Question about Mariner Benefits

[fkfad]

I understand that we qualify for additional stars for onboard spending, including the purchase of shore excursions...  If I buy shore excursions online prior to our cruise, do these purchases qualify for additional stars -- or does this only pertain to the purchase of shore excursions when we are onboard?  Thanks for any insight!

[kazu]

1 minute ago, fkfad said:

I understand that we qualify for additional stars for onboard spending, including the purchase of shore excursions...  If I buy shore excursions online prior to our cruise, do these purchases qualify for additional stars -- or does this only pertain to the purchase of shore excursions when we are onboard?  Thanks for any insight!

 

Yes, items purchased before your cruise such as shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages, etc all count towards your Mariner day status 🙂 

[croozer]

Here's another question:  Three-Star Mariners are supposed to get a 25% discount on specialty dining.  (I know you 4-Star Mariners get half off!) I've always gotten the discount when my bill comes at the table, but it's showing full price on my account if I purchase it in advance.  Does the price change at checkout or something?  I didn't click that far to find out.  Anyone have any experience with that?

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, croozer said:

Here's another question:  Three-Star Mariners are supposed to get a 25% discount on specialty dining.  (I know you 4-Star Mariners get half off!) I've always gotten the discount when my bill comes at the table, but it's showing full price on my account if I purchase it in advance.  Does the price change at checkout or something?  I didn't click that far to find out.  Anyone have any experience with that?

 

No the price doesn’t change at check out.  You pay full price when you book on line and then will receive on board credit for the 25% discount on your specialty dining.

 

[westcoastsue]

I have another question. I only need 2 points to go to level 3 and my husband needs 6. In November we will be sailing on the Konigsdam in a Neptune Suite. Will the new levels kick in during the cruise or will we have to wait until the next time we sail?

Thanks in advance for any help/insights.

[Crew News]

32 minutes ago, westcoastsue said:

I have another question. I only need 2 points to go to level 3 and my husband needs 6. In November we will be sailing on the Konigsdam in a Neptune Suite. Will the new levels kick in during the cruise or will we have to wait until the next time we sail?

Thanks in advance for any help/insights.

The next time you sail, you will see the jump to the new Mariner level.

 

"For all cruises except Grand Voyages, your elevated benefits will take effect on your next Holland America Line cruise. If you cross a star level threshold while on board a Grand Voyage (based on days sailed), you will be upgraded to your new star level for the remainder of that voyage."

Edited September 24, 2021 by Crew News

[croozer]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

No the price doesn’t change at check out.  You pay full price when you book on line and then will receive on board credit for the 25% discount on your specialty dining.

 

Thank you so much for this answer.  Very kind of you to respond.

[fkfad]

Thank you for the reply!  Your HAL knowledge is very beneficial to us all!!!

[grsnovi]

There are more than a few very helpful folks on this board who know a lot more than I do that's for sure. They keep me coming back for more! 😊

 

[westcoastsue]

2 hours ago, Crew News said:

The next time you sail, you will see the jump to the new Mariner level.

 

"For all cruises except Grand Voyages, your elevated benefits will take effect on your next Holland America Line cruise. If you cross a star level threshold while on board a Grand Voyage (based on days sailed), you will be upgraded to your new star level for the remainder of that voyage."

Thank you - somehow I missed this.

[TiogaCruiser]

7 hours ago, kazu said:

 

No the price doesn’t change at check out.  You pay full price when you book on line and then will receive on board credit for the 25% discount on your specialty dining.

 

I’ve found the credit show up while onboard, a few days prior to the reservation.

[zgscl]

On 9/24/2021 at 5:32 AM, kazu said:

 

Yes, items purchased before your cruise such as shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages, etc all count towards your Mariner day status 🙂 

I am assuming retreat cabana rentals count as well?

[zgscl]

On 9/24/2021 at 5:30 AM, fkfad said:

I understand that we qualify for additional stars for onboard spending, including the purchase of shore excursions...  If I buy shore excursions online prior to our cruise, do these purchases qualify for additional stars -- or does this only pertain to the purchase of shore excursions when we are onboard?  Thanks for any insight!

