mcrcruiser Posted March 1 #401 Share Posted March 1 With cruise bookings at record levels why is HAL bringing this standby program out ? seems to me that there is a reason but cruisers will never know the real reason as we can only guess why the cruise line is using this standby deal . I keep seeing cruise line stocks moving up in value as booking keep setting record levels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 1 #402 Share Posted March 1 2 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said: With cruise bookings at record levels why is HAL bringing this standby program out ? seems to me that there is a reason but cruisers will never know the real reason as we can only guess why the cruise line is using this standby deal . I keep seeing cruise line stocks moving up in value as booking keep setting record levels It's just a way to sell a few more cabins. Some people don't seem to be able to grasp that it isn't for everyone, but it does provide an opportunity for a few who are flexible and live near ports. It doesn't take anything away from anyone else. Surprised at all the carping from those who wouldn't use it anyway. Yes, HAL rolled it out badly. But that's par for the course with HAL. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrcruiser Posted March 1 #403 Share Posted March 1 "Yes, HAL rolled it out badly. But that's par for the course with HAL." I totally agree with your statement above .Perhaps this & other management mistakes is why Carnival corp is holding back new ships for HAL while they are adding ships to other of their fleets . Maybe HAL will be on the 4 sale block in the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric from San Diego Posted March 1 #404 Share Posted March 1 Like the airlines say "A seat (cabin) that departs empty is revenue that is lost forever." I live 6 miles from the pier in San Diego so I guess Standby is meant for people like me. But I've already done Mexico Riviera 3 times and I am not particularly interested in doing it again. Same with the California Coastal trip. I might do it for Hawaii, but 18 days in an inside cabin is something I would have to think long and hard about. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric from San Diego Posted March 1 #405 Share Posted March 1 22 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said: "Yes, HAL rolled it out badly. But that's par for the course with HAL." I totally agree with your statement above .Perhaps this & other management mistakes is why Carnival corp is holding back new ships for HAL while they are adding ships to other of their fleets . Maybe HAL will be on the 4 sale block in the future It is interesting to note that both Seabourn and Holland America share the same address in Seattle. I don't know if the customer service at Seabourn is better than at Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menocchio Posted March 1 #406 Share Posted March 1 1 hour ago, mcrcruiser said: With cruise bookings at record levels why is HAL bringing this standby program out ? seems to me that there is a reason but cruisers will never know the real reason as we can only guess why the cruise line is using this standby deal . I keep seeing cruise line stocks moving up in value as booking keep setting record levels It creates engagement with the brand. Most people can afford to cruise with HAL only ever so often. So while they're replenishing their bank accounts, HAL doesn't really have much contact with them. Which means maybe next time they'll go with someone else. God help them, maybe even someone not in the Carnival Group. But if you join the standby program, you're letting HAL into your house. You're actually going to read their emails just in case it's news about your status. You're thinking about HAL, even if you aren't really buying a cruise yet. And when you don't get a cabin, you're disappointed. Not mad, since you always knew this was very likely. But you didn't realize you wanted this thing so much until they told you you can't have it. So maybe you should just buy a cruise at full price... 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChinaShrek Posted March 1 #407 Share Posted March 1 3 hours ago, Eric from San Diego said: It is interesting to note that both Seabourn and Holland America share the same address in Seattle. I don't know if the customer service at Seabourn is better than at Holland. It would be interesting if they combined the two lines. Small ships, good service, and low prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Haljo1935 Posted March 2 #408 Share Posted March 2 1 hour ago, ChinaShrek said: It would be interesting if they combined the two lines. Small ships, good service, and low prices. @Eric from San Diego there have been reports of senior level officers (captains?) going from HAL to Seabourn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Pete Cruiser Posted March 2 #409 Share Posted March 2 7 hours ago, Haljo1935 said: @Eric from San Diego there have been reports of senior level officers (captains?) going from HAL to Seabourn. Yes, for sure. We enjoyed Captain Bart on the Zuiderdam in 2019. He ran the Zuiderdam much like the Prinsendam with officers at the gangway and at the MDR entrance every Gala night to greet you. He has been at Seabourn of late. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrcruiser Posted March 2 #410 Share Posted March 2 Carnival Corp will not combine Seaborn with HAL , Seaborn is a high end cruise line with a much different focus than HAL . They must have the same VP over both lines & that is all that will ever happen 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizon chaser 1957 Posted March 2 #411 Share Posted March 2 Has anyone heard if any standbys were accepted for the March 2 & 3 sailings and when they were notified? