Free cruise from casino dept , do i need to go thru them to make changes

[jameslee]

I got a cruise certificate for free cruise. When I book reservation I book it with them over the phone, but in the future if i need to make changes do I need to go thru casino dept again or is regular holland america customer service able to help?

[tompeter]

The Casino Dept. It is basically your travel agent for the cruise booking.

[DaveOKC]

I always use my HAL PCC (personal cruise consultant) to make the reservation and to handle any changes.  IMO, this is a better approach as they can negotiate on your behalf.  Last booking the PCC got me a lower fare (due to a mixup by the casino department and reservation system).

[Mary229]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

I always use my HAL PCC (personal cruise consultant) to make the reservation and to handle any changes.  IMO, this is a better approach as they can negotiate on your behalf.  Last booking the PCC got me a lower fare (due to a mixup by the casino department and reservation system).

Dave, do you know if one uses a travel agent to book the casino , does the agent receive a commission?  I notice they say on the email that one can use a travel agent. 

[DaveOKC]

18 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Dave, do you know if one uses a travel agent to book the casino , does the agent receive a commission?  I notice they say on the email that one can use a travel agent. 

I do not know.  Sorry.

 

[Sunseeker810]

Is there someone from the "casino Dept." to actually speak to?  There were some major problems on my last cruise, and there was no one to speak to.  My PCC was useless, and I don't feel that she even tried to help me.  I am wondering if I can drop her and use someone else?

 

I usually get good offers from HAL, but with NCL and Celebrity I can speak to a casino person if I want to.

[Laminator]

59 minutes ago, Sunseeker810 said:

Is there someone from the "casino Dept." to actually speak to?  There were some major problems on my last cruise, and there was no one to speak to.  My PCC was useless, and I don't feel that she even tried to help me.  I am wondering if I can drop her and use someone else?

 

I usually get good offers from HAL, but with NCL and Celebrity I can speak to a casino person if I want to.

Getting a hold of someone in the casino dept is nearly impossible. I have always used my PCC for my bookings. HAL has recently assigned executive casino hosts to their upper tier players so I do have am email contact that has been very responsive. 

[CHOPPERTESTER]

• We call the regular reservations line at HAL, provide our Mariner number & casino offer code. They look it up and make the booking. They may call the casino department to confirm things like OBC to be applied, cabin upgrade costs etc. You pay up front for the discounted or $0 rate, taxes & fees, sometimes mandatory buying OBC (usually $200 USD pp in the cabin), 100% due upon booking.

When you get a copy of the initial invoice it will show a balance still owing. Don't worry as it takes a couple of days for the casino department to apply their discount to the fare. You should get a revised invoice showing a balance of $0.00 owed.

Edited March 13, 2023 by CHOPPERTESTER

[Moriah]

7 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Dave, do you know if one uses a travel agent to book the casino , does the agent receive a commission?  I notice they say on the email that one can use a travel agent. 

 

I'm not Dave, but last year I received a casino offer of a free stateroom, etc. and I called the same travel agent that books my cruises normally, and she had absolutely no interest, so I'm guessing that no, they do not get a commission.  Since all I paid was port fees, that makes sense.  So I called HAL and booked with them and it was seamless.  They send the booking to the casino dept. You don't have to call the casino people directly.  And after the Casino dept. makes final payment, you get a confirmation just as if you yourself made that payment.  I'm leaving on a Casino offer cruise this Sunday, and I have another one booked in May.  Easy peasy.

[DaveOKC]

14 hours ago, Moriah said:

 

I'm not Dave, but last year I received a casino offer of a free stateroom, etc. and I called the same travel agent that books my cruises normally, and she had absolutely no interest, so I'm guessing that no, they do not get a commission.  Since all I paid was port fees, that makes sense.  So I called HAL and booked with them and it was seamless.  They send the booking to the casino dept. You don't have to call the casino people directly.  And after the Casino dept. makes final payment, you get a confirmation just as if you yourself made that payment.  I'm leaving on a Casino offer cruise this Sunday, and I have another one booked in May.  Easy peasy.

Quite interesting.  I guess the TAs do not get a commission then!  As I mentioned, my PCC is always very helpful with casino offerings, even though it can require more work for her than a normal booking.