HELP- Error made on our documents

[brego]

We are saililng in 2 weeks and picked up documents from TA today. We have 3 cabins booked for large family celebration. When I was reviewing the documents I noticed my Mother and her husband were put at a different dinner seating time than the rest of us even though when we booked all of us were confirmed for early dining and we requested to be seated together(we even reconfirmed this). My TA called HAL but the problem has not been corrected as there is a waitlist for early dining. My mother has recently undergone a lifethreatening illness and is now disabled. This cruise is our "celebration" of her recovery as well as a25th anniversary celebration.

Who should I talk to at HAL to straighten this out. This was their error. We need the early dinner seating due to my Mother's medical situation and we are traveling with children. We booked early to guarentee this and were ALL confirmed for early dining. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am very upset!

[Starr Mtn]

First of all - don't panic. I'd suggest contacting your TA and ask his/her assistance. In the interim, call the doctor and get a letter stating that a specific dinner time is essential for her health - and immediately send/fax that letter to your TA on your behalf. Be sure your TA has all your reservations linked.

[dakrewser]

Call HAL's customer service right now (try 1-800-547-8493, which is for special medical needs), but also go to see the Maitre d' just as soon as you board.

[RuthC]

Time for your TA to earn that commission. Your TA should be on the phone to HAL and getting this straightened out. Wrong time is bad enough, but to split the bookings is not acceptable.

When you board check the dining confirmation---whether or not your TA thinks this is straightened out.
If all is well relax and enjoy.
If there is still a discrepancy make your way immediately to the maitre d' to arrange a change. Calm, polite, but insistent is the tone you want.

You may or may not be able to get the change completed the first night, but don't give up hope. Changes can happen the second---or later!---night.

If all else fails you could eat in the Lido and Pinnacle. Not the best solution, but it would work.

[sail7seas]

Are any of your party Mariners? (cruised with HAL previously).


If so, contact Mariners' Society and see if they can assist.
Alumni Programs 1-800-547-9139

Good luck. It is a shame your excitement has been dimmed by this situation. I sincerely hope it works out well and that you, your Mom and your whole family have a wonderful cruise.

Please come back here and let us know how you make out.

[brego]

Yes, we are all Mariners. Actually, my Mother and I cruised with HAL for the first time in 1961 when we moved to Holland. I rechecked this reservation so many times because I wanted everything to be just right for my Mother! All the cabins were cross referenced, early dining confirmed, etc.

[palmgirl]

Two years ago we traveled in a large group. All of our reservations were cross referenced. My mother has to eat early (diabetic) and my sister was confirmed with her. The other 9 of us were on the late seating.

When we arrived onboard the Maitre'd thought we would want to be together and had moved mother and sister to our late dinner seating.

A five minute trip to see the Godfather (head of dinner seatings) took care of the problem. Mother & sister back eating at 6, the rest of us at 8:15.

They normally have a bit of wiggle room for problems like this and I am sure they will accomodate you.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[brego]

Thank you all for your help! After a long 24 hours and numerous phone calls to various personnel and departments at HAL, I was able to get the matter resolved. It didn't look good for a while but fortunately I eventually reached a wonderful supervisor who went the extra mile to "fix" things. Now it's time to relax and get excited about the cruise!

[sail7seas]

I'm so happy to hear you have worked it out. Sorry you had to bounce from phone to phone, desk to desk but happily the right person, at the right desk, picked up the right phone.


Now.....Begin to get seriously into building your and your family's excitement and enjoy your short countdown.

Hopefully, that is the only 'bump in the road' you will encounter and your cruise will be all you hope for.

[JaniceB]

I am happy HAL fixed the problem. I was worried about the same thing. We booked a separate cabin for our children. Our documents arrived with the correct seating, not sure about the table, but at least we are all eating at the same time. It is not easy booking a trip with more than one cabin sometimes.

Have a wonderful trip.

[Pudgesmom]

brego,

You should probably make sure the switch has been made after you board. Get all your information together and take it with you, then you will have documentation if there's a problem. There's always a chance that the word will get lost somewhere along the way.

Have a great trip.

Beth