Targeted email offer - Complimentary Verandah cabin

[silversneakers]

On 6/10/2022 at 11:21 AM, HUNKY said:

Yesterday I received a targeted email offering a COMPLIMENTARY verandah (obstructed) cabin.  HAL has many cruises this summer and into fall.  Alaska, New England and a few out of Europe.

 

We booked Konigsdam out of Vancouver this morning, too good to pass up.

 

Anyone else get this email and book a cruise?

Do you get to book a specific category or is it a guarantee cabin?

[albingirl]

I'm still waiting for my free cruise.  If it's free, it's for me, as the saying goes.  I'll let you know when I get the freebie.  I did bet $20.00 on my last cruise, so why not?

[BermudaBound2014]

The offer I received was not a casino offer. It was a general promotion welcoming me back to HAL. As I said, it has been years since sailing HAL. However; I did have an Antarctica trip booked for Jan of 2021, so maybe their system was targeting those who had cruises cancelled (and did not take FCC)? Who knows, but what I do know is that my offer had nothing to do with the casino. 

[dockman]

It is actually kind of insulting to four and  five star  loyal customers who have no doubt spent a bundle over the years to have people who have spent a fraction be offered a better deal.  Casino offers sure I understand but a no strings attached freebie is beyond the pale.  Sort of like you bank with a bank for 30 years but the guy who opens a new account with $50 gets a free toaster but you don't.

 

Holland needs to rethink some of their marketing plans if this is the best they can come up with.

[Nickelpenny]

35 minutes ago, dockman said:

It is actually kind of insulting to four and  five star  loyal customers who have no doubt spent a bundle over the years to have people who have spent a fraction be offered a better deal.  Casino offers sure I understand but a no strings attached freebie is beyond the pale.  Sort of like you bank with a bank for 30 years but the guy who opens a new account with $50 gets a free toaster but you don't.

 

Holland needs to rethink some of their marketing plans if this is the best they can come up with.

This probably isn't a popular response, but I disagree.  HAL is doing a marketing scheme to attract NEW customers not keep old ones (who have already proved their loyalty by cruising with HAL numerous times).  Old ones - 4-5* Mariners already get perks; expanding a customer base is the object!!

[dockman]

Just now, Nickelpenny said:

This probably isn't a popular response, but I disagree.  HAL is doing a marketing scheme to attract NEW customers not keep old ones (who have already proved their loyalty by cruising with HAL numerous times).  Old ones - 4-5* Mariners already get perks; expanding a customer base is the object!!

I suspect that a lot of us 5 stars would disagree and that this is will not endear us to Holland.  The perks are not all that great and were earned by spending a LOT of $$.

 

There are many ways to expand your base with new cruisers without insulting your loyal customers by giving away a cruise to a newbie.

 

  Giving away a cruise is not  much of a marketing plan as there are tons of people who will happily take your free offer and you will never hear from them again. They may well also want to be sure to boast to other passengers on the ship that they got a freebie making for some uncomfortable conversations at dinner and at the front desk.

 

. It might make a bit more sense if they at least target the freebie offer  to  previous cruisers who spent a bundle on shore excursions which does not appear to be the case.  

[Mary229]

Them giving away a cruise does not harm me and as was said earlier they only give away cruises that they assume based on historical modeling is not going to sell.   It is a sweet deal for those with the offer, enjoy the cruise 
 

I have often counseled micro business owners online and when they comment on someone else’s “bad” business decisions my response is everyone is welcome to destroy their own business as they see fit.  
 

I agree freebies only serve one customer, other promotions serve a wider audience.   As a business owner I prefer to serve the wider audience, I could be wrong 

[Florida_gal_50]

59 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Them giving away a cruise does not harm me and as was said earlier they only give away cruises that they assume based on historical modeling is not going to sell.   It is a sweet deal for those with the offer, enjoy the cruise 
 

I have often counseled micro business owners online and when they comment on someone else’s “bad” business decisions my response is everyone is welcome to destroy their own business as they see fit.  
 

I agree freebies only serve one customer, other promotions serve a wider audience.   As a business owner I prefer to serve the wider audience, I could be wrong 

If it causes people to pay more it does.  It seems every cruise I book goes down about $500 to $1000 after final.  I’m not terribly fussy about my cabin so that’s not the incentive.  I am still working so I need to be at work certain times.  I can’t just go on a cruise on a whim so waiting until a week before doesn’t work.  If they are giving cruises away and losing revenue it’s coming from somewhere.

