Double Deposit for Back-to-Back Cruises

[Roz]

I'm considering back-to-back cruises next year - 2 consecutive 7-day cruises. Suppose the deposit for 1 cruise is $500. Will HAL want $1,000 if I book both of them together?

Any information from those in the know would be appreciated.

Roz

[sail7seas]

Yes....... With our many back-to-back cruises with HAL (and twice in the past with other cruise line), we have always placed a deposit for each person, each segment. In our case, two cruises x 2 people = 4 deposits.

We ALWAYS insist we get two confirmation numbers and each cruise be booked independently though we are always in the same cabin for both segments. The reason we do that is if for some reason we have to cancel one segment, we would still have the option of going on the other.

All of our b-t-b's have been cruises which had to special offering about combining them.

[kakalina]

It depends. Normally we have to put down two deposits, however, when they market two seperate cruises as a b2b " special" as in the Caribbean Sunfarer specials you need just a single deposit.

Sorry Sails we posted at the same time

[innlady1]

Yes....... With our many back-to-back cruises with HAL (and twice in the past with other cruise line), we have always placed a deposit for each person, each segment. In our case, two cruises x 2 people = 4 deposits.

We ALWAYS insist we get two confirmation numbers and each cruise be booked independently though we are always in the same cabin for both segments. The reason we do that is if for some reason we have to cancel one segment, we would still have the option of going on the other.

All of our b-t-b's have been cruises which had to special offering about combining them.


That's a really good idea, S7S. Do you get mailings or emails with special offers of doing back to backs?

[Roz]

Thanks Sail and Kakalina. I especially like the tip about getting 2 separate confirmation numbers...makes sense, but not something I would have necessarily thought of. Aren't these boards great?

Next year the Westerdam is doing Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean 7-day sailings. HAL has a couple of 14 day combos with the Eastern and Western itineraries, but I want to do Southern and Eastern (don't care for Western), so that means a double deposit.

Thanks again for the useful information.

Roz

[localady]

We ALWAYS insist we get two confirmation numbers and each cruise be booked independently though we are always in the same cabin for both segments. The reason we do that is if for some reason we have to cancel one segment, we would still have the option of going on the other.


S7S-Excellent information and something that all need to consider when booking a back to back. I really had to insist on 2 different numbers as they usually want to give you one number for their ease.:rolleyes:

Roz- I look at it this way, if I have to put down a larger deposit it means there is LESS to pay at final payment time! (Yes the cup is half full!:D )

[sail7seas]

Sheila..... We have never gotten any special offer or discount for booking back-to-back. No special consideration for booking more than one segment.

Kakalina...... I have heard of those few combination cruises they offer but we have never yet been able to take advantage of them. The few they offer are usually ten days each and DH is not retired yet so cannot be out of his office for twenty days plus whatever pre and/or post cruise days we would be away. Maybe someday. :)

Roz...... We have done a great many alternating Eastern/Western itineraries through the years and love them. We prefer Eastern to Western but still enjoy combining the two. What is best is when each segment includes HMC and we get two changes to spend a day at that little slice of heaven.

Menus and entertainment repeat and that doesn't bother us at all. We get to order a special dish we enjoy twice or get to try something different the second week that we had been debating about the first week. We don't often attend the shows so that is no factor for us.

Hope you love your b-to-b as much as we do.

[sail7seas]

Localady....... I think the way you do. When we have to pay more deposit, I figure it is merely less we will have to pay later. :) :D

[Roz]

Localady, I agree...I would rather pay on the front end. Having to put a bigger deposit down doesn't bother me at all.

Sail, Westerdam's southern itineraries also include HMC, so I would get to go there twice whether I combined it with eastern or western.

Roz

[Joanandjoe]

We've had one B2B, on what was then a sister line of HAL, Windstar. That was a two week deal, and we would have had to to put down one deposit. Because we booked just under 90 days before the cruise, we paid in full when we booked.

We had only one confirmation number, but that was no problem: there was no way we would do just one (Nice to Barcelona or Barcelona to Lisbon) without doing both. The cost for the two legs in 2004 (about $2,900 per person, including air, air deviation fee, taxes, and fees) was less than Windstar now charges for either leg.

If we were doing two consecutive cruises from the same port, we would definiately get two confimation numbers, just in case.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of NOT having to do disembarkation at the end of the first segment. In our case, we were even able to have lunch on the ship, before the new passengers could board.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have also booked quite a few back-to-back cruises.

Deposits are necessary for each cruise.

We also always get separate booking numbers.

On many of our back-to-back cruises the menus are the same but they may not be in the same order.

