Oosterdam sailing cancelled

[dozer]

We were booked on the Oosterdam sailing on Aug. 19 and have been told that it was cancelled due to mechanical problems. Does anyone know anything about this?

[lougee1043]

We were booked on the Oosterdam sailing on Aug. 19 and have been told that it was cancelled due to mechanical problems. Does anyone know anything about this?

who told you and have you confirmed with your ta and hal

[KAKcruiser]

It would be highly unusual to cancel a cruise unless it was a major problem. I agree that you should check with HAL or your TA.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Haven't heard about this - definitely get hold of your TA.

[lougee1043]

just checked the hal site for the odam to alaska 8/19 and here is their response "There are no departures on or after 8/19/2006 for the Product you are searching for. Please try again with either a different product or departure date.

i have to say that the hal catalog shows an 8/19 and 8/26 sail

[Krazy Kruizers]

That is only a few days away!!!

[tomc]

Must have been very recent -- the O'dam roll call board for 8/19 shows no activity in the last ten days. I wonder if anyone aboard will be posting here with news??

[hammybee]

Who is on the "O" right now?

[bepsf]

Looks like it has a couple groups booked:
http://www.specialeventcruises.com/unmc_ak_06.html (http://www.specialeventcruises.com/unmc_ak_06.html)
www.geekcruises.com/pdf/ChessMoves2_brochure.pdf

[Krazy Kruizers]

I went over to HAL's website - no mention of anything there.

But HAL's site will be off from 7 PM Pacific time tonight and again on Saturday - sorry forgot the times.

[Tinknock50]

Actually I get this same messege for my cruise as for the Oosterdam 8/19.

"There are no available staterooms for the selected sailing based on the number of guests chosen. Please select another sailing. "


The HAL site is not good place to confirm cancelled sailings.....just means that sailing is full.

[crystal808]

I've sent an email to my TA (who handles the Geek cruises); if he has time (OMG!), and replies, I'll let you know what he says...(edited for PC, of course!)

Paul :eek:

Update: Got a quick email back...he wasn't aware of a problem and was gonna check on it. I'll get back if/when I hear from him.

Anybody got James Deering's email address handy?

[thomasale]

following this...I am shocked at the short notice if its' so...First post for the OP and its' a doozy

[jhannah]

The HAL website is showing available cabins for the 8/26 sailing, but the 19th doesn't even come up. But that's not unusual since it's this coming Saturday.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Anybody got James Deering's email address handy?

Paul, I believe that Mr. Deering is on vacation right now and will be returning to the Oosterdam September 2nd:) So he probably would not know.

[crystal808]

Paul, I believe that Mr. Deering is on vacation right now and will be returning to the Oosterdam September 2nd:) So he probably would not know.

I bet he'd "know", but he may not be available by his public email if on vacation!! (After all, it's "his" Oosterdam!) :D

Good to know, though.....

Paul

Update:

Just got the following from my TA:

<<
The OS is fine and is sailing on schedule this weekend!
>>

Not sure what this means for the OP, or where his "notice" came from... :confused: Hmmmmm.....maybe he'll come back and let us know where he got his information....

a very nice thing to do

[dozer]

Yes, my TA called me yesterday and said that the cruise was cancelled due to mechanical problems. I have not tried to contact HAL. TA offered us another cruise on the Oosterdam on Sept. 9. we have only cruised twice before, this is the 1st time on HAL, do I'm a litle confujsed about what's going on.

[Mary Ellen]

My brother lives in the Seattle area. He is changing employeers (the 19th being his last day) and has planned next week between the old and new jobs. This just came up early last week. My SIL called the TA to see what ships had cabins on such short notice. There are NO cabins available for ANY cruise ship/line sailing from Seattle or Vancouver this weekend. They were put on a waitlist with HAL - the only cruiseline the TA said was willing to do so. I talked to my DB a few hours ago and they still hadn't heard and are assuming they are't going to Alaska.

It doesn't appear the there is anything nefarious with the "There are no available staterooms for the selected sailing based on the number of guests chosen. Please select another sailing." message.

[RedmondCruiser]

Called HAL on another subject and asked about the O Dam. They did'nt know a thing. The cruise is booked solid. I sugget that "Dozer" call HAL with their booking number and find out whats going on with the info provided by their TA.

[dozer]

I just saw another posting titled Seattle terminal evacuated. One person posted a link to a news story that said there was a problem at the terminal about two containers from Pakistan that might have contained explosives. It says that they put a half mile perimeter around Terminal 18. I wonder if this has anything to do with the cruise being cancelled. But why wouldn't HAL say that?

[kryos]

Looks like it has a couple groups booked:
http://www.specialeventcruises.com/unmc_ak_06.html (http://www.specialeventcruises.com/unmc_ak_06.html)
www.geekcruises.com/pdf/ChessMoves2_brochure.pdf
I would tend to doubt either of those groups would ever get enough people to charter the O'Dam.

Maybe the ship has to go into dry dock due to a major mechanical failure and everyone is being bounced?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I actually find it hard to believe that there is anything major wrong with the Oosterdam, I would have thought that we would have gotten a post from a recent cruiser of problems. Also the Oosterdam is going into her scheduled Dry Dock September 23rd in Victoria. I have doubts they would take her in early. Could it be that the OP's TA was offer by HAL to have their client move to another sailing date because it is over booked especially with some of the groups that will be on the Oosterdam this next week? Maybe the TA was offered an incentive to get the OP to move sailings and just told the client there was mechanical problems.:confused:

[crystal808]

Apparently there's nothing wrong with the O'dam. If I were the OP, I'd have my TA's supervisor on the phone first thing in the morning and see exactly why he was "offered" another sailing. It doesn't seem to be a "mechanical" problem. And, no, it wouldn't be a charter at this late date!

If the O'dam is "full", and he's being offered another sailing, it sounds like an overbooking situation, at least with that particular TA....

JMHO....
Paul

[jerseygirl3]

Did anybody get a definitive answer?

[middle-aged mom]

I just saw another posting titled Seattle terminal evacuated. One person posted a link to a news story that said there was a problem at the terminal about two containers from Pakistan that might have contained explosives. It says that they put a half mile perimeter around Terminal 18. I wonder if this has anything to do with the cruise being cancelled. But why wouldn't HAL say that?

Hi Dozer:

Never fear, this event is unrelated to your situation. The port of Seattle is quite large, and the terminal facility in question is a container terminal, used for cargo ships. It not next to any of the cruise ship terminals. There were no explosives found; it was a false alarm. None of today's cruises were affected at all by this situation. I hope your Oosterdam mystery gets solved:confused:.

[Tricia724]

If the cruise were cancelled this close to sailing, I would think the cruiseline would offer more than just an alternate week's sailing. The poster should have been told he could receive a full refund and/or other incentives....a discount off a future cruise....reimbursement of airline change fees and other expenses incurred.....shipboard credit. Perhaps the cruiseline is looking for rooms, and the TA didn't get it right.

I find it difficult to believe that HAL would cancel a cruise three days away from sailing and not offer something....at minimum another sailing date and a shipboard credit. Something is wrong here.

[tomc]

Still nothing new on HAL's Roll Call board re: O's 8-19 sailing.

[Lefty Bob]

Methinks the OP's TA is pulling a fast one.
LB

[middle-aged mom]

Methinks the OP's TA is pulling a fast one.
LB

I concur. Would love to know the outcome.

[hammybee]

I concur. Would love to know the outcome.

Me three.

[farkle]

Me four. Since I'm on the 8-26 Oosterdam and this has me worried. If this really is happening, wouldn't HAL contact passengers to inform them?!

[RevNeal]

Me five.
If HAL had to cancel an Oosterdam cruise due to mechanical problems we would have heard about this -- at least some form of confirmation -- via HAL by now. The last time they had to cancel a cruise we sure heard something.

[hammybee]

Perhaps the eloquent Craigster-diver left us a troll to remember him by.

[peaches from georgia]

Well, there are certainly plenty of clues as to what is going on here.

A cruise is cancelled 3 days before sailing and no one else has posted a thing about it, not even on the roll call for 8/19.

No announcement on the HAL website.

No other TA has come on to confirm this and plenty of them read and post here.

This is OP's first post on CC.

Does anything else need to be said? Walt?

[Bill S]

Not only is there no mention of this on the roll call for this cruise, there is nothing mentioned about it on CC's home page. Usually, news of this magnitude would be out there on the home page.

Sure will be interesting to hear how this shakes out!

[RedmondCruiser]

Peaches I could not have said it better. Lemmings beware.

[fcorey]

wow , talk about yelling "fire" in a crowded room...and I hadnt even noticed that this was the first post as peaches pointed out

[thomasale]

whats that I smell??????

