Air Deviation with HAL

[SeaShoreX2]

We booked our air with HAL and they have routed us with a very poor
route - we would like to use air deviation

Question is, if we use air deviation will we lose the free hotel and shuttle from airport to hotel?

and why would we since we are still booking air through them and the route we have chosen is cheaper than the amount we paid?

I can't see going through Minneapolis in January and getting in at midnight in Ft. Laud which means 1 a.m. at the hotel. also if we don't make the connection we don't make the cruise the next day.

[RetiredMustang]

We have used air deviation a few times, and it made no difference in our transfers to hotels -- HAL met our new flights and we were transferred as we had arranged, without a problem.

I agree, a midnight arrival is not optimal, to say the least. This sounds like a great time to use the air deviation option.

Dave

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We booked our air with HAL and they have routed us with a very poor
route - we would like to use air deviation

Question is, if we use air deviation will we lose the free hotel and shuttle from airport to hotel?

and why would we since we are still booking air through them and the route we have chosen is cheaper than the amount we paid?

I can't see going through Minneapolis in January and getting in at midnight in Ft. Laud which means 1 a.m. at the hotel. also if we don't make the connection we don't make the cruise the next day.
The only problem is you are seeing flights on line that may appear less money but you are looking at Web only pricing. HAL may not be able to book into the flight that you want. The rate codes they can use may not be available even though you can see the flights yourself. I would suggest before paying an air deviation fee is call HAL's Air / Sea department or if you have a TA have them call the Air/Sea Department and see what other flight they would even be able to move you to. If they can move you to what you want yes then you will have to pay the air deviation but it is possible they cannot get what you are seeing or do not contract with the airline you are looking at.

[SeaShoreX2]

thanks! that is good advice - never thought of them not seeing what I see and it not being available to them.

we get free air deviation as 4 star mariners so that isn't a problem.
Our TA seemed to indicate the using the air deviation negates the free hotel and shuttle.

HAL does contract with AA as that is the way they have always booked us before.
we will have to change as their route is a recipe for disaster and may just cancel our air with them and book everything myself. Really would like to go in 2 days ahead and they wouldn't let us do that.

thanks again!

[Taxguy77]

Going two days in advance sounds like far better planning for January.

[Twickenham]

Can you not just cancel the HAL air/hotel booking and book on your own?

I agree, I would give myself 2 days to get to the port in January.

[sail7seas]

HAL says they will get you where you are going but they don't promise ease or comfort and number of stops en route. I agree that routing seems very undesireable and anything you can do to improve it would probably be a great idea.

If you can go an additional day earlier or pay a deviation, go for it.

Sorry it wasn't 'easier' for you but hope you get something better.

[DaveOKC]

I booked and paid for my own flights and coupled it with a free hotel and transfer package that HAL was offering, so you should be OK.

DaveOKC

[travelnap]

We booked our air with HAL and they have routed us with a very poor
route - we would like to use air deviation

Question is, if we use air deviation will we lose the free hotel and shuttle from airport to hotel?

and why would we since we are still booking air through them and the route we have chosen is cheaper than the amount we paid?

I can't see going through Minneapolis in January and getting in at midnight in Ft. Laud which means 1 a.m. at the hotel. also if we don't make the connection we don't make the cruise the next day.

SeaShoreX2, Did you book directly through Holland America or use a travel agent. I booked a TA on the Rotterdam in November through my TA, with the cruise line air, and when I got the itinerary with the flight information one of the flights was an international flight with only 40 minutes between flights. I contacted my TA and told him that I wasn't comfortable with such a short time between flights, especially on an international flight. He called me back and Holland America had changed my flights to something that I could feel more comfortable with. You may want to give that a try before you purchase the air deviation. Yes I found much cheaper flights online than what my original flight was, and even what the flight was changed to, but I think the cruise lines buy in bulk so they don't necessarily go by the flight costs. Hopefully they can find something a little better for you, HAL usually tries to be accomodating as possible in my experience, so hopefully they will try to work with you on this. Happy sailing.