You show me yours...i`ll show you mine...

[joanagain]

breaking the first cruise commandment..WHAT DID YOU PAY?

i saw this on celebrity, (i think)... taken from carnival thread...i wonder how many are courageous enough to see how their "good deal" fares with others of the same category...come on, tell us ;)
remember, state which damm ship, length of cruise, and cabin category in your total payment.
any takers?

[Esme]

Why don't you start first.!

[joanagain]

:) i see this is a case of "after you"...i considered that there would be more readers than posters...

i just did not want to brag, but i will be sailing out of jacksonville on 3 november on the Final voyage of the Noordam...that`s right, the same ship that i complained so highly about in my first post in 2000...but it hooked me on cruising (and had to be listed as my favorite ship, considering it was my first and only cruise at the time.) ...i think that we got an inside cabin doing the mediterraean for $1200 each, then.

Next month, on november 3, we will be sailing to the med again, in cat BB, for 11 days...and we are paying $1,118 each, that is $2372 for the cabin...(i love our TA).

Esme, your turn ;) ...

[merryecho]

Just checked a popular online discounter. Today they show a 10 day cruise on the Volendam Nov 6 for $869 (plus taxes etc.).

[HeatherInFlorida]

Joanagain, I think you got a terrific price for that category for 11 days!

But I'm wondering why it would bother anyone to say what they paid? I've never been private about things like that. We are sailing on the Oosterdam 11/7/04 for 7 days in our requested cabin # which is a BA (Verandah) category for $780 each. So the total cruise for 2 people came to $1560 including all taxes and fees which I was thrilled about. It comes out to about $111 per day per person and if we ate all 3 meals out every day I don't think we would do much better than that so I consider the cruise portion free;) . Therefore, the more I eat the better "deal" I got:D

I am the best rationalizer out there for just about everything:p .

[Orcrone]

It comes out to about $111 per day per person and if we ate all 3 meals out every day I don't think we would do much better than that so I consider the cruise portion free;) . Therefore, the more I eat the better "deal" I got:D

I am the best rationalizer out there for just about everything:p .Heather,

With how much I eat, it's equivalent to 6 meals out every day. So I'm actually saving money by going on a cruise.:D

I guess you'll have to settle for second best rationalizer.:)

[Tatka]

Well..we sailed in August on Zuiderdam in Large inside Cabin and payed with taxes $1803 for three of us.(could've had 2060 for ocean view) with all taxes!

I consider it to be a great price as last summer we've paid around $960 pp for lowest ocean view on X Century.

[ekerr19]

I don't like to say how much we paid, but since we are on the same cruise as joanagain - we got the C - category, Outside Deluxe for a bit less... of course we booked back in January. :)

Considering she's in a B (I think it's a B, the Noordam does not have a "BB" category that I remember - it looks like we paid about the same).

We choose our specific C cabin for sentimental reasons. :)

The 11/3/04 sailing on Noordam is only 9 days however... 11/3/04 - 11/12/04.

[tankerjo2]

Really incredible rates when compared to what we were paying when we took our 1st HAL cruise in 92. Still can't help but wonder if cruising is destined to end up offering the same service levels that our airlines are offering today.

[ekerr19]

I still have the brochure for the 1984-1985 Innaugural season on the Noordam.

A 7-day Mexican Riviera, RT from LA in category B was $1930 per person in "value season" and $2030 in "peak season". Airfare from most gateway cities was included, however.

That would be $4060 for two people on a 7-day cruise! :eek:

[Orcrone]

I don't feel comfortable talking about what I paid. I feel like I'm either going to have people thinking they got ripped off, or I got ripped off.

I will however share that currently you could book an N guarantee inside, or an H guarantee outside (porthole) for the Maasdam 10 night eastern Caribbean out of Norfolk, VA for a little under $800 pp double occupancy. That includes port charges and taxes. That's only about $80 per day.

[Thatsright]

I found the most incredible price for an AA from a large online agency. It is by far the lowest I have seen - even since prices had gone down. BUT...I have paid a very high emotional cost because this company employs idiots as both reservationist and customer service agents. They screwed up my credit card charges, sent me three different invoices - all were different and none matched my credit card statement - and then they lost my docs! I finally got all this cleared up yesterday and I sail in a week. Just remember - you get what you pay for!