[happy cruzer]

Hi,

CCer's are the best. I read the original message and thought it was some kind of joke. But everyone's helpful response was great. Let's please not let the bad apples spoil our discussion board.

Keep on keepin'on.

:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

So we were all had!!!!

And to think that some of us were feeling sorry for this person and checking on things and trying to help that person.

Guess we better ask for ID the next time a situation comes up like this.:D :D

[krewzin]

The only cancellation with any ship I am aware of is the Alaska sailing of Infinity for the week of 9/13. Other than that, the 'O' is good to go....

[xpcdoojk]

I hate bannings in general, but if the OPs story is BS then the OP should have his IP banned.

This is sick, and it really p*sses me off.:mad:

JMHO

jc

[lka1012]

It is possible that the OP was a newbie who was "had" by his/her TA and was asking for help. What can I say, I try to give the benfit of doubt. I learned it from my father. And it always made me so mad when he used it on me when I complained about someone else. (GASP!!! Have I turned into my parents?)

[crystal808]

So we were all had!!!!

And to think that some of us were feeling sorry for this person and checking on things and trying to help that person.

Yep, I feel badly that I "bothered" my TA in CA; he mentioned that it "shook up the place" a bit (!) until he researched the issue (by calling HAL, I presume). I sent an explanatory apology soon thereafter....

At the very least, I agree that the TA must be trying to put something over a less-educated newbie (giving the OP, still, the benefit of the doubt! ;) )

It certainly isn't HAL....

Paul

[lka1012]

hey, Paul, (or any other Memphis person) wanna get together for a Memphis HAL coffee sometime? they have them in Las Vegas

[tomc]

If nothing else, it shows that we are solicitous, even in the growing face of it being a troll. I think he was referring to last year's incident when the O ran aground on the Mississippi River cruise, a little north of St. Louis......

[Tinknock50]

Well, if he is a troll then he got a good "score".....47 posts and counting.:eek:

[crystal808]

hey, Paul, (or any other Memphis person) wanna get together for a Memphis HAL coffee sometime? they have them in Las Vegas
Hi Kathy:

Just may do that sometime! There's a couple of posters from Cordova, I've noticed, but don't know any other Memphians posting....

We'll keep it in mind!

Paul
(back to the regularly scheduled postings...)

[Copper10-8]

Well, if he is a troll then he got a good "score".....47 posts and counting.:eek:

And 1,754 readings! Shoot, now I've added to that:rolleyes:

[Bramcruiser]

I hate bannings in general, but if the OPs story is BS then the OP should have his IP banned.

This is sick, and it really p*sses me off.:mad:

JMHO

jc


Well we have to first stop responding to all these announcements especially by this point when we are figuring out that the cancellation might not be what it appears to be. I think we're the ones causing the thread to keep going.

However, the first thing that struck me when I first read the posting was that the annoucement came from someone who posted the very first time. Still, that in itself does not mean anything but it does raises the level of concern of legitimacy somewhat.

Its possible that the TA outright said "mechanical problems" just to avoid feedback from the traveller when it really was a case of an overbooking or something else. If so we have an issue with a TA that I wouldn't bother using.

If the OP was in it to create a problem then it should die out fast enough. Proving it would be hard but if we do then action can be taken.

However, in the end banning someone for suspicion only is not something to be taken lightly and could end up burning us in the end.

Now, hopefully, I can walk away from this thread.:)

[Roz]

Kathy and Paul,

I'm going to temporarily highjack the thread to add to your comment about a Memphis CC get together. May someone from "up the road" on I-40 attend? ;)

Roz

[lka1012]

Sure join the fun. When (or if) it cool off, we can post something on the main HAL board, then pick a date and venue

[kryos]

So we were all had!!!!

And to think that some of us were feeling sorry for this person and checking on things and trying to help that person.

Guess we better ask for ID the next time a situation comes up like this.:D :D
Before we jump all over this new poster ... maybe it wasn't a troll afterall. Maybe he/she honestly believed the sailing was cancelled because that's what the TA told him. It could in actuality be an honest post, as a result of a dishonest TA. Maybe that TA had group space on this particular O'Dam sailing and overbooked it ... and is now trying to effect a bit of "damage control" and get the OP to accept another sailing at the same price.

I know this is a lot of "maybes" in one post, but I'd kind of like to give the OP the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he/she is new to cruising and is honestly being "had" by the TA?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Frogs]

Before we jump all over this new poster ... maybe it wasn't a troll afterall. Maybe he/she honestly believed the sailing was cancelled because that's what the TA told him. It could in actuality be an honest post, as a result of a dishonest TA. Maybe that TA had group space on this particular O'Dam sailing and overbooked it ... and is now trying to effect a bit of "damage control" and get the OP to accept another sailing at the same price.

I know this is a lot of "maybes" in one post, but I'd kind of like to give the OP the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he/she is new to cruising and is honestly being "had" by the TA?

Blue skies ...

--rita

I agree Rita! Very well put. I was thinking the same thing.

Blessings!

[middle-aged mom]

I agree with Rita. The OP has come back a couple of times on this thread, and most "trolls" tend to disappear after the initial post. I too, think that "dozer" is a newbie cruiser who has a less than honest travel agent. And I would like to give him/her the benefit of the doubt. I'm a newbie cruiser myself, but I've been very lucky in my choice of TA.

If I'm wrong, and "dozer" is having "fun" with us, well, it won't be the first time I've been wrong.

[Krazy Kruizers]

So --- here we all are talking about the OP and wondering what to believe.

OP made 3 posts on this thread - the last one was last night at 7:37 PM and he hasn't come back here to tell us anything!!!

Would be nice if he reported in!!

[dozer]

Hi everyone
First of all, thanks to everyone who tried to help me solve this "mystery"..I am a new poster and only a 3rd time cruiser. On Tues. I called HAL this morning and was told that the ship was still scheduled to sail on Sat., my reservation had been moved, they didn't know why. They could not give me any information and told me to contact my TA. I called her and said "What did you tell me on Tuesday?" She said that she told me that my cruise had been cancelled due to a problem with the propeller. She said she had received a letter (e-mail) from HAL. She seemed surprised when I told her that it had not been cancelled. My TA is with Cruises International in schaumburg and they were recommended to me by a friend and I think they are a large, reputable organization. I'
I have to stop right now. will continue this post in ten minutes.

[xpcdoojk]

Hi everyone
First of all, thanks to everyone who tried to help me solve this "mystery"..I am a new poster and only a 3rd time cruiser. On Tues. I called HAL this morning and was told that the ship was still scheduled to sail on Sat., my reservation had been moved, they didn't know why. They could not give me any information and told me to contact my TA. I called her and said "What did you tell me on Tuesday?" She said that she told me that my cruise had been cancelled due to a problem with the propeller. She said she had received a letter (e-mail) from HAL. She seemed surprised when I told her that it had not been cancelled. My TA is with Cruises International in schaumburg and they were recommended to me by a friend and I think they are a large, reputable organization. I'
I have to stop right now. will continue this post in ten minutes.

Time my friend to get a new TA! :D

jc

[tomc]

The Celebration was damaged that way, but I think it's in the Caribbean.

[rjbean4]

I'd be getting a new TA. Being told a cruise has been canceled and it really hadn't can sure impose some panic as we all schedule these trips accordingly. When things change its not always easy to reschedule vacation time. Getting your reservation moved is also very suspicious. Especially without you knowing and so close to sailing. I SMELL A DEAD FISH.

We had a former TA literally take a couple of cruises away from us including the maiden voyage of the Rotterdam VI and the way she wanted to handle things were inexcusible. We actually had a lawyer working on it for a while and we were keeping in contact with the director of reservations at HAL. They could see everything going on from their end too and had a pretty good case against our TA. Had we decided to persue it we would have had someone comming from HAL for the case. We decided not to persue it becasue there was no guarantee that we would get anything out of it financially. If anything we made the ex TA have to spend some of the money she took from us on her lawyer fees. She also started to have a lot of health problems that we have every reason to believe was being caused by what she had done to us. She is no longer in our area as far as we know and we did recover some of our financial loss as it was done as casualty & theft on our taxes that year.

Of course we changed TA's and had we known our fomer TA's fax machine wasn't working when we wanted to move our cruises that we had booked at the time it would have happened without her knowing.

