NEWS FLASH: HAL to favor Triples and Quads

[dockman]

9 hours ago, dockman said:

the ones i had once were hung from wall above the bed but even in that position i kept banging my head on it...i hated that and have since been very careful to avoid any room with the fold down bunks especially as i am usually a single...not sure if all rooms are same or not... 

sorry but it was on princess where the beds not in use still folded down and i hit my head...NOT on holland...here is pic of princess with beds that even unused you can bang your head as they are very close to your bed/head

 

[HappyInVan]

On 3/20/2024 at 2:05 PM, Curlingwhiz said:

I think HA has shot themselves in the foot on this.  I feel that if I am paying a published price and making my booking with lots of notice, then I deserve to get and KEEP the cabin I chose.

 

+1

 

This is the direction that HAL is heading because its current situation is untenable. I anticipate that HAL will have a change of owner within 2 years. 🙄

 

Fortunately, there are alternatives. 

 

 

[Sea42]

9 hours ago, dockman said:

sorry but it was on princess where the beds not in use still folded down and i hit my head...NOT on holland...here is pic of princess with beds that even unused you can bang your head as they are very close to your bed/head

 

 

Oh yeah, that is not ideal!

[YourWorldWithBill]

10 hours ago, dockman said:

sorry but it was on princess where the beds not in use still folded down and i hit my head...NOT on holland...here is pic of princess with beds that even unused you can bang your head as they are very close to your bed/head

 

I don't need any added incentives to bang my head (or any other part of my body), so it's a relief to know that was on Princess.

[Horizon chaser 1957]

I wonder where the Standby Program fits into this policy. The cost is $49 per day for a solo, or $98 per day PER CABIN with up to four people. Say we booked our desired cabin well in advance, at full price, plus extra to choose that specific cabin. Getting bumped to a lesser cabin in favour of a family of four paying $98 per day for the whole cabin would not go over well.

[Ileneilene123]

Wow. Yet another wrench in planning my first cruise for myself, my husband and our friends. Where would I be if I didn’t read these posts? 

 

I spent days searching online for the perfect verandah cabins for 2 couples. I came up with a short list, called HAL and ran the list past the PCC. She encouraged us to book 2 adjoining verandah cabins on the bump out with extended balconies. I see now that they are quads. She never mentioned any risk of being bumped.  I tried to pull up each cabin during the call & told her these particular cabins were not showing up as available on my end.  She said she could see they were open. I wonder if my search for cabins specifically for 2 people  is the reason why these cabins for 4 people didn’t show up? 

 

Anyway, now we have to worry about being bumped from the quad cabins that we booked? It’s an Alaskan cruise … in July .. and the 3rd/4th person for free promo is in full swing. It’s going to happen. This is so annoying. 

 

Can someone please explain how booking a phantom grandchild into our cabins & having them no show might help us avoid getting bumped? It’s been mentioned here & I wasn’t sure if it’s a serious option? Is there any risk or cost involved? Thx! 

Edited March 29 by Ileneilene123

[HappyInVan]

5 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Anyway, now we have to worry about being bumped from the quad cabins that we booked? It’s an Alaskan cruise … in July .. and the 3rd/4th person for free promo is in full swing. It’s going to happen. This is so annoying. 

 

Can someone please explain how booking a phantom grandchild into our cabins & having them no show might help us avoid getting bumped? It’s been mentioned here & I wasn’t sure if it’s a serious option? Is there any risk or cost involved? Thx! 

 

Ouch! Has it come to this?

 

For me, the last straw was on my last cruise. This gentleman walked through the Lido in bare feet. He looked like a beachcomber and looked dazed. Sign of the times. 😬

[Menocchio]

Maybe this is a personal quirk, but if I find myself planning what could be described as a “scheme” maybe I just make alternative plans.

 

I’m just afraid that booking phantom traveling companions will somehow lead to me being forced to pretend a precocious orphan is my child, leading to shenanigans and heartwarming personal growth for the both of us. And I don’t want that on my vacation.

[ChinaShrek]

On 3/27/2024 at 5:27 AM, HappyInVan said:

 

+1

 

This is the direction that HAL is heading because its current situation is untenable. I anticipate that HAL will have a change of owner within 2 years. 🙄

 

Fortunately, there are alternatives. 

 

 

Not for my free casino cruises.

