Final Payment Date 90 days but Penalty Phase started at 120 days

[Jade13]

We are booked on half of the VOV and were excited that our cruise fare had gone down based on the HAL website.

Our final payment is due next week. We contacted our TA who was told the promo was a Flash Sale and for new bookings only. I just wanted to know where that could be found on the website and was told it was not indicated on the web.

So, I phoned HAL directly as I wanted general information on this New Bookings Only Sale and wanted to know how one would know that. They kept saying there were penalties if we canceled and re-booked. It finally came out that the penalty phase on this cruise is at 120 days but final payment is not until 90 days. I recall an issue on this board with someone regarding this but did not know it applied to our 17 night cruise.

Btw, they would upgrade us from a Lanai to a BA Veranda guarantee, but I am just unwilling to agree to a guarantee as I do not like surprises.

Also, just wondering if the BA Veranda Suite is entitled to the double mariner points? I know its not a real Suite, but I recall others saying they were able to get the double points.

[Krazy Kruizers]

yes -- i remember that thread -- part or all of a world cruise or a grand voayge?

was that billroddy?

this is the first that i have heard it for your 17 day cruise

interesting

JMO -- i would accept the upgrade -- larger cabin -- private balcony

[Jade13]

JMO -- i would accept the upgrade -- larger cabin -- private balcony

I decided to do it but now they are saying I was told a BC guarantee, and I am positive they said BA. Plus we loose $100.00 OBC.

[Krazy Kruizers]

BC - there are only 4 of them -- at the aft

BA's have nice location

wow -- losing $100 shipboard credit -- that isn't nice of hal

somewhere i remember someone mentioning that if hal upgrades you - you do not get the extra bonus points

are you going to try to go back to your lanai cabin or accept the BC?

[pms4104]

BC - there are only 4 of them -- at the aft

BA's have nice location

wow -- losing $100 shipboard credit -- that isn't nice of hal

somewhere i remember someone mentioning that if hal upgrades you - you do not get the extra bonus points

are you going to try to go back to your lanai cabin or accept the BC?



Yes, a Mariner Society staffer told me that the double-day points apply when one books and pays for one of the qualifying cabins, such as a full suite or the verandah cabins on the S and R ships, which HAL calls Verandah Suites. Double days, I was told, would not apply if one were to be upsold or upgraded from a non-qualifying to qualifying accommodation.

[Krazy Kruizers]

thanks -- didn't think i had imagined it

[Jade13]

BC - there are only 4 of them -- at the aft

BA's have nice location

wow -- losing $100 shipboard credit -- that isn't nice of hal
are you going to try to go back to your lanai cabin or accept the BC?




We are taking the guarantee. I can't believe we are doing this as I said we never would. HAL can not do anything about the $100.00 OBC because this is apparently a flash rate, and the OBC was from a group booking through Ensemble (it is not from our TA's commission etc.), and we are no longer part of that group if we take this promotional rate. We do not lose our Carnival Corp. OBC, book on board credit, or mariner special promotion credit.

Our TA said all of the BC's are currently booked, and there is only one BB, and one BC available and everything else is a guarantee. They confirmed there is no difference in the BC (ie. no surprise like shower and no tub).

I think because we are doing only half of the Voyage we might not know our cabin until we get to the pier. I am just guessing we would be one of the last assignments.

It looks like there are some extras with the Veranda Suite such as refrigerator, Oversized bath towels, Fresh flowers, and One-touch telephone concierge service. Last time we were on Maasdam everyone could order DVD's at no extra cost.

Verandah Suites 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, whirlpool bath & shower, sitting area, private verandah, mini-bar, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 283 sq. ft. including verandah.
Room Amenities (http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlans.action?ship=ma&deck=m#)
Include all the stateroom amenities, plus:

A variety of firm, medium, and soft pillows
No-host mini-bar for easy entertaining
Personalized cruise stationery
Oversized bath towels
One-touch telephone concierge service
Fresh flowers
Complimentary DVD library


One thing that HAL is doing for us that is actually nice is that we were told that the Flash rate is suppose to be 100% non-refundable (if you don't take HAL"s cancel for any reason insurance), and I was told that HAL is leaving our booking as refundable (with normal penalty deadlines).

[Jade13]

Yes, a Mariner Society staffer told me that the double-day points apply when one books and pays for one of the qualifying cabins, such as a full suite or the verandah cabins on the S and R ships, which HAL calls Verandah Suites. Double days, I was told, would not apply if one were to be upsold or upgraded from a non-qualifying to qualifying accommodation.

I guess we will find out when we get back. We are actually in a guarantee Veranda Suite category now (with flash rate pricing), vs. being upgraded from an Inside or OV guarantee etc. to a Veranda Suite or full Suite. We are still outside of final payment.

[Krazy Kruizers]

i think that you will be very pleased with any of the B cabins

they are larger -- yes -- you have a refrigerator -- the towels are suppose to be better

and remember that maasdam is in dry dock right now getting all new bathrooms -- cabins are being updated

we got on the ryndam a few months after her dry dock and -- wow -- everything made her look like a new ship

having a balcony for when you just want to step out for a few minutes or longer -- wonderful

[OHCruiser]

We took an upsell to a Deluxe Verandah on the Rotterdam and I recall that the confirmation stated that we would NOT get double Mariner days. It was fine since the total fare came out to be about half of the original published fare was for the room.