47 cruises on HAL at the age of 41
504 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS
500 day gold medallion holder
9/06 trans canal - Westerdam
12/06 Christmas & New Years - Westerdam
if Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[lougee1043]

I have to stop right now. will continue this post in ten minutes.

times up -- i for one would like to hear how this ends -- would love to see the email that the ta said she got from hal --wonder what ship he is on now

[dozer]

I'm sorry about the interruption - but my TA had told me that she had a letter from HAL saying that there was a problem with the propeller and they were making offers to passengers for different departure dates. We were offered Sept. 9 on the OOsterdam with an updgrade from VD to SY and a 25% refund. When I told TA this morning that the ship is sailing on Aug. 19 she seemed surprised and said she would call HAL. She called me back and said that whoever she talked to at HAL couldn't explain the letter. I made this booking over 5 months ago. I don't understand why I was cancelled. The biggest problem was chaning our airfare at the last minute. I feel bad that some people on this board thought I was lying, when I really am only confused. Thank you to everyone who tried to help me figure this out. I guess the good news is that we are still going to Alaska, just a little later.

[Frogs]

Dozer,

I'm glad that it appears that everything is working out regardless of the situation. Sit back now and enjoy your cruise! I'm sure the later sailing will be better than next week's sailing (for you at least)!

Blessings!

[hammybee]

I called the T/A, given it's about 10 miles from my home. I tried to make a reservation on this sailing and was immediately told the cruise is sold out/overbooked. I found this unusual that a TA would know this right off the bat, given the dynamic nature of the business.

Sounds to me like it is possible that TA got an incentive for moving a client to another sailing. There is no letter from HAL becasue there is nothing wrong with the ship.

If we are to assume this post is for real, I recommend tha OP demand to see a copy of the letter and then start running this up the flagploe. Something is not right with this whole deal.

At the end of the day, the OP sounds like he/she was flexible enough to take advantage of the incentive to move. Will we ever know whose leg got pulled?

[Lefty Bob]

Dozer, whatever you do get a copy of HAL's letter to your TA. If the letter is not available - put the fish in the trash along with the TA.
LB

[Bill S]

dozer: in light of what you have learned on the board, specifically, that your TA seems to be the only person claiming to have received a letter from HAL about a mechanical problem, I would recommend you consider asking the TA for a copy of the purported letter. True, overbookings do occur and HAL will offer deals like the one you got, but that letter sure sounds strange.

It is good that you are pleased with outcome, though. I hope you will enjoy the Oosterdam and Alaska!

[tomc]

dozer... I feel bad that some people on this board thought I was lying, when I really am only confused. This happens from time to time, but remember that we still kept poking around to see if there was anything happening. If nothing else, we try to be helpful even if there is a possibility the person is what we refer to as a "troll." Let us know how the trip goes and we'll keep checking the newspapers to see if there are any unexplained missing TA's in your area. :eek:

[AlohaPride]

dozer: True, overbookings do occur and HAL will offer deals like the one you got, but that letter sure sounds strange.



**edit**nevermind...

[crystal808]

The problem with the "deal" Dozer got is that it wasn't Dozer's choice. Having to cancel EVERYTHING 3 days out is not worth a mere 25% and upgrade. IF the TA took the deal for their client WITHOUT allowing the client to make the final decision then the TA is unethical. TA's don't have the authority to make decisions for their clients and then LIE about why their sailing has been moved. I would ask for the letter and then ALSO speak with the TA's supervisor. If the TA would do this to you, then they would do it to others as well.

I totally agree. As I mentioned earlier, I would speak to the TA's supervisor, and the sooner, the better. Lying to a customer is abhorrable, and taking advantage of a "new" cruiser is even worse. Dozer, indeed, should have been given a choice, and far more compensation if he chose to agree to the change, than has been mentioned.

This "TA" should be toast! (about as politely as I can put it....)

Paul

[dozer]

I have to clear something up. On Tues. afternoon, the TA left a message saying that the cruise was cancelled and we had a choice of re-booking on an Aug. 26 cruise (different ship) or a Sept. 9 cruise on the Oosterdam with a 25% refund and an upgrade. I didn't know what to do, or what questions to ask, so I accepted the Sept. 9 cruise. We are retired, so we were able to change our plans altho changing the airfare was definitely the biggest problem. I still don't have airfare ticketed for the Sept. 9 cruise because I have to wait for the miles to go back into my acct. so I hope that all works out. I have booked 2 previous cruises with the same TA and it never occured to me not to trust her. Altho this is only our 3rd cruise, I have traveled to Austrialia, Korea, Europe, and Ireland (7 times) and have never had any kind of problems with my trips. Is it better to book directly thru the cruise line instead of using a TA?

[crystal808]

I have to clear something up. On Tues. afternoon, the TA left a message saying that the cruise was cancelled and we had a choice of re-booking on an Aug. 26 cruise (different ship) or a Sept. 9 cruise on the Oosterdam with a 25% refund and an upgrade. I didn't know what to do, or what questions to ask, so I accepted the Sept. 9 cruise. We are retired, so we were able to change our plans altho changing the airfare was definitely the biggest problem. I still don't have airfare ticketed for the Sept. 9 cruise because I have to wait for the miles to go back into my acct. so I hope that all works out. I have booked 2 previous cruises with the same TA and it never occured to me not to trust her. Altho this is only our 3rd cruise, I have traveled to Austrialia, Korea, Europe, and Ireland (7 times) and have never had any kind of problems with my trips. Is it better to book directly thru the cruise line instead of using a TA?

I'm glad that your situation is one where you could, relatively easily, make the change, and choosing the Sept. 9 cruise gives you a little "wiggle" room to make adjustments.

Is it better to book directly? Not necessarily, as a good TA can add benefits to your cruise you won't get booking directly. But, to be sure, this would not have occurred if you had booked directly with HAL. Or, at a minimum, you would have been contacted by the cruise line directly, with offers of alternatives, and compensations allowed.

At this point, after securing everything with the TA you are using, I'd walk away and find someone else....that is, AFTER discussing your displeasure with the Supervisor as to how this was handled.

It was very below-the-belt, and dishonest, if you were, indeed, lied to by the TA.

Good luck, and keep us posted! As has been mentioned, what effects "you" can easily effect us "all"!!

Best wishes,
Paul

[AlohaPride]

I have to clear something up. On Tues. afternoon, the TA left a message saying that the cruise was cancelled and we had a choice of re-booking on an Aug. 26 cruise (different ship) or a Sept. 9 cruise on the Oosterdam with a 25% refund and an upgrade.

That's not the point. It's not the point that you were given two other days to choose from. The point is, if HAL over books, you actually have the CHOICE to not change sailing dates at all. You have the choice to leave it up to HAL to raise the offer, or find another passenger who is willing. You WEREN'T given this choice. You were made to believe that you had one of two choices when in reality you had a third as well. You were directly lied to, and THAT is the reason you should speak with your TA's supervisor.

It's GREAT that you are able to be so flexible. But lying doesn't stop with one person. If the TA sees that this works with you, then who else will they pull this crap with (can I say that word on these boards)? I'm sure your Alaska cruise will be wonderful. I guess you and me have bad luck when it comes to TAs. :o

[hammybee]

CC Headlines is now reporting that the 8/19 Carival Celebration cruise has been cancelled due to propulsion system problems. Carnival is refunding all monies and giving a 50% discount towards a future cruise.

And here is a TA who apparently told a client that the same problem was on the "O". Either this is one very inexperienced and/ or confused TA, or the T/A thought it a reasonable way to compel the OP to take another cruise. As previously posted, when I called the TA to inquire about booking the OP's cruise, she knew right off the bat- no hesitation- that it was over booked. I smell a rat and it's not the OP.

My personal and sincere appologies to the OP for speculating that he/she might be someone else having a little fun with us.

[hammybee]

If it were me, I would ask the TA for the letter from HAL, because your attorney wants to review it.

[hammybee]

There are so many rock solid TAs who specialize in cruising, including those who sponsor these boards, that we have come to cherish. Please don't be put off by a few bad apples.

[rjbean4]

As mentioned, get a new TA. How much HAL does this TA sell? Maybe not enough becasue of something like this happening. Have to wonder what the incentive was for the TA to make the changes. If anything it shoud have been something more to pass on to the client as they are the ones that have had thier travel plans changed and dealing with the airline to change plane tickets to make the trip still work. As long as mom & I have been cruising with HAL I have never heard of anything like this happening. A waitlist for a sailing, yes but not someone being asked to change what they already have booked.

After we had the problems we did with our former TA we changed to someone else and they are cruise only and have been great. Have pretty close ties to HAL and some used to work for HAL.

47 cruises on HAL at the age of 41
504 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS
500 day gold medallion holder
9/06 Trans Canal - Westerdam
12/06 Christmas & New Years - Westerdam
if Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[lougee1043]

curious if your ta is a cruise only specialist or a general ta that will book you to disneyland as well as branson or get you an airline tix

whatever your response i would drop her like a hot potato

[KAKcruiser]

At this point it sounds as if things are pretty much worked out. But, for my own satisfaction, I would first call HAL and tell them exactly what happened. If the HAL reservation agent doesn't pay attention, ask to speak to a supervisor. Tell them you want to report what happened to you. Next I would call the owner of the travel agency and report what happened to you. Somebody should get to the bottom of this.

