Rare CineGraphic Posted June 13, 2020 #1 Share Posted June 13, 2020 We're booked on an April 2021 transatlantic, and our balance due is less than $900 (including airfare). Yesterday HAL emailed us an offer to pay off in full for a 10% discount plus $250 in OBC. However, I looked into the current cancellation/refund terms and, if HAL cancels the sailing, we'd get 125% of our base fare as a FCC, (which is very low because it was a casino rate), but if we don't pay in full, we'd get double our deposit, which in our case is a much bigger number. So, we'd come out ahead by not paying in full, only if HAL cancels. If the cruise sails as planned, we get nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 13, 2020 #2 Share Posted June 13, 2020 In April 2021, the Cruise will sail as planned, don't worry.The Cruise lines are bleeding right now because they have no income and huge expenses for many months. hence they need your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFD1 Posted June 13, 2020 #3 Share Posted June 13, 2020 24 minutes ago, CineGraphic said: We're booked on an April 2021 transatlantic, and our balance due is less than $900 (including airfare). Yesterday HAL emailed us an offer to pay off in full for a 10% discount plus $250 in OBC. However, I looked into the current cancellation/refund terms and, if HAL cancels the sailing, we'd get 125% of our base fare as a FCC, (which is very low because it was a casino rate), but if we don't pay in full, we'd get double our deposit, which in our case is a much bigger number. So, we'd come out ahead by not paying in full, only if HAL cancels. If the cruise sails as planned, we get nothing. Seems to me that if the cruise sails as planned, you'll get the cruise....that's not nothing....unless I'm missing something. Anyway, if it were me, I'd send HAL money only when necessary in order not to lose your cruise. IMO, only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted June 13, 2020 Author #4 Share Posted June 13, 2020 1 minute ago, DFD1 said: Seems to me that if the cruise sails as planned, you'll get the cruise....that's not nothing....unless I'm missing something. Maybe this will clear things up. If we pay it off, and it sails we'd get 10% off and $250 OBC. If we pay it off and HAL cancels, we'd get $1250 FCC + airfare If we don't pay it off, and HAL cancels, we'd get $2400 FCC + airfare If we don't pay it off during the promotion, but pay in full by due date, and it sails as planned, we don't get anything extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lido - Lanai Posted June 13, 2020 #5 Share Posted June 13, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, CineGraphic said: but if we don't pay in full, we'd get double our deposit, Isn't there some additional language on this option that says "up to 100% of base fare"? In other words if your cruise hasn't been paid in full, your FCC will equal double what you've paid so far towards the base fare, but won't exceed your total base fare amount. Edited June 13, 2020 by Lido - Lanai 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mud_Shark Posted June 13, 2020 #6 Share Posted June 13, 2020 If the cruise lines are not sailing by April, then they will likely be filing for bankruptcy, and the value of your 125% or your double deposit will be in serious question. I would not factor a cancelled April cruise into the equation other than the fact - if you put down more money - you have more money to lose. Now you have to weigh those risks against the gains in OBC and cruise fare rates they are offering, if you give them more money now. I might be tempted to gain the OBC, but it is a risk. I am hopeful cruising will be back before then, but I know many others doubt it. I think of April as more or less as far as the cruise lines can stretch this pause and still keep afloat. Just my opinion. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted June 13, 2020 #7 Share Posted June 13, 2020 We received the same offer for a March '21 cruise and didn't bite. We're already getting the 'Have it All' promo, plus $200 OBC as it is, and I'd rather keep the money in my account until final payment is due, rather than give it to HAL at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted June 13, 2020 #8 Share Posted June 13, 2020 3 hours ago, CineGraphic said: Maybe this will clear things up. If we pay it off, and it sails we'd get 10% off and $250 OBC. If we pay it off and HAL cancels, we'd get $1250 FCC + airfare If we don't pay it off, and HAL cancels, we'd get $2400 FCC + airfare If we don't pay it off during the promotion, but pay in full by due date, and it sails as planned, we don't get anything extra. Too much math for my addled brain. I think you're overthinking this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickel-and-dime-me Posted June 13, 2020 #9 Share Posted June 13, 2020 I would not send any more money to the cruise lines right now. Just too many unknowns, imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 13, 2020 #10 Share Posted June 13, 2020 @CineGraphic It’s hard to decide what to do but no one has a crystal ball, sadly. There is no right or wrong decision. Once you decide what to do, don’t worry about the “what if’s” and the “I should have”. As long as you are comfortable with what you decide now, then it’s a decision you’ve made and don’t fret and regret it. For example, had I waited to cancel my cruise, I would have received a full refund. Once the writing was on the wall With travel warnings I had no choice but to cancel or my travel insurance would have been voided. How good it is remains to be seen but I do not regret the decision I made at the time. It was the right thing to do. No one can predict the future 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandalay1903 Posted June 13, 2020 #11 Share Posted June 13, 2020 4 hours ago, CineGraphic said: it was a casino rate If I were struggling picking one of these four alternatives I would stay away from poker. But that's just me... 