[Ileneilene123]

On 3/21/2024 at 10:06 AM, TiogaCruiser said:

 

So I wonder how many grandchildren will be booked into gramma and grandpa’s cabin and just not make it to the ship?

(3rd 4th sail free….)🤔

 

Do folks actually use the promo to do this?

I really do want to cruise HAL for their Alaska inside passage itinerary, but they are not making it easy. I find it hard to wrap my head around getting bumped after working directly with HAL’s PCC for days to select the “perfect” mid ship cabin, paying extra to select the exact cabin and not being warned of the risk of being bumped from said cabin. It seems less than above board. 

As a first time cruiser but otherwise well-traveled person, I have to say that planning a HAL cruise has been less straight forward than I anticipated. I have planned dozens of land vacations on my own (something I usually enjoy), but I’m really starting to feel outmatched by HAL — even w/ using their PCC.
 

Learning curve, I guess. But, it just seems like there are too many pitfalls to watch out for, work-arounds, loop holes, strategies, etc. I have never used a travel agent before but this is probably the time to start. 

[YourWorldWithBill]

11 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

She encouraged us to book 2 adjoining verandah cabins on the bump out with extended balconies. I see now that they are quads. She never mentioned any risk of being bumped.  I tried to pull up each cabin during the call & told her these particular cabins were not showing up as available on my end.  She said she could see they were open. I wonder if my search for cabins specifically for 2 people  is the reason why these cabins for 4 people didn’t show up? 

 

Anyway, now we have to worry about being bumped from the quad cabins that we booked? It’s an Alaskan cruise … in July .. and the 3rd/4th person for free promo is in full swing. It’s going to happen. This is so annoying. 

I suspect that what you guessed here, about your search not showing the cabins, could be the reason. I also think we'll have to see over time how often getting bumped happens. Since your two cabins are linked in their system, let's hope that the odds of your getting bumped are pretty small. 

[TRLD]

Just now, Ileneilene123 said:

Do folks actually use the promo to do this?

I really do want to cruise HAL for their Alaska inside passage itinerary, but they are not making it easy. I find it hard to wrap my head around getting bumped after working directly with HAL’s PCC for days to select the “perfect” mid ship cabin, paying extra to select the exact cabin and not being warned of the risk of being bumped from said cabin. It seems less than above board. 

As a first time cruiser but otherwise well-traveled person, I have to say that planning a HAL cruise has been less straight forward than I anticipated. I have planned dozens of land vacations on my own (something I usually enjoy), but I’m really starting to feel outmatched by HAL — even w/ using their PCC.
 

Learning curve, I guess. But, it just seems like there are too many pitfalls to watch out for, work-arounds, loop holes, strategies, etc. I have never used a travel agent before but this is probably the time to start. 

This practice concerning 3/4 cabins is not limited to HAL. Pretty common on the other mass market cruise lines (HAL, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carmival) Fairly low probability event for any particular booking, but it does happen.

[Haljo1935]

On 3/26/2024 at 2:29 PM, MayW said:

duckman, sea42, 0106, thank you all. It makes sense that the extra bed is out of way when not in use.

I've never had one hang down when not in use - just keep it stowed away and enjoy your cabin 🙃 🙂 

[saskacruiser]

This makes little sense. If I have a quad, and Jack has a quad, and Jill has a quad, but we are all sailing as couples - then who does HAL choose to move because someone else needs a quad? And why choose one over the other. Certainly they wouldn’t leave it up to the requesting party? We have pretty much always had a quad - a stateroom I choose - and I have the reservation marked ‘no changes’ (I don’t want their version of an upgrade). 

 

IMO, if you need a quad you should be booking early (like I do) so that you can get the cabin you want. And if HAL doesn’t want that to happen, then a quad should not be included in my choices.

[Haljo1935]

42 minutes ago, saskacruiser said:

...IMO, if you need a quad you should be booking early (like I do) so that you can get the cabin you want. And if HAL doesn’t want that to happen, then a quad should not be included in my choices.

I think that's the plan going forward - you won't "see" those cabins as available when you book.

Anyone's guess how they'll prioritize bumping, if they do, for current bookings.

[YourWorldWithBill]

19 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

I think that's the plan going forward - you won't "see" those cabins as available when you book.

Anyone's guess how they'll prioritize bumping, if they do, for current bookings.

But on a booking I made after this started, some quads suddenly were not available, while some others were still available! I don't think they were ready for opening night; maybe some more rehearsals.