[Lurker1]

Defintely do not let this matter drop with the TA, but you might want to take that September 9 cruise first . . .

[dozer]

Defintely do not let this matter drop with the TA, but you might want to take that September 9 cruise first . . .

Do you mean that I shouldn't "rock the boat" before the next cruise? I was wondering if that could have any impact on my trip. I called HAL and they can't give me any info. they said I have to have the TA call the Res. Administration Dept. I called the TA but she has not returned my call yet. I still wonder what is going on.

[dozer]

Defintely do not let this matter drop with the TA, but you might want to take that September 9 cruise first . . .

Do you mean that I shouldn't "rock the boat" before the next cruise? I was wondering if that could have any impact on my trip. I called HAL and they can't give me any info. they said I have to have the TA call the Res. Administration Dept. I called the TA but she has not returned my call yet. I still wonder what is going on.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I will say this -- if we got a call from our TA that the cruise for us had been cancelled while others were still sailing on it, I would be doing a lot of research as quickly as possible.

For one thing, we usually fly to our embarkation ports 3 - 4 days early. When OP began this thread, he was just a couple of days away from the sailing. We would have already been at the embarkation port!!!! I can tell you that a lot of heads would be rolling!!

[AlohaPride]

I will say this -- if we got a call from our TA that the cruise for us had been cancelled while others were still sailing on it, I would be doing a lot of research as quickly as possible.

For one thing, we usually fly to our embarkation ports 3 - 4 days early. When OP began this thread, he was just a couple of days away from the sailing. We would have already been at the embarkation port!!!! I can tell you that a lot of heads would be rolling!!

Ditto! I mean, the OP is being OVERLY understanding about it. I can't imagine planning a vacation, arrainging everything at home, and then being told MY cruise has been moved WITHOUT MY CONSENT! You better believe I would be "rocking the boat" I don't care if the cruise is on the 9th. I mean, has the OP checked that they have been refunded $ for shore excursions, pinnacle grill reservations, any gifts, I mean all the preparations for the cruise just out the window.

[rjbean4]

May not be a bad idea to document everything as it may come in handy as you continue to look into this. We did when we had our problem. In our case things really got suspicious when we had scanned copies of the canceled checks to show HAL what we had paid to our TA which wasn't what they had a record of us having paid. That's because our TA never sent all of the $$ to HAL. Since then we have also put our cruise payments on a credit card.

47 cruises on HAL at the age of 41
504 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS
500 day gold medallion holder
9/06 Trans Canal - Westerdam
12/06 Christmas & New Years - Westerdam
if Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I continue to be amazed as to how some people get their kicks in life. It's really pathetic, isn't it?:(

P.S., OT, Peaches, welcome home! :)

[Mary Ellen]

Our friends were on an overbooked Alaskan (Princess) cruise in July. Since they booked directly with Princess they, not a TA, received the e-mails offering NICE incentives (much better than what the OP is getting) to take a Sept. cruise. One of the things mentioned was that the TA would also receive $ for each of their bookings that took the offer. I wouldn't be surprised if the OP's TA has a little extra walking around money. I hope the OP uses a different TA for future travel.

Our friends took their cruise as planned, but it was a choice they made, rather than one made for them.

Another thing to keep in mind - September sailings are less expensive than August ones. The 'upgrade' may be the fare differential.

I believe a GOOD TA is worth their weight in gold, but a poor TA can be a ball-n-chain. This is the second recent thread involving 'questionable' TAs.

[Copper10-8]

If you ever plan to motor west:


Travel my way, the highway that's the best.


Get your kicks on Route 66!;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Big apology in order! When I posted above, I had missed the whole second page of this thread. So sorry for the misunderstanding ... reading only page 1 it looked like the OP was long gone. My apologies to Dozer.

Have to say an upgrade from a VA to an SY is outstanding, especially with a 25% refund! I would jump at that and be thrilled.

But the fact remains there's a rotten apple someplace because no way this TA got a letter from HAL. Seems highly inexperienced if she confused the Carnival cancellation with the Oosterdam sailing. I just checked their website and the sailing is still listed. When I tried to go to the booking engine, it asked for all my info so I didn't continue.

Whole thing makes no sense at all.

[dozer]

I called HAL today and they said they cannot tell me anything, they don't know anything about letter about a propeller problem and that I should have my TA call the Reservation Admin. Dept.
I called my TA, but didn't mention that I called HAL, and asked her for a copy of the letter from HAL saying that the cruise was cancelled. She said she would look for it but that she probably deleted it and that she had hundreds of e-mails to look for. I'm betting that I won't see a copy of it. I guess I should call her supervisor tomorrow. Will that have any ramifications on my cruise on Sept. 6? I also don't have anything in print saying that I'm getting a 25% refund, only her oral statement on the phone. I'm feeling very stupid.

[RuthC]

I guess I should call her supervisor tomorrow. Will that have any ramifications on my cruise on Sept. 6? I also don't have anything in print saying that I'm getting a 25% refund, only her oral statement on the phone.
No "guessing" about it! Call the supervisor and get this straightened out. And in writing.
If everything is as you say it was this TA has either been deliberately dishonest with you, or is incredibly incompetent. In either case the supervisor needs to know.
And you need to get proof that you will have the new cruise under the new conditions. Otherwise, if something else happens, you won't have a leg to stand on. Or an oar to paddle with.

[bepsf]

Dozer--

Folks here are right - your TA had a financial incentive to get you to change your reservation and the best way to ensure that and cause themself as little work as possible was to lie to you. HAL won't intervene because they want you to move your reservation as cheaply as possible. And again, the folks here are right when they tell you that the "upgrade" is pretty much the cost differential between the August cruise vs. the Sept Cruise.

Its great that you have the flexibility to move your reservation, and you'll probably have a much better time (unless you're a retired Dentist or a techno-geek...) - but that does not excuse the behavior of the TA.

Don't call the TA anymore or try to go after the 'letter'. Decide what you want out of this - R/T airfare or hotel in Seattle at their expense perhaps? - then walk into your TA's office in the middle of the afternoon to ask about your reservations and in a voice that other clients/agents in the office can hear (but without yelling or getting angry) let this person know that you know that you've been lied to - that the original Oosterdam sailing has not been cancelled as they told you - than in fact you have a number of "Friends" whom you were looking forward to traveling with on the original departure date and they are still going on the original cruise - therefore the agency needs to either make it up to you or lose your future business and get letters to the local newspaper, the Better Business Bureau and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents - http://www.astanet.com/) with the compliant.

If you take this approach, I'm sure that all kinds of good things will happen for you.
:)

Good Luck and Happy Travels!

[tomc]

I guess if the TA were to go missing, there would be questions...

[hammybee]

Dozer: Given your cruise was imenent, I assume that you have your boarding documents from HAL.

Do you live in the NW suburban area of Chicago where this TA is located? BEPSF's suggestion is excellent. If possible, go in person. Minimally the TA you are dealing with is dishonest. You will not know this unless you go there. Many TAs work from home and rent business addresses to make it appear they have an office. This may or may not be the case, in this situation.

E-mails live on within all of our system, as too many embarassed and eventually terminated employees have come to understand. There is no such e-mail in their system because HAL did not cancel the cruise.

You need to get this worked out ASAP. As you said, you have no assurances that what this dishonest agent told you about the new booking. And you cannot afford to be strung along as we have been with you.

[dozer]

Thanks so much for the understanding advice and suggestions. Unfortunately, I live in the far southwest suburbs of Chicago and the TA is in the northwest suburbs. I just don't have time to make the trip up there. I will definitely call the supervisor tomorrow and hope to straighten this out. I'll be sure to let youn know what develops. thanks again.

[fcorey]

dozer, as someone who thought this was a hoax, I apologize and hope that you hold the Agency's feet to the fire on this. I guess you are just lucky that you have some flexibility in your schedule but that doesnt make it any better nor does their offer.

[KAYEF]

Lucky You.................September in Alaska.
We prefer September, but I'm leaving on Sunday with my daughter who wasn't able to go a couple of weeks later.
We've never had rain in September.
The ports are MUCH less crowded.
You can do your Holiday Shopping (take along an empty duffle bag!) because the stores want to get rid of all their inventory. Last September my other daughter and her husband had a blast saving between 50% and 80% on jackets, t-shirts and on and on.
We loved the O.............went on her repo. cruise..............24 heavenly days beginning in Seattle, going north, then south and through the Canal and all over the Caribbean.................have a fantastic time............no thanks to your TA.;)

[DD]

Our friends were on an overbooked Alaskan (Princess) cruise in July. Since they booked directly with Princess they, not a TA, received the e-mails offering NICE incentives (much better than what the OP is getting) to take a Sept. cruise. One of the things mentioned was that the TA would also receive $ for each of their bookings that took the offer. I wouldn't be surprised if the OP's TA has a little extra walking around money. I hope the OP uses a different TA for future travel.

