Is this the way to run a business?

[vozzie]

Trying to book an Alaska Northbound cruise for 2007. My TA has just advised me that there are NO Verandah or Deluxe Verandah suites for sale ... as they have ALL been reserved by Cruise/Tour Operators.

So, if it is true, us independent travellers are left out in the cold.

Have booked on Princes!

[twinkletoes4445]

That's very odd. I wonder why HAL allows that?

[Atomica]

Did you check with more than one TA? Certain agencies may have blocked off more cabins than others. There's been posts on this board from people who have successfully booked for 2007 already, thru HAL. I would have gotten a couple of opinions first, or called HAL.

Enjoy your Princess cruise.

[shipcafe]

I would definitely get a "second opinion" on that one. While some departure dates might be closed to group departures (i.e. May, September), Alaska for 2007 has barely just opened . . . .

[wander]

I suspect that they are referencing their (HAL's) own Alaska Cruise/Tours. While travel agencies may reserve some cabins, the biggest demand for cruise/tours are those that HAL itself offers. These are cruise tours that any independent soul can sign-up for, and include a HAL run land tour.

I learned about this last summer. We wanted to go on a particular cruise tour, #xxxxx. We had to take a cruise/tour where there were cabins open for that specific HAL cruise/tour or else change to a different cruise/tour travel date. These are the cruise tours that include a land portion at the beginning or end of the cruise.

If HAL fills all the cabins (of various types) with cruise only folks they do not have room to accomodate people wanting the popular cruise/tours, and the buses/trains go empty. By the way, our double Denali tour was outstanding! In terms of seeing things, I would be hard pressed to say which part I enjoyed more - the ship or the train/bus. In terms of being pampered, the ship wins hands down.

Now, I learned the above from personal experience last year. To get the tour we wanted and to get the cabin category we wanted, we were limited to two sailings. That worked our just fine for us. We were trying to make reservations about 9 months before the cruise.

Now to guessing - I would suspect that at some point in time they open up all cabins for folks, but I do not know this for sure, nor do I have any idea when this might be.

[doone]

Have you checked the HAL website?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We went through the same thing last year with HAL - they absolutely did not want to release any suites for those not going on a cruise tour. Between our TA and us fighting with them for 3 weeks, we were finally able to get a suite. HAL has the impression that everyone on the land portion is going to book a suite. We had the same problem in 2003.

[Stevesan]

has the impression that everyone on the land portion is going to book a suite. We had the same problem in 2003.

Probably a well founded impression. HAL's been doing this for more than one hundred years.:p

[GA girl]

We've been waiting patiently (actually not too patiently..) to book Alaska in 2007. Several days ago the cruise info became available on HAL's web site, but as was mentioned above, all verandas were marked 'closed'. I called HAL and was told that was because final pricing was not yet completed and was also told that they were taking no bookings yet for that reason. Also informed that Alaska 2007 catalogs not yet available.

Have a meeting with our TA in two days and we'll see what can be done at that time. HAL is definitely our favored cruise line...but if things don't change we may look at another line.

If I receive any reliable info soon will post it here.

[shipcafe]

I would definitely get a "second opinion" on that one. While some departure dates might be closed to group departures (i.e. May, September), Alaska for 2007 has barely just opened . . . .

I do stand corrected. Deluxe space for north- or southbound Alaska 2007 cruises is reserved for CruiseTours exclusively . . . . . . .

[bookworm0911]

I do stand corrected. Deluxe space for north- or southbound Alaska 2007 cruises is reserved for CruiseTours exclusively . . . . . . .
If I was planning an Alaska cruise in 2007 I would NOT wait for HAL to eventually open up some suites or to decide that their regular pax deserve some consideration in being able to book. There are plenty of other cruiselines with very nice Alaskan itineraries and ships.

This policy brings my estimation of HAL waaay down.

[cruiserfromohio]

This issue is not unique to HAL, I've run into it on RCI and Princess. It's just the way the cruise lines manage their inventory and deal with travel agent who generate a lot of sales for the cruise lines. Not sure what the answer is other than have your TA complain and you complain directly to the cruise line. In all odds a number of these rooms will be released 120 - 90 days prior to sailing, but that puts you in a bind WRT to getting airline reservations, pre/post-cruise hotel rooms, etc. Again, this situations is not an HAL-unique problem.:confused:

[ReaganSkyesdad]

Vozzie, good choice...booking another line.

One sure way to get any business to review their antiquated policies is to hit them in their pocket book.

