Using HAL for precruise hotel?

[calteacher]

We have a cruise booked which includes a "land first" tour followed by a cruise.  The night prior to the start of the "tour" has the hotel accommodations included as part of the tour.  I assume that it will be at the Westmark Hotel in Anchorage.  Would we be better served by obtaining a couple of days room reservations at the same hotel (to avoid the problem of transferring luggage) or should we book on our own?

 

Discovered on a cruise to Europe that the cruise lines generally charge much more for those rooms than booking individually.  Has anyone had experience with having HAL book the rooms?

[CruiserBruce]

It is frequently discussed here that arranging the hotel through the cruise line is typically around double the average booking costs if you do it on your own. It is noted that this includes the airport to hotel, and hotel to ship transfers, but is still rarely a better deal than if you book your own hotel and transportation.

 

We only book through the cruise line if it is a unique location or travel issue, like the time we arrived in Lima Peru at almost midnight. It was nice having HAL great us and get us to the hotel that night, and to the ship the next morning.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Many years ago we thought we might book HAL's Copenhagen hotel -- back then it was the Sheraton.  The price seemed high so I checked on it myself.  It was nearly double what I could book it for.  And it didn't include any transfers -- that was an added fee.

[freestyling]

Contact the hotel that HAL is using and book additional nights yourself. Let them know you will be staying 1 “additional” night via HAL and prefer to stay in whatever room class you booked. 

[calteacher]

Thanks.  that was my idea.  When we went on a river cruise, I could determine that the "chosen" hotel in Amsterdam was the Amsterdam Grand Amrath.  I was able to book it on my own for about half the cost that the cruise line would have charged.  Of course, I couldn't get transportation to the ship, but I just ordered a taxi.

However, that was not on HAL, so didn't know if HAL was an exception to the rule.

Edited October 7, 2019 by calteacher
Addition

[PSR]

18 hours ago, calteacher said:

Would we be better served by obtaining a couple of days room reservations at the same hotel (to avoid the problem of transferring luggage) or should we book on our own?

 

We just did a pre-cruise land tour with HAL in Aug/September. We went a day ahead and stayed at the Westmark; booked the 2nd day with HAL and it was a bit pricey: $199pp. Did not try to book on our own with the Westmark. Decided I didn't want to deal with the 2 reservations and making sure they matched rooms.

 

As it turned out, there was a bit of confusion at the hotel when we were transported by a large bus (with only the two of us onboard!). The airport HAL rep did not really explain the procedure to check in when we boarded, nor did the driver. Most people arrived in large groups with HAL reps greeting you in an office within the hotel to distribute your travel packet explaining everything. We just came in by ourselves and the HAL rep just waved us into the hotel (assuming, I think, that we were with a large group that just entered).

 

Anyway, it took about 30 minutes or so to figure out that we needed to go back to the HAL office to get our packet. The front desk person was confused about why we didn't have a packet and couldn't quite understand why we didn't know what to do. Once we got our packet (with our room keys) all was fine; our luggage was in the room already. The rest of the trip was great, especially the land tour!!

 

I assume if you go earlier to the hotel without a HAL booking, you will have to get your packet at the HAL desk on the day the rest of the group on your land tour arrives; which will be on your HAL itinerary page. There will be a lot of coming and going, as new groups come every day.  

Edited October 7, 2019 by PSR

[sevenseasnomad]

As the HAL representative reminded me when we were thinking of booking their pre-cruise hotel in Copenhagen, "we aren't in the hotel business."  We found another hotel, a little boutique hotel, for 75% less.  Oh my goodness, we loved that hotel.  Just marvelous.  Now, if I could remember its name. . .   LOL.  

[Hlitner]

Our experience is just about anything (except air) arranged though a cruise line costs double.  That is why we never book cruise line transfers or hotels.  

 

Hank

[PSR]

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Our experience is just about anything (except air) arranged though a cruise line costs double.  That is why we never book cruise line transfers or hotels.  

 

Hank

 

We usually don't either. However, when you book a land tour you automatically get transfers and if necessary due to distance, one hotel night included.

[Hlitner]

6 hours ago, PSR said:

 

We usually don't either. However, when you book a land tour you automatically get transfers and if necessary due to distance, one hotel night included.