Our friends took their cruise as planned, but it was a choice they made, rather than one made for them.

Another thing to keep in mind - September sailings are less expensive than August ones. The 'upgrade' may be the fare differential.

I believe a GOOD TA is worth their weight in gold, but a poor TA can be a ball-n-chain. This is the second recent thread involving 'questionable' TAs.

As far as the extra money for the TA, trust me on this one, it's usually $50 max and that's to the agency, the agent will only get a small % of it. That is certainly not nearly enough to risk ticking off a client. For that $50, it will usually entail several hours work, not exactly easy walking around money. When I call my clients with offers from the cruiseline to bump them, I do it 100% as customer service and to look out for their best interests. I'm in no way doing it for the couple bucks I'll make off of it.

[DD]

If it were me, I would ask the TA for the letter from HAL, because your attorney wants to review it.

That's a good one...if I was the OP's TA, that would certainly get me to either tell the whole truth (not that I personally would've lied in the first place) or get to the bottom of it!

[kryos]

That's not the point. It's not the point that you were given two other days to choose from. The point is, if HAL over books, you actually have the CHOICE to not change sailing dates at all.
Exactly. Sounds like the OP's TA offered her no option to simply keep everything booked as is. She had no obligation to switch if she didn't want to, but apparently the TA didn't share that little fact with her.

If I were the OP, I wouldn't be worrying at all about air arrangements for the September 9 cruise. That would be my TA's problem to get me reticketed and no additional cost, even if the agency has to advance the miles from their own account. I sure wouldn't wait to make a new air reservation until the miles went back into my account for the old one. What happens if by the time that happens, the OP can't get a reservation for September 9 on that particular airline? Now she's stuck booking at full price on another one. No ... the TA would be taking care of this if I were in the OP's shoes.

Somebody at the agency clearly screwed up. Either that or there was some serious dishonesty at play here. The OP is being very nice to switch cruise dates and bail the travel agency out of a jam. Now let them make sure her air arrangements for the new cruise are buttoned up.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[KAKcruiser]

You said that HAL advised you to call reservation administration. That is a unit within HAL. Call HAL back and ask to be transferred to reservation administration and tell them your story.

[lka1012]

By the way Dozer, welcome to the HAL CC board. Hope to see more of you!

[gizmo]

Dozer, wellcome to the board. I hope you enjoy your cruise.

Now my 2 cents.

I am not so sure the TA lied. Look at the "miscommunication" that took place with the Oceana incident.

The only way to know, would be to have the TA should produce the email she said she received from Hal.

[lougee1043]

[quote=gizmo]I am not so sure the TA lied. Look at the "miscommunication" that took place with the Oceana incident.
quote]

not sure i follow the reference to oceania------did i miss something on this thread

[dozer]

You said that HAL advised you to call reservation administration. That is a unit within HAL. Call HAL back and ask to be transferred to reservation administration and tell them your story.

HAL told me that the Reservation Administration Dept. would only speak to TAs and I could not talk to them. Today I called the supervisor at the travel agency. She checked with HAL and said they had overbooked and I should have been given a choice of staying with the Aug. 19 sailing or accepting another date. I told her that the TA definitely told me the cruise was cancelled. I even called TA back the next day and asked her what she had told me, and she repeated that it was cancelled due to a problem with the propeller. How could I take a cruise that was cancelled? I told super. that I asked for a copy of the message from HAL but TA said she probably deleted it. I asked super. what they plan to do about this. The TA is off today, so supervisor cannot check this out with her. Super. said that she was befuddled by all of this and the TA didn't stand to gain anything by giving me false info. Super. said she'll call me back on Mon. morning. So I still don't know what's going on. Would I have made the choice to take the later cruise? I don't think so, despite the 25% refund and the upgrade. Rebooking the airfare is not worth it. I'm still waiting for my miles to go back to my acct. so I can ticket my flight. Thanks again to everyone for their advice and encouragement.

Pat

[HeatherInFlorida]

Pat, the whole situation is such a mess for you and such a nightmare. This TA is unbelievable! And I'm so glad we got to see who it was so we can all stay clear:D !!!

I understand the hassle of changing air, but have you been in the SY cabins? They are so much larger than the VA and have a big balcony. They are really wonderful and I would love to be upgraded to that. For me it really would be worth the change of flight.

I really hope you can get some satisfaction out of this TA. What I'm always astounded at is that the cruise lines aren't particularly interested when you have a problem with a TA. I would think it would be in their best interest to try to help. But what do I know???;)

Much good luck to you. Please let us know any outcome.

[crystal808]

...and how very strange that the TA is "off" today! On a Friday?? Well, it could happen, I know, but it seems a strange day for a travel agent to be "off", particularly under these circumstances! (I know, doctor appointment, sick child, etc., etc.)

Anyway, I hope the Supervisor, indeed, calls you Monday morning with an explanation. No doubt, they'll have the weekend to "work on it". (Hmmm.)

I would be ready with air fare options you're confronted with, money-wise, to secure your flights for the "new" cruise. You would have had no air changes if they had, as they should have, offered you the cruise you booked. You should not be out-of-pocket for any change this mess has made for you!

As others have stated, Welcome to the Boards! Sorry your first posting is one that is so troublesome for you, but we'll all be pulling for you!

Hope you can have a restful weekend; we'll all be hoping for the best for you, and know a wonderful cruise is to follow!

Paul

[bepsf]

Pat--

Sounds like you at least have some understanding from the TA Supervisor - I'm sure that the TA will enjoy a serious thrashing come Monday AM (if not over the phone already!)

Like Heather says - you'll enjoy the SY upgrade plus you won't have to deal w/ two major groups on the Sept cruise. I truly hope you can guilt the TA into covering at least a part of your airfare since you were lied to...
;)

Thanks for coming back and enlightening us - sounds like its gonna work out OK in the long run. Enjoy your weekend - you deserve it!

[happy cruzer]

Hi Dozer,

There was a bad apple in this story but not you! My bad....

CCer's are still the best and we all apologize to you. But in a way we were right there was a bad apple TA in the story.

Whatever you decide to accept have a great trip!!!!:)

[krewzin]

AS someone mentioned earlier, the travel agency should be the ones booking...and paying for...your 'new' rd trip flights to your cruise IMO. In light of this situation it's the least that they can do, and there's no reason that you should have to endure anymore hassles.

I'd call and drop this in their lap ...they need to take care of this for you.

[twoatsea]

Dozer - I'm betting the TA Super will place the blame on HAL or a "misunderstanding" between you & the TA. IMO, if I were you, I would spend this weekend thinking of all of the responses I may get from the Super, my reaction for each, what I feel I deserve from this situation from the TAgency, & how I should handle that one conversation to get what I think I deserve. I would expect at least an onboard credit of $?, Pinnacle, soda cards, wine, all of the above, or whatever trips your trigger! ;)

I don't know, maybe someone else can answer, is it possible to change one's reservation from one TA to another? If so, maybe after this is all taken care of, you may want to switch your resv. Otherwise, you will have to continually monitor this agency & your resv.

Personally, if it were me getting a 25% refund, & SY, I would be :D :D :cool: :) ! We've never felt the urge to pay the extra price for the SY; getting it as a bonus would be great! Enjoy!

[leoandhugh]

this thead once again shows one of the major problems dealing through a TA. once you commit and go through one, the cruise companies will no longer deal with you directly - they tell you that you have to go back and deal through your TA. and if you are having major problems like this, who wants to have to go back and deal with the person that created it? if you have a great TA, no problem; if you have a dishonest or misrepresenting "sleaze" too bad. I read just today that RCCL will no longer accept a phone call or email from anybody wanting to drop a TA and go back to dealing directly with the line; they want a signed letter so their fannies are covered also, so the TA cannot come back on the cruise line.:)

[dozer]

I learned about this board last year from a person I met on my 1st cruise. I've looked at the board from time to time and found it fascinating and informative. I got up the nerve to register when this problem arose. I feel that I've met so many helpful and considerate people. I'll let you know the final outcome on Monday. Wish me luck!
Pat

[HeatherInFlorida]

Pat, I wish you good luck on Monday. Stick to your guns and if they give you any malarkey, tell them to show you the communication from HAL and then maybe you'll believe them. Otherwise, they definitely owe you something ... certainly the cost of any air changes!