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LoveBikes Posted March 2 #412 Share Posted March 2 (edited) On 3/1/2024 at 2:07 PM, Menocchio said: Edited March 2 by 2LoveBikes Not my comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LoveBikes Posted March 2 #413 Share Posted March 2 We are on Nieuw Amsterdam Mar 2 sailing. We were notified of confirmation on Tuesday for an inside cabin but took an upgrade offer to Oceanview for $98 for the cabin. We accepted and were called to upgrade to a verandah for $149 pp which we accepted. Total additional upgrade was $396.00 13 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted March 2 #414 Share Posted March 2 6 minutes ago, 2LoveBikes said: We are on Nieuw Amsterdam Mar 2 sailing. We were notified of confirmation on Tuesday for an inside cabin but took an upgrade offer to Oceanview for $98 for the cabin. We accepted and were called to upgrade to a verandah for $149 pp which we accepted. Total additional upgrade was $396.00 Congrats. So $396.00 + $686.00 for the Stand By Cost for a 7 day cruise is $1082 plus taxes and port charges. I would consider that a great price. It's been a long time since I have seen 7 day Caribbean cruises for a verandah at this price. Safe sailing and wishing you a wonderful cruise. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LoveBikes Posted March 3 #415 Share Posted March 3 Thanks. What's nice is it was an unobstructed verandah on deck 8. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Haljo1935 Posted March 3 #416 Share Posted March 3 13 hours ago, 2LoveBikes said: We are on Nieuw Amsterdam Mar 2 sailing. We were notified of confirmation on Tuesday for an inside cabin but took an upgrade offer to Oceanview for $98 for the cabin. We accepted and were called to upgrade to a verandah for $149 pp which we accepted. Total additional upgrade was $396.00 Congrats!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montanagirlalways Posted March 3 #417 Share Posted March 3 Im sorry if this question has been discussed already but can you get HIA on the standby program? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Oceansaway17 Posted March 3 #418 Share Posted March 3 On 3/1/2024 at 12:21 PM, mcrcruiser said: With cruise bookings at record levels why is HAL bringing this standby program out ? seems to me that there is a reason but cruisers will never know the real reason as we can only guess why the cruise line is using this standby deal . I keep seeing cruise line stocks moving up in value as booking keep setting record levels I continue to find HAL hard to understand. I do not like their refund/changes policy and I do not like the various promos that if not careful, might not be so good down the line. HAL runs their pricings and polices different than Princess or Carnival even though part of the same corp. But I would never buy standby on any cruise line as those folks would be the first to get bumped if oversold (which is another story as well) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raybit Posted March 4 #419 Share Posted March 4 10 hours ago, Montanagirlalways said: Im sorry if this question has been discussed already but can you get HIA on the standby program? Yes - when you are notified that you have cleared the list the email invites you to contact HA for the HIA package if you would like. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizon chaser 1957 Posted March 4 #420 Share Posted March 4 5 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said: But I would never buy standby on any cruise line as those folks would be the first to get bumped if oversold (which is another story as well) You can’t get bumped on standby, because if they oversell the cruise, you don’t get a cabin in the first place. The whole point of standby is that you’re waiting to see if they have empty cabins. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2LoveBikes Posted March 4 #421 Share Posted March 4 Some may be looking too much into why HAL implemented the program. I believe that the new standby program is a creative way to way to fill cabins when and if flight cancellations blanket the country which leaves HAL in the lurch. HAL has a deep (qualified) bench waiting to get in the game all they have to do is send them an email and pull the trigger to fill the empty cabins. They have a baseline of guests that have already paid, prequalified and they can offer upgrades for higher level inventories as well. Happy sailing! 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizon chaser 1957 Posted March 4 #422 Share Posted March 4 1 hour ago, 2LoveBikes said: Some may be looking too much into why HAL implemented the program. I believe that the new standby program is a creative way to way to fill cabins when and if flight cancellations blanket the country which leaves HAL in the lurch. HAL has a deep (qualified) bench waiting to get in the game all they have to do is send them an email and pull the trigger to fill the empty cabins. They have a baseline of guests that have already paid, prequalified and they can offer upgrades for higher level inventories as well. Happy sailing! Exactly. In the ‘70s I did my fare share of flying standby. It was very popular then, and the same principal, just MUCH more last minute and you’d better be sitting within earshot of the gate. Long, drawn out security lines and clearances have probably killed that particular golden goose.🤔 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drtravel47 Posted March 12 #423 Share Posted March 12 I'm following this chat as I have friends on standby for Rotterdam on March 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie59 Posted March 12 #424 Share Posted March 12 We’re standby on the same cruise. Fingers crossed we get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBCABob Posted March 12 #425 Share Posted March 12 (edited) Have you noticed the HAL IT folks made some changes to the Standby Program web page? They added additional wording and now promise a minimum 2-day notice. Also, a FAQ. The "big" news (for some folks) is the new 2x $49 for Solo cruisers. >> JUST looked and they have put it back to original $49 for Solo (see FAQ) << I am still kinda surprised they have not added any sailings beyond the current 04/30. No Alaska; perhaps they feel confident they can fill the ships with the usual fare drops. Good Luck to Laurie59 and drtravel47! Bon Voyage! Edited March 12 by LBCABob added link; Solo back to $49 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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