L

[cactuslady]

Really incredible rates when compared to what we were paying when we took our 1st HAL cruise in 92. Still can't help but wonder if cruising is destined to end up offering the same service levels that our airlines are offering today.
Can you imagine a 10-day cruise with no food except a bag of pretzels? And we all have to share the same bathroom and otherwise sit in the same deck chair the whole time. And we have to do the lifeboat drill before leaving each port. :p

[Orcrone]

I found the most incredible price for an AA from a large online agency. It is by far the lowest I have seen - even since prices had gone down. BUT...I have paid a very high emotional cost because this company employs idiots as both reservationist and customer service agents. They screwed up my credit card charges, sent me three different invoices - all were different and none matched my credit card statement - and then they lost my docs! I finally got all this cleared up yesterday and I sail in a week. Just remember - you get what you pay for!

LI understand your frustration. I would feel the same dealing with them. But there are a number of online agencies that provide good service also. I've booked three cruises with the online agency I use, and have received excellent pricing and good service from the same agent I have dealt with for all three cruises. So I wouldn't write them off just yet. Just try a different one.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I believe it's not so much "you get what you pay for" as you get what you know. I use an online agent because I have used them consistently 4 or 5 times and have never had anything but top notch service. The reason it works for us is that I like to do all my own research so basically all the agency has to do for me is make the booking and send my tickets. In 4 years, no problems. Any questions I have had between booking and sailing, they've addressed immediately.

But I would quickly agree, internet agents are not for everyone.
Still, when I booked my Celebrity cruise for next year the same price is quoted wherever you go now that the agents can't "play" with their commissions any longer (for Celebrity & RCI). I could have booked directly with Celebrity for the same price. But I chose to go with my agent because they have never let me down.

[jollycruiser]

Next 2 cruises:

Westerdam 7 day Carribean "S" suite - 1213pp

Oosterdam 7 day Mexican Reviera - "SS" suite - 840pp

Pretty good prices I thought!

[merryecho]

I too love my online agent. Better prices and services than the in person ta's I have tried.

[tomc]

When our neighbors asked, Mom would say, "I'm not sure; all the bills haven't arrived yet." End of conversation. They never got the hint and she'd always have to tell them the same thing.

[joanagain]

ekerr...you are right! ...thank you for doing the math...the dates you gave are 11/3-12, on the Noordam ...am i getting excieted :rolleyes: ..don`t let me handle the books.

as to not wanting to say what you paid...i noticed that i was really interested in what other people paid...i think we all like to think we got a good deal and would rather not have our bubble pricked...or...?

ocrone...$80 per day N inside guarantee on the maasdam, 10 days...
i like that :)
jollycruiser...i could do that: mexico 7 nights SS suite for $840 each...wow!...looking for those prices when i graduate to the sweet suite life.

[Orcrone]

ocrone...$80 per day N inside guarantee on the maasdam, 10 days...
i like that :)
Actually, it's the same price for an N (inside) or an H (outside porthole). We paid more money when we booked the cruise, but it was for an E outside.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I hope no one will misunderstand my question because I sincerely respect everyone's right to privacy where everything is concerned. I don't think anything is anyone's business unless that person wants to make it so. I'm just funny and have never been private about anything (except maybe politics, religion and sex;) ).

That said, I still believe in other people's privacy. But my question is this: What is the reason some people are uncomfortable mentioning the cost of a cruise? If someone here paid less than I did for the cabin next door to me on the same cruise I would say "good for you" and try to find out your TA's name!!!:D Certainly it wouldn't bother me.

Or is it simply that some people don't like to talk about price in general? I can certainly understand that except that, of course, we all know the "ballpark" price of the cruise in each category.

So honestly I don't mean to belabor it, it's truly my idle curiousity if anyone's in the mood to explain it. But we all know I'm nuts anyway! I come right out and say how old I am!!!!!:eek:

[x lindsay x]

AA Verandah on the Zuiderdam 7-days $475pp (before taxes).

We only got that rate because there will be 4 of us (all adults) sharing the cabin. Everyone in my party agrees that for what we are paying it is a better deal to get that room and share it than to get 2 inside rooms in it's stead.

[tomc]

Heather --

You're right about politics, religion and sex being private. I have never in my life talked about politics while having sex during a religious service. It's none of her business.

I think people might be reluctant because, in my mother's example, the neighbors probably would go, "Nyah, nyah, we can get it cheaper." I don't have all the options many of you do; it's gotta be one of two ports, has to fit certain tightly-controlled windows of opportunity and must be HAL. That doesn't leave me with too many options. There are reasons for all of those conditions. So I end up with, perhaps, only two or three possibilities in any given year and have to do the best I can with promotions. My goal is to get as close to $100/day as possible. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I don't.

