"Special Mariner Society Offers"

[Sunviking]

Yesterday I received a flyer from HAL re: Hawaii cruises on the Statendam. I've been keeping my eye on the price of this cruise because we are booked on the Island Princess doing the same itinerary and we would consider changing to HAL if the price was right because we have enjoyed our cruises w/them. The "Special Offers" were the same prices which have been available on some of the big web based TAs since I began looking at & comparing prices. Additionally, what was listed as a Verandah suite turns out to be the lowest category of balcony cabin. When did HAL begin calling balcony cabins Verandah suites? Maybe the rest of you feel differently, but if something is proclaimed to be a special offer I think it really should be. Maybe other cruise lines do the same thing. I haven't actually followed pricing before because we had never booked a cruise that was available in almost identical form w/i the same few days on 2 lines. I'll pay closer attention to these offers from now on if they are on cruises that we're considering booking.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Last November we noticed that when the new brochures came out, the balcony cabins (A and B then) had a name change - verandah suites - S became delux verandah suite and PS stayed the same penthouse suite.

This caused a lot of confusion at the beginning as some people who were not in an S or PS category cabin thought they were entitled to use the Neptune Lounge.

We have never seen any price difference between what is posted on the various websites and the mail you get from HAL indicating special pricing for mariners.

[garydm]

I did another post this week after receiving the same Hawaii brochure in the mail. This followed receipt the previous day of another HAL offer for the same cruise to Hawaii. The price on the first one was about $500 less per person than that quoted in the second brochure. When I called HAL they advised me that Promo 22 (in brochure #1) does not exist, but Promo 200 (in brochure #2) does exist but it is the at the higher price. In any event, we booked the trip through our travel agent with an assigned cabin for about $300 pp less than the "Mariner Special" for a guarantee. And, he threw in an all day tour and $100 pp SBC.

Gary

[kruzkeen]

Last November we noticed that when the new brochures came out, the balcony cabins (A and B then) had a name change - verandah suites - S became delux verandah suite and PS stayed the same penthouse suite

KK: I agree with you, this name change can be confusing.

An A or B is a nice stateroom with a balcony. I thought referring to them as Mini Suites was a bit of an exaggeration.

[1cruiselvr]

I think the name change came at the same time they 'Princess-ized' the categories, turning Bs into BCs, BBs, Bs based upon location. As for noticing the online websites have the same pricing - HAL offered the same promo to them as well as average joe. We were booked in Princess but switched to HAL when we got the sale. We enjoy HAL more and love the Statendam's size. Happy Sailing!