Leoandhugh, the problem is that when you want to book a HAL ship, you spend major more $$$ booking directly with HAL. In the case of RCL or Celebrity, the price is pretty much the price and booking directly with them is fine.

But if I booked directly with HAL, we wouldn't be cruising ... there's that much of a difference. So the important thing is getting a good TA. The definition of a "good TA" has been debated here often so let's not go there:D

Pat, try to just enjoy your weekend and look forward to your cruise. Remember if you'd gone tomorrow it would be all over with in no time. Now you still can look forward to it. I wouldn't spend too much time pondering about what the TA may or may not say on Monday ... just deal with the reality when it comes.

[kryos]

I asked super. what they plan to do about this. The TA is off today, so supervisor cannot check this out with her. Super. said that she was befuddled by all of this and the TA didn't stand to gain anything by giving me false info. Super. said she'll call me back on Mon. morning. So I still don't know what's going on. Would I have made the choice to take the later cruise? I don't think so, despite the 25% refund and the upgrade. Rebooking the airfare is not worth it. I'm still waiting for my miles to go back to my acct. so I can ticket my flight. Thanks again to everyone for their advice and encouragement.

If I were you, Pat, I'd make the super rebook your air on the agency's dollar. You were greatly inconvenienced by either a lying or an incompetent TA. The agency is responsible for her actions and should make you whole for your inconvenience. Totally aside from what HAL gave you for rebooking a later date, the agency owes you for your inconvenience. A couple of air tickets seems like a fair price. And, don't spend too much time feeling sorry for the agent. They have insurance for that sort of thing. It's called Errors and Omissions coverage.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[hammybee]

Dozer:
I do not live too far from the TA's listed address of business and would be happy to stop by and check them out for you.

My gut tells me this is going to go down in the Great Book of Misunderstandings. As I mentioned early on, a Carnival cruise was canceled due to propeller system problems, exactly the problem she informed you that the "O" had.

Kryos is right about E/O insurance, if they carry it. If they do, it is unlikely that the cost of your airline tickets will exceed the deductable. Regardless, most companies do not want to make a claim on it because the premiums sky rocket and therefore it is used, as intended to cover catastrophic loss.

We will all keep out fingers crossed for you that the T/A's supevisor is using this weekend to figure out how to dig out of this mess.

[Southbound]

The direct phone # for Reservation Administration is:

(800) 993-5483

I had to call this afternoon with a question and I was given a detailed answer immediately. I spoke with "Elaine", who was very helpful and very pleasant.

[WNYCRUISER]

Leoandhugh, the problem is that when you want to book a HAL ship, you spend major more $$$ booking directly with HAL. In the case of RCL or Celebrity, the price is pretty much the price and booking directly with them is fine.

But if I booked directly with HAL, we wouldn't be cruising ... there's that much of a difference. So the important thing is getting a good TA. The definition of a "good TA" has been debated here often so let's not go there:D



Heather you speak of this so often and with such great conviction. I sure wish I could find the deals you speak of. I have tried the one where "hundreds are vying for your business"....no better than 40.00 difference, and of the four responses, two were higher than HAL. Tried to get a quick quote from an online agency with no phones, and with the shipboard credit HAL gave me, their price was no better than HAL either.

Some appear to have a better price, but do not include taxes and port charges, which in the end bring you right back up to the same ballpark. I don't doubt that you are getting a good deal, I just wish I were able to find one that said "now that's a deal!"

[xpcdoojk]

Heather you speak of this so often and with such great conviction. I sure wish I could find the deals you speak of. I have tried the one where "hundreds are vying for your business"....no better than 40.00 difference, and of the four responses, two were higher than HAL. Tried to get a quick quote from an online agency with no phones, and with the shipboard credit HAL gave me, their price was no better than HAL either.

Some appear to have a better price, but do not include taxes and port charges, which in the end bring you right back up to the same ballpark. I don't doubt that you are getting a good deal, I just wish I were able to find one that said "now that's a deal!"

My TA was able on my one booking to sell me the Rotterdam cruise of last November at about $250 pp cheaper for an inside cabin and about $500 pp cheaper on a Verandah suite.

However, as in any transaction you need to do a lot of due diligence to verify what is and is not included and the bottom line number.

jc

[HeatherInFlorida]

WNYCruiser, I always check the HAL site first and take it right into the booking process to get the bottom line $$$. And when I check with the internet TA's, I also take it to the booking page so I get all the extra fees and taxes (since this can be hundreds of $$$).

Recently I booked a 14-day cruise on Volendam for 11/25/07. We always book a Verandah cabin so that's all I look at. I made a note of the HAL website price for a BA cabin so that I can watch in future months to see if it goes down. The total including everything came to $5443. I priced it with a TA listed here on CC and booked for a total of $4730. So in this case it's only a little over $700 difference, but in our house that's $$$:)

We have a 10-day cruise coming up on Prinsendam in Cabin #197 (a much desired AA) for $3000. I can't remember now what the cost was on the HAL site when I booked, but I think it was about $4000.

So over the course of time, these $$$ add up and buy you another whole cruise!!!:D I would really prefer to book directly with HAL as I do with airlines and that may happen one day, but for now I shop around and do it very carefully.

[hammybee]

WNYCruiser, I always check the HAL site first and take it right into the booking process to get the bottom line $$$. So over the course of time, these $$$ add up and buy you another whole cruise!!!:D I would really prefer to book directly with HAL as I do with airlines and that may happen one day, but for now I shop around and do it very carefully.

Heather, I 'm with you. I have yet to find direct booking with HAL to be competitive with online and/or TA's who sponsor this board. And like you, I compare apples to apples.

[kryos]

However, as in any transaction you need to do a lot of due diligence to verify what is and is not included and the bottom line number.

This has always been something that needled me, and I am so lucky to have found a TA who will do the "due diligence" for me. My problem is that while I like to keep an eye on cruise prices to see if a cruise I've booked is coming down in price, I often just don't have the time or the ambition. I just have too much going on sometimes to bother. This TA I've found does the watching for me ... and has already gotten us a couple of reductions on my Veendam cruise for next April.

Now if only the QE2 cruise price would come down. At the rate things are going, the five-day QE2 crossing is gonna wind up costing just as much as a 19-day Veendam Transat. :(

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Tinknock50]

Heather you speak of this so often and with such great conviction. I sure wish I could find the deals you speak of. I have tried the one where "hundreds are vying for your business"....no better than 40.00 difference, and of the four responses, two were higher than HAL. Tried to get a quick quote from an online agency with no phones, and with the shipboard credit HAL gave me, their price was no better than HAL either.

Some appear to have a better price, but do not include taxes and port charges, which in the end bring you right back up to the same ballpark. I don't doubt that you are getting a good deal, I just wish I were able to find one that said "now that's a deal!"

A lot depends on how big a demand their is for that particular cruise and for that itinerary. But I have yet to personally see HAL have a lower price.

I always advise people who use that "no phone" agency to shop around because often they are higher than the others.....although sometimes they have a great price.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sean, if you're talking about the same "no phone" agency I am, I have to disagree. I usually compare prices between 10 to 15 online agents (not to mention B&M locals). In every case, the "no phone" comes in lower than all the others in my category.

However, this is not true when I price the "S" category which for some reason is not a bargain with my agent. Also, when booking a cruise for 2007, I found an agent who came in a bit lower and decided to use them. But overall, I find the "no phone" to be the best prices with the best customer service of any agent I have ever used.

Question: My TA's always guarantee that my rate will be lowered if the price goes down. Am I right that this only means if the HAL website posts a lower price? My understanding has always been it doesn't mean another TA ... only HAL. So that's the rate I keep my eye on. My TAs always tell me they try to be aware of all rate drops, but I just don't trust them:rolleyes: . I also assume that when it's shown as "closed" on the HAL site, all bets are off???

[twoatsea]

Regarding HAL's price - the lowest price is most often not their website price & not the price received from the person answering the HAL toll free #. To get the best HAL price, one has to call HAL's toll free #, and then ask to be transferred to a "Reservation Specialist". Once transferred, you may receive a person or a voice mail. These agents often can & will give better prices than HAL's website & the front line operator. Once you deal with a specialist, you will get their personal toll free # & can call them directly. Since finding out about this HAL dept., we have booked our last 3 cruises with them. After checking all the online sites, only one time was HAL's price beat - by $100 total. That wasn't enough for me to have to "go thru" a TA, rather than call HAL direct.

Regarding the online sites - every time I call, I always get a better price than the one posted on their websites. Sometimes, I do not get the lower price initially, but with some encouragement, the price comes down.

Good luck everyone!

