Reservation specialist

[leonardray]

I booked my Alaska cruise with a RS at Holland America. I emailed my RS regarding a special request for seating - no response. After several days finally reached RS and was told request was forwarded - no conformation regarding whether it was or not. Emailed RS regarding to promos to see if they applied to my cruise - no response. Emailed regarding an excursion not listed to book, but on Skagway site at Holland America - no response. Do you usually get a respone within several days or a call back or can I contact someone else regarding my requests or information I need for cruise. Thanks for any help I know I am impatient but I like everything in order.

[CaptData]

Here's a thought re: tour go into the HAL web site and book there. You have your booking number so use it there. Fill in the immigration form too. From what my TA and others here have told me you can request a Dining time and table number but it is only a request so they will not confirm until you are on the ship.

[leonardray]

Have booked several tours on Holland America site, but the one I want in Skagway is not listed on the book excursions site it is listed on ports of call and I am unable to book it. Maybe it is to early as my cruise is in September. Thanks for information you gave me.

[KAKcruiser]

If what you are referring to is a Personal Cruise Consultant, I have had experience with them. I am very happy booking directly with HAL but when one of these people get hold of you, watch out. They must be on commission because they are very eager to sign you up and then you never hear from them again. But, if you try to make any changes, reservations tells you that you must speak to your PCC. I know there are some very nice PCCs; however, there are some who are not so nice. And once they get your booking, it is hard to get them to do any follow-up requests. I could go on and on. My personal preference is to book directly with the regular HAL reservations people.

[Sailboater]

Have booked several tours on Holland America site, but the one I want in Skagway is not listed on the book excursions site it is listed on ports of call and I am unable to book it. Maybe it is to early as my cruise is in September. Thanks for information you gave me.

The tour may not be available for the specific cruise you are on. Some of the tours may have stopped running by the September date you will be in Skagway. Check under the ports of call section to see if they have specific dates available listed, sometimes they do. If not, call customer service and ask if the tour is still available on the date you will be there and explain you are unable to book it online.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The shore excursions that you read on the regular site at HAL doesn't mean that all those tours are available for each cruise. When you pull up the "book shore excursion" form, you will only see tours that are available for your ship and cruise. Some ships stay in ports longer than others and can offer more tours.

[shipcafe]

I booked my Alaska cruise with a RS at Holland America. I emailed my RS regarding a special request for seating - no response. After several days finally reached RS and was told request was forwarded - no conformation regarding whether it was or not. Emailed RS regarding to promos to see if they applied to my cruise - no response. Emailed regarding an excursion not listed to book, but on Skagway site at Holland America - no response. Do you usually get a respone within several days or a call back or can I contact someone else regarding my requests or information I need for cruise. Thanks for any help I know I am impatient but I like everything in order.

You may also wish to contact ship services to see if your dining request has been noted : 800-541-1576

[goforfun]

If what you are referring to is a Personal Cruise Consultant, I have had experience with them. I am very happy booking directly with HAL but when one of these people get hold of you, watch out. They must be on commission because they are very eager to sign you up and then you never hear from them again. But, if you try to make any changes, reservations tells you that you must speak to your PCC. I know there are some very nice PCCs; however, there are some who are not so nice. And once they get your booking, it is hard to get them to do any follow-up requests. I could go on and on. My personal preference is to book directly with the regular HAL reservations people.

Leonardray indicated that he booked using an RS (reservation specialist??) at HAL. Was he not dealing directly with the regular reservations folks that KAK refers to above?

Is a Personal Cruise Consultant like an on-line cruise specialist TA? The behavior cited by both leonardray and KAKcruiser is much like what I have experienced with my on-line TA. Great communication until the deal was clinched, but very poor thereafter. I will say that HAL can't come close to meeting the rate we were able to get with the on-line agent. Buyer beware, though.

[jhannah]

... you can request a Dining time and table number but it is only a request so they will not confirm until you are on the ship.
This is true with table numbers, I believe. However, I have my booking receipt from HAL that was dated last September for a cruise this coming August. My dining time is noted as confirmed. Maybe how far out the booking is done plays a role here. I have a May cruise booked last October, and my requested dining time is waitlisted.