Holland America Line Launches Onboard Credit Offer for AARP Members

[quilty964]

Just wondering where you would see the $50.00 OBC added to your account?  I've looked, but don't see an updated account.  We also "re-applied" for the veteran credit, got the email that it was approved, but again, no updated invoice.  I sent an email to our personal cruise consultant, but haven't heard from him in 1.5 weeks...

[zelker]

19 minutes ago, ktbraun said:

Just wondering where you would see the $50.00 OBC added to your account?  

On your HAL account, go to My Profile, then Future Cruise Credits, then scroll down to Onboard Credits

[Sea42]

1 hour ago, yerdua said:

Veterans do not. My DH (veteran) has the military appreciation linked to his mariner # and on his profile it says for sailings through Dec 2025. We shall see what happens after that. Who knows, HAL may discontinue after that.

Thanks, our upcoming cruise is the first time we had applied for the credit so I was unsure of the process.

[ExArkie]

18 minutes ago, ktbraun said:

Just wondering where you would see the $50.00 OBC added to your account?  I've looked, but don't see an updated account.  We also "re-applied" for the veteran credit, got the email that it was approved, but again, no updated invoice.  I sent an email to our personal cruise consultant, but haven't heard from him in 1.5 weeks...

I found it under "My Account" at the top right of the main Web page, then under "My Profile," and then under "Future Cruise Credits." At the bottom of the list is the heading "Onboard Credits" that shows $50 expiring in July 2027.

 

My question is: If this is for the AARP membership link, which I assume it is since the timing is too coincidental otherwise, and we book a 10+ night sailing in a Signature Suite, will that automatically update to $200 credit? According to their terms, it should, but we have already seen how nebulous their terms actually are.

[ExArkie]

1 minute ago, zelker said:

On your HAL account, go to My Profile, then Future Cruise Credits, then scroll down to Onboard Credits

Obviously, you type faster than do I. Or at least use fewer words...

[joke2020]

My travel agent just confirmed that a $200 credit from AARP was added to the cruise I just booked on Tuesday.  We booked a suite, 42-day cruise.  Yeah.  

[mcoprof]

1 hour ago, joke2020 said:

My travel agent just confirmed that a $200 credit from AARP was added to the cruise I just booked on Tuesday.  We booked a suite, 42-day cruise.  Yeah.  

Ha!  You are luckier than I was. 

I started looking Tues (moving this fall), got quotes Wed, confirmed Thurs.  Price for the 42 day (Volendam, mediterranean? mentioned by TPG) went up $500 pp from Tues to Wed, $4k pp from Wed to Thurs.  Rooms I had initially targeted also no longer available. 

We did get the $200 OBC and educator $100 OBC.  My Big box TA had never seen anything like this for dynamic pricing. 😞

 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

4 minutes ago, mcoprof said:

Ha!  You are luckier than I was. 

I started looking Tues (moving this fall), got quotes Wed, confirmed Thurs.  Price for the 42 day (Volendam, mediterranean? mentioned by TPG) went up $500 pp from Tues to Wed, $4k pp from Wed to Thurs.  Rooms I had initially targeted also no longer available. 

We did get the $200 OBC and educator $100 OBC.  My Big box TA had never seen anything like this for dynamic pricing. 😞

 

That is a hot cruise.

[mcoprof]

9 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

That is a hot cruise.

Hi Marty

2024 RT Ft Lauderdale to the mediterraean inc Israel and Egypt and touching Morocco and Tunisia.  Could be rough Atlantic fall crossing too.  Stuck in a room open to the elevator hallway.  

Gertrude

Edited July 28, 2023 by mcoprof

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

13 minutes ago, mcoprof said:

Hi Marty

2024 RT Ft Lauderdale to the mediterraean inc Israel and Egypt and touching Morocco and Tunisia.  Could be rough Atlantic fall crossing too.  Stuck in a room open to the elevator hallway.  

Gertrude

We did a similar voyage about 7 years ago and it was a fun cruise , we would do it again if it was in August.

[Mary229]

30 minutes ago, mcoprof said:

Ha!  You are luckier than I was. 

I started looking Tues (moving this fall), got quotes Wed, confirmed Thurs.  Price for the 42 day (Volendam, mediterranean? mentioned by TPG) went up $500 pp from Tues to Wed, $4k pp from Wed to Thurs.  Rooms I had initially targeted also no longer available. 

We did get the $200 OBC and educator $100 OBC.  My Big box TA had never seen anything like this for dynamic pricing. 😞

 

Yes, they have a new model operating. It is quick and deadly. 

[yerdua]

2 hours ago, Sea42 said:

Thanks, our upcoming cruise is the first time we had applied for the credit so I was unsure of the process.