[cruznon]

How fortunate many of you are to find a TA that provides the services and great rates mentioned in this thread. I've yet to find a TA that would keep an eye on rates, etc.
Our last two cruises I booked directly with the cruise lines. I have done comparison shopping on line,etc. beforehand as Heather spoke of earlier. On up upcoming cruise I am working with a HAL cruise specialist and we'll see how that goes. I do like being able to communicate directly lwith the cruiseline--something not possible if a TA is involved.
Pat, please let us know what the TA's supervisor has to say/offer you tomorrow.

[HeatherInFlorida]

.............. I do like being able to communicate directly lwith the cruiseline--something not possible if a TA is involved.
..............

.... I still believe this is not altogether true. I call Ships Services frequently and they are always more than forthcoming with help and information. I've never been told to go to my TA.

[dozer]

The supervisor didn't call me this morning, the TA called. She apologized over and over and said that the cruise had been overbooked, HAL was offering a different cruise with a refund and upgrade, and that she had "misread" the e-mail and thought that it said something about a propeller and that she thought it said that the cruise was cancelled. She mentioned several times that she has MS and "sometimes her eyes don't work right and that's how she misread the email". She knew that I was upset that now I have a very early flight from O'Hare and will have to leave my suburb my 5:00am. So, in addition to $150 onboard credit, her supervisor told her to offer me free limo service to O'Hare.
She also offered 5% "off the top" of my next cruise. I didn't even bother to tell her that I will never do business with them again Even 50% off wouldnt' entice me to deal with them again. I think she gave me a ridiculous excuse. If she can't read a computer screen, she shouldn't be working with thousands of dollars of reservations, but I'm tired of all the confusion and panic of last week and I don't care to battle with them anymore.
I have my cruise booked for Sept. 9 with the refund and upgrade, I have my flight rebooked, $150 shipboard credit and limo service to O'Hare. The fee to rebook our flight came to $45. I didn't even bother to complain about that. I will write a letter to the agency and mail it when I leave for my cruise. I never would have believed such an experience could happen.
Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Pat

[DFD1]

Pat: I've been reading this thread with interest, but have not commented until now.

I've been cruising since I was a boy back in 1965 and have been thru travel agents, direct bookings, canceled cruises, coupon offers....the whole works. Lots of good booking experiences and some not so good.

Let me say that I think you have handled this one very well. My hat is off to you! Now, I hope you put it behind you, get excited about your cruise, go and have a wonderful time.

(PS: I love Ireland too. Just returned from my 31st visit a few weeks ago.)

Have fun.

[AlohaPride]

Dozer! I'm so glad to hear it all turned out well! I'm having TA problems too, and can relate! Have a GREAT cruise, and be sure to tell us how everything went when you get home!! :D

[krewzin]

Try and write that letter as soon as possible...you wanna keep the details fresh in your mind, and if you're like me they become somewhat 'fuzzy' as time goes by.

As well, sometimes I write a much better letter when I'm angry. I have a tendancy to go soft as the time wanes...and that's not what this TA needs IMO.

Have fun!

[hammybee]

Well I am glad that things worked out reasonably well for the OP. I think the advice of writing the letter now, while events are fresh in your mind, makes sense. While I understand that you might want to wait to mail it, for fear that something else will go wrong, if you mail it sooner, rather than later, it increases the likelihood they will minimally increase your on board credit for the cost of the airline penalty.

Going forward, should you need a recommendation for a new TA, you might consider using one of the many TA's that sponsor this board.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Pat, good to hear from you! The TA's excuse is lame at best and couldn't agree with you more about that. All agents should be able to read a computer screen. Big difference between "overbooked" and "propeller problems"!!!:)

Oh, well. In the end you're going to have a wonderful cabin, you'll have a comfy ride to the airport in your limo. And I've always believed things happen for a reason and this cruise date will turn out to be a better one than 8/19.

If it were me I would just put it all behind me and have a wonderful cruise. I would never use this TA again, of course. But I wouldn't even bother with letters, etc. Why aggravate yourself going over it all again?

But that's your choice:) . I just hope you have a fantastic time. You deserve it because you've had a great attitude throughout this entire mess.

[serendipity1499]

Pat..
I just can't believe that a TA would mis-read an e-mail from HAL..I have two very dear friends who have MS & both of them would have no problem reading an e-mail! Perhaps I'm wrong but really believe she is using her illness as an excuse & just looking for your sympathy because she was caught in an outright lie..!

I can't believe you took it so well..But glad it all worked out for you & know that you will enjoy your new cabin..

Agree you should wait until you at least receive your Doc's before sending your letter...

Hope you have a wonderful time & welcome to Cruise Critic...:) Betty

[xpcdoojk]

Pat..
I just can't believe that a TA would mis-read an e-mail from HAL..I have two very dear friends who have MS & both of them would have no problem reading an e-mail! Perhaps I'm wrong but really believe she is using her illness as an excuse & just looking for your sympathy because she was caught in an outright lie..!

I can't believe you took it so well..But glad it all worked out for you & know that you will enjoy your new cabin..

Agree you should wait until you at least receive your Doc's before sending your letter...

Hope you have a wonderful time & welcome to Cruise Critic...:) Betty

No, I think you have everything just about right. The TA was busted pure and simple.

Pat, have a great cruise.

jc

[Tinknock50]

Sean, if you're talking about the same "no phone" agency I am, I have to disagree. I usually compare prices between 10 to 15 online agents (not to mention B&M locals). In every case, the "no phone" comes in lower than all the others in my category.

However, this is not true when I price the "S" category which for some reason is not a bargain with my agent. Also, when booking a cruise for 2007, I found an agent who came in a bit lower and decided to use them. But overall, I find the "no phone" to be the best prices with the best customer service of any agent I have ever used.



I am not sure how it happens....maybe we go for different itineraries and I think you book higher categories than I do. Remember, I didn't say they are always higher than everyone else. Sometime they are a few dollars lower some times a little higher. Just did some searches with them and I did find one cruise that was $150 higher in the category I was looking at.
In other searches, they were a few dollars more or less.

But the point I was really trying to make is to shop around to get the best price.

Also, I forgot where I posted it, but on that short repo cruise you mentioned, my favorite online TA had your cabin guarantee for $200 less. I was just hoping you didn't just check your "no phone" TA and HAL when you decided that "everyone was charging the same as HAL". It wouldn't be too late to switch from HAL and get the lower price, would it?

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sean, appreciate your thoughts. I'm a little confused by your post because I don't remember mentioning a short repo cruise and I never book "guarantees". I know they're always a bit less, but we're really fussy about location so I always book a specific cabin.

Also, I never check with just one TA. The next time I'm pricing a cruise I'll try the method someone mentioned above about asking for a HAL Reservations Specialist. I've never heard of that, but I will see what they say and compare with my endless list of TA's.

Actually I drive my husband totally nuts with my research. He's says it's gotten out of hand and not worth $100 here or there. But I see it differently. I always was a penny-wise/pound foolish kind of gal and just can't help myself:o .

However, I never would book something cheaper just because it's cheaper. I always use someone I have experience with or someone who comes highly recommended by a person I trust. That's really the bottom line.

[Tinknock50]

Sean, appreciate your thoughts. I'm a little confused by your post because I don't remember mentioning a short repo cruise and I never book "guarantees". I know they're always a bit less, but we're really fussy about location so I always book a specific cabin.

Also, I never check with just one TA. The next time I'm pricing a cruise I'll try the method someone mentioned above about asking for a HAL Reservations Specialist. I've never heard of that, but I will see what they say and compare with my endless list of TA's.

Actually I drive my husband totally nuts with my research. He's says it's gotten out of hand and not worth $100 here or there. But I see it differently. I always was a penny-wise/pound foolish kind of gal and just can't help myself:o .

However, I never would book something cheaper just because it's cheaper. I always use someone I have experience with or someone who comes highly recommended by a person I trust. That's really the bottom line.