[Mary229]

6 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

If it causes people to pay more it does.  It seems every cruise I book goes down about $500 to $1000 after final.  I’m not terribly fussy about my cabin so that’s not the incentive.  I am still working so I need to be at work certain times.  I can’t just go on a cruise on a whim so waiting until a week before doesn’t work.  If they are giving cruises away and losing revenue it’s coming from somewhere.

I think their modeling, rightly or wrongly, is telling them they aren’t going to sell the offered cabins, therefore no further loss.  There are good reasons not to have too many empty cabins, one is appearances - people are happier when they think they made a wise decision, an empty ship would have passengers question that decision the other is it can be used for promotions.  As I said in my response whether the promotion used is the best possibility is up for argument.  
 

As a cruiser that someone took advantage of any promotion does not bother me.   Lots of us “score” a deal somewhere in the process, many of those deals require immediacy.

[Florida_gal_50]

1 minute ago, Mary229 said:

I think their modeling, rightly or wrongly, is telling them they aren’t going to sell the offered cabins, therefore no further loss.  There are good reasons not to have too many empty cabins, one is appearances - people are happier when they think they made a wise decision, an empty ship would have passengers question that decision the other is it can be used for promotions.  As I said in my response whether the promotion used is the best possibility is up for argument.  
 

As a cruiser that someone took advantage of any promotion does not bother me.   Lots of us “score” a deal somewhere in the process, many of those deals require immediacy.

I’d be happy as heck with an almost empty ship.  I don’t need to be surrounded by a ton of people to make me happy.  As a matter of fact it stresses me out.  I took a cruise in November and if I recall correctly it was about 60 percent.  I took another cruise in March at about 40 percent.  I much preferred the 40 percent. 

[Mary229]

7 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’d be happy as heck with an almost empty ship.  I don’t need to be surrounded by a ton of people to make me happy.  As a matter of fact it stresses me out.  I took a cruise in November and if I recall correctly it was about 60 percent.  I took another cruise in March at about 40 percent.  I much preferred the 40 percent. 

I am with you on that but having owned a business for 30 years I cannot stress enough how important crowd behavior is to sales and satisfaction.  It acts as confirmation 

[Florida_gal_50]

14 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I am with you on that but having owned a business for 30 years I cannot stress enough how important crowd behavior is to sales and satisfaction.  It acts as confirmation 

Even after covid?  I’m just curious, not doubting.  I don’t want to be in any crowds or where a lot of people are.  

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Even after covid?  I’m just curious, not doubting.  I don’t want to be in any crowds or where a lot of people are.  

That is just a term. It refers to when someone sees others buying they come over to see what is up.  It will entice the available buyers in the room.  Granted that may not be a “crowd”.  It is the same phenomenon as standing on a busy corner and staring up, soon a crowd (group) will gather all looking up.   Many will see something even though there is nothing to see.
 

At my most recent trade show a young woman came over and spent considerable time to buy my items.  She brought over a friend.  Soon everyone in the room under the age of 30 was at my booth lining up to buy.  I overheard comments like: this is the place to buy, this is the great booth.  All bought and were down right gleeful as they walked away. It was classic “crowd behavior”.  What was bought was adequate but the social experience provided confirmation and that social confirmation resulted in deep satisfaction.

 

 

[DaveOKC]

11 hours ago, Mary229 said:

That is just a term. It refers to when someone sees others buying they come over to see what is up.  It will entice the available buyers in the room.  Granted that may not be a “crowd”.  It is the same phenomenon as standing on a busy corner and staring up, soon a crowd (group) will gather all looking up.   Many will see something even though there is nothing to see.
 

At my most recent trade show a young woman came over and spent considerable time to buy my items.  She brought over a friend.  Soon everyone in the room under the age of 30 was at my booth lining up to buy.  I overheard comments like: this is the place to buy, this is the great booth.  All bought and were down right gleeful as they walked away. It was classic “crowd behavior”.  What was bought was adequate but the social experience provided confirmation and that social confirmation resulted in deep satisfaction.

 

 

I learned this lesson when I was 15 and a coin "dealer".  I set up a booth at a coin show and was trying to sell rolls of "s" pennies for $1.00.  No takers all day, but then late in the day a customer said in a loud voice "Wow, that is a good deal!" and bought 5 rolls.  A crowd gathered and in minutes I sold the remaining 45 rolls I had!  People are strange.

 

[BermudaBound2014]

23 hours ago, silversneakers said:

Do you get to book a specific category or is it a guarantee cabin?

 

I took the offer to booking and was not able to book a specific cabin. It was a balcony Guarantee offer. 