Also keep in mind if you booked HIA or another promo with beverages they credit you for that part of your fare as if you had bought a drink package 😃

[kazu]

9 hours ago, zgscl said:

I am assuming retreat cabana rentals count as well?

 

Yes.  Basically anything you buy counts with the exception of OBC (you get credit once you spend it on board) and casino.  

 

[zgscl]

2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Yes.  Basically anything you buy counts with the exception of OBC (you get credit once you spend it on board) and casino.  

 

As always thank you!! 

[kentuckycruiser]

If our trip is booked under my 2 star husband's account but I am a 3 star, is there any way to get the 25 percent dining discount? 

[kazu]

19 minutes ago, kentuckycruiser said:

If our trip is booked under my 2 star husband's account but I am a 3 star, is there any way to get the 25 percent dining discount? 

Are you on the booking?  If you are, then HAL knows how many stars belong to each person.  I believe that the person in the cabin with the highest star level is accorded the benefits as well as the cabin mate (2nd passenger in the cabin).

 

From the HAL website:

 

 

Edited to say - I was 5* before DH who was 4* and he had all of my benefits on board.  By the next cruise he had caught up 😉 

[farawaygal]

5* Mariners receive "priority check in". We are boarding in San Diego on Wed. with only 300 other passengers to join the Panama Canal cruise which began in Seattle. We have been assigned boarding group K which boards at 4:20 pm. Everybody in boarding groups A-J must be President Club members!

[FlaMariner]

6 minutes ago, farawaygal said:

5* Mariners receive "priority check in". We are boarding in San Diego on Wed. with only 300 other passengers to join the Panama Canal cruise which began in Seattle. We have been assigned boarding group K which boards at 4:20 pm. Everybody in boarding groups A-J must be President Club members!

 

So I heard that boarding times are not assigned based on mariner status....your situation proves that also!  ..And this seemed to be true from the various boarding times and mariner statuses being reported on our roll call.

 

Also, boarding times are subject to change several times before boarding.....

 

"priority check in" refers to the "special" line once you do arrive for boarding.....From the FAQ's on the HAL site for "priority check in"....

 

Look for special signage at each cruise terminal identifying the 4 and 5-Star priority check-in line. 

(Passing this along as a lowly 3 star mariner and based on what I've read from our roll call)

[farawaygal]

Thanks for the info; good to know.

[Boytjie]

On 9/26/2021 at 12:38 AM, zgscl said:

I am assuming retreat cabana rentals count as well?

 

Anything you spend on the cruise (before or during), except "casino charges, cash advances, Future Cruise deposits, and associated fees".

[san diego spartan]

So I understand credit days cruised, but how does the ship board charges work? How much do you have to buy to get a cruise day credit? 

 

Thanks.

[Crew News]

13 minutes ago, san diego spartan said:

So I understand credit days cruised, but how does the ship board charges work? How much do you have to buy to get a cruise day credit? 

 

Thanks.

$300 in onboard charges for one additional cruise day BUT at the end of the cruise, HAL rounds up to the next $300.

Edited October 5, 2021 by Crew News

[RGEDad]

8 minutes ago, san diego spartan said:

So I understand credit days cruised, but how does the ship board charges work? How much do you have to buy to get a cruise day credit? 

For each $300 spent/squandered/donated/drunk you get one credit earned

From the mariner Society FAQs

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/mariner-society.html

 

• Suite Bonus Earn double Cruise Day credits when you pay a published fare for a spacious suite or penthouse on your next cruise. For example, a guest who pays published fare for suite accommodations for a 10-day cruise earns 20 Cruise Day credits. Special paid or complimentary upgrades do not qualify.
• Onboard Spending Bonus Effective with cruises on or after September 18, 2009, one bonus Cruise Day credit will be granted for each $300 in eligible onboard purchases. This is calculated on the combined folio charges for all guests on the booking, regardless of who signs each charge and who pays the bill. Only the first two guests on the booking receive the limit of one bonus day for each day sailed; 3rd and 4th guests on the same booking do not earn the onboard spending bonus. 

[san diego spartan]

28 minutes ago, Crew News said:

$300 in onboard charges for one additional cruise day BUT at the end of the cruise, HAL rounds up to the next $300.

Great thanks for the info!