HAL still trying to raise cash by offering OBC for early payments on booked cruises

[Turtles06]

45 minutes ago, esimon said:

 those of you that do not trust HAL or cruising in general - guess what - you can stay home

 

It has nothing to do with trust.  The world is dealing with a highly contagious, serious and too-often deadly viral disease, for which there are as yet no real treatments and no vaccine, let alone a widely available one.   There is no way to know when cruising can safely resume or what the cruising "product" will even be like when cruising does resume.   In these circumstances,  it's entirely reasonable for people to conclude it's not a smart financial move to put more money into near-term cruises; it has nothing to do with trust.  

[esimon]

yes people have died - very sad and awful - more deaths from drug overdoses.  Positive cases are .005% -   

If you are high risk - stay home - just a fact.   If you are concerned - stay home - do not pay for a cruise until you feel safe.  

I feel safe and will cruise as soon as they allow me too.     

This isn't an argument - this is fact. 

[HAL4NOW]

3 hours ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

We have bookings for September and October 2021, and did NOT receive this offer.

My guess is it’s an enticement for less earlier, less certain sailings.

We got the offer from HAL in an email the day after they sent us an email cancelling the Feb. 2021 cruise the offer was based on. 

[CruiserBruce]

1 hour ago, esimon said:

yes people have died - very sad and awful - more deaths from drug overdoses.  Positive cases are .005% -   

If you are high risk - stay home - just a fact.   If you are concerned - stay home - do not pay for a cruise until you feel safe.  

I feel safe and will cruise as soon as they allow me too.     

This isn't an argument - this is fact. 

All these "facts" are clouded by one very important "fact".... overdose deaths and Covid deaths have nothing in common, so comparing them is totally irrelevant, and simply a distraction. Overdose deaths are typically self inflicted. You could give someone else Covid quite easily...due to no fault of their own. 

[esimon]

Ok. Discussion over.  If you can’t figure out how to stay home if you’re concerned and or high risk and or over 75 that’s not my issue.

[DFD1]

1 hour ago, esimon said:

Ok. Discussion over.  If you can’t figure out how to stay home if you’re concerned and or high risk and or over 75 that’s not my issue.

 

Ok, I figured it out. That's why I'm not cruising nor sending HAL or any cruise line any money until I'm no longer concerned

[CruiserBruce]

2 hours ago, esimon said:

yes people have died - very sad and awful - more deaths from drug overdoses.  Positive cases are .005% -   

If you are high risk - stay home - just a fact.   If you are concerned - stay home - do not pay for a cruise until you feel safe.  

I feel safe and will cruise as soon as they allow me too.     

This isn't an argument - this is fact. 

Oh, and to your "facts", there has never been more than 70k deaths due to overdose in the US, in ONE YEAR. FYI, the Covid death toll is 110k in 4 MONTHS. 

[Sue from Canada]

5 hours ago, esimon said:

Ok. Discussion over.  If you can’t figure out how to stay home if you’re concerned and or high risk and or over 75 that’s not my issue.

Wow, from your rude response it sounds like you're the one stressed out.  FYI, I would not cruise now due to the information we're receiving about all the increase in COVID cases in the US.  And that's why our border will stay closed.  Good luck to you on your next cruise.

[Flying-Dragon]

13 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

Friends who cancelled a May cruise on March 31 have received their refunds and FCCs. They were told at the time of cancellation the refund may take up to 60 days. It took 67 days. 

 

I understand not wanting to give HAL more money at this time.

However refunds ARE being paid out.   

 

76 days and counting here from a 30 March Hal-initiated cancellation for April and May cruises.  Nothing yet.

[KroozNut]

14 hours ago, Flying-Dragon said:

 

76 days and counting here from a 30 March Hal-initiated cancellation for April and May cruises.  Nothing yet.

 

The line is VERY long...

[ABoatNerd]

Get to your credit card - file a dispute.

 

What the heck are you waiting for? Move in your best interests.

[Andi Land]

On 6/14/2020 at 11:33 AM, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

We have bookings for September and October 2021, and did NOT receive this offer.

