suites

[parrott1010]

I wanted to make a reservation for a cruise to Alaska with Holland was looking for a suite. Was looking at July 2005. I only want cruise no land tour. My agent called me back and said Holland is holding all there suites for cruise/land tours. Has anyone else heard of that?

[Starr Mtn]

I wanted to make a reservation for a cruise to Alaska with Holland was looking for a suite. Was looking at July 2005. I only want cruise no land tour. My agent called me back and said Holland is holding all there suites for cruise/land tours. Has anyone else heard of that?

I've never heard of such a thing! We cruised to Alaska on HAL in a suite
earlier this year (no land tour) and are booked for the same in 2005.

[sail7seas]

I have never heard of Holland America booking Suites only for people doing land tours in conjunction with their cruise.

Is it possible your TA is looking for a bit higher commission by trying to 'encourage' you to also book a land tour? Do you know this TA very well?

You certainly could/should call HAL and inquire if this is true.

[dakrewser]

I wanted to make a reservation for a cruise to Alaska with Holland was looking for a suite. Was looking at July 2005. I only want cruise no land tour. My agent called me back and said Holland is holding all there suites for cruise/land tours. Has anyone else heard of that?
Your TA appears to be talking through his/her hat! I just tried and I can book PS and S suites, as wellas A & B "mini-suites" on any of the July Volendam sailings as well as the Zaandam, Ryndam, Oosterdam and Amsterdam. There are fewer offerings on the Statendam and Veendam.

Perhaps your TA wants to sell you on a different cruise line....

[Krazy Kruizers]

Find a new TA!!!

A couple of years ago we went from Seward to Vancouver - no land tour - in a suite.

Last summer we did back-to-backs - no land tour - in a suite.

[Candy]

You may be using an agent who sells only the blocks of cabins his/her agency owns. If that's the case, try another agent or book through HAL directly.

[sail7seas]

You need for this TA to do a little explaining........

and IMO, you then need to get a new TA.

[jhannah]

I agree. This sounds like one unscrupulous travel agent.

[bobolink]

Hi, I am new as of today. I have also posted on AK board. Haven't contacted a TA yet, but was planning to do so on Tuesday after Labor Day. I, too, was hoping to book a suite on July HAL AK southbound cruise on Ryndam. According to HAL and AAA websites, all balcony and suites are unavailable after the earliest June cruise. Not taking sides with the possibly unscrupulousTA, but I thought this was really odd.

Any advice?
Barbara

[petermccue]

Well, HAL hasn't released it's tour schedules yet, so it's possible they are holding some suites and cabins until that is released.

We're in the opposite position, we want to book a tour and can't yet.

V

[jhannah]

According to HAL and AAA websites, all balcony and suites are unavailable after the earliest June cruise.I don't think this is unusual. Alaska is a very popular destination. (Just look at how many ships sail up there in summer.) Many people book a year in advance due to narrow vacation windows. Plus, the early June cruises are right after most schools are out ... so it's "off and running" for summertime travel. It could well be that the verandas and suites are already sold. These cabin categories are especially to be desired in Alaska.

[bobolink]

Thanks, my inexperience speaking, I was a little surprised that they all were booked for most of June and all of July. Just commenting as it related to the original poster's experience with a TA who said that HAL was holding them for cruisetours only.

[dakrewser]

Hi, I am new as of today. I have also posted on AK board. Haven't contacted a TA yet, but was planning to do so on Tuesday after Labor Day. I, too, was hoping to book a suite on July HAL AK southbound cruise on Ryndam. According to HAL and AAA websites, all balcony and suites are unavailable after the earliest June cruise. Barbara
According to Aadvantage cruises, the July 17 suites are sold out, but there's availability on the 3rd and 31st. Remember that the Ryndam has only a handful of suites/verandahs (149 compared to, say, the 197 on the Volendam/Veendam or the over 600 on the Vista-class ships). Verandahs are more prized for Alaska itineraries than almost any other, and many long-time HAL cruisers prefer the smaller ships (and book a year or two in advance!).

Consider either Volendam or Veendam for a better selection...

[bobolink]

Thanks, Dakrewser, for checking on this. Will check it out.

Bobolink

[dakrewser]

Thanks, Dakrewser, for checking on this. Will check it out.

Bobolink
Good luck and, hopefully, Bon Voyage!

-dave