[HUNKY]

My complimentary offer was for an obstructed verandah cabin.  On Konigsdam this means that the lifeboats will be directly BELOW our cabin.  Not very obstructed in my opinion!

 

As posted before, HAL does not need to entice 4 & 5 star Mariners to book, they already have them in their pocket.  If you do not believe your benefits are consistent with your level of loyalty choose a different line.

 

Airlines perform the same way regarding frequent flyer status.  They've convinced business flyers to be loyal to a particular airline, but return little in benefits.  If I want to fly upfront in first/business I simply pay for it, I wouldn't chance relying on a status upgrade.

[DaveOKC]

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I took the offer to booking and was not able to book a specific cabin. It was a balcony Guarantee offer. 

Did you ask about moving up to a higher category(like a mini suite)?

[dockman]

 I sure never got offered a free cruise when I was a newbie with HAL.  Must be nice.  The benefits on HAL and others are no great shakes and not the reason I cruised so much with Holland.  

 

I will stand by my thought that a lot of the long time HAL cruisers would put this in the category of not fair/insulting to your customers who have been loyal to you through thick and thin.  I don't think I have ever seen any airline offering free tickets to ANY customers regardless of status...maybe an upgrade space available at best.

 

If I were offered a free cruise I would grab it of course.  Heck I would grab a 50% discount.

[syesmar]

@HUNKY and @BermudaBound2014 what was the Subject Line of the e-mail offering the free cruise? Also, had you logged in to HAL’s website and “favorited” any sailings prior to the e-mail? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[BermudaBound2014]

5 minutes ago, syesmar said:

@HUNKY and @BermudaBound2014 what was the Subject Line of the e-mail offering the free cruise? Also, had you logged in to HAL’s website and “favorited” any sailings prior to the e-mail? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

 

I had not logging into HAL since I cancelled my Antarctica Cruise back in 2020. I trashed the email but it was something like: 'FREE balcony cabin on us!' or maybe something like: 'Come back to HAL.. Free balcony Cruise."  All I know is the subject had the word "FREE" in capital letter lol. Hopefully others will still have the actual email for you.

 

[RSWBADGER]

 

There’s Still Time To Claim Your Exclusive Offer!

RXXXXXXX, join us as we explore Alaska’s calving glaciers, the color-drenched shores of Canada & New England or Europe’s iconic cities. Time’s running out so book your next sailing today! Book by June 30, 2022 to receive:

FREE VERANDAH STATEROOM On Select Sailings!*

Stateroom upgrades are available! To book, call 1-800-330-2249 or your travel advisor today!

View Sailings

[HUNKY]

Subject Line: "Scott, Time’s Running Out [Claim Your FREE Verandah Stateroom]"

 

Same email as RSW above.

 

I've not sailed on HAL since March 2019.  On sister line Princess I sailed March 2020 and February 2022.  I did not favorite any cruises and can't remember when I was last on the HAL website.

 

Dockman - I use my complimentary companion Delta ticket each year via my Amex credit card.

Edited June 14, 2022 by HUNKY

[five.]

On our 5/28 Koningsdam cruise, we got a complimentary interior offer left at our door. Me and the wife, thought it sounded too good to be true, but we went down there and sure enough it was just taxes and port fees. We have a Tropical Caribbean setup on NS for next March. There was the ability to upgrade to other categories, but we stuck with interior and opted to spend our money on spa and retreat cabana.

 

As to who they are targeting? It very much seemed to be an age demographic. I went down there later to see about adding the retreat cabana and the line was filled with young couples holding the same letter that we received. I have done 7 carnival cruises in the past and this was my first HAL. I do have 100 shares in the company, we typically spend about $400 on the ship between drinks and bingo. But based on the line all being younger couples, it definitely seemed to be an age thing. We are M40 and F37 with no kids.

 

I can post the card we received along with the amount they were charging for upgraded categories later when I get home.

Edited June 14, 2022 by five.

[DaveOKC]

22 minutes ago, RSWBADGER said:

 

There’s Still Time To Claim Your Exclusive Offer!

RXXXXXXX, join us as we explore Alaska’s calving glaciers, the color-drenched shores of Canada & New England or Europe’s iconic cities. Time’s running out so book your next sailing today! Book by June 30, 2022 to receive:

FREE VERANDAH STATEROOM On Select Sailings!*

Stateroom upgrades are available! To book, call 1-800-330-2249 or your travel advisor today!

View Sailings

Interesting - this looks just like the Casino offer we recently received, but no mention of casino in it.

Same cruise options and same $200 "deposit".

[five.]

I actually had the offer on my phone, here is a copy of the one we received on-board. We had to turn it in, so I don't still have it.