Oosterdam 5 May to AK booked out - why?

[Alaskita]

Is it usual for a cruise to be booked out so early? It's been full for about 3 or 4 weeks now. We're booked on this cruise and am just wondering if this means something.. a large group? a problem with being bumped off? (we are not in the U.S and so can't really afford to be bumped).

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on several cruises - not just Alaska - but others as well -- that have been fully booked up to months in advance.

[jhannah]

This is not uncommon. (And HAL hopes to keep it that way!) They need to sail with each ship full. That's why just after final payment time -- some 75 days or so prior to sailing -- good bargains can be had for insides and oceanviews to get more people onboard.

As KK mentioned, sailings book out months in advance. The more popular destinations, like Alaska, will become fully booked even earlier than the typical sailing. And for a May 5 embarkation, this is late.

[fatcat04]

If I am not mistaken, all the Oosterdam May sailing are completely booked and have been for a little while now. My mom and dad's 5/12 cruise has been booked up for a solid month. I think HAL just offered up some great deals and folks snatched 'em up. I know we did :)

[Atomica]

It's not uncommon for Alaska sailings to fill up quickly. Our cruise last September on the Zuiderdam was sold out for two months before sail date, and verandah's were gone well past that.

[fatcat04]

a problem with being bumped off? (we are not in the U.S and so can't really afford to be bumped).

I just checked the 5/12 sailing roll call and one poster has been bumped up to a June sailing due to them over booking 100 cabins. :eek: He did apparently get an upgrade, $200 on board credit, and $100 to pay for airline ticket changes though so at least they are taking care of him.

Does make me a bit nervous though as I just purchased mom and dad's airline tickets and we are finalizing all their plans.

[island lady]

I am on the "O" for the 5/26, and it has been booked for several weeks.

Though just a little over a month ago, there were many open cabins.
They suddenly went from many cabins open, to sold out within a few days.

They must have had one heck of a fire sale!! :eek:

I think I missed out on a real deal by booking months in advance...then again, perhaps not..as I got a chance to pick my own cabin and location.
Win some..lose some.

Cheers! :)

[LEtue]

I am on the "O" for the 5/26, and it has been booked for several weeks.

Though just a little over a month ago, there were many open cabins.
They suddenly went from many cabins open, to sold out within a few days.

They must have had one heck of a fire sale!! :eek:

I think I missed out on a real deal by booking months in advance...then again, perhaps not..as I got a chance to pick my own cabin and location.
Win some..lose some.

Cheers! :)

It was a fire sale and I got in on it :D However, my cabin location is unknown and yours is awesome! I actually almost waited too long because the cabins were literally gone within a couple of days.....

[hammybee]

It looks to be that both the Oosterdam and Noordam are sold out, and perhaps over sold, for May.To the very best of my knowledge, no cruise line "bumps" pax when they are overbooked. Instead, they ask for volunteers and the longer it takes to obtain an adequate number of volunteers, the better the compensation becomes. Rita ( Kyros) has a story about the incredible offers that were made on one of her 30 day voyages.

I suspect the OP is not going to be asked if he/she is willing to volunteer, given flights are not domestic and it will cost HAL more to make them whole and to make it worth their while.

[hammybee]

I just checked the 5/12 sailing roll call and one poster has been bumped up to a June sailing due to them over booking 100 cabins. :eek: He did apparently get an upgrade, $200 on board credit, and $100 to pay for airline ticket changes though so at least they are taking care of him.

Does make me a bit nervous though as I just purchased mom and dad's airline tickets and we are finalizing all their plans.

Please see my related post relative to overbooking and put your mind at ease. It is completely voluntary and up to HAL to find the "sweet spot" that will motivate pax to sail a different time.

[Alaskita]

Thanks for all your replies, it all makes sense really. Hopefully they wouldn't bump us or ask us to change when they see we are not from the U.S. we leave the U.S. on 16 May so probably only the 9 May cruise would be another option and that would be cutting it fine.

It's getting close now and of course I'm just looking for things to worry about :p . I've never been to The States before so am nervous/excited everything!!

[fatcat04]

It's getting close now and of course I'm just looking for things to worry about :p . I've never been to The States before so am nervous/excited everything!!

Well, I just know you will have a lovely time. And it looks like you will be doing some more sight seeing after your cruise. That is great!! Enjoy and happy cruising :)

[SakeDad]

Hmmm....I booked the May 20 Noordam SS GTY which has not been assigned yet. All of the cabins above VA showed sold out a few weeks ago. Wonder if that is why it hasn't been assigned yet? I can wait, adds to the excitement.:D

[island lady]

It was a fire sale and I got in on it :D However, my cabin location is unknown and yours is awesome! I actually almost waited too long because the cabins were literally gone within a couple of days.....

I am also happy that you were able to make it aboard!

And of course I am excited to hear about that great upgrade and location I know you will get! :D

Cheers! :)

[Nghthawke]

If I am not mistaken, all the Oosterdam May sailing are completely booked and have been for a little while now. My mom and dad's 5/12 cruise has been booked up for a solid month. I think HAL just offered up some great deals and folks snatched 'em up. I know we did :)
So did we!!