Sail Standby for $49 a day- new program

[jennjess]

6 minutes ago, ShorexMgr said:

Hello,

 

Apparently there is a different stand by list for Europe.

 

On the American liste, there is no cruise from Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

 

Can you share the link with us?

 

Thanks!

 

SY

The list is just cruises from the Netherlands as that is where I live. Maybe other countries have their own lists if they are near to the ports HAL leave from.  The list is in Dutch btw.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/nl/nl/cruise-deals/standby-program?camp=CME:20240712_HEP2432NL2&rmid=20240712_HEP2432NL2&rrid=149827142&mi_u=420808040&lid=primarycta&XID=EXTHEM20240712WWZYBJE154#StandbyFAQs

Edited July 16 by jennjess

[logan25]

2 hours ago, jennjess said:

The list is just cruises from the Netherlands as that is where I live. Maybe other countries have their own lists if they are near to the ports HAL leave from.  The list is in Dutch btw.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/nl/nl/cruise-deals/standby-program?camp=CME:20240712_HEP2432NL2&rmid=20240712_HEP2432NL2&rrid=149827142&mi_u=420808040&lid=primarycta&XID=EXTHEM20240712WWZYBJE154#StandbyFAQs

 

Using your link, I only see options sailing from North America.  Perhaps the geographical local is driven by server accessed.  

[jennjess]

10 minutes ago, logan25 said:

 

Using your link, I only see options sailing from North America.  Perhaps the geographical local is driven by server accessed.  

It would seem so.

[Karen&Bill]

You can see the European standby cruises by using a VPN. Change your location to a country there and then use a search engine.

Edited July 16 by BillMorrow

[Northwestladybug]

On 7/16/2024 at 12:19 AM, ShorexMgr said:

 

Hello,

 

I am not sure it is a good idea not to wait at the pier.  

 

My brother found out the day after the cruise sailed that he had a cabin, but nobody called him or emailed him.  

 

At first, he was very disappointed, but became very upset when he found out that Holland would not refund him, because they had a cabin for him.

 

It took a lot of arguing to finaly get his money back.

 

I believe the big problem with the stand-by program is that it is managed by ghosts.  You can not talk to anyone about it, and apparently the ghosts do not work on weekends, so they cannot call you.

 

SY

 

We waited for four hours at the terminal, just a few feet behind the check-in supervisor and the check-in line. Ultimately, being present didn't help us, as we were turned away. But we had quite a few conversations with the inventory manager and the check-in supervisor during those four hours, and there was never any mention of anyone on standby other than those of us physically present.

 

 

 

[rotjeknor]

I'm on the standby list for a sailing out of Rotterdam in september . I live about 20 minutes from the pier. Reading about those last minutes cancellations , the thought had crossed my mind to just pack my bag , going to the terminal and waiting to see if there would be a cabin available .

Did anybody have a positive experience with this scheme ?

 

 

[CU19822001]

12 hours ago, Northwestladybug said:

 

Just thought I would add my two cents to this whole process. We are on the standby list for the July 20 Zuiderdam cruise and have received nothing yet about status (now within two days of departure). Several calls to Holland to see about updated status resulted in completely inconsistent information - First we would be notified this AM (EDT), then another call said by 5 PM, and then just got off a 50 minute frustrating call to find out that since we booked through our standard TA, she would get the notice and not us directly. This is very worrisome because they also could not give me a time latest when she might be notified, and the TA's office could close. I asked repeatedly if they could also just contact me via email directly as well, and the final answer was no. We were well aware of the risks involved in this process, but it seems that the notification/status process needs to be vastly improved, as even the Holland agent I spoke to directly could not answer my questions and kept having to put me on hold and then contact inventory control via chat!  Not a great process. So even if we get on board (probably not at this point) we will never try this again.

[FlorenceItaly]

2 minutes ago, CU19822001 said:

Just thought I would add my two cents to this whole process. We are on the standby list for the July 20 Zuiderdam cruise and have received nothing yet about status (now within two days of departure). Several calls to Holland to see about updated status resulted in completely inconsistent information - First we would be notified this AM (EDT), then another call said by 5 PM, and then just got off a 50 minute frustrating call to find out that since we booked through our standard TA, she would get the notice and not us directly. This is very worrisome because they also could not give me a time latest when she might be notified, and the TA's office could close. I asked repeatedly if they could also just contact me via email directly as well, and the final answer was no. We were well aware of the risks involved in this process, but it seems that the notification/status process needs to be vastly improved, as even the Holland agent I spoke to directly could not answer my questions and kept having to put me on hold and then contact inventory control via chat!  Not a great process. So even if we get on board (probably not at this point) we will never try this again.

Best wishes to you.  Thanks for the update.  I am not on this sailing but aware of it.  It's been interesting as some were offered move over offers and yet some have of been able to book within the last week.  It was also said this was at one time offered as a casino deal.  It can go either way with your reservation as HAL is very inconsistent.  I hope it works out for you!!  I hope you will find out by tomorrow.  

