Deposit question

[zacsc]

Hi All,  New to Holland America and can't find if deposit is refundable or not. Is there a cut off date to receive your full deposit back? 

Thanks so much 

[FlaMariner]

I always thought a deposit meant just that.....A deposit to hold the reservation and if you changed course, you would follow the cancellation policy.....meaning no refund on a deposit. 

 

Just looked up info on HAL from the big online TA we use......So it looks like the general answer is "probably not but could be." LOL.  Perhaps brighter folks on here can enlighten us. 

 

Cancellation and Refunds

Penalties may apply if you cancel or change your reservation. Penalties can be up to 100% of the amount paid, and deposits are often non-refundable. We recommend purchasing insurance to protect against covered unexpected events.

[Mary229]

Each type of fare has a different policy.  You can read the popup associated with that fare to read the terms.

Generally you will find three fares on the website.  1. A normal price fare with no perks but also with no refunds, 2. A fare which includes various perks  and 3.  Whatever the current “sale” is

 

then there is a “call for” fare where you pay slightly more than 1 but the deposit is refundable 

[crystalspin]

I just pretended to book a random cruise -- after specifying 2 guests and a sub-type of cabin, the next screen shows two fares: Best Value (Have-It-All) and Best Price (no frills or perks). The Best Price states right up front (twice in a little box) that the deposit is non-refundable.

 

To my surprise, the Best Value does NOT state refundable! Clicking for Details (no mention of refundable) and then Terms&Conditions takes me to a pop-up screen that will not scroll down! to show refundable or not. Any click just takes me back to the Fare Choice page.

 

The current promo is Best Deal (Ever), and is pretty much the same as Best Value (i.e. includes HIA and some limited time features like included Crew Appreciation) for certain cruises mostly or all in 2023. I was able to bring up and scroll the promos T&C, and NOWHERE does it say refundable deposit!

 

That said, Best Value deposit has always been refundable (100%, up to Final Payment Date)(some longer cruises have a "deposit lost" date or dates by percentage earlier than Final Payment, but it has always been made clear on the booking confirmation). You should definitely ask your PCC or have your travel agent inquire! I do not recommend navigating the HAL website to book by yourself. My PCC has never let me sign up for *anything* non-refundable without drawing it to my attention. (Unlike the CVP I was assigned at Carnival.)

Edited September 24, 2022 by crystalspin

[Mary229]

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

That said, Best Value deposit has always been refundable (100%, up to Final Payment Date)(some longer cruises have a "deposit

Not for a very long time, perhaps 18 months or longer.  You have to call for the tier that is slightly higher but refundable.  

[crystalspin]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

Not for a very long time, perhaps 18 months or longer.  You have to call for the tier that is slightly higher but refundable.  

I booked two Mexican Riviera cruises B2B under Best Value and confirmations show that my deposits are not lost until Final Payment Date. I understand (and forgot to mention) that there is a third tier, no frills but refundable deposit, that you have to ask for. Possibly called the Advantage Fare. 

 

ETA: I did mention that my PCC never lets me book non-refundable deposit and always warns me if a re-fare loses amenities -- but the fares that came through were just as shown on the website/dummy bookings.

Edited September 24, 2022 by crystalspin

[Mary229]

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

I booked two Mexican Riviera cruises B2B under Best Value and confirmations show that my deposits are not lost until Final Payment Date. I understand (and forgot to mention) that there is a third tier, no frills but refundable deposit, that you have to ask for. Possibly called the Advantage Fare. 

 

ETA: I did mention that my PCC never lets me book non-refundable deposit and always warns me if a re-fare loses amenities -- but the fares that came through were just as shown on the website/dummy bookings.

She is booking you on the special fare. The one listed on the website is non refundable.  Some sales are non refundable.  I 100% agree, I do a dummy booking then hand it over to the TA to dot the i’s .