Despite more then 40 years of extensive cruising we have never taken any kind of land tour or package from HAL.  We have previously done a pretty long land/cruise tour (in China) on Princess and once used a pre-post cruise package in Buenos Aires which was provided by Celebrity (that was a big mistake on our part).  We now put together our own land trips.  In Europe that will usually mean renting a car for at least a week.  We are now working on a 10 day pre-cruise itinerary in Japan (prior to a Westerdam cruise) and will not use anything provided by HAL other then their decent air deal.   We can use points to pay for all of our Japan hotels and will purchase a JR Rail Pass to get around between a few cities (primarily Tokyo and Kyoto).

 

Hank

[oceanmom]

Unless during holidays/local events. We found the Amsterdam hotel during Gay Pride week was close to the HAL price especially when considering the included breakfast and transfer as well as cancellation deadlines--and convenience of being right at the port for departure during the Saturday morning festivities. Our favorite hotel in AMS also had a 3-night minimum stay requirement which took them off the list. Similar issues for a Caribbean cruise out of FLL last Christmas week. When booking a family trip, you don't always have a choice of when you can go.

 

 

On 10/7/2019 at 4:20 AM, CruiserBruce said:

It is frequently discussed here that arranging the hotel through the cruise line is typically around double the average booking costs if you do it on your own. It is noted that this includes the airport to hotel, and hotel to ship transfers, but is still rarely a better deal than if you book your own hotel and transportation.

 

 

 

[tamsno]

Actually my preferred Marriott Harbor Beach Ft. Lauderdale in April through HAL is $150 less for one person and $100 less for two per night with transfers so not always more.   As well, one way flight back from Barcelona HAL booking is half AA price so a good deal all around.

[TAD2005]

HAL always tacks on a hefty commission on outside services, such as shore excursions, transfers, and hotels.   With hotels, the big problem is that HAL charges "per-person" for the room rate.  A typical hotel costing $250 per night for the room, if you book it yourself, will cost $199 per-person, per night booked with HAL.   You save $150 by booking yourself.

HAL will hold a number of rooms in their selected hotel.  But if you contact the hotel very early, (many months early) and book it yourself, you will save a bunch.  

[luv2cruisenz]

Hi, I have been checking hotel prices in San Diego for a while now, and the HAL price is cheaper than booking direct with any hotel which did surprise me.  But alot of hotels are booked out already for the end of April, so I will have to book with HAL I think.

 

I was wondering if anyone knows what the cancellation & refund conditions are for their hotels as I cant find them anywhere on their site, or even when I go as far as booking the hotel but not completing it.

Thanks!

[Reagan0712]

On 10/6/2019 at 11:54 PM, calteacher said:

We have a cruise booked which includes a "land first" tour followed by a cruise.  The night prior to the start of the "tour" has the hotel accommodations included as part of the tour.  I assume that it will be at the Westmark Hotel in Anchorage.  Would we be better served by obtaining a couple of days room reservations at the same hotel (to avoid the problem of transferring luggage) or should we book on our own?

 

Discovered on a cruise to Europe that the cruise lines generally charge much more for those rooms than booking individually.  Has anyone had experience with having HAL book the rooms?

Are you still going to book a transfer from airport to hotel through HAL? If so, what time does your plane get into Anchorage?  I ask because we have a transfer booked but our plane arrives at 11;30pm, if on time.  I was told by HAL representative that the transfer shuttle does not run after 11pm. (Was told hours are 3am to 11pm)  She said we would have to get a cab to the hotel, get a receipt, then present the receipt at the desk when we get onboard in Seward.

[canadianbear]

1 hour ago, luv2cruisenz said:

Hi, I have been checking hotel prices in San Diego for a while now, and the HAL price is cheaper than booking direct with any hotel which did surprise me.  But alot of hotels are booked out already for the end of April, so I will have to book with HAL I think.

 

I was wondering if anyone knows what the cancellation & refund conditions are for their hotels as I cant find them anywhere on their site, or even when I go as far as booking the hotel but not completing it.

Thanks!

I was also looking at hotels in San Diego for end of April (had considered booking Maasdam to Vancouver) but the hotels are either all booked up or astronomical in price.  I’d contact whomever you booked through to ask your question-I’m not sure unless you had the cancel for any reason.  When you find out, I’d be interested in the answer.  Thanks & good luck.

[luv2cruisenz]

1 minute ago, canadianbear said:

I was also looking at hotels in San Diego for end of April (had considered booking Maasdam to Vancouver) but the hotels are either all booked up or astronomical in price.  I’d contact whomever you booked through to ask your question-I’m not sure unless you had the cancel for any reason.  When you find out, I’d be interested in the answer.  Thanks & good luck.

