Checking fares online when you have FCC

[NCTribeFan]

I don't find HAL's website to be very user friendly.  I typically use Chrome but tried Edge simply because every time I tried to change a cabin selection, I'd just get a blank screen.  It's working better in Edge.

 

I'm searching for a cruise for January to replace my April Zaandam east coast to Canada that was cancelled.  I also just had a Carnival sailing on 1/30 that was cancelled because a ship they were refurbishing won't be ready, so instead of cancelling those cruises, they cancelled a bunch for the ship I was on, are moving that ship to Port Canaveral, and putting the other folks on OUR ship.  Nice, huh?  That one wasn't expected.

 

Here's the thing.  One of my "issues" with HAL's website is that you never seem to know what fare you're getting.  Carnival has their problems, but when you go to book, you see every option for every fare for which you qualify, and you then can pick the one you want (casino, refundable deposit, non-refundable deposit with OBC, etc.).

 

When I search on HAL, I always start without logging in to see the generic price.  THEN, I log in and typically see a reduction of a few hundred dollars (I'm always looking at an IS since I'm solo).  Now that I have an FCC, I figured when I logged in that the new fare would reflect the FCC available to apply.  But the difference between logged in and not is not the amount of the FCC.  It's less, which makes me think this is just because I somehow qualify for some other fare (but who knows? They don't tell you!).  Even if I go all the way through to the payment page, there's nothing indicating that I can apply the FCC to the new booking.  I understand that I can't use the FCC for a deposit.  If I book, will the option to apply the FCC appear after?

 

It's just hard to decide on a sailing if I don't know what the final cost will be.  I have FCC/OBC for 3 cancelled Carnival sailings so I want to compare.  At this point in time, I don't want to commit more than necessary.  Having 5 cruises already booked through Feb 2022, I'm mildly concerned that if I don't go ahead and re-book on HAL that I'll end up not doing so, and that would be a shame.

[NCTribeFan]

I'm thinking that the difference in fare once I log in is just a solo discount.  It's about 70% off the not-logged-in fare.  I do wish they would tell you!  So, I think I should be able to reduce that fare by my FCC.  That would make it quite affordable, especially with this All-In offer.

 

No way can I rebook the same cruise.  It was the 1-time repo from FLL to Montreal.  The 2021 sailing is about 4x what I had paid!  Granted, I booked under a great casino fare, but I can't pay what HAL wants for that cruise next year.  Besides, I've book at TA on NCL Escape for that time period.

 

Guess I'll just have to have my TA figure it would  She's been so swamped with rebookings, I hate to bother her unless I'm sure I'm ready to rebook, too!

[Tennessee Titan]

On 7/15/2020 at 8:09 AM, NCTribeFan said:

I have FCC/OBC for 3 cancelled Carnival sailings so I want to compare.  At this point in time, I don't want to commit more than necessary.  Having 5 cruises already booked through Feb 2022, I'm mildly concerned that if I don't go ahead and re-book on HAL that I'll end up not doing so, and that would be a shame.

D you actually have this confirmed that you can use it now??

[NCTribeFan]

Yes, I requested the FCC way back when we were first cancelled.  It now shows up in my profile.  It didn't until a few days ago. That's why I thought if I tried a fake booking, once I got to the payment page, it would ask whether I wanted to apply the FCC.  It didn't.  Again, I find HAL's website to be just about the least use-friendly of any line I've sailed or booked.  And with Edge, it's been much better than it was!

 

I'm having my TA check.  Not sure what HAL's operating hours are.  She may have to wait until Monday.  Just hope I don't miss out on a good All-In fare (and the large inside cabin I want) while trying to figure it all out.

[NCTribeFan]

Here's what happened.  Had my TA call HAL to check on the fare for the 1/9/21 sailing of Nieuw Amsterdam, requesting a solo large inside cabin, All-In with the refundable deposit.

 

She came back with the "logged-in" amount I'd seen and then the FCC was applied, so my total, with taxes and fees is under $850.  I think that's great for an itinerary I want, the cabin I want, and the All-In perks.

 

Looking at my confirmation I see this...

 

So, maybe when I log in to check fares, that typical 30% discount I usually see isn't a solo discount but rather an casino rate.  Again, it would just be nice if HAL was more transparent about the fares.  Show my what I'm eligible for - casino, Mariner, senior, whatever.

 

Of course, since I was a solo, I only get $250 OBC despite the fact that I had paid for 2 people on my original sailing.  That still annoys me.  I paid for 2 people.  My FCC was based on the 2-person fare.  Yet I only get one OBC.

 

I should also get my SH credit, assuming CCL doesn't suspend that perk.

 

Anyway, obviously it's easier to get this info using your PCC or a TA than just using the website.  But for those of us to like to comparison shop, they don't make it very easy.