This seems strange to me....

[holomuku]

Hello everyone,

We're not new to cruising but our new to HAL. (we've done Celebrity & RCCL for the most part).

We're looking at a 4 night coastal cruise out of San Diego on the Statendam, May 13th. Our 25 year wedding anniversary is May 15th and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than being on a sea day!

However- all categories are showing GTY only. We plan on booking an S suite (I mean -- 25 years deserves something, right?) but it would be a GTY.

For those of that are HAL experienced- does it seem odd that this far out the only cabins available are GTY? I checked and didn't see a roll call for it but then perhaps it's such a short cruise people don't get into that. Or maybe HAL cruisers don't tend to get on the roll calls as much as some others?

The price is in our range and we feel reasonable for a suite (not that we have a lot of experience in one!). We can book direct with HAL or save about $45 by booking via a "big box" store travel agency. I'm thinking for $45 it's better to just book direct and not have a middle person.

We could also book the "regular" balcony as a GTY but I think the chances of an upgrade for someone who has never sailed them before are pretty slim- and we'd like to have a suite for the big day.

Any thoughts on the GTY situation and booking direct (or not) with HAL are appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

[intandemNV]

We have been in a suite once and it is definitelt the way to go for a special occasion! Go for the suite that includes the Neptune lounge, either SA, SB, SC category. I'm thinking any of those as a guarantee would be great!

[maxout]

It's the tail end of a repositioning cruise before the Alaskan cruise season and it may be that they are still unsure about how many actual cabins will be available for that segment. Many may choose to leave the ship in San Diego others to continue on to Vancouver.

[lazey1]

You are not very far out for a May cruise, only 3 1/2 mo. A lot of HAl people book 1 year, 18 mo. or even further out.

This 4 day coastal is the last 4 days of a 32 day repositioning cruise. After the 32 day cruisers are assigned, then the 18 day segment will be assigned, then finally the 4 day segment. As long as you have a guarantee S. Suite you will be assigned a S. Suite or higher. You will just not have a choice of which suite. Nobody ever knows when or if the upgrade fairy will smile so if you want a Suite you should book a Suite.

There are small roll calls for both the April 15, 32 day cruise and the April 29 section.

Once you have a booking # check out the packages under the indulgences tab. They have some very nice packages for anniversaries. Tell your head waiter the anniv. date and they will deliver a wonderful cake to your table and sing an Indonesian song.


Happy anniversary and enjoy your cruise.

[kazu]

definitely take the suite guarantee. the guarantees are not a surprise looking at the itineraries as already explained. You may be able to select a room later, but at least do the suite. the worst case is an SC ;) (ah gee). We love the suites and HAL knows how to do it.

I'd do it in a heartbeat. but, of course I like the 'suite' life :):)

[holomuku]

Okay, now that's making sense.

I'm a little concerned we're going to commit to this price and then after final payment they'll lower the prices to get people on the 4 day leg....but that's the chance you take, I guess.

Thanks for the help!

[solocanadian]

Hello everyone,

We're not new to cruising but our new to HAL. (we've done Celebrity & RCCL for the most part).

We're looking at a 4 night coastal cruise out of San Diego on the Statendam, May 13th. Our 25 year wedding anniversary is May 15th and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than being on a sea day!

However- all categories are showing GTY only. We plan on booking an S suite (I mean -- 25 years deserves something, right?) but it would be a GTY.

For those of that are HAL experienced- does it seem odd that this far out the only cabins available are GTY? I checked and didn't see a roll call for it but then perhaps it's such a short cruise people don't get into that. Or maybe HAL cruisers don't tend to get on the roll calls as much as some others?

The price is in our range and we feel reasonable for a suite (not that we have a lot of experience in one!). We can book direct with HAL or save about $45 by booking via a "big box" store travel agency. I'm thinking for $45 it's better to just book direct and not have a middle person.

We could also book the "regular" balcony as a GTY but I think the chances of an upgrade for someone who has never sailed them before are pretty slim- and we'd like to have a suite for the big day.

Any thoughts on the GTY situation and booking direct (or not) with HAL are appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
You can't go wrong in booking an "S" guarantee on the Statemdam. It's the only suite category. My late husband & me had 008 way back in 1995. Do enjoy your 25th and the suite life.::D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done a few of those repositioning cruises -- and HAL will keep the S Deluxe cabins available for people booking the entire cruise -- thus they will only offer the 4 day portion as a guarantee.

[holomuku]

Solocanadian-

My sympathy on the loss of your husband.

My sister and brother in law stood up for us when we got married and our plan for the last few years was for the four of us to celebrate the 25th together in Kauai (where we were married). Unfortunately my brother in law passed away very suddenly about 18 months ago and it's been difficult for us to even think about what we were going to do for our 25th-- which is why I'm a little late (for me) for the planning stage.

One never knows what curve ball life is going to throw at you. Enjoy each day.

[kazu]

You can't go wrong in booking an "S" guarantee on the Statemdam. It's the only suite category. My late husband & me had 008 way back in 1995. Do enjoy your 25th and the suite life.::D

oops, sorry :o I forgot you were on the Statendam. Definitely do the S category - they are all great :D:D