Yes that's the cruise we are on !  We might just stay in Los Angeles instead and train down on cruise day which is s shame. I really cant believe the hotel prices, even the Holiday Inn Express was over $400 plus tax. Supply & demand I guess ! 

[canadianbear]

19 minutes ago, luv2cruisenz said:

Yes that's the cruise we are on !  We might just stay in Los Angeles instead and train down on cruise day which is s shame. I really cant believe the hotel prices, even the Holiday Inn Express was over $400 plus tax. Supply & demand I guess ! 

I was trying to see if there was a marathon or large convention going on.  I’d be going single if I booked this cruise so between the single supplement and lack of reasonable priced hotel I haven’t booked.  I thought about flying in same day but that makes me nervous even though it’s a non stop 3 hour flight.

[luv2cruisenz]

Yes I don't like flying in the same day either ! Everything does add add that's for sure 

[rere827]

On 10/6/2019 at 11:54 PM, calteacher said:

We have a cruise booked which includes a "land first" tour followed by a cruise.  The night prior to the start of the "tour" has the hotel accommodations included as part of the tour.  I assume that it will be at the Westmark Hotel in Anchorage.  Would we be better served by obtaining a couple of days room reservations at the same hotel (to avoid the problem of transferring luggage) or should we book on our own?

 

Discovered on a cruise to Europe that the cruise lines generally charge much more for those rooms than booking individually.  Has anyone had experience with having HAL book the rooms?

We have the same issue.  After researching many travel sites I found that our trip is booked in the westmark for the first night of our tour. We booked two additional nights ourselves through the website at a discount for multiple nights. Not thrilled with hotel reviews but we also figured it would be easier not to move. Marie

[PSR]

23 hours ago, rere827 said:

We have the same issue.  After researching many travel sites I found that our trip is booked in the westmark for the first night of our tour. We booked two additional nights ourselves through the website at a discount for multiple nights. Not thrilled with hotel reviews but we also figured it would be easier not to move. Marie

 

How did you make sure you will be in the same room for all 3 nights? Did you contact the hotel after making the independent reservation? We're not on a land tour this year;  just trying to find out your strategy for any others who would like to do this.

[calteacher]

Updating our previous post.  I tried for months to get rooms for two nights at the Anchorage Westmark prior to our tour.  Every time "there was NO availability".  I gave up and reserved a B&B we used 8 years ago.  The owner was a little hesitant to take the reservation as he said when someone books 6 months in advance, they usually cancel.  Hopefully we won't need to cancel.

[rere827]

2 minutes ago, calteacher said:

Updating our previous post.  I tried for months to get rooms for two nights at the Anchorage Westmark prior to our tour.  Every time "there was NO availability".  I gave up and reserved a B&B we used 8 years ago.  The owner was a little hesitant to take the reservation as he said when someone books 6 months in advance, they usually cancel.  Hopefully we won't need to cancel.

Sorry to hear that.we are traveling in May so perhaps it is not as crowded.  I went to the hotel's website to book.

Marie

[imescaping]

On 2/20/2020 at 6:30 PM, canadianbear said:

I was trying to see if there was a marathon or large convention going on.  I’d be going single if I booked this cruise so between the single supplement and lack of reasonable priced hotel I haven’t booked.  I thought about flying in same day but that makes me nervous even though it’s a non stop 3 hour flight.

How close do you have to be to the port? How picky are you?  I found a lot of  possibilities less than $200 on 4/26 on one of the main online hotel booking sites with 8+ out of 10 guest rating.  (Courtyard, Sheraton, Comfort Inn, Best Western) With in a few miles of the airport, a little further out adds more, I have no Idea why the downtown and hotels near the port are so ridiculously expensive. 

[canadianbear]

10 hours ago, imescaping said:

How close do you have to be to the port? How picky are you?  I found a lot of  possibilities less than $200 on 4/26 on one of the main online hotel booking sites with 8+ out of 10 guest rating.  (Courtyard, Sheraton, Comfort Inn, Best Western) With in a few miles of the airport, a little further out adds more, I have no Idea why the downtown and hotels near the port are so ridiculously expensive. 

Since I’d be traveling single I’d prefer being close to the port as I know the surrounding area and feel safe walking there to restaurants I am familiar with.  I did look at several hotels further away (thanks though for the suggestion) but have not booked.  I do have friends that will be on the sailing who booked a hotel ages ago and they said I could stay with them.  Decisions decisions!   I’ll be seeing my friends when they stay in Vancouver a few days before they fly home so it’s not a big deal if I don’t go on the cruise.  It’s kind of a decision I’d make last minute.