I think you have to have been verified prior to booking. I had him verified about 2 weeks prior to booking our next cruise. The military OBC was automatically applied.to it. 

[CNSJ]

16 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Only I got it not Gail.? 

Both DW and I have the $50 credit.  Perhaps it morphs up as you book a longer cruise or a higher category.

[CNSJ]

23 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Yes, they have a new model operating. It is quick and deadly. 

Time will tell if this new model also includes deeper discounted cabins in the 90 days prior to cruise.  Of course cabin selection is usually poor and the flights cost more.....can't win.....

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

1 minute ago, CNSJ said:

Both DW and I have the $50 credit.  Perhaps it morphs up as you book a longer cruise or a higher category.

It depends on the type of cabin 

[Mary229]

Just now, CNSJ said:

Time will tell if this new model also includes deeper discounted cabins in the 90 days prior to cruise.  Of course cabin selection is usually poor and the flights cost more.....can't win.....

I agree.  I think the routine they are using is fraught with potential unintended consequences and may leave the late booker a wealth of options.  My own plan is to accumulate airline points making it easier to swoop on those last minute deals.  

[Mary229]

I told the TA the rumor that 4 star and above were getting comped.  So far 2 cruises have full $200 and she is working on the other 2.  I did see the $50 on my account but will not apply until after she finishes working her magic.  She is working with the "solutions" department now.  And, no, she is not inquiring about the casino cruise I am taking.

Edited July 28, 2023 by Mary229

[CNSJ]

17 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

I agree I have 8 B2B next year and they said 1. Credit per 12 months .

Hmmm 8 B2Bs.....thats a lot of 5 Star Pinnacle Grill Dinners, shareholder credits, other misc affiliation OBCs etc., if played right as I expect you do.  Book them while onboard and ....you know the drill.

 

So one AARP bonus a year.....not much.  Might as well save it for a $200 benefit.

 

Admire your ability to cruise that long straight.  We did 7 +weeks last year straight, which was our longest.  Hoping to get a 21-28 day run in each year, plus a spurious 10-14 somewhere else.  

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

53 minutes ago, CNSJ said:

Hmmm 8 B2Bs.....thats a lot of 5 Star Pinnacle Grill Dinners, shareholder credits, other misc affiliation OBCs etc., if played right as I expect you do.  Book them while onboard and ....you know the drill.

 

So one AARP bonus a year.....not much.  Might as well save it for a $200 benefit.

 

Admire your ability to cruise that long straight.  We did 7 +weeks last year straight, which was our longest.  Hoping to get a 21-28 day run in each year, plus a spurious 10-14 somewhere else.  

Hi We book inside cabin. 18 to 24 months out. We do a total of 7 months on the ship . We are the level above 5 Star. I also enjoy travel, garden,  food 😀

Edited July 28, 2023 by Gail & Marty sailing away

[CNSJ]

43 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Hi We book inside cabin. 18 to 24 months out. We do a total of 7 months on the ship . We are the level above 5 Star. I also enjoy travel, garden,  food 😀

I guess that makes you Dutch citizens as the ships are registered in NL.

 

[mcoprof]

26 minutes ago, CNSJ said:

I guess that makes you Dutch citizens as the ships are registered in NL.

 

You should see (and feel in the presence of) the hushed deference these (President's Club) people get on board.  Sigh.  Marty is the first and only one I have met.

Edited July 28, 2023 by mcoprof

[cruisemom42]

5 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

We did a similar voyage about 7 years ago and it was a fun cruise , we would do it again if it was in August.

 

I wouldn't want to do Egypt, Israel, Tunisia and Morocco in the August heat!

[Nodakboiler]

Congrats to Mary229-As a 5 star I contacted my PCC to try to get the AARP benefit added to our Fall TA and was told via email from consumer programs it is only available for new bookings. Congrats to those who have been able to get it for existing bookings.

[CNSJ]

2 hours ago, mcoprof said:

You should see (and feel in the presence of) the hushed deference these (President's Club) people get on board.  Sigh.  Marty is the first and only one I have met.

Would have met Marty and Gail on Rotterdam next fall in the Baltic and TA back, but just switched to spring TA Eastbound, and a follow on to Norway.  Concerned Norway prices will jump due to the pending limits on ships in Fjords after 2025 season. 

[Big Dawg CC]

34 minutes ago, Nodakboiler said:

Congrats to Mary229-As a 5 star I contacted my PCC to try to get the AARP benefit added to our Fall TA and was told via email from consumer programs it is only available for new bookings. Congrats to those who have been able to get it for existing bookings.

I got the very same email from them.  Strike one.