Questions regarding free stateroom offers

[Leo-the-fox]

I often get those emails from HAL but never paid attention. Yesterday I got another one and opened it and actually saw one itinerary that we may be interested to go. My question is is it really FREE for an inside carbin for 2 person? It also said stateroom upgrades may be available, how this upgrades work?  I actually did a mock booking and found out the difference between a cheapest inside carbin and a OV room that I like is only less than $800. Does it mean I only need to pay the difference if I want to upgrade or it doesn't work this way totally? Has anyone have any these kind of experiences? I want to have some ideals before calling HAL, or not to get my hope up😉. Thanks in advance!

[Tampa Girl]

6 minutes ago, Leo-the-fox said:

I often get those emails from HAL but never paid attention. Yesterday I got another one and opened it and actually saw one itinerary that we may be interested to go. My question is is it really FREE for an inside carbin for 2 person? It also said stateroom upgrades may be available, how this upgrades work?  I actually did a mock booking and found out the difference between a cheapest inside carbin and a OV room that I like is only less than $800. Does it mean I only need to pay the difference if I want to upgrade or it doesn't work this way totally? Has anyone have any these kind of experiences? I want to have some ideals before calling HAL, or not to get my hope up😉. Thanks in advance!

 

You pay the difference between the inside cabin and what higher priced cabin you wish to book.  Your port fees and taxes are extra.  Be aware that you are booking a guarantee cabin (meaning that you cannot select your cabin); and that OBC benefits from outside sources (military, shareholders, AARP, etc. cannot be used).  We have taken three such cruises and find them very worthwhile.

[retird]

There should be a contact number on your offer.  If you call it , they will have answers specific to your offer.   Not sure about HAL.  But when i rcceived complimentary cabin on other lines. I checked availability online of that category cabin , then called the contact number and asked if one of those cabins was available. If it was they booked it for me.  A specific cabin number. Not a guarantee

[Haljo1935]

Congrats on receiving an offer that may work for you - they're great opportunities when they work out!

Usually, the offers are for guarantee cabins so you won't get to pick your cabin; however, if CO is still available, you can purchase it then select a cabin.

As for the cost of upgrades, it may not be as simple as you paying the difference between your offer and published rate - it could be, but may not be, it might even be better. You just have to call to know for sure.

[Hobby3333]

We used the free cabin and added club orange after we upgraded to cheapest balcony.   We moved to a balcony on deck 11.  Also added Have it all.   By the time we paid for CO and Have it all the cruise ended up costing $2000 total for two.  The cruise starts in 2 days.  I think it is worth it.  

[Haljo1935]

37 minutes ago, Hobby3333 said:

We used the free cabin and added club orange after we upgraded to cheapest balcony.   We moved to a balcony on deck 11.  Also added Have it all.   By the time we paid for CO and Have it all the cruise ended up costing $2000 total for two.  The cruise starts in 2 days.  I think it is worth it.  

Congrats! That's a lot of upgrades and add ons representing a lot of value. Hope you have a great cruise!

[crystalspin]

2 hours ago, Hobby3333 said:

By the time we paid for CO and Have it all the cruise ended up costing $2000 total for two.  The cruise starts in 2 days.  I think it is worth it.  

Have a wonderful cruise!

[regnig]

Okay, the subject of this thread begs the question just what does one have to do to get an offer for a "free stateroom"? Spend my children's inheritance (probably not enough to do any good)?? 🥴 

[Mosaic]

1 hour ago, regnig said:

Okay, the subject of this thread begs the question just what does one have to do to get an offer for a "free stateroom"? Spend my children's inheritance (probably not enough to do any good)?? 🥴 

No one knows the answer.....

[0bnxshs]

We used a free inside offer for an Alaska cruise just this past July.  While you do have to pay taxes and port fees, and (should pay) gratuities, what you get for free is the cruise fare.  We were able to purchase HIA and CO even though the offer said they would not be available.  We did not upgrade so can't address that other than to say what others have already said.  Everything else is the same as usual.  I would call the number as you have to use the fare code indicated and they do limit the number of rooms available, which will be probably in the least desirable areas.  All that said, we had a great time.  Everything about our cruise was identical to what we would expect if we'd paid the full fare.  I would do it again were I to get another such offer.  How to do that is anyone's guess.

Edited December 13, 2023 by 0bnxshs

[kit125]

I use these offers all the time and upgrade to a Neptune Suite.  With the upgrade, my upcoming 9 days cruise on the Rotterdam is costing about $2k per person.  I have also been able to select my cabin.  And add HIA.  Enjoy and happy cruising!

[nimi17]

7 hours ago, regnig said:

Okay, the subject of this thread begs the question just what does one have to do to get an offer for a "free stateroom"? Spend my children's inheritance (probably not enough to do any good)?? 🥴 

My first cruise on HAL was 10/2021. I did two more HAL cruises in early 2022. On all three cruises, DH and I played in the casino.

 

I did not receive any “free” offers until just a few months ago via email. The majority of the offers have been for cruises at 30% off the advertised rate, and the emails were from HAL’s Players Club. 

As for how much you’d have to spend, I’m not sure what the minimum rated play is for a free cabin, sorry.

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by nimi17

[fkfad]

We get these offers all of the time.  We just got off of a 10 day Western Caribbean on the Eurodam and upgraded to an aft Verandah.  The upgrade cost $248 total for two of us.  After we paid the upgrade and the port fees, etc., we ended up paying $988 for our "free" cruise.  It was definitely well worth it!

[Banditswife]

We have booked these a few times, but have kept the guarantee inside or OV- depending on the offer.  Keep in mind that full fare is due at the time of booking.  We always add the insurance, making the cruise fare almost fully refundable.  Sometimes our location is great, sometimes not.  But we have enjoyed the cruise itself.

[Haljo1935]

4 hours ago, fkfad said:

We get these offers all of the time.  We just got off of a 10 day Western Caribbean on the Eurodam and upgraded to an aft Verandah.  The upgrade cost $248 total for two of us.  After we paid the upgrade and the port fees, etc., we ended up paying $988 for our "free" cruise.  It was definitely well worth it!

Congrats on securing a GREAT deal on a terrific location - aft cabins are the best! Enjoy your cruise - safe travels!

[Lancer1568]

Sometimes the upgrade prices will show if you have one of these offers and look online but sometimes you have to call to get the upgrade pricing. So always call. Call the number on the email offer since not every agent knows how to book these offers.