When does HAL release Alaska 1 way balconies?

[fann1sh]

I find HAL's policy of reserving all balconies on their north or southbound Alaska one way cruises (to give cruisetour guests first pick) to be very irritating.

Do any of you experienced Alaska cruisers know how many days before sailing the remaining balconies (and suites) are released to hoi polloi? :rolleyes:

Can anyone give me some tips? Book an oceanview cabin early to secure your dining selection, then upgrade when the balcony cabins are released?

Many thanks for any replies!

[garydm]

Wait until final payment is due and many times it will come up on the HAL 5 Day Flash. We got an SA at a bargain price in a great location that way.

Gary

[Jemima]

You might also consider booking the 14 days. We found the 14 day per day rate was much lower than the 7 day per day rate. We loved our 14 day Alaskan cruise.

[fann1sh]

You might also consider booking the 14 days. We found the 14 day per day rate was much lower than the 7 day per day rate. We loved our 14 day Alaskan cruise.

Thanks. This is what I did last summer, in a solo inside. But, unfortunately, even when you book it as a round trip, those balconies don't show available right now.

[catl331]

Pat, being you are a veteran HAL cruiser I think getting the best oceanview with an upgrade in mind is a good choice especially if you have dining preferences. Are you booking it yourself or with a travel agent? Maybe a good travel agent can keep their eye open for you and nab one when they open up. Remember the smaller HAL ships do not have many balconies. We did not go for balconies on our two Alaskan trips but a friend booked one on the Statendam for our cruise #14 tour. This was the last cruise of the season and she did not get much use of the balcony. carol

[fann1sh]

Thanks so much, Carol!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We started this royal battle with HAL way back in 2002. We like to book S (SA) cabins -- round trip from Vancouver and like to book early -- especially since we have to book air at least 11 months in advance since we fly across the country and there are no longer and dirrect flights. Our TA battles with Seattle everytime. It is a nightmare. She even points out that we spend more money on our round trip than many of the people on the cruise/land tours.

We will no longer fight HAL over the cabins for Alaska. We were fortunate to add an Alaskan cruise onto our repositioning cruise in 2008.

This year we are doing the 14 day Amsterdam cruise.

In the future -- for Alaska -- we will be booking Princess.

In 2006 I went around and asked the S people how many of them had been on the land tours -- very,very few. Asked others who had been on the land tours -- their response was that because the land tours were expensive -- they booked inside cabins!!

[fann1sh]

<groan> KK, thank you so much for sharing your experience.

I knew I'd seen someone (and I thought it was you :)) post about this before.

I think I'm going to give up on the 7+7 round trip, and look at alternatives.

Again, thanks to all.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Our first Alaskan cruise was back in 1989 -- on Princess -- a 12 cruise round trip from San Francisco -- it was wonderful.

We even went to Port Hardy, BC!!

[born 2 cruise]

Pat we tried to get a balcony next Aug. in July. Thought over a year we could get one but to no avail, took an inside one instead.
Will try to avoid HAL in the future if possible.

Vis