The model HAL uses obviously doesn't account for the percentage of non-land tour early bookings.

There are PLENTY of options and HAL certainly doesn't have a lock on this market.

Enjoy your cruise.

[Tinknock50]

Trying to book an Alaska Northbound cruise for 2007. My TA has just advised me that there are NO Verandah or Deluxe Verandah suites for sale ... as they have ALL been reserved by Cruise/Tour Operators.

So, if it is true, us independent travellers are left out in the cold.

Have booked on Princes!

Land Tours are the biggest money makers for the cruiselines. Afterall , the prices they charge are per person. You can halve that cost by making private arrangements. I have done this often , especialy since I don't enjoy wasting time getting off and on 60 passenger buses.

You can also book your post and pre-cruise through the Alaska Railroad and save money there. You can book various excursions through them too.
The cars aren't as fancy as the cruiseline cars, but there is plenty of space. You can choose between a "quite car" ( no narration) or a car that tells you what you are seeing along the way. You can also move between these cars.

Renting a car is another great option. The one way rental to/from Seward adds to the cost, but again you are spreading that cost over all your group.

Guess I wandered off the topic......I bet it won't be too long before all categories open.

[torpeedo]

I just checked an on line TA website and they have all the veranda's open and available for the 2007 Alaska HAL trips..:confused: Checked a couple of ships like the Noordam and Ryndam and could book an S or Veranda on both...

[Tinknock50]

I just checked an on line TA website and they have all the veranda's open and available for the 2007 Alaska HAL trips..:confused: Checked a couple of ships like the Noordam and Ryndam and could book an S or Veranda on both...

Not on the May 12th Zuiderdam.....also not open on the HAL website.

[Tricia724]

Haven't checked the prices for this year, but when we went in 2004, we did our own independent touring for 10 days and then sailed south from Seward to Vancouver. When we went to book our cruise, we looked at HAL first, but was disappointed to find it not a very good option for us. While they had the itinerary we would have preferred, their cruise price for an oceanview cabin was higher than a decent balcony cabin on either Princess or Celebrity. We evaluated all the options and just didn't feel HAL was a good value for us, so we booked Celebrity and never regretted the decision.

I'm sure prices have changed for all the cruiselines right now and the circumstances may not be the same, but in the end, it's not worth all the aggravation. I like HAL, but I'm not going to stand in line and beg them for a cabin. There are other cruiselines out there who will be more than happy to have you for a customer.

[SharonN]

I just checked an on line TA website and they have all the veranda's open and available for the 2007 Alaska HAL trips..:confused: Checked a couple of ships like the Noordam and Ryndam and could book an S or Veranda on both...

There are all kinds of cabins available on the cruise tour I think I want even the Penthouse. But there is still no itinerary. All I get is:

Day 0 - Itinerary detail information is not available at this time.

Do they really expect people to book a cruise tour without knowing what it includes?

[ReaganSkyesdad]

I would suggest speaking directly with HAL or one of their preferred travel agents. A local specialty agent that deals only with or primarily with cruises would have the most pull to get the information.

[vozzie]

As I said previously, because HAL won't sell me a cabin, I have booked a very nice (and cheaper) balcony mini suite with Princess.

Princess also do a huge anmount of Cruise/Tours ... but they have obviously made a commercial decision to open up, at least a selection of balconies for their independent Clients.

This gives me an indication of what their Customer Service ethos might be like ... as compared to HAL. I hope my onboard experience bears this out in due course.

[wander]

Apparently HAL is not the only one! I just read an post on the Princess Board complaining that all of the Southbound Princess cruises on the Pacific Princess leaving from Whittier in the 2007 season were reserved for Cruise/ Tour passengers only.

Now, whether or not this it true, that is what the poster alleges they were told by their TA. They are not happy. They are already booked on a northbound cruise and wanted to make it a back-to-back experience but can't, at least not at this time.

[JLC@SD]

Trying to book an Alaska Northbound cruise for 2007. My TA has just advised me that there are NO Verandah or Deluxe Verandah suites for sale ... as they have ALL been reserved by Cruise/Tour Operators.

So, if it is true, us independent travellers are left out in the cold.

Seems reasonable to hold cabins for the Cruise / Tour bookings......it would be impossible to sell tours to passengers without having cruise cabins available........:)

[peaches from georgia]

Seems reasonable to hold cabins for the Cruise / Tour bookings......it would be impossible to sell tours to passengers without having cruise cabins available........:)
Of course it is reasonable to hold cabins for C/T bookings. But is it reasonable to hold ALL the suites and verandahs? I don't think so.

