On a waiting list...

[florida_mom]

My husband and I have cruised 3 times before (once on Disney 7 day to Eastern Caribbean, once on Royal Caribbean 3 day to the Bahamas, and once on Carnival 7 day to the Western Caribbean).

We finally decided to try Holland America (sans kids this time!!) and booked the 5 day Zuiderdam cruise on December 18th through an internet travel agency. 4 days after we booked, we were called and told that our booking had only been pending and that now the Zuiderdam was sold out to the types of cabins we could afford. Unfortunately, by this time, other cruises also became sold out, and my vacation time at work is already approved for those dates.

We were very dissapointed and tried everything we could think of--from holding the travel agency responsible for not getting back with us sooner hoping they could work some miracle (no luck), to asking for an upgrade or seeing if HAL would upgrade another group and we would gladly take whatever cabin they could give us, to calling HAL ourselves.

We have now talked with HAL and they have put us on their waiting list, but no indication of exactly how far down that waiting list we are, and the cruise is 21 days away. Has anyone been in this situation before? In your experience, do waitlisted passengers get a spot on a HAL curise in a holiday season?

Thanks for any and all help. I've really enjoyed reading these boards.

[iluvcruzin]

Unfortunately that's what can happen when you book through an online agency. It's not right they show availability only to try and sell you a higher priced cabin. I'm sorry this happened to you. Situations such as this is why I only use a TA.

Personally, I would have HAL cancel/transfer your booking from this agency if possible and contact your CC company with a complaint.

[RichardK]

We were very dissapointed and tried everything we could think of--from holding the travel agency responsible for not getting back with us sooner hoping they could work some miracle (no luck), to asking for an upgrade or seeing if HAL would upgrade another group and we would gladly take whatever cabin they could give us, to calling HAL ourselves.

Don't you think that your approach is a little too "pushy", given the fact that you've chosen to book so late?? I certainly can understand your disappointment, but trying to blame the TA, or trying to get HAL to wheel-and-deal, seems a bit over the top to me!

“The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars, but in ourselves…..” [William Shakespeare]

No sarcasm intended, and all IMHO, of course, except for what Shakespeare so profoundly says........

[Krazy Kruizers]

Holiday cruises tend to sell out very quickly. I am surprised that you were able to see something available whether it be by TA or on-line.

Don't count on anything at this late date.

Sorry this happened.

We are always deal with a TA that we can go and talk to in person. Had you gone to a TA they would have called HAL right then and there and you would have known right away whether there was a cabin in your price range.

[Candy]

Fortunately for you, you live within driving distance of any Florida port. If you lived in Chicago and had already purchased non-refundable airfare, you'd be steaming!

...snip... 4 days after we booked, we were called and told that our booking had only been pending and that now the Zuiderdam was sold out to the types of cabins we could afford. Unfortunately, by this time, other cruises also became sold out, and my vacation time at work is already approved for those dates.

[florida_mom]

Thank you for your responses. I do know we should have booked earlier, I do realize now that we should have used a living, breathing, TA and will do so in the future. I do know that this is entirely our fault and will learn from this experience. I was just hoping that someone out there had been on a waiting list before and could tell me if they got in or not. Or, if there was a way to find out where on the waiting list I stand.

Thanks, everyone!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Do not listen to anyone telling you it's because you used an online TA. Over the past 4 years I've booked my cruises thru an internet TA and have absolutely no problem whatsoever. However, I get my confirmation back from them within hours of booking. They send me the cruiseline confirmation # (this is very important) which I can immediately confirm with HAL (or whatever line I'm booked with). So your problem may be with this individual online agent (certainly don't use them again:o ) or it could also have happened with any TA you might deal with even if they're living and breathing in front of you.

Still, booking so late in the game always can lead to disappointment, but you may find they come through for you. There are always reasons people need to cancel last minute so I'd be packed and ready if I were you:) .

[1cruiselvr]

I think the key word in this post is "BOOKED". Booked means deposit given, cruiseline confirmation # provided. If the poster had booked with a deposit, there would not be an issue. I suggest that the poster misunderstood what the online TA was providing for them. Maybe holding a booking pending deposit that wasn't made by the required date? As stated, when truly booked you get a confirmation # from the TA. Since there was none, I think maybe it was a misunderstanding. I don't think HAL has a responsibility in this situation from the way it has been described by the poster. Happy Sailing!

[florida_mom]

I don't think HAL has the responsibility at all. I was just hopeful that with numerous people wanting to book that cruise they might be ready to upgrade some of their already confirmed passengers so as to create more openings for the demand. Then again, maybe not.

We did indeed book with our credit card, to pay the whole thing--not just a deposit, and even got an quick reply back with a booking confirmation number. When our online TA called 4 days later to say there was no room, I read the confirmation number off to them, and was told at that time that a booking confirmation number does not mean that I have the cabin.

Heather in Florida, thanks for your words of support and glad to hear that you have had success with online TA's. We've always done our travel this way, but I guess now we've learned the hard way that confirming the confirmation is what must be done.

[Brandis]

Was it just an internal TA confirmation number or the official HAL booking number?

If it was the later, then it was HAL's fault for confirming the booking to the TA and then backing off later.