My guess is it’s an enticement for less earlier, less certain sailings.

I called today regarding a booking I have for September 2021. They offered me this deal even though I didn’t get the email. So, just call and see what can be done if you’re interested in the added OBC.  

[cat shepard]

On 6/14/2020 at 2:33 PM, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

We have bookings for September and October 2021, and did NOT receive this offer.

My guess is it’s an enticement for less earlier, less certain sailings.

I cruise in September 2021, and I received the offer. Interesting puzzle.

 

I am going to Alaska early in September. Perhaps linked to destination or cruise length? Cabin category?  

[Horizon chaser 1957]

1 hour ago, Andi Land said:

I called today regarding a booking I have for September 2021. They offered me this deal even though I didn’t get the email. So, just call and see what can be done if you’re interested in the added OBC.  

 

Oh - good to know! I’ll never know if I don’t ask. Thanks!

[Sue from Canada]

Whoo hoo.  I checked my Amex card on-line last night and my full credit was issued (for my canceled May 4th cruise) on June 12th.  Happy days are here again.....

[hmorrow]

We are sailing from San Diego on April 17, 2021.  We booked our air with Alaska Airlines- then got an offer for a credit card. We each Got the cc- if we spend $2000 each, within 60 days, we each get 40,000 miles, plus a $100 credit on the card.

Then we got the pay in full offer, with the 250 obc and 10% off.  Will use the new credit card to pay.

For us a win win! We rack up too much not to do it.  I feel sure that by April 2021, it will be fine, and if not, we'll go when we can.

[fox02554]

On 6/13/2020 at 12:21 AM, Brewgirl1 said:

We just paid off our Jan. cruise. The $1300 was worth it to me, also the $250 obc. 

Really hoping this doesn't get cancelled.

 

I was wondering was the 10% off the cruise total price or just the remaining balance ? 

[Horizon chaser 1957]

19 hours ago, Andi Land said:

I called today regarding a booking I have for September 2021. They offered me this deal even though I didn’t get the email. So, just call and see what can be done if you’re interested in the added OBC.  

Our TA checked this with HAL. It doesn’t apply if you use FCC for any part of the cruise fare - it’s an either/ or situation. In our case, paying with free FCC was the better deal than the OBC!

 

[hmorrow]

44 minutes ago, fox02554 said:

I was wondering was the 10% off the cruise total price or just the remaining balance ? 

I believe it's on the original amount, excluding port taxes, ins, etc.

[fatcat04]

8 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Our TA checked this with HAL. It doesn’t apply if you use FCC for any part of the cruise fare - it’s an either/ or situation. In our case, paying with free FCC was the better deal than the OBC!

 

Curious, our PCC told us FCC and the promo were compatible but only on option #1.

 

This the email I got:

Dear Valued Guest, We look forward to seeing you on your upcoming cruise! In appreciation, we invite you to participate in a very special offer. Between now and June 30, you can choose one of the following ways to receive up to US$250 onboard spending money to treat yourself to specialty dining, spa services, gift shop purchases, beverages and more. If you pay in full, you can also receive 10% discount on your already-booked cruise😘

1 Make an installment toward your booked cruise and receive up to US$250 onboard spending money per booking.

For a $250 installment, receive US$50 For a $500 installment, receive US$125 For a $750 installment, receive US$250

2 Sign up for our payment plan, using EZPay, and receive US$250 onboard spending money per booking. Spread out your cruise balance into equal, interest-free monthly payments, with no additional fees.*

3 Pay for your booked cruise in full to receive a 10% discount plus US$250 onboard spending money per booking. Buy and save now, and enjoy something special later — a massage, champagne cocktails or perhaps a dinner in our elegant Pinnacle Grill.*

To take advantage of these special savings and redeem the offer, call your Travel Advisor or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425). *Future Cruise Credits cannot be used to redeem offers 2 & 3.

[Horizon chaser 1957]

1 hour ago, fatcat04 said:

Curious, our PCC told us FCC and the promo were compatible but only on option #1.

