Terrific HAL transatlantic deal

[barante]

Just got an outstanding offer from HAL for a 25-day westbound transatlantic visiting Venice, Dubrovnik, Civitavecchia, Messina, Malta, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Valencia, Cadiz, Lisbon, Casablanca, Dakar, Recife, Salvador, Rio. Cheapest inside, air included from selected East Coast cities, goes for $2,299; balcony for $4,999! Departure date is Oct. 22; the ship is the Rotterdam.
We can't do this -- but have booked an 18-day westbound from Venice to Fort Lauderdale on the Emerald Princes. Perhaps some other CC mnembers will be interested in this incredible voyage.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That does sound like a great deal. Thanks for posting it here.

[bobmagg]

I am curious as to how you got the offer from HAL. By email? Phone?

[barante]

We first got the offer in a flyer, which I threw away because we already have the Emerald Princess booked for 2008. Overnight it came in an email form from HAL.
Incidentally, the free air offer covers Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville, New York, Newark, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond or Washington, D.C.
We really want to do Brazil next.
Ours is a special case. My wife hasn't flown since 1988, when we returned from a five-year assignment in Moscow. We have an RCI cheapo cruise booked for January and that will be the test of her determination to fly.
Optimally, I'd like to find a cruise that would include South Africa (where I also used to work) and Brazilian destinations.

[bobmagg]

Thanks for the info.

While we can't do the cruise either, the offer was really a good deal. I have never heard of HAL offering free air.

I will have to contact HAL to get on their email notification list. Thanks again for posting.

Bob

[hammybee]

Last year a few of the inside cabins went for less than $1,000 p/p (about $67/ a day) for a 15 day sail. Airfare was in addition to this. It was a hosted Mariner special at that time.

That this one is a 25 day sail, and includes air, makes it almost unbelievable, especially this far in advance of final payment date. This is about $50 a day, per person when you subtract the cost of air.

I too am curious where the offer came from and the offer ID #.

[barante]

Here's the scoop.
The HAL offer gave the following reply-to address:
hollandamerica.W4TH051E645B6B05B9F931C99F70@email. hollandamerica.com
I forgot to mention that this voyage can be bought either as a full 25-day trip or as a 15-day trip from Lisbon to Rio. Cruise/air for this latter leg starts at $1,699 inside, $2,699 for balcony and $4,999 for verandah suite.
I presume the Venice-Libson leg can be bought separately as well, but I have no information about that.

[RevNeal]

I sure wish I had the time ... but I'll be aboard the Volendam early in November ... so not this time.

[Jemima]

My e-mail on this was not the same as OP's. His listed eastern US cities, while mine listed western. Also I can't find prices close to this at the HAL site. The e-flyer prices are usually the same as the website except for added taxes. I made allowance for taxes, used mariner number, and marked it non-refundable since that's part of the deal. Price still was way lower than the website's prices. We're not interested as we just did a transatlantic.

[barante]

I have no idea as to how these things are marketed. Both the flyer and email came in the name of my wife only (so I guess they know who makes the decisions in our family).
We just took our first HAL cruise in March. The Noordam was incredible. I see that the Rotterdam gets mixed reviews.

[Jemima]

We've been on the Rotterdam twice. She's our favorite ship. Many of the transatlantics end up having very good prices. The reverse of the one in the flyer (Venice to Rio) seemed to fill up slowly in the spring and prices kept going down. Our Tampa to Venice t/a also had good prices, though not that good.
The only HAL transatlantics that seem to stay high are the ones that do the very northern route to Greenland, Iceland, then on to Europe. We did that one way on the Rotterdam 3 years ago and it still remains our favorite cruise.

[newfarmers]

We've been on the Rotterdam twice. She's our favorite ship. Many of the transatlantics end up having very good prices. The reverse of the one in the flyer (Venice to Rio) seemed to fill up slowly in the spring and prices kept going down. Our Tampa to Venice t/a also had good prices, though not that good.
The only HAL transatlantics that seem to stay high are the ones that do the very northern route to Greenland, Iceland, then on to Europe. We did that one way on the Rotterdam 3 years ago and it still remains our favorite cruise.


The price for the cruise itself hasn't changed (maybe a few dollars) since we booked back in Feb. We've managed our own free air to Rome from Oz (on points). Flights from Brazil to Oz are expensive though - USD1400 each. What a great deal for you guys in the states.

I'ts looking like we'll be on a ghost ship, every category still available from the lowest inside to the two penthouses and now only five months out. Service will be fantastic!!! The few of us going will have staff fighting over us:D

[RuthC]

I'm salivating and my little heart is going pitty-pat just reading this! Oh, if only I didn't have my heart also set (and $$$ down) on a fabulous cruise just two short months later. One I am not about to give up.

So many cruises---so little time (and money ;) ).

[kryos]

I'm salivating and my little heart is going pitty-pat just reading this! Oh, if only I didn't have my heart also set (and $$$ down) on a fabulous cruise just two short months later. One I am not about to give up.

So many cruises---so little time (and money ;) ).
If the price keeps coming down, Ruth, you just might be able to swing both. Why not? You're retired, right? So, time shouldn't be an issue.

I only wish I was retired and could take advantage of some of these great deals. :( Work always seems to get in the way of my good times. :(

Blue skies ...

--rita

[babyher]

That is an excellent price and a fantastic itinerary.

We will actually be on a cruise when this one departs.