View Full Version : Called HAL for an upgrade!
schoolinmy3
May 13th, 2008, 12:57 PM
Being this is my first cruise, I generally have no idea what I'm doing! Anyway, my husband and I originally booked a VC last fall for the August 24th on the Westerdam to Alaska. We've been kicking around the idea of trying to go for a suite. I decided to call HAL today and see what I could do. We were able to book a guarantee SZ for only $20 per person more than our original price! We don't have a room assignment so I hope this is a good deal for us. :) It included a night's stay at the Fairmont Olympic and a transfer.:p And we escaped the fuel supplement!
diane
dillonsmom
May 13th, 2008, 01:17 PM
Being this is my first cruise, I generally have no idea what I'm doing! Anyway, my husband and I originally booked a VC last fall for the August 24th on the Westerdam to Alaska. We've been kicking around the idea of trying to go for a suite. I decided to call HAL today and see what I could do. We were able to book a guarantee SZ for only $20 per person more than our original price! We don't have a room assignment so I hope this is a good deal for us. :) It included a night's stay at the Fairmont Olympic and a transfer.:p And we escaped the fuel supplement!
diane
WOW!! That's great!!! I always sail in a suite. But since the economy sucks and we just put in a pool this year, I booked us in a balcony for a January 2009 Caribbean cruise. BUT I've been kicking around the idea of calling HAL for an upgrade sell/buy to a suite. Thanks for the post! :D
Crusing Bob
May 13th, 2008, 01:23 PM
You made a Great Deal as Howie Mandel would say!
Especially throwing in the hotel and transfers which is a lot of money.
annie2
May 13th, 2008, 01:31 PM
We are booked with an sz guarantee for May 31 to Alaska. I have had an superior suite before and loved it! Good move!
CAcruiser2
May 13th, 2008, 01:32 PM
That's great. Can you tell me if you originally booked directly with HAL? Thanks
Mary Ellen
May 13th, 2008, 01:46 PM
Excellent price for that upgrade!
LAFFNVEGAS
May 13th, 2008, 01:50 PM
I will also say you did Excellent...Congratulations. That category will probably land you an SY or SS but that cabin is great. Who knows you may even get a call asking if you would like to spend a bit more and go to a full suite as your sailing date gets much closer:) But at any rate enjoy that is fantastic.
schoolinmy3
May 13th, 2008, 02:30 PM
Glad that it seems like it was a good deal. Yes, I did book directly with HAL. I used Diane Chopot (same first name as mine so it's easy to remember). Apparently there is a promotion currently because she could have also given me a reduction on the fare I had already purchased. But I couldn't pass up the upgrade for only $20 per person plus the hotel and transfer. Fortunately I was able to keep the same booking number, didn't have to rebook my excursion and no fuel supplement!
diane
dlbaqua
May 13th, 2008, 02:51 PM
that is a great deal!
cincitravelers
May 16th, 2008, 12:34 PM
Did you call the general 800 number? What number did you call? If so, is Diane Chopot in Customer Service? I have a cruise booked in July and I noticed that the price has come down $150 since I booked it. When my booking agent (Crucon) called HAL, all they would offer us is an outside cabin with an obstructed view and take away my $200 room credit!
lazey1
May 16th, 2008, 01:00 PM
Diane's business card shows her title as Personal Cruise Consultant. Her tel # is 800-355-3017 ext 4441. Her email is dchopot@hollandamerica.com
1cruiselvr
May 16th, 2008, 04:47 PM
If you booked thru a travel agent, I believe HAL will not discuss pricing or reductions with you, only your TA. Happy Sailing!
jjw1026
May 17th, 2008, 02:16 PM
We are booked for late Nov and when we saw on-line that our cruise had been reduced by $200, we called out TA to inquire and upon her looking up our reservation discovered that HAL had upgraded our room without letting anyone know and she also indicated that our orginal room was no longer available.. When we booked, we had specifically asked for the room we had. They upgraded us (the room is a little more in the middle). No credit, just a better room. Of course it would have been nice to maybe ask, but we aren't complaining.
1cruiselvr
May 18th, 2008, 01:13 PM
You may have asked your TA to book that specific cabin, but if she didn't mark your booking as do not upgrade, then HAL can change your cabin/category without your permission. If a pax is very attached to a specific cabin, it's important to instruct your TA to mark your booking as do not upgrade otherwise, this is what can happen. Happy Sailing!