🙂 Good luck with the choice, and I hope we're all cruising before April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted June 13, 2020 Author #12 Share Posted June 13, 2020 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Mandalay1903 said: If I were struggling picking one of these four alternatives I would stay away from poker. At least with poker, one can see a few cards and how many chips their opponents are playing with. With older cruisers seemingly at risk more than others, and HAL's large base of senior clientele, I question if & how the brand can stay afloat, as compared to others. At least I have until the end of the month to decide. Edited June 13, 2020 by CineGraphic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 13, 2020 #13 Share Posted June 13, 2020 At least with poker, one can see a few cards and how many chips their opponents are playing with. With older cruisers seemingly at risk more than others, and HAL's large base of senior clientele, I question if & how the brand can stay afloat, as compared to others. At least I have until the end of the month to decide.What's a relatively younger man like you doing with older people on HAL? Jokes apart, I personally would not book HAL, because it's entertainment is not comparable with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess.still I feel that you should go ahead and pay the balance because I am sure that they will remain afloat and be sailing in April 2021, because i expect the Carnival group to survive this crisis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFD1 Posted June 13, 2020 #14 Share Posted June 13, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, drsel said: What's a relatively younger man like you doing with older people on HAL? Jokes apart, I personally would not book HAL, because it's entertainment is not comparable with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess. still I feel that you should go ahead and pay the balance because I am sure that they will remain afloat and be sailing in April 2021, because i expect the Carnival group to survive this crisis. I hope you right, as a four star mariner, but Carnival Group is one thing.....HAL is quite another.....especially in this situation. Edited June 13, 2020 by DFD1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CineGraphic Posted June 13, 2020 Author #15 Share Posted June 13, 2020 1 hour ago, drsel said: I personally would not book HAL, because it's entertainment is not comparable with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess. Although we've only sailed on HAL once before, and were generally underwhelmed, I have to agree with you about the entertainment, with the exception of the BB King's house band, they are fabulous. I only wish they had a larger repertoire to choose from. Overall, we prefer Princess, however this was a deal that was hard to turn down, and we thought that we'd give HAL another chance. 13 minutes ago, DFD1 said: I hope you right, as a four star mariner, but Carnival Group is one thing.....HAL is quite another.....especially in this situation. I think it would pretty hard to find a travel agent these days that would tell you HAL bookings are steady, or up. Lots of people are booking lots of cruises, but I don't think many of them are with HAL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABoatNerd Posted June 13, 2020 #16 Share Posted June 13, 2020 Pay nothing to cruises. Move your money to more realistic expenditures that have long term benefit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandalay1903 Posted June 14, 2020 #17 Share Posted June 14, 2020 6 hours ago, CineGraphic said: At least with poker, one can see a few cards and how many chips their opponents are playing with. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted June 14, 2020 #18 Share Posted June 14, 2020 Pay nothing to cruises. Move your money to more realistic expenditures that have long term benefit.Which are these more realistic expenditures that we should move our money to for long term benefit? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFD1 Posted June 14, 2020 #19 Share Posted June 14, 2020 I hope HAL comes through this still in tact. We will sail with her again when things settle down a bit, but not right now. For us, it just does not make sense to trust any cruise line with a substantial amount of money at the moment. If there is a second wave of Covid19 this fall and winter, all bets are off so far as cruise lines survival are concerned, IMO...and at the moment things don't look very good around this country or in many other parts of the world. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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