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, CU19822001 said:

Just thought I would add my two cents to this whole process. We are on the standby list for the July 20 Zuiderdam cruise and have received nothing yet about status (now within two days of departure). Several calls to Holland to see about updated status resulted in completely inconsistent information - First we would be notified this AM (EDT), then another call said by 5 PM, and then just got off a 50 minute frustrating call to find out that since we booked through our standard TA, she would get the notice and not us directly. This is very worrisome because they also could not give me a time latest when she might be notified, and the TA's office could close. I asked repeatedly if they could also just contact me via email directly as well, and the final answer was no. We were well aware of the risks involved in this process, but it seems that the notification/status process needs to be vastly improved, as even the Holland agent I spoke to directly could not answer my questions and kept having to put me on hold and then contact inventory control via chat!  Not a great process. So even if we get on board (probably not at this point) we will never try this again.

While the Standby Program may work out, you highlight a huge pain point - if booked through a TA, they will get the email, not you and with such a short window, that could result in someone missing the cruise. Yikes! 

[CU19822001]

6 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

While the Standby Program may work out, you highlight a huge pain point - if booked through a TA, they will get the email, not you and with such a short window, that could result in someone missing the cruise. Yikes! 

So a small update. After I got off the last Holland call, I emailed my TA and left a voicemail about the situation. I received an out of office email response back about 30 minutes later, and at that point started to panic a bit. A call to the agency (who are really excellent, thought I can't mention their name) put me in touch with a manager that was covering for my TA in her absence. He said he would call Holland for status and see if they would change their notification and contact me directly via email with decision. At the same time my original TA emailed me back from her home to say she was still watching for notification (told you they were good). About another 30 minutes later the manager called back and stated that after two calls to Holland they would also add my personal email to the contact notification, but  he had no idea when that notification would come through, just "they said sometime today".  So since they are on the West coast, if I don't hear anything by 9PM EDT, I will call Holland again before they close for the day. Wow.

[CU19822001]

3 hours ago, CU19822001 said:

So a small update. After I got off the last Holland call, I emailed my TA and left a voicemail about the situation. I received an out of office email response back about 30 minutes later, and at that point started to panic a bit. A call to the agency (who are really excellent, thought I can't mention their name) put me in touch with a manager that was covering for my TA in her absence. He said he would call Holland for status and see if they would change their notification and contact me directly via email with decision. At the same time my original TA emailed me back from her home to say she was still watching for notification (told you they were good). About another 30 minutes later the manager called back and stated that after two calls to Holland they would also add my personal email to the contact notification, but  he had no idea when that notification would come through, just "they said sometime today".  So since they are on the West coast, if I don't hear anything by 9PM EDT, I will call Holland again before they close for the day. Wow.

So final update - we didn't clear the standby list and we canceled for a refund. My wonderful TA got the email and immediately called me even though she was at home. Notably, we never got a notice from Holland even thought they said they would. BTW, did anyone else clear for this cruise?

 

[FlorenceItaly]

6 minutes ago, CU19822001 said:

So final update - we didn't clear the standby list and we canceled for a refund. My wonderful TA got the email and immediately called me even though she was at home. Notably, we never got a notice from Holland even thought they said they would. BTW, did anyone else clear for this cruise?

 

A few on the Roll Call that were waiting to hear posted they did NOT clear.

 

[rj59]

I was just denied for Eurodam this Saturday, but the rejection notice gave different verbiage for the wait-and-see option, saying they would notify me "up to the morning of departure" if a standby spot is available. That's different from the previous 'up until 90 minutes before sailing' option, which is easier for someone like me who lives 80 miles away and doesn't want to drive to Seattle and wait all day in a state of heightened stress, with bags, and then have the crushing disappointment. That would also stop 'wait and see' standby passengers from showing up at the pier and waiting all day, while the port is trying to get 6000 people with valid boarding passes on the ships. 

 

I might try again in August, but I already just booked a Celebrity Alaska cruise for next May and a Mexico one on Princess in January for about the same price as standby, with various OBC options. I'm thinking of the standby program as something like bingo on a ship--the more people that play, the less chance you have of winning; some people get too emotionally invested in what is a very unlikely chance of success; and there are probably better things I can do with your time and money. 

 

And as comfort, local weather will be mid-70s and sunny all next week, but rainy and low 60s in Alaska, with 589 bored kids running around the ship. Oh, and there's the latest Covid wave to make a cruise ship less appealing now.

Edited July 19 by rj59

[Haljo1935]

41 minutes ago, CU19822001 said:

So final update - we didn't clear the standby list and we canceled for a refund. My wonderful TA got the email and immediately called me even though she was at home. Notably, we never got a notice from Holland even thought they said they would. BTW, did anyone else clear for this cruise?

 

Unfortunate. Thanks for the update.

[sunviking90]

I’m glad some were able to take advantage of this program at the beginning and get a good deal. However, since this program was announced the Alaska season is near sold out, and the Canada/New England is much the same and some waitlisted. This is still a great program for HAL to be absolutely sure no cabins are sailing empty, but for passengers, anyone trying it now would be best to expect nothing. It looks like the only chances now are if there is an absolutely last minute cancellation.

