkations. I would tend to think the twin Norwegian megas now sailing out of Seattle (Bliss and Joy) might be more in competition, but they're such a different vibe of ship than what HAL cruisers seem to like. I know I would be uncomfortable on such a large ship and would miss the peaceful aft Lido deck that's not all packed with movie screens, water slides, miniature golf, gocarts and laser tag. Meanwhile, a friend of mine and her husband, 12 year old daughter and 86 year old mom went on Bliss and it was great for lots of family activities. So, they suit different types of cruisers.

[epanchenko]

When I was booking, the Norwegian ships were a lot more expensive than HAL in December.  Now they are more comparable to the cruise I am taking.  I am a younger cruiser, I think I would have preferred NCL.

[Sunshineliving]

I saved $200 and got $400 obc for my cruise in Dec. It is before final payment, but a savings is a savings. 

[Cruise4food]

On my 2018 cruise Montreal to Boston, 7 days, we had a significant price drop just after final payment. Ocean view, as an example, was $800 less than my interior.  I called in and upgraded for  $550 to Lanai from interior. Those prices in CDN$, solo pricing.

 

[dada.mv]

Same experience for a cruise next January in carribean, price drop by 40%. I called HAL and i've been upgraded from an interior to a verandah.

From what i understand is the fact that you made the final payment or not that make the difference.

[Cruise4food]

1 hour ago, dada.mv said:

Same experience for a cruise next January in carribean, price drop by 40%. I called HAL and i've been upgraded from an interior to a verandah.

From what i understand is the fact that you made the final payment or not that make the difference.

Some trips are in big demand, such as Voyage of the Vikings and do not see price drops. For the rest, keep watching those prices. I have a Vista class ship booked fully obstructed ocean view for New Years and hope that the larger availability of verandas on that class will help make a later upgrade more affordable.