[Jen&Joe]

We are doing B2B cruises this month and had to pay deposits on each week. We also didn't get any special deal for doing a B2B because we are not staying on the same ship. We are doing one week on the Westerdam and then one week on the Veendam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are doing B2B cruises this month and had to pay deposits on each week. We also didn't get any special deal for doing a B2B because we are not staying on the same ship. We are doing one week on the Westerdam and then one week on the Veendam.

A couple of times we have thought about doing what you are doing.

But the thought of having to pack everything, going through immigration, hauling all the luggage to the next ship, going through embarkation again and then having to wait several hours for the luggage to arrive (again) and unpacking again -- that turned us off.

Can't wait to see how you make out.

Please write a report.

[Kamloops50]

I'm considering back-to-back cruises next year - 2 consecutive 7-day cruises. Suppose the deposit for 1 cruise is $500. Will HAL want $1,000 if I book both of them together?

Any information from those in the know would be appreciated.

Roz

We booked a B2B for Alaska next Aug and only one deposit was required.

The cruise was being sold as a 14 day NB/SB in one package.:cool:

[sail7seas]

It seems HAL is encouraging people to book b-to-b's more than they ever have in the past. They almost never had these combination offers and people are mentioning some for the Caribbean and here for Alaska. I think it's great. Hope we get to take advantage of one of those type b-to-b's.

We now are sure to see the Future Cruise Consultant when on the ships and put deposits for 'to be determined future booking' and only have to pay $100 pp per cruise now for deposit. Even for our usual b-to-b bookings, we only have to pay $400 deposit if we are sure to get those future booking deposit numbers during our cruises.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I would still rather book the cruises separately - that way you get shipboard credit for both cruises.

[sail7seas]

Also.....if you have to cancel one segment, you still have the option of sailing the other segment. With one booking, you'd have to cancel your whole trip.

It has never happened to us that we had to cancel any cruise after we made final payment but it certainly could at any time.

[RuthC]

I would still rather book the cruises separately - that way you get shipboard credit for both cruises.
I checked that method out on my Voyage of the Vikings cruise one year, and it didn't work out well that way financially.
If I purchased it as one long cruise it was a much lower price than if I booked it as two separate segments. The OBC didn't come close to making up for the increased price.

It's always better to check it both ways before committing.

[sail7seas]

That's always true with all bookings. Good advice, Ruth.

Check all combinations and alternatives. The obvious method may not work out to be the soundest financially.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I checked that method out on my Voyage of the Vikings cruise one year, and it didn't work out well that way financially.
If I purchased it as one long cruise it was a much lower price than if I booked it as two separate segments. The OBC didn't come close to making up for the increased price.

It's always better to check it both ways before committing.

So are you saying that you got a discount?

I have checked our back-to-back cruises and there wasn't any price saving by booking them as one cruise.

Also we are able to use AMEX Plat shipboard credit on one cruise and Carnival on the other cruise. So far have never been able to combine the two for the same cruise.

[sail7seas]

Can be tricky trying to use all available sources of shipboard credits on one cruise let along on b-to-b's.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just like the new rule that any shipboard credit that we get while booking on the ship can be combined with AMEX and Carbival.

[sail7seas]

Yes..... I agree. :)

[RuthC]

So are you saying that you got a discount?
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Sometimes two cruises are combined and sold as a choice of either/or shorter, or one longer. When done that way the longer cruise is a discounted price compared to the other two added together. When done that way it can be worth it to forego some OBC for the lower total price.

Sometimes it works---sometimes it doesn't.

[Mary Ellen]

We've had the same experience as Ruth (re: this discussion). Our 'Dazzling Debut' on the E'dam next summer for 20-days was less $$ than booking the two 10-day cruises seperately - also only one deposit (not that that mattered). Also, our TA called yesterday with a new price on the 3-day 'prelude' portion (HAL had called him with the offer). It was much less than HAL has on the website - but only for those who are booked on the 5 July sailing. We've decided against it, we'll have 'our' party in Copenhagen with Ruth and Adele.

The savings may depend upon if HAL is also marketing the b2b as a cruise on its own such as the 'Dazzling Debut' or Ruth's 'Voyage of the Vikings'.

[sail7seas]

That is exactly what it depends upon, Mary Ellen, IMO.

They seem to be doing more of that kind of marketing.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Sometimes two cruises are combined and sold as a choice of either/or shorter, or one longer. When done that way the longer cruise is a discounted price compared to the other two added together. When done that way it can be worth it to forego some OBC for the lower total price.

Sometimes it works---sometimes it doesn't.

We have booked quite a few back-to-back cruises over the years -- no discounts. We even compared these new deals 2 ten day cruises verses one 20 day cruise -- at most there was only a $100 difference for Suites -- really not worth it.

Much prefer all the shipboard credit that we can get.