 

This the email I got:

Dear Valued Guest, We look forward to seeing you on your upcoming cruise! In appreciation, we invite you to participate in a very special offer. Between now and June 30, you can choose one of the following ways to receive up to US$250 onboard spending money to treat yourself to specialty dining, spa services, gift shop purchases, beverages and more. If you pay in full, you can also receive 10% discount on your already-booked cruise😘

1 Make an installment toward your booked cruise and receive up to US$250 onboard spending money per booking.

For a $250 installment, receive US$50 For a $500 installment, receive US$125 For a $750 installment, receive US$250

2 Sign up for our payment plan, using EZPay, and receive US$250 onboard spending money per booking. Spread out your cruise balance into equal, interest-free monthly payments, with no additional fees.*

3 Pay for your booked cruise in full to receive a 10% discount plus US$250 onboard spending money per booking. Buy and save now, and enjoy something special later — a massage, champagne cocktails or perhaps a dinner in our elegant Pinnacle Grill.*

To take advantage of these special savings and redeem the offer, call your Travel Advisor or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425). *Future Cruise Credits cannot be used to redeem offers 2 & 3.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Did your PCC tell you this before, or after, attempting to actually apply the offer to FCC?

We were trying for Option 1, but HAL wouldn’t let our TA apply it even to the cash part of the payment, since FCC had been used to pay the other part.

It might also be the difference between booking from Canada vs booking from the US. HAL will not allow gift cards to be used on cruises booked in Canada, even though their Canadian site promotes the offer and has a link to the gift card purchase. 
 HAL has refunded us everything they owe us, but trying to GIVE them money is proving to be extremely difficult. Sort of the opposite of most people’s experience right now!🤔

[fatcat04]

2 hours ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Curiouser and curiouser.

Did your PCC tell you this before, or after, attempting to actually apply the offer to FCC?

We were trying for Option 1, but HAL wouldn’t let our TA apply it even to the cash part of the payment, since FCC had been used to pay the other part.

It might also be the difference between booking from Canada vs booking from the US. HAL will not allow gift cards to be used on cruises booked in Canada, even though their Canadian site promotes the offer and has a link to the gift card purchase. 
 HAL has refunded us everything they owe us, but trying to GIVE them money is proving to be extremely difficult. Sort of the opposite of most people’s experience right now!🤔

I'll check with her again. She actually spent a long time with me on hold checking into it and came back saying that option #1 was the only one that an FCC could be used with. I had assumed none were usable but she assured me. This was not long after the promo originally appeared. Who knows? But you are correct, HAL can at times make it very hard to GIVE them our money. 😛

[Horizon chaser 1957]

2 hours ago, fatcat04 said:

I'll check with her again. She actually spent a long time with me on hold checking into it and came back saying that option #1 was the only one that an FCC could be used with. I had assumed none were usable but she assured me. This was not long after the promo originally appeared. Who knows? But you are correct, HAL can at times make it very hard to GIVE them our money. 😛

Please let me know what she says. And that bottom line of fine print, ‘Future Cruise Credit cannot be used to redeem offers 2 and 3’, certainly implies that it CAN be used to redeem offer 1. Maybe my TA can talk to someone else and get our OBC after all!

[NapTown Jim]

I have received no such offer.  Our Alaskan cruise was cancelled and we booked a Caribbean cruise next March to roll the FCC and all the extra goodies into it.  I wonder if that's why we didn't get this offer?  Even if we did, we're not paying anything more until we see HAL cruise again.

[vswan]

I booked a casino offer for Feb. 2021. I choose to upgrade to a balcony, so for a 10 day cruise it was $599pp, plus the deposit, etc. I received the offer and was seriously considering it. Would owe about $1200 total, take 10% off and get $250 OBC... Contacted my PCC - who is still employed! - and she said that I wasn't eligible for the offer since I booked the casino offer. So why did they send me the email? Wouldn't think it would be that hard to divide in batches the reservations that qualified versus those that don't.