British Cruisers

[SueOverend]

Have any of you fellow British Cruisers used a U.S. travel agency to purchase your cruise. If yes, did you get your documents in time. We've booked the Westerdam thru cruisesonly for the 4th December, but we leave London on 1st December really early in the morning (so we would need the docs by the 30th November). The TA tell us that they can issue tickets for us to collect at the Port, but there is nothing quite like having the docs in your hand and reading thru all the info. Also how easy would it be to gain entry into the port if we have no docs to prove that we are sailing.

After a lot of thought, we've opted to have them sent to us, but I will be very twitchy until they arrive.

Thanks to you all.

Sue

[trubey]

SueOverend

I totally understand your concern about the getting the documents, but from a slightly different perspective. We live in Portugal and last year ordered our tickets from an American on-line travel agency. As we were worried about the documents arriving here on time, we were extremely pleased when the travel agency told us that it would be possible for them to notify HAL for a Pier Pickup delivery. It worked smoothly—no problem at all.

This year, upon making a reservation through the same travel agency, they told us that HAL would only do Pier Pickup in case of emergency, like if you're documents don't reach you in time. We have extremely slow mail delivery and FEDEX and DHL delivery is a joke beside the mailing costs will be over $100. So actually I would prefer the Pier Pickup.

If they will arrange it for you, my advise is to accept it. If not, just telephone your travel agent upon leaving home or arriving in America and they can notify HAL immediately. Also, it wouldn't hurt for you to have HAL confirmation (including passenger numbers) with you.

susan.

[liverpool lou]

we booked with ***********, no problems at all- documents were there weeks before we left, would do it again without hesitation!

[KBC]

Hi Sue

We were on the Westerdam last September and always use agents in the US. We have never had any problems with the documents. They always arrive at least 2 to 3 weeks before.

Your will love the Westerdam - she's a beauty.

[lindleyjulie]

Hi Sue, For The Volendam last october we booked with Vacations to go, we asked for pier pick up but they sent them(we never paid for this either)more than a month before we were due to travel, I'm glad they did as I really enjoyed reading about everything and deciding what tours to do also we got tux rental. :) Have a great time sue whatever you decide.

[sea gal]

Hi Sue
We have booked our last 3 cruises through US TA's and have always had our tickets weeks before.

Carol

[sandydownunder]

Sue,
I've booked lots of cruises with US on-line agents. At first I was concerned and asked that we pick up our HAL documents at the pier. We did that in Copenhagen in 2003. After that they have just been mailed to us. Either way it has worked out fine and our mail has a lot further to travel downunder.
Have a wonderful cruise.
Sandra

[The Sunseekers]

We booked with ***********.
We were worried as we did not recognise any of the American internet cruise companies instead of usual Expedia/Travelocity/Opdo etc and did not want to get ripped off.
We contacted Holland America who put us through to their accounts department. They said that they dealt with them all the time as the biggest Internet Cruise co on line. Booked with them and have been surprised at the excellent service - even better than face to face. Tickets arrived a week later, a couple of months in advance of our cruise. Can not praise their customer service enough.
With the exchange rate what it is and the customer service I am hugely satisfied with dealing with them.
Hope this helps.

[SueOverend]

Many thanks to you all. Your comments are very reassuring.

Sue