[bruceh4]

Of course it is reasonable to hold cabins for C/T bookings. But is it reasonable to hold ALL the suites and verandahs? I don't think so.Wait a minute, isnt the idea for a C/T to make money. How can they make money if they dont have a product to sell. This goes on all the time.

[Stevesan]

Apparently HAL is not the only one! I just read an post on the Princess Board complaining that all of the Southbound Princess cruises on the Pacific Princess leaving from Whittier in the 2007 season were reserved for Cruise/ Tour passengers only.
Now, whether or not this it true, that is what the poster alleges they were told by their TA. They are not happy. They are already booked on a northbound cruise and wanted to make it a back-to-back experience but can't, at least not at this time.

Just visited the Princess booking web section for June 2007. Blocking may be true for Pacific Princess, but there are abundant cabins available in all categories for both North and Southbound trips on other ships, Sapphire is an example.

There is more than sufficient availability to indicate that Princess is not attempting to block out cruise only pax from B2Bs. There is beaucoup availability, if one does a bit of planning.

I took a quick look at HAL's booking section for June 2007. Volendam, for example, shows the Southbound Minisuites are closed (blocked maybe), but there's plenty of Oceanview and Suite availability. One could book a B2B taking a Mini Northbound and an oceanview Southbound and wait for minis to open up later.

[peaches from georgia]

Wait a minute, isnt the idea for a C/T to make money. How can they make money if they dont have a product to sell. This goes on all the time.
My error. I mistakenly thought the idea was to make money and have a product to sell on all cruises in all categories, for C/T and Cruise Only pax alike, not reserve the best cabins for one class of pax only.

There are plenty of loyal HAL pax who only book S and would not be interested in anything else. It would make us look at other cruiselines if we were going to Alaska like others here have done.

[sail7seas]

I took a quick look at HAL's booking section for June 2007. Volendam, for example, shows the Southbound Minisuites are closed (blocked maybe), but there's plenty of Oceanview and Suite availability. One could book a B2B taking a Mini Northbound and an oceanview Southbound and wait for minis to open up later.

That doesn't provide for someone like us who book many b-to-b's and do not wish to move. We are always in an "S" so not only do not want to do a combination of mini and "S" but don't even want to go from one "S" to another. We always pick our dates for our b-to-b's by the ones which have the same cabin available for both cruises.

If we can't book exactly what we want at the time we book, we don't book. We know we are not willing to 'settle' for something different than what we request, so why bother to even get involved?

Sure....I understand blocking some of ALL categories of cabins for C / T but I do not understand blocking EVERY Suite.

Another good reason to add to my list of reasons for not wishing to cruise Alaska. ;)

[wander]

Stevesan,

No need to "defend" Princess. I was only trying, apparently poorly, to point out that perceptions are what count, not necessarily reality. A person looking into HAL switched to Princess to get something from Princess that someone already booked one way on Princess alleges they could not get. Neither seemed to be interested in looking into other itineraries on their initial line. That's all. Over the years I personally have cruised Alaska with both HAL and Princess, HAL as recently as last summer, with no problems getting what I wanted in either one, cruisetour or just cruise.

However, when necessary I have been flexible, like last summer when our other desires dictated that only certain cruise dates were open to us if we wanted to meet our other "wants". Had we needed to stick with particular cruise dates, then perhaps we would have needed to pick a different ship or port (Seattle vs Vancouver).

[bruceh4]

I think that we sometimes let our heart take over and forget the old business rule of "Supply and Demand". As in this case with limited supply and excess demand these kinds of things are going to happen because business's are trying to make money. When the day comes that there is to much supply and not enough demand then we will see a fire sale!:eek: The other thing are the people who want a 7 day/ $500 dollar carribean cruise and then want lobster, file mignon, and shrimp every night, it aint going to happen. Then we hear the complaint about poor service. On my last cruise (62 days) we paid good money and got wonderful service and food. There were no discounted fair's as there was not enough supply and excess demand. The cruise sold out almost a year before it sailed. HAL was happy and the passengers were happy:)

[JLC@SD]

Of course it is reasonable to hold cabins for C/T bookings. But is it reasonable to hold ALL the suites and verandahs? I don't think so.
If their experience shows that the passengers that book tours are the ones that want the higher grade suites and verandahs....yes. Their experience probably indicates these passengers do not book the lower categories.