Oh I thought it was you that said you booked a certain cruise directly with HAL because they were all the same on that particular cruise. Guess I will have to research and find out who that was. I tried to find my response but no luck. (Wonder if the post police deleted it, even though I didn't mention any TA names or break any rules)

I also don't book absolute lowest price.....It's just that I have found one that has excellent service and is still within a few dollars, if not the lowest, price. This was the one that went to bat for me to get a "downgrade" to what was actually a better location. We also were able to keep my original low price even though prices on all cabins had gone up by then. Both the TA and HAL had the right to charge me more for the change, but the TA convinced HAL to keep my price and even give me a rebate if prices went lower. This TA was lower than everybody else on this sail date. I was glad I could phone and e-mail so I could keep things moving to accomplish this unusual change. This was service "above and beyond".:)

[Tinknock50]

The supervisor didn't call me this morning, the TA called. She apologized over and over and said that the cruise had been overbooked, HAL was offering a different cruise with a refund and upgrade, and that she had "misread" the e-mail and thought that it said something about a propeller and that she thought it said that the cruise was cancelled. She mentioned several times that she has MS and "sometimes her eyes don't work right and that's how she misread the email". She knew that I was upset that now I have a very early flight from O'Hare and will have to leave my suburb my 5:00am. So, in addition to $150 onboard credit, her supervisor told her to offer me free limo service to O'Hare.
She also offered 5% "off the top" of my next cruise. I didn't even bother to tell her that I will never do business with them again Even 50% off wouldnt' entice me to deal with them again. I think she gave me a ridiculous excuse. If she can't read a computer screen, she shouldn't be working with thousands of dollars of reservations, but I'm tired of all the confusion and panic of last week and I don't care to battle with them anymore.
I have my cruise booked for Sept. 9 with the refund and upgrade, I have my flight rebooked, $150 shipboard credit and limo service to O'Hare. The fee to rebook our flight came to $45. I didn't even bother to complain about that. I will write a letter to the agency and mail it when I leave for my cruise. I never would have believed such an experience could happen.
Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Pat

Glad everything worked out.

Now....Enjoy your cruise!

[WNYCRUISER]

Just finished looking up info for an upcoming cruise I was looking at.

HAL 1578.00
OLTA 1790.00 (no phones) Up 212.00
OLTA 1594.00 Up 16.00
OLTA Unable to find sailing
OLTA 1627.00 Up 49.00
OLTA Error - Please call our 800 ......
OLTA 1678.00 Up 100.00
OLTA 1568.00 Down 10.00

All of the On line TA's above advertise here.

[Tinknock50]

Just finished looking up info for an upcoming cruise I was looking at.

HAL 1578.00
OLTA 1790.00 (no phones) Up 212.00
OLTA 1594.00 Up 16.00
OLTA Unable to find sailing
OLTA 1627.00 Up 49.00
OLTA Error - Please call our 800 ......
OLTA 1678.00 Up 100.00
OLTA 1568.00 Down 10.00

All of the On line TA's above advertise here.

Interesting post. I like they way you avoided any "violations". :)

[hammybee]

Oh I thought it was you that said you booked a certain cruise directly with HAL because they were all the same on that particular cruise. Guess I will have to research and find out who that was.

It was Navy Man and I -different cruises, both with HAL, on a different thread. And yeah, we both got the same price on HAL as any TA was offering and more control. It's rare, but it can and does happen, occasionally.

[Tinknock50]

It was Navy Man and I -different cruises, both with HAL, on a different thread. And yeah, we both got the same price on HAL as any TA was offering and more control. It's rare, but it can and does happen, occasionally.

Hammybee,
I don't think it was you or Navy Man. At any rate I can't find my follow-up post, so I think it was deleted. Perhaps they thought I was "pushing" an agency but I made sure I didn't mention a TA by name.

Sure makes it hard to check my past posts if the post is sent off into cyberspace.:(

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sean, I feel your pain. It's called going "poof":) . I'm curious what category you were looking at that the HAL price is so low compared with the TAs. Makes no sense.

I'm sure, as Hammybee says, that it can happen. But I have to tell you that with all my research on so many cruises it's never happened to me. And it's not off by a little. The online TA's always undercut the HAL site by a few hundred $$$.

Oh, well. You just have to do your homework no matter what!!!:D

[Tinknock50]

Sean, I feel your pain. It's called going "poof":) . I'm curious what category you were looking at that the HAL price is so low compared with the TAs. Makes no sense.

I'm sure, as Hammybee says, that it can happen. But I have to tell you that with all my research on so many cruises it's never happened to me. And it's not off by a little. The online TA's always undercut the HAL site by a few hundred $$$.

Oh, well. You just have to do your homework no matter what!!!:D

Ummmmm.....I didn't say HAL was cheaper.

It must be someone else that said that. I have been using the same wonderful service online TA for my last 3 cruises. I also check many other sites to compare prices. In 23 cruises I have never booked direct with a cruiseline.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Just finished looking up info for an upcoming cruise I was looking at.

HAL 1578.00
OLTA 1790.00 (no phones) Up 212.00
OLTA 1594.00 Up 16.00
OLTA Unable to find sailing
OLTA 1627.00 Up 49.00
OLTA Error - Please call our 800 ......
OLTA 1678.00 Up 100.00
OLTA 1568.00 Down 10.00

All of the On line TA's above advertise here.

Sean, I was referring to the above where you show several TAs with higher prices than HAL's.

[hammybee]

My one and only was a B/B cruise and I gave HAL the flexibility to change my cabin on the second leg. Otherwise, T/A's have always beaten HAL's price.

[Tinknock50]

Sean, I was referring to the above where you show several TAs with higher prices than HAL's.

Thats not my post , Heather.

I was quoting WNYCRUISER.

Ask him.:)

[WNYCRUISER]

It was me Heather.....:)

I posted that not to start anything, just to point out my previous point, that I, unlike you cannot seem to find those "fantastic deals".

I was pricing a VC category on the Noordam. I priced same sailing, same category (actually specific room # where possible). I went to the list of advertisers on this board, and randomly picked seven of them.

The figures is what they is, as they say. I thought the "unable to find sailing":confused: was unacceptable, and I REALLY hate the ones that give you the "there has been an error...please calll our 800 #.....blah blah. I have seen that with several, but they are apparently all hooked to the same group, as the operator that is pictured is the same on all of them...unless she really gets around.;)

When I went into the OLTA sites, I went as far as I could without giving away my first born child. The big one that I had a problem with was the one without a phone. As I walked through the site it gave me an initial of 1476.00 plus an estimated 87.85 in taxes for a sum of 1563.85. Continued through toward booking and lo and behold, the price jumped up to 1790.00. In their defense, I did e-mail them as to the jump, and since my original was posted, they responded with problems with HAL system, transfers (not requested) were included in the price, etc. etc. They did requote me via the e-mail with 1555.00 making them 23.00 less than HAL.

One or two of the groups was offering 3 day free resort package or some such. I put a value of $0 on that kind of thing, as many are so restrictive most cannot take advantage of them anyway.

Again, I do not post this to sound bitter. As with everything, one must shop around. I have, and this seems to be the way that works for me. A few hundred dollars here or there does add up, but as this sailing shows to me, there is only a difference of 10 to 23 dollars less than HAL. Certainly not significant in my book! Heck, I could smuggle enough booze on board to save that much !!!!!!;) :p

I am glad that you can find the better prices, apparently I just am not trying to book the right sailings, or the right categories. Possibly suites being so much higher in price, offer so much better of a discount.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Oh I see what I did WNY!!! Sean had quoted your post in his post and as I quickly slid by I got confused. My mistake! Sorry:o .

Not to worry ... you weren't starting anything at all. I was just stunned because it's never happened to me. And I price cruises I'm not even going on. I'm always looking. You might call me a "cruiseshopoholic";) .

And as I said, I don't seem to find as good a deal with the "S" categories as with the VA or BA, etc ... the standard verandah. I share your problem with the way some of them take you through the booking process and when they tell me to call, they've lost me.

With the "no phone" TA, I always get a custom quote when I'm sincerely interested in booking. I don't like the way their system doesn't include certain charges until you've signed away your first born (as you say).:)

But in the end I find all the online TA's hundreds less than HAL, but remember too that I'm looking at these over a year in advance. Prices often come down so that could be part of it, too.

[Tinknock50]

Well it's time for me to say adios to this thread. It has gone way off topic and Dozer's problem has been solved.

Just a parting thought .....shop around and check many sites before you book.:)

Bye,

[hammybee]

And I price cruises I'm not even going on. I'm always looking. You might call me a "cruiseshopoholic";) .

But in the end I find all the online TA's hundreds less than HAL, but remember too that I'm looking at these over a year in advance. Prices often come down so that could be part of it, too.

I thought I was the only one who priced cruises that I will not be sailing on. DH thinks I am goofy. And given that you are looking so far out into the future, I cannot imagine that HAL's prices would ever be better than an on line agent. So as usual, it all depends.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Well it's time for me to say adios to this thread. It has gone way off topic and Dozer's problem has been solved.

Just a parting thought .....shop around and check many sites before you book.:)

Bye,

I agree Dozer's problem was solved, but the thread didn't really go off topic at all. Granted we got into pricing, but overall I thought we were talking about working directly with HAL vs. working with a TA and all the problems that can be involved with that.

Many here felt that had Dozer dealt directly with HAL she wouldn't have had the problem (which in this particular case she probably wouldn't have). But I don't think dealing directly with HAL rules out all problems. And some, like myself, still talk directly with HAL with success even when we book through TAs.

I think all of this is directly related to the problem Dozer had. So I think the thread has been very informative and helpful for many people.

JMO :).