[Cruise Suzy]

1 minute ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

But on a booking I made after this started, some quads suddenly were not available, while some others were still available! I don't think they were ready for opening night; maybe some more rehearsals.

 

Remember if an itinerary is also available as part of a longer itinerary, some staterooms will be listed only for the shorter itineraries and the rest will be listed only for the longer one. Just last week, to get the stateroom I wanted for a 14-day cruise, my TA had to call Ship Inventory and get it moved from the two 7-day cruises to the 14-day cruise.

[Ileneilene123]

I am pretty confused at this point. For a 2025 cruise, I booked two adjoining quads with one couple in each cabin. Worried about this, I called my HAL PCC today and grilled her. She told me there is absolutely no risk of getting bumped. She was unaware of any policy saying otherwise. She said there is no risk of being bumped unless you are in an accessible cabin which you do not need. 🤷‍♀️ 

[YourWorldWithBill]

Just now, Ileneilene123 said:

I am pretty confused at this point. For a 2025 cruise, I booked two adjoining quads with one couple in each cabin. Worried about this, I called my HAL PCC today and grilled her. She told me there is absolutely no risk of getting bumped. She was unaware of any policy saying otherwise. She said there is no risk of being bumped unless you are in an accessible cabin which you do not need. 🤷‍♀️ 

I went through the same thing with a different result. As I was booking a cruise I asked my PCC about the new policy. She knew about it and told me the company line, that it can happen, they'd give you an equal (?) or better cabin, but it wasn't too likely. So maybe your PCC just hadn't heard yet. That's why I said they weren't ready for opening night (as seems to happen a lot). I feel guilty telling you! But I'm just hoping that the odds of getting bumped are low.

[Ileneilene123]

17 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

I went through the same thing with a different result. As I was booking a cruise I asked my PCC about the new policy. She knew about it and told me the company line, that it can happen, they'd give you an equal (?) or better cabin, but it wasn't too likely. So maybe your PCC just hadn't heard yet. That's why I said they weren't ready for opening night (as seems to happen a lot). I feel guilty telling you! But I'm just hoping that the odds of getting bumped are low.

I think you are right … my PCC just doesn’t know about the policy yet. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experience — I’m completely new to cruising so I need all of the help I can get. Better to know the risks.
 

I’m going to ask her to doublecheck the policy. This has happened before —  I had to ask her to check the policy for Club Orange upgrades to the best available cabin in the Meta category. She was unaware. She checked & came back to confirm that I was right. It may be the same this time. 

[mawvkysc]

1 hour ago, Ileneilene123 said:

I think you are right … my PCC just doesn’t know about the policy yet. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experience — I’m completely new to cruising so I need all of the help I can get. Better to know the risks.
 

I’m going to ask her to doublecheck the policy. This has happened before —  I had to ask her to check the policy for Club Orange upgrades to the best available cabin in the Meta category. She was unaware. She checked & came back to confirm that I was right. It may be the same this time. 

You should get paid for training g her 

[TiogaCruiser]

5 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

I think you are right … my PCC just doesn’t know about the policy yet. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experience — I’m completely new to cruising so I need all of the help I can get. Better to know the risks.
 

I’m going to ask her to doublecheck the policy. This has happened before —  I had to ask her to check the policy for Club Orange upgrades to the best available cabin in the Meta category. She was unaware. She checked & came back to confirm that I was right. It may be the same this time. 

She needs to join Cruise Critic 

[Ileneilene123]

47 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

She needs to join Cruise Critic 

Yes!!

[3rdGenCunarder]

14 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

I think you are right … my PCC just doesn’t know about the policy yet. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experience — I’m completely new to cruising so I need all of the help I can get. Better to know the risks.
 

I’m going to ask her to doublecheck the policy. This has happened before —  I had to ask her to check the policy for Club Orange upgrades to the best available cabin in the Meta category. She was unaware. She checked & came back to confirm that I was right. It may be the same this time. 

 

I think when CO was new, they said it was one step, not top of the meta category, but then it changed. When I did the CO upgrade for a cruise last year, my TA had never been asked to do this. She had something from HAL that said one step. Either HAL or someone at the agency hadn't updated their info. So she called, and I got the move from lowest to highest. 

[cccole]

I have a question for those who have their cabins changed after final payment, even when they have said "no changes."  Our last cruise date was chosen because the cabin we wanted was available.  If it had been changed after final payment I would have been non-linear.  If changed prior to final payment I would have options.  Cherie