Apologies - another disembarking day question

[The Odd Couple]

I have asked this question direct with HAL (by e-mail) and haven't had any response, so felt sure you folks out there would be able to answer my question in an instant.

As part of our package, we have included transfers to/from port/airport. On the day of departure, we want to book an excursion before checking in at the airport. On the excursions section, do we book one which includes the "pre-paid" transfer and if so, does HAL recognise from our booking reference that we have transfers included or do they produce some sort of voucher to present to the excursion operator with our cruise documentation? Sorry if that's sound a stupid question, but we are unsure how these things work Stateside. Thanks for your advice.

[excruisestaff]

I have asked this question direct with HAL (by e-mail) and haven't had any response, so felt sure you folks out there would be able to answer my question in an instant.

As part of our package, we have included transfers to/from port/airport. On the day of departure, we want to book an excursion before checking in at the airport. On the excursions section, do we book one which includes the "pre-paid" transfer and if so, does HAL recognise from our booking reference that we have transfers included or do they produce some sort of voucher to present to the excursion operator with our cruise documentation? Sorry if that's sound a stupid question, but we are unsure how these things work Stateside. Thanks for your advice.

If you booked through a TA, take this question to them and have them sort it out for you. If you booked through HAL, call them instead of e-mailing. I wish I could answer you, but I don't want to give you the wrong information. Since the transfer back to the airport is already included in the excursion, you might be able to cancel the return transfer you booked separately. However, a taxi is usually less expensive if you're only going to/from the FLL airport, so you might want to cancel your separate transfers and use the taxi service anyway. Using a taxi will also alleviate having to wait for the cruise line busses to fill up, so you can go at your own pace. Talk to HAL first and then decide. Have a safe and enjoyable trip!

Maxine

[RuthC]

If you already have a pre-paid transfer, and now want to book an excursion that includes a transfer, the easiest way to handle this is on the ship.

The Shore Excursion request form that you find in your cabin should have two choices for ordering the excursion: one where you also purchase the transfer, and one where you don't. You will see that the price difference is the exact amount of the transfer only.
Just order the excursion without the transfer.

The disembarkation info letter that you receive early in the cruise, the one where the Front Office is gathering info on your plans, will have a section reflecting these same two choices regarding the shore excursion. Check off the same response.

On most ships the Shore Excursion Office is near the Front Desk. I would make a visit to each, in succession, to be sure I was getting exactly what I want.

[The Odd Couple]

Thanks very much for the information. I knew it would be so much better and quicker than asking my TA or HAL!!

[catl331]

You can book the excursion easily on-line if you'd like to. You'll see two options listed, one with a pre-paid transfer and one without. The one without will be higher by the price of the transfer. The tickets will be in your room when you board, and the excursion operator doesn't know or care how you bought them.

[lorekauf]

If you already have a pre-paid transfer, and now want to book an excursion that includes a transfer, the easiest way to handle this is on the ship.

The Shore Excursion request form that you find in your cabin should have two choices for ordering the excursion: one where you also purchase the transfer, and one where you don't. You will see that the price difference is the exact amount of the transfer only.
Just order the excursion without the transfer.

The disembarkation info letter that you receive early in the cruise, the one where the Front Office is gathering info on your plans, will have a section reflecting these same two choices regarding the shore excursion. Check off the same response.

On most ships the Shore Excursion Office is near the Front Desk. I would make a visit to each, in succession, to be sure I was getting exactly what I want.
Ruth, I haven't had to fill out that form on the last several cruises. The last time I posted this info I got eaten alive and people thought I'd lost my mind. I think Lisa piped in and said if you fill out your flights you won't see the form? I always fill out everything. The poster may or may not see that form.

P.S. to Ruth - My Panama canal cruise got "moved" to May 1/13 from May 15/13 so the HAL website was not messed up the other day. That doesn't work for me. Where is the crying icon?
On my last cruise on the Eurodam (Sept.2011) I had a prepaid voucher. I then bought a shorex on line (the one that said if you had a prepaid voucher). Everything was fine and I wasn't asked for any thpe of proof.

[the2ofus]

To the OP, I'm glad you have had good answers to your questions. No need to be apologetic about asking a question. Most of us HAL enthusiasts are only too glad to assist with info about our favorite cruiseline and favorite pastime, cruising.

If I recall, my DH and I once decided while on board to add a shore excursion for disembarkation day and had no trouble. I think the shore ex staff are used to getting these requests.

[The Odd Couple]

To the OP, I'm glad you have had good answers to your questions. No need to be apologetic about asking a question. Most of us HAL enthusiasts are only too glad to assist with info about our favorite cruiseline and favorite pastime, cruising.

If I recall, my DH and I once decided while on board to add a shore excursion for disembarkation day and had no trouble. I think the shore ex staff are used to getting these requests.

Thanks for all your help and advice. I have now had a response from HAL to say that if we want a city tour after the cruise, we should book one of their excursions but what they didn't say was because we already have an airport transfer with HAL, whether we should be booking a "with" or "without" pre-paid transfer voucher. So I have asked the question again! I have this need to make sure that there is no margin for error, otherwise I panic!!

[lorekauf]

Thanks for all your help and advice. I have now had a response from HAL to say that if we want a city tour after the cruise, we should book one of their excursions but what they didn't say was because we already have an airport transfer with HAL, whether we should be booking a "with" or "without" pre-paid transfer voucher. So I have asked the question again! I have this need to make sure that there is no margin for error, otherwise I panic!!
I hear you about the panic thing. I do tend to panic as well. If you buy it WITH the transfer you'll be fine. Just to ease your mind if you want confirm once you are on board. Any answer you get from HAL ahead of time could be different than reality.

[The Odd Couple]

I hear you about the panic thing. I do tend to panic as well. If you buy it WITH the transfer you'll be fine. Just to ease your mind if you want confirm once you are on board. Any answer you get from HAL ahead of time could be different than reality.

Yes, I am an Olympic gold panicker!!

I have just had an e-mail from Carnival in the UK (obviously HAL are fed up with me) saying I should book an excursion "with pre-paid transfer", so happy bunny now I know what I am doing!!

[RuthC]

This is such a little thing that it's not worth one iota of worry.
If you make a mistake and order the wrong thing, it can easily be corrected on the ship.

[jtl513]

If you buy it WITH the transfer you'll be fine. No, she said in the original post "As part of our package, we have included transfers to/from port/airport" so she should buy the excursion WITHOUT the transfer or she would be paying for the transfer twice.

[lorekauf]

No, she said in the original post "As part of our package, we have included transfers to/from port/airport" so she should buy the excursion WITHOUT the transfer or she would be paying for the transfer twice.
You are correct. I hadn't had my coffee. Sorry to the OP:o. I'm on MDT.