Marc

[HeatherInFlorida]

FloridaMom, I agree with Brandis. Each agency will give you their own "confirmation #" and that simply confirms they've received your request. But within a day you should receive the "Cruiseline Reservation #". If you have a 7-digit HAL Reservation #, then that is a confirmed reservation and the $$ amount would show up on your credit card. If that was done, then HAL is at fault and they would definitely be responsible.

[1cruiselvr]

This is why it's not wise for inexperienced cruisers to use an online TA without benefit of conversation. A TA confirmation# is not the same as the CL booking#, but how would a person know that unless they had previous booking experience? It sounds like an automatic online process that couldn't follow thru with a real CL booking. Happy Sailing!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Having had bad experiences with real life TA's, I really can't see why some of you come down so hard on the online guys!

Do you honestly believe that brick and mortar agents are flawless? Requests can get lost in the shuffle online or with a regular TA. Errors are made. Don't throw the whole barrel out because of one bad apple. Doesn't make sense.

I didn't even know what the internet was until 1995. I was extremely leery of doing anything "online". But I am slowly learning to trust much of my business to the internet. I make all my airline reservations, pay my bills, transfer $$$ between banking accounts, buy and sell stock, purchase tons of merchandise and research all kinds of vacations online. It saves me an enormous amount of time.

I believe brick and mortar TAs are valuable and fill a huge need. There are times I use mine. Should an inexperienced traveller depend on an internet agent with their booking? Perhaps not; it would depend on the individual. The first time I used one I called Holland America within an hour of booking, asked them if they had the reservation and if they felt this agent was reliable. When they confirmed everything, I felt comfortable. So it all goes back to being a wise consumer which we should all be no matter who we're dealing with. The truth is, TA's are popping up like flies working out of their homes half the time so you have to be careful no matter who you decide to use.

[JDee]

Quote: I was just hoping that someone out there had been on a waiting list before and could tell me if they got in or not. Or, if there was a way to find out where on the waiting list I stand.
============================
Some years ago (on a differenct cruise line) there was a particular ship & iteneray I wanted to go. It was fully booked almost a year in advance, but they were accepting pax on wait lists. Best I recall, my number was well over 100 & I pretty well conceded it was for naught. My TA had no problem having me put on the cruise line's waiting list & got my standing number.

While it is rather late now, but since you are comitted to taking the time off as orginally planned, maybe you could ask another TA (either on-line or brick/mortar type) to ask if possible to get wait listed & what your number would be. There is always the long shot that a vacancy can occur due to illness, untimely death in the family, etc.. Sorry things didn't turn out as planned.....

[janisutx]

:) I agree with Heather. The large internet travel service I booked with in July has been wonderful. Their agents have gone out of their way to help me. Believe me, I need it since this is my first cruise! I received my confirmations very quickly. Good luck with your "waiting game".

[1cruiselvr]

If it was me, I wouldn't be involving a Ta at all at this point but would contact HAL directly to find out about the possibility of booking and ask to be waitlisted for this cruise. Then you could have conversations with them directly to find out where you are on the waitlist. Happy Sailing!

[florida_mom]

We have contacted HAL directly, have put down a deposit for the waiting list to let them know we're serious, and now we wait. They wouldn't tell us where we are on the list, saying they didn't have that information.

Thanks for your comments, everyone, I'll let you know if we get it!

[Ziggy7]

Wishing you good luck :)

[florida_mom]

We got a reservation on the ship! Yay! It didn't happen by being on the waiting list, though. I did a google search yesterday and typed in our cruise ship name and the date of sail, and voila! up came several sites advertising the Zuiderdam for our dates. They must have just recently been added, and when I called, there was a cabin available and I booked it. Thanks to the advice on this board, I called HAL when I got off the phone, gave them the booking number I had been given, and was told that DH and I were definitely on the ship! I even went online to check on shore excursions, was able to type in our reservation number, and there it was.

DH called HAL today and removed ourselves from the waiting list, and he called the online travel agency we had used first, only to be told that the person we were working with was on vacation this week and the person covering for him did know anything about it. Ah well, all's well that ends well. Just glad it ended well! Thanks for your tips, everyone!

[iv18-Diane]

Florida Mom,
I'm glad you got on the ship.
Agencies that operate solely on line are fine,UNTIL there is a problem.
Heather, you sound like someone burned you. There are good agents out there that available for their customers anytime they need them.
Some agencies have websites but they only book with clients on the phone, or in the office. 75% of all cruise bookings are done on the phone, according to CLIA .If an agent calls a cruiseline, A confirmation # is given at that time. the cruiseline gives a date that it must be deposited by and if it isn't the cabin goes back and can be sold to someone else. on close in sailings the hold time may be only a few hours.

[bkreader]

Florida Mom,

Congratulations on getting a cabin. I hope you return and give us a review - I am doing an identical itinerary on the Westerdam the beginning of January. - Jane

[HeatherInFlorida]

FloridaMom, so happy to get your news! You see if you want something badly enough and you're persistent enough, you win. Good for you and have a fabulous time!!! Tell all on your return.

[General Max]

If shore excursions are not yet listed for your cruise, you can still check your booking number on the HAL website by logging into the immigration form. I checked it right after our internet agent booked it and sure enough we were listed for the November 2005 cruise.

General Max

[florida_mom]

Thanks everyone, for your advice. I'll review upon my return! :)