Question on being "bumped"

[njmom23grls]

I have to admit that I read the "Bumped" thread earleir this week and thought - that will never happen to me - I've been booked for a year. Tonight I came home to a message from our TA who said HAL had called today and wanted us to give up our 3 rooms for 2 better rooms. We leave this Sunday 8/13. (Fly out on Friday) Well, certainly a bigger sounds nice - however we are traveling with my in-laws and our children outnumber the amount of passengers able to sleep in any one room. They want my inlaws to take some of the kids in exchange for a larger room. I called back and left a message - explaining that I wasn't interested - but thank you anyway - but now I'm worried. Can they bump us (or one portion of us?) - We booked an inside cabin and a larger verandah room for our family and a room for my DH's parents. I KNOW that having a teenager in theor room for a week would soooo NOT work. This is our first cruise and I've gone from a zenlike calm to a OMG< OMG, what if state of mind. Any advice from you more experienced cruisers? Whats the real scoop on bumping on cruises?

TIA

[dakrewser]

You'll be fine. THe other thread was about a travel agent who paid a ridiculously low price knowing that they could be involuntarily bumped at the last moment. Unless that description fits you, there's nothing to worry about

[Aussie Gal]

If you do not want to change, then that is fine. You will find that HAL won't worry you again. I am sure that someone else will be able to accommodate the request.

Jennie

[Krazy Kruizers]

Don't give in - they won't bump you.

[Host Walt]

Don't give in - they won't bump you. True, and the offers may improve as you hold out.

A friend was booked on a 2 week cruise in South America a few years back and, because of a large group booking, they wanted the cabin back. The first offer was a later cruise, same cabin, abd a $200 on board credit. They said no. The cruise line (not HAL) kept improving the offers because they wanted it badly. The offer that was accepted was a big cabin upgrade and free Business Class air to/from South America if they would accept a cruise that left 2 weeks later with a reverse itinerary.

They did, and the cruise line also paid all cancellation penalties on their original, self arranged air.

Let's hope you have no problems.

[kryos]

If you do not want to change, then that is fine. You will find that HAL won't worry you again. I am sure that someone else will be able to accommodate the request.

I agree with Jeanne. HAL made you an offer ... you declined ... end of story. Believe me, there are others onboard your sailing that will take a nice deal and give up their rooms. HAL will keep sweetening the pot until some of them bite. You have nothing to worry about.

There are lots of folks who are very flexible ... who can change their travel plans at the last minute with no problem. These people live for deals like this and sometimes cruise amazingly cheaply for taking them. Many of them are retired. Others have job situations that leave them flexible. I only wish I was one of the people in such circumstances. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Mary Ellen]

You don't need to worry. Some friends took an Alaskan cruise about a month ago (not on HAL). About 4 days before they left for Seattle they started getting "URGENT" e-mails from the cruise line (they had booked directly with a REAL good price), then the phone calls began. They were offered 1/2 off, upgrade to a balcony (from an inside) in September (other dates were also available), and all cancellation penalties paid on their self-arranged air. They were tempted, but didn't take the offer. NO problems boarding and they had a great cruise. We figured that since they had such a great price, the cruise line kept asking them as they would rather refund half of a low $ cruise than someone who paid through the nose. :rolleyes: As mentioned, the cruise lines just keep upping the offer until they get enough takers.

Have a wonderful cruise!