[serendipity1499]

We have booked quite a few back-to-back cruises over the years -- no discounts. We even compared these new deals 2 ten day cruises verses one 20 day cruise -- at most there was only a $100 difference for Suites -- really not worth it.

Much prefer all the shipboard credit that we can get.

Ruth is absolutely correct..It actually depends on what HAL is trying to sell..

Looking at HAL's Mariner Early Advantage 2008 Brochure for the 17 to 35 day Voyage of the Vikings..

The starting price for outside cabin's for the 17 day portion Boston to Rotterdam is $4249 & $4399 for the 18 day portion Rotterdam to Boston..Total $8648..

However the entire Boston to Boston 35 day cruise is starting at $7799 for an outside.. Isn't a difference of $849 better than any OBC you can come up with? ;)

:) Betty

[Krazy Kruizers]

Depending on the length of the cruise, suite passengers can get up to $100 per person, $150 per person Amex Plat and sometimes HAL will allow Carnival to be combined (it's happening on a couple of our future cruises) another $150 per person.

On our 23 day cruise coming up in Nov we are getting $150 per person AMEX, $150 per person shipboard credit from HAL and $125 per person through Carnival - can't beat that!!

[serendipity1499]

:) Depending on the length of the cruise, suite passengers can get up to $100 per person, $150 per person Amex Plat and sometimes HAL will allow Carnival to be combined (it's happening on a couple of our future cruises) another $150 per person.

On our 23 day cruise coming up in Nov we are getting $150 per person AMEX, $150 per person shipboard credit from HAL and $125 per person through Carnival - can't beat that!!

You have to be kidding! Of course I can beat that! I quoted from a HAL brochure & did beat that twice over for an outside cabin, & will beat it 4 times better for a suite!

Your figures amount to $425 per person... Since when can $425 per person in shipboard credits beat $849 per person in a fare savings for an outside cabin?

Now lets look at the same HAL brochure & compare Verandah Suite prices..

Boston to Rotterdam 17 day starts at $6949 & Rotterdam to Boston 18 day is $7299..That Totals $14,288..The same brochure quotes a price for the entire 35 day (B2B) at $12,699..Now that's a savings of $1549..

Deluxe verandah suite savings are $2349 per person...

Do you still believe your 3 shipboard credits totaling $425 per person beats a lower price fare savings of $1549 or $2349 per person?

Also check the same brochure on the Tri-Continent Sojourn of either 16 days, 12 days or 28 days & the Med. Collectors Voyage 17 day, 7 day or 24 day...More very large savings for those itineraries..Also B2B quotes..

I still stand by my previous post, Ruth C is correct...It depends on what HAL is trying to sell at the time..:) Betty

[senator6]

I was looking at a 20 day back to back on the Noordam for November of 2008, Seafarer and Wayfarer. The price for an SY cabin was $ 399 less per person than if you booked two separate cruises. Don't know how that would compare in terms of shipboard credit for the Amex. In terms of shareholders credit we would get a total of $200 for two ten days and $250 for a cruise longer than 14 days. Seems like a pretty good deal to me, don't think we have ever received any "discount" on other back to backs.

[sail7seas]

We are booked for Maasdam back-to-backs Boston to Montreal to Boston again for next year. That seems like a logical one to offer 14 day or in segments but there is no special discount (and never has been) for booking the roundtrip. The itinerary repeats in reverse order so maybe they think not many people want to do it twice. Here we are people who have done the b-to-b's repeatedly. :) I'll keep looking for special savings for our back-to-backs but we've never gotten any extra discount yet....not in the Caribbean or Canada/New England.

[Krazy Kruizers]

And we have never gotten any discounts for our Mexican/Sea of Cortez or our Alaskan back-to-back cruises.

[sail7seas]

KK .....

Hopefully, it's a new marketing tool we will be able to take advantage of in the future. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I hope so!!

[Jade13]

We are booked for Maasdam back-to-backs Boston to Montreal to Boston again for next year. That seems like a logical one to offer 14 day or in segments but there is no special discount (and never has been) for booking the roundtrip. The itinerary repeats in reverse order so maybe they think not many people want to do it twice. Here we are people who have done the b-to-b's repeatedly. :) I'll keep looking for special savings for our back-to-backs but we've never gotten any extra discount yet....not in the Caribbean or Canada/New England.



I really think HAL should give you and others that book that many cruises per year a discount, especially on these btb's.

I understand HAL is in business to make a profit, but we are not talking about cheap Carribean $399 cruises. I was surprised that a roundtrip to Boston (or Alaska roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver) would not be discounted. I think the answer is that the ships are full so HAL does not need to make a special offer.

[sail7seas]

....And we need to consider that Suites sell out just about first on the ship. It is usually the least costly and the most costly cabins that are the first to be sold.

Not that I would refuse any additional discount they might like to offer. :D