Concierge level verandas-2nd try

[localady]

It appears that HAL might be offering another "Celebrity" offering, "Concierge service" for some of the veranda cabins that are not Suites. It is noted in the Mariners magazine under the "SOE improvements". Anyone have any idea what this is and if it's correct what benefits it will include?? Thanks in advance.:cool:

[jhannah]

Nothing here. I haven't received the Mariner Magazine ... unless it's in today's mail. It wouldn't seem to be a good plan to take the concierge service down below the PH and S cabins, as that would appear to "water down" that suite benefit. But, who knows? Hopefully someone can shed some light on this.

[localady]

I just spoke to a very rude HAL customer service rep. who basically told me he knew nothing of it, and if I had a travel agent I should ask him, and "not waste his time"!:eek: My ears are still ringing from the call....:mad:

[elmorejj]

In other words, he didn`t know the answer to your question!! How rude, but that seems to be par for the course lately. I rec`d my Mariners mag. today but haven`t read it all yet, I`ll have to check out that part....jean :cool:

[jhannah]

I just spoke to a very rude HAL customer service rep. who basically told me he knew nothing of it, and if I had a travel agent I should ask him, and "not waste his time"!
Did you happen to write down his name? I'd think that encounter should be reported to his supervisor. There's no call for that!

[TedC]

I recall reading that the so-called "mini-suites" - the verandah cabins below PS, S and SS, would have a special phone number to call for concierge service. advice, etc.

Doesn't sound like a big deal to me.

[localady]

Actually his name was "Bill". I am sure there are lots of Bill's on staff at HAL. I am furious, but am trying to cool down.... I am not looking to get anyone into trouble but gheesh, we will be travelling on HAL 3 times this year which is worth many thousands in revenue to HAL.

What I wanted to tell him, is that I would talk to my "travel agent" but he was fired from the Travel Agency and I am left hanging in limbo with these reservations without a TA.:o I am in a precarious situation as we booked our cruises early, getting good prices, then were told the agent was fired from the agency, but that yes they would "accept" the reservations we had made through the agency for our HAL cruises. If I cancel and rebook I risk loosing the very good prices I secured early on, but at present I have no TA.

[KAKcruiser]

I wonder if he was a personal cruise consultant. There are more and more of these people answering the phones. They are only interested in getting bookings. They must be on commission. I have had a couple who were the rudest people I have ever encountered at HAL.

[localady]

KAKcruiser-

I suspect that you may be right. I don't begrudge anyone making trying to make a sale but if that is there sole purpose, then HAL needs to have customer service for those already booked as questions do arise. The fact is that there are going to be instances that people will call with questions, there is absolutely no reason to be rude.:cool:

[Oceanwench]

DH surprised me yesterday and booked an SS for our May 14 cruise on the Zuiderdam. We've always had verandah rooms, so I have no clue what this means!
I typically don't read the threads dealing with the perks of suites!
Is an SS concierge level or not? Does that mean we have access to the Neptune Lounge I've heard so much about?

[1cruiselvr]

You can transfer a booking without losing the pricing. We have done it before. Booked directly with the cruiseline, then transferred the booking to a TA. Nothing was lost or changed. All you need is your booking #. Happy Sailing!

[Esme]

DH surprised me yesterday and booked an SS for our May 14 cruise on the Zuiderdam. We've always had verandah rooms, so I have no clue what this means!
I typically don't read the threads dealing with the perks of suites!
Is an SS concierge level or not? Does that mean we have access to the Neptune Lounge I've heard so much about?

SS suites are lovely - we had one on last cruise. No perks in an SS like in an S, so you do not have access to Neptune Lounge, unless as stated above they are going to change this. Who knows! :confused:

[SHayesShip]

You do not have access to the Neptune Lounge or the perks of a full suite such as free dry cleaning and priority boarding.
You do get a much larger room and bathroom along with a larger balcony.
Steve Hayes

DH surprised me yesterday and booked an SS for our May 14 cruise on the Zuiderdam. We've always had verandah rooms, so I have no clue what this means!
I typically don't read the threads dealing with the perks of suites!
Is an SS concierge level or not? Does that mean we have access to the Neptune Lounge I've heard so much about?

[Sage]

Localady,

I'm sorry you were treated rudely by a represenative from HAL. If you truly would like to write or phone someone about the treatment, please e mail me, and I may have a number that will help. spottedgator@hotmail.com

[Mary Ellen]

You can transfer a booking without losing the pricing. We have done it before. Booked directly with the cruiseline, then transferred the booking to a TA. Nothing was lost or changed. All you need is your booking #. Since your booking is already with a TA this may be difficult, if not impossible. Going from the cruiseline to a TA is easy. Going from one agency to another is something else. The first agency will lose their comission and will not want to give that up.

[localady]

Hello and thanks to all for your comments!:cool:

Sage- I appreciate the offer, but I am going to pass it off this time as a fluke. I do try to let the small stuff just roll off and truly it's the first time that has happened.

MaryEllen- That is my feeling also. If you read the small print, I would lose money in making the transfer, I am sure the Agency would try to charge me cancellation fees. At this time, I have confirmed with HAL that the reservations do exist in the cabins I have requested, and I am gonna hang on to them as the prices are far below what they are asking for similar cabins at this point. If anyone thinks it doesn't pay to book early, check out the prices for Europe now vs. last summer when the schedule was released!:eek:

Oceanwench- I am not sure that the SS cabins have any greater "perks" that just the actual size of the cabin and the balcony! That additional size will be marvelous if you like me really enjoy the balcony.

[1cruiselvr]

It can be done but you are correct - the first TA must be willing to give up the booking to the second TA. It was my understanding that the TA who orginally booked the cruise, left the company. Did I read wrong? With no TA I'm not sure how the transfer could take place. Happy Sailing!

[localady]

It can be done but you are correct - the first TA must be willing to give up the booking to the second TA. It was my understanding that the TA who orginally booked the cruise, left the company. Did I read wrong? With no TA I'm not sure how the transfer could take place. Happy Sailing!

Actually he was fired for reasons that the company did not elaborate on.:( The company seems to be disinclined to give us another agent so we sit in limbo. I was told if there was a problem to contact the office manager. I really feel "stuck" on this one !:cool:

[dakrewser]

Actually he was fired for reasons that the company did not elaborate on.:( The company seems to be disinclined to give us another agent so we sit in limbo. I was told if there was a problem to contact the office manager. I really feel "stuck" on this one !:cool:

I'd tell the company to either assign another agent to your account, or sign the paperwork to transfer your booking - or see you in small claims court. They can't hold you hostage!