Ship Board Credit Question

[sheephugs]

I got back from the Zuiderdam E. Carribean on 6/12. Loved it so much I booked on 6/21 for the Zaandam Thanksgiving cruise W. Carribean through Cruise Value Center (my first time with CVC..It was so cheap that I booked another stateroom to take my in-laws). On 6/23 I received an e-mail from HAL stating they hoped I enjoyed my recent cruise. This e-mail came from what they call a relatively new division of HAL to help customers, but they "do not compete with the ta". The e-mail said that if I booked my next HAL cruise within 30 days of the completion of the last cruise, HAL would offer "up to $150.00 per person shipboard credits". I e-mailed back singing the praises of the cruise, stated I'd already booked on the Zaandam and could they send more info. on the credits. I got a very curt reply stating that they did not book my cruise therefore my ta would have to contact them. My ta at Cruise Value Center is not good at returning calls but I believe he's still "working on it". Am I fighting an uphill battle? Any advice?

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Probably.

When HAL contacted you, they probably wanted you to book through them.

Just a guess.

But have your TA keep working on it.

Goof luck.

:)

[sail7seas]

If a TA books a cruise for you, they earn a commission. Yes, that commission is included in the amount of the fare you pay.


If HAL books a cruise for you, very often the fare is exactly the same amount of money but they do not have to pay a commission .....to themselves. More profit. Seems pretty clear to me why they wish you would book directly with them.

Anyone ever ask for a discount because there would be no commission paid to a TA? I never have but would be quite surprised if there was any discount for you by booking direct.

[Orcrone]

S7S - I understand what you're saying about HAL paying a commission. But when I booked my recent cruise I checked many online agencies, and they were all much less expensive that going directly through HAL. Seems to me that they would prefer you went through a TA, but will be more than happy to charge you extra if you'd like to book directly through them.

Sheephugs, keep in mind that if you can't get the shipboard credit it may still be less expensive to go through your TA.

[KAKcruiser]

I have asked HAL why they would rather have me turn my reservation over to a travel agent than give me a discount to stay booked directly with them. They replied that 90% of their bookings are through travel agents and they don't want to upset the system. Doesn't make any sense to me.

[Stevesan]

I have asked HAL why they would rather have me turn my reservation over to a travel agent than give me a discount to stay booked directly with them. They replied that 90% of their bookings are through travel agents and they don't want to upset the system. Doesn't make any sense to me.Not necessarily a HAL corporate policy, but I'm sure HAL's reps would prefer to deal with a professional TA who know the procedures.

As far as referring you back to your TA for an already booked cruise, that's standard procedure for any revenue related query. They don't want to get into a potential three way quarrel. That doesn't mean the thirty day ship board credit won't apply. Did you have your TA inquire?

BTW- ninety percent of the time, you'll save booking thru a TA, but don't eliminate the possibility of HAL beating the TA's price. I booked a B2B directly with HAL because they were less than any TA, either bricks and mortar or on-line. It was a real pleasure dealing directly. The reps were always courteous and helpful, oiften making good suggestions. The Booking Confirmation and Invoice forms were immediate via e-mail attachments. I'd do it again if the price was right.

[doone]

I booked my upcoming Volendam cruise while on the Rotterdam and received $150 per person shipboard credit for the Volendam. While I was booking my cruise with HAL's cruise consultant, I gave her the name and address of my TA and it was turned over to my TA. I would think this would be the same with you????? I don't see the difference, am I missing something?

[jhannah]

Stevesan has the key here. If you book with a TA, then HAL won't talk to you at all. Not really being curt ... just not wanting to add a third party into the mix so one ends up not knowing what the other said. Just good business practice, IMO, even though frustrating if you can't reach your TA in a timely manner.

[sheephugs]

Thanks for the info. I'm living & learning. In the scheme of things I'd rather save $1,000.00 with CVC than earn $450.00 onboard credit with HAL. It's just that the e-mail made it sound as if the only criteria was to book the next cruise within 30 days regardless of the agent. Actually I saved so much with CVC it was an incentive to book another cabin for my in-laws (their first cruise), so, ironically enough, HAL will be getting more of my $ in the long run as well as getting two more potential cruise addicts..er..um I mean customers. I think my CVC agent is still working on it or at least I think he still exists. Actually he's very helpful when you have him on the line but once you hang up there's no guarantee when you'll reach him again. I'll keep you informed.

[aussie jb]

in regards to the shipboard credits, we actually received our 2004 HAL travel book from a friend in Seattle, inside was a voucher for onboard credit for $100+, when I presented it to our T/A, he had to get in touch with HAL in Sydney to ask about it. We were told it wasn't able to be used by us, it was only for the locals - ripped off again!! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) $450?

How do you figure that you would get $450 ship board credit? What length of cruise are you taking?

:)

[sheephugs]

The offer was "up to $150.00 per person" and there are three of us so that reaaly was the best possible scenerio. So, technically it could be only $3.00, who knows. We went on a seven day cruise and have booked another seven day. My point in response to HAL was that if they make the offer they should specify that it needs to be booked through them, not just booking within 30 days of completion of current cruise.