Price Guarantees

[cru1s1ng]

This has probably been discussed before, but I couldn’t find it. I booked a cruise on Maasdam (3/31/05) a few days ago, directly through HAL. I thought it was such a good deal I paid for it immediately. This morning I found the same cruise on a website for almost $200 less. I looked around for several weeks and HAL the best price at the time I booked. Will I be wasting my breath if I call HAL to see if they will adjust the price? Thanks!

[Cruisechik]

You can transfer your reservation from HAL to the other TA to receive their pricing.

[cru1s1ng]

Even after I've paid for it?

[Cruisechik]

Did you pay in full or just the deposit? If it is only the deposit, then no problem. If you paid in full, I would call the agency and explain your situation. If they say you can get the lower price, your CC should be credited the difference. The TA will give you the transfer information and you will have to call HAL to transfer. WHen calling HAL, make sure they will give you $ credit if you transfer to an agency with a lower rate.

On Celebrity & RCCL you can get price reductions after final payments. They credit your CC the difference. I am not sure if HAL has the same policy, but if so, this should be a similar type of transaction.

[cru1s1ng]

I paid in full, as HAL required. They gave me 3 days, so I didn't have much choice. Just got off the phone, with HAL. They were very helpful. :) The rep I spoke told me I needed to go further on the other sites screens, past the fine print. After I did that, there was less than $50 difference. I was somewhat embarrassed as I wouldn't have called for that amount. He told me I was in excellant position for an upgrade from my H guarantee, because people who book through HAL are given preference in the process. Sorry to have bothered everyone.

[dakrewser]

Sorry to have bothered everyone.

Nothing to be sorry about. Enjoy your cruise!

[jhannah]

No bother at all. The "fine print" often takes folks by surprise. Many of the online sites don't include port charges and taxes until (as you found out) a later screen, when the booking is about to be completed.

[ualtim]

Ah yes, the internet pricing gimic. I, too, have seen these "too good to be true" deals and click away to find the real price and find they are no better if not worse than what I can directly from HAL. One thing I have noticed, though, is that those on board love to quote you what they paid for the cruise on the gimic price and not what they are charged on their CC.

[cru1s1ng]

In THAT case, my final total was $1285 for a cat H outside, single occupancy. I think that was a very good price. That was 60%off HAL's full price, but who would pay that?

[TeresaJenkins]

We booked our 4/21/05 cruise through icruise (same cruise,same H guar ). After port/tax charges we only saved 58.00 per person from HAL'S quote.

This is only my 2nd cruise and I am not very good at finding the great deals like some here do, but I'm happy with my $116.00 savings that I will no doubt lose playing poker. ;o)