Price drop not honored

[cruzin girl]

I noticed this morning that the price of our upcoming cruise on the Zandaam has dropped however when I called my online agent he said that Hal said that the new price was for new bookings only. Just wondering if this was standard with Hal. I am still outside of the 90 day final.

[dakrewser]

If it says "new bookings only" it's a sale, not a price drop. But, as you haven't hit final payment date, there's nothing stopping you from cancelling and re-booking is there?

[cruzin girl]

It doesn't say anything about new bookings only when I check the online price
however when my ta called hal they said new bookings only. I wasn't trying to get a reduction but rather trying to get a better cabin for just a little more $.
If I were to cancel and rebook would that still be considered a new booking.

[Krazy Kruizers]

yes!!

[sail7seas]

It doesn't say anything about new bookings only when I check the online price
however when my ta called hal they said new bookings only. I wasn't trying to get a reduction but rather trying to get a better cabin for just a little more $.
If I were to cancel and rebook would that still be considered a new booking.

I suggest you check with your TA to be sure they won't assses you a cancellation fee. Many TA's would do that even though they would immediately be rebooking you.

Keep in mind their commission is based upon the amount you pay. Therefore, there is a 'slight conflict' for them to want you to pay more. On the one hand, they want you to be happy and continue to work with them. On the other hand, they make their living on commissions.

IF there is no cancellation fee involved, sure......go ahead and cancel and rebook under the 'sale rates'.

Good luck. Let us know what the outcome is.

[mushroom]

On the other hand, if you are wanting to take this sale opportunity to get an even better cabin for about the same as what your old cabin cost...your travel agent should be glad to cancel and rebook...she's making the same commission.

[lvtotrvl1]

Most of the time if you cancel and rebook, the cruiselines do not perceive this as a new booking..it is exactly what you've done...a cancel a rebook. Your name will be in the system for that sailing as a cancellation so when you try to rebook, it will be flagged. The new booking price would not be available to you. I have run into this on every cruiseline. Think about it, the cruiselines would be spending all day cancelling, rebooking and losing money. I would definatly check with your TA and cruiseline before you cancel....you may lose your cabin and not get the discount.

[elmorejj]

So much for the "book early to get the best rates" BS:cool:

[Candy]

So much for the "book early to get the best rates" BS:cool: For us it is 'book early to get the best cabin'.

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

[thomasale]

For us it is 'book early to get the best cabin'.

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

I'm with Candy and although it does stick me its' like buying a car. I am sure I have never gotten the best deal there but, I still enjoy that "new car" smell.

I'll keep booking early.

[Stevesan]

Have your TA try calling again. It often pays to be persistent. HAl had/still has a policy that if the price drop exceeds more than $100 (similar to airlines), they would apply it to previous bookings.
If your TA gets the right HAL rep, you might enjoy the desired result.
We once had a similar experience. When our TA called back again, the price drop was still not available to us, but we were now offered a near $1,000 price reduction (total for two) for switching from our assigned outside cabin to an oceanview guarantee:) . We would have realized less than $500 with the advertised price drop. Since it was an R class ship, I didn't even stutter. We ended up in a cat C midships.
Persistence often pays, but you need a TA willing to make the effort.

[Atomica]

On a cruise, like anything else, there will always be someone who manages to swing a better deal. As long as you bought it at a price that you are comfortable with, I'd say you got a good deal.

Canceling and rebooking sounds like a risk coupled with a hassle - as stated above, you run the risk of loosing the cabin you have now. Still, if there are no restrictions its worth a try.

Good luck!

[KAKcruiser]

I agree with the person who said you should have your travel agent call HAL again. Some reservations agents are more cooperative than others.

[shipcafe]

I can't remember the last time that an airline honored a lower ticket cost once it is ticketed . . . Seat sales take place all the time based upon supply and demand.

[cruzin girl]

Okay, thanks you guys for all of your input. I think that I will just leave everything the way it is. If I cancel and rebook I will probably lose the early dining seating. The 8 ish is just too late for us. Thanks again.:)

[Stevesan]

I can't remember the last time that an airline honored a lower ticket cost once it is ticketed . . . Seat sales take place all the time based upon supply and demand.

Continental will adjust a prepurchased ticket if the price drop exceeds $100. I suspect other airlines follow suit.

[KAKcruiser]

I will repeat myself. If this were my reservation, I would call my travel agent and insist they check again.

[Richard Stein]

Cancel and rebook. None of the cruise lines honor price drops anymore, they did in the 90's. Had same problem on my 5/13 Oosterdam cruise. They were selling suites for what I paid for a balcony. After two letter and numerous calls by the TA, I got the suite, but then met a first timer on board in the same category, better location for $250 per person less than I paid at 30 days out and I have more than 50 days with line. It may take till you return to see the refund from your canceling, but do it. Loyalty to repeaters no longer exists.

[lvtotrvl1]

You cannot cancel and rebook on sales for new bookings only. It is considered a rebook, not a new reservation. Still wouldn't get a discount.

[sail7seas]

Cancel and rebook. None of the cruise lines honor price drops anymore, they did in the 90's. Had same problem on my 5/13 Oosterdam cruise. They were selling suites for what I paid for a balcony. After two letter and numerous calls by the TA, I got the suite, but then met a first timer on board in the same category, better location for $250 per person less than I paid at 30 days out and I have more than 50 days with line. It may take till you return to see the refund from your canceling, but do it. Loyalty to repeaters no longer exists.

There's a little bit of a cynic inside me that asks:

"How do you REALLY know what this person paid?" Just because they told you a number, unless you saw his credit card statement (or cancelled check etc), do you really know he paid less......

Do you?

[Richard Stein]

There's a little bit of a cynic inside me that asks:

"How do you REALLY know what this person paid?" Just because they told you a number, unless you saw his credit card statement (or cancelled check etc), do you really know he paid less......

Do you?

On my recent cruise I met a Mr & Mrs William Marshall, first timers, cabin 8073 from Fayetteville, Ark. at lunch who booked 30 days out. They told me what they paid, went to their cabin and they showed me their invoice and we exchanged other information. I enjoyed the cruise. Did not hit the line up for this. My pet peive on this cruise was the toilet paper, this did go to the home office.

[drjohn4]

My pet peive on this cruise was the toilet paper, this did go to the home office.

Does that mean you wrote your letter of complaint on the substandard TP, or was it too thin to make adequate stationary?

[Navy_Chief]

This current cruise we booked through HAL direct. We booked way early and when I did book the cabins, I asked strait up "If there is a price reduction, shipboard credit or any other promo offered on this trip, will HAL honor it?" The answer was yes. Since then, The VD class had a shipboard credit ($50.00) attached to bookings, we got it. The price dropped again after the View and Veranda sale ended by $400.00, we got that too. I keep an eye out for promos and price drops and take full advantage of it. Now for those skeptics who are going to say, "you could have saved that much going through a TA" well nope, afraid not, I shopped around and have been monitoring that too and best difference in price was $80.00. Heck for that I'll book with HAL direct....call em up, get the promos, get the price breaks, no problem. I'm satisfied with the service. I've gone through TAs before and they have worked well for us. It just seems so much easier dealing with HAL direct. Again, this is just my experiance I'm relating to here.