Edited July 19 by sunviking90

[geer55]

I live in Rotterdam and I am currently on the waitinglist for a cruise departing from Rotterdam  september 21. Do any of you have experience with the waitlist of cruises departing from the Netherlands?

[FlorenceItaly]

19 hours ago, CU19822001 said:

So final update - we didn't clear the standby list and we canceled for a refund. My wonderful TA got the email and immediately called me even though she was at home. Notably, we never got a notice from Holland even thought they said they would. BTW, did anyone else clear for this cruise?

 

I noticed someone on the Roll Call just had to cancel due to illness.  Cabin 4083.  It may be worth a call.  Good luck.

[bimar]

On 7/19/2024 at 8:42 AM, geer55 said:

I live in Rotterdam and I am currently on the waitinglist for a cruise departing from Rotterdam  september 21. Do any of you have experience with the waitlist of cruises departing from the Netherlands?

We are also standby for this cruise 🙂

[Karen&Bill]

I was quite surprised that our standby booking worked out for an Alaska cruise. We are now on the Koningsdam departing Vancouver on 8/31. This cruise has been showing sold out for several weeks.

 

We received notice that we cleared yesterday, four days in advance. We also received an upgrade offer from an obstructed view verandah to unobstructed view cabin. When I called to do this, we had already been upgraded (VB).

 

The issue with boarding passes continues. Hopefully, they will show up the day before the cruise. Did receive the luggage tags.

 

I was so sure that we were not going to clear standby that I had foot surgery a week ago. Currently, I am not fully mobile. Does anyone know if the Vancouver cruise terminal or Holland America makes any accommodation for the handicapped during check in? I checked both websites but couldn't find anything specific.

Edited August 28 by BillMorrow
VB

[Stpatsirish]

49 minutes ago, BillMorrow said:

I was quite surprised that our standby booking worked out for an Alaska cruise. We are now on the Koningsdam departing Vancouver on 8/31. This cruise has been showing sold out for several weeks.

 

We received notice that we cleared yesterday, four days in advance. We also received an upgrade offer from an obstructed view verandah to unobstructed view cabin. When I called to do this, we had already been upgraded (VB).

 

The issue with boarding passes continues. Hopefully, they will show up the day before the cruise. Did receive the luggage tags.

 

I was so sure that we were not going to clear standby that I had foot surgery a week ago. Currently, I am not fully mobile. Does anyone know if the Vancouver cruise terminal or Holland America makes any accommodation for the handicapped during check in? I checked both websites but couldn't find anything specific.

They have wheelchairs and porters available at the port

[Karen&Bill]

"They have wheelchairs and porters available at the port"

 

Thanks for the info. It is appreciated.

[rj59]

I was shocked to clear standby on Westerdam on Aug 11. They actually gave me a call 2 days before the cruise and asked if I wanted an obstructed oceanview, right above the promenade with a peekaboo view around a lifeboat, so I agreed. I'd only booked 3 or so weeks earlier, after getting denied on Eurodam, so I was quite surprised--I guessed that Westerdam might have less demand, since it doesn't visit Glacier Bay and is slightly smaller than Eurodam. I even had a boarding pass show up on the website and app the morning of the cruise, so I had no problem boarding. I had two Mariner cocktail coupons, but no Mariner reception invitation, and as last time, I got a letter the second day saying I didn't have a credit card on file. What was even more lucky, the weather was perfect, other than some fog going up and a bit of drizzle in Juneau, but it was so nice the captain opened the bow for both sailings in Stephens Passage, sailing into Juneau, and all the way from approaching the WA coast to Victoria, and on glacier day as well, so the wildlife spotter counted over 100 whale sightings from the bow, several right by the ship. I was so pessimistic about getting it that I also booked Westerdam this weekend for 2 nights, so my excitement/stress level are already rising. I don't play bingo or visit casinos, and I think this is actually a better way to gamble, because even if you lose, you get your money back. The other thing I really like about it is that you know exactly how much you'll pay, so there's no need to track fares or feel regret if a price drops after final payment. 

[rotjeknor]

On 7/22/2024 at 9:30 AM, bimar said:

We are also standby for this cruise 🙂

So am  I ….🤞🤞

[Haljo1935]

15 hours ago, BillMorrow said:

I was quite surprised that our standby booking worked out for an Alaska cruise. We are now on the Koningsdam departing Vancouver on 8/31. This cruise has been showing sold out for several weeks.

 

We received notice that we cleared yesterday, four days in advance. We also received an upgrade offer from an obstructed view verandah to unobstructed view cabin. When I called to do this, we had already been upgraded (VB).

CONGRATS!! That is a very nice upgrade 

Safe travels- enjoy your cruise!

[Karen&Bill]

We found out four days in advance of the cruise that we had cleared standby and would be on the cruise.

 

Like others, our boarding passes were not showing up in the Navigator app. I call reservations and they suggested that I email Navigator support at navigator.support@hollandamerica.com regarding the problem.

 

I emailed the support group, but did not receive a response. However our boarding passes showed in the app within 24 hours of sending the email.