[Orcrone]

We have one friend that cruised after 9/11 and got a ridiculously cheap fare. So if you happen to let her know what you paid (DW made that mistake last year) she'll have to tell you how ridiculous that price is. She'd never pay more than $299 for a 7 day cruise. She could have gotten it so much cheaper. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

OK I will play I don't mind, other than our October 2005 on the Oosterdam which I feel was a steal for a S Suite I don't think the other 3 were super cheap or that we paid too much.

The upcoming Ryndam 7 day Sea of Cortez was $1843 per per person for a S Suite that includes port fees and taxes.

Our Western Caribbean on the new Westerdam in March 2005 we chose a SS Suite and it was $1372 per person which includes taxes and port fees.

Our Maasdam New England going out of Boston next July we chose a BB catagory and we are paying $1420 per person with all fees.

Then our bargain was October 2005 on the Oosterdam we have a S Suite on the aft for $1100 per person that is before port charges and taxes forgot what that is. They still have some left at very close to this price on ***********

[dakrewser]

But I'm wondering why it would bother anyone to say what they paid?

Because it's crass to talk about price in public. Either you're perceived as the chubby guy in the bright plaid polyester pants with an open shirt (lot's of hair poking out) and an oddly colored "gold" chain who constantly wants to tell you what a deal he got, or else you give the impression of the jumped-up yuppy-wannabe who's out to impress with how much he overpaid. It's definitely a lose-lose situation. :(

-dave

[newcruiserdave]

There is nothing crass about talking about price on a forum such as this IF the purpose is to make each other smarter consumers, and help each other make the most of the vacation money they have to spend. That is indeed a worthy goal of a forum such as this. If the discussion is to impress or belittle, for example, then that is crass. There are a few discussions on CC that become crass. I think this one is in the name of better shopping. If you don't like it, don't read it.
I'd love to share, but haven't booked a HAL yet (am looking for spring) this info is valuable to me as I look around, Thanks

[shorton]

I'm sure there are many of us who would love to know who the good, reliable on-line companies are. ANy recommendations?

[gizmo]

Because it's crass to talk about price in public. Either you're perceived as the chubby guy in the bright plaid polyester pants with an open shirt (lot's of hair poking out) and an oddly colored "gold" chain who constantly wants to tell you what a deal he got, or else you give the impression of the jumped-up yuppy-wannabe who's out to impress with how much he overpaid. It's definitely a lose-lose situation. :(

-dave
Is that the same gold chain that beat the horse to death on the last dress code
debate?:D

[jhannah]

I'm sure there are many of us who would love to know who the good, reliable on-line companies are. ANy recommendations?I'm sure there are ... but Cruise Critic guidelines prohibit this.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hmmm....afraid I don't agree, either, with the "crass" part in this forum. And we're not really in public. I think talking about the price of anything can be crass or not depending on the manner in which it's being discussed.

But I do totally agree that there are people out there that can be soooo annoying when they've done something ONCE and, of course, done it for better and for cheaper than anyone else. I just felt that comparing prices on in this forum "is a good thing" (if I can say that with poor Martha incarcerated ... another taboo subject;) ).

I feel that because this is a place to gain knowledge about cruising, and there is no better knowledge than to be armed with information about the cost of cruising. Forewarned is forearmed and that's never more true than in the travel business. When you have a "general" idea of what the "per day" cost can be (depending on category of course), it can help enormously when pricing a cruise. A person just has to be very careful to realize that you can't expect to get an "S" cabin for the price someone paid for a "C" category.

Tomc ......... verrrrrrry cute!!!:rolleyes:

Gold chains .... another "no-no";)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hmmm....afraid I don't agree, either, with the "crass" part in this forum. And we're not really in public. I think talking about the price of anything can be crass or not depending on the manner in which it's being discussed.

But I do totally agree that there are people out there that can be soooo annoying when they've done something ONCE and, of course, done it for better and for cheaper than anyone else. I just felt that comparing prices on in this forum "is a good thing" (if I can say that with poor Martha incarcerated ... another taboo subject;) ).

I feel that because this is a place to gain knowledge about cruising, and there is no better knowledge than to be armed with information about the cost of cruising. Forewarned is forearmed and that's never more true than in the travel business. When you have a "general" idea of what the "per day" cost can be (depending on category of course), it can help enormously when pricing a cruise. A person just has to be very careful to realize that you can't expect to get an "S" cabin for the price someone paid for a "C" category.

Tomc ......... verrrrrrry cute!!!:rolleyes:

Gold chains .... another "no-no";)
Heather, I agree with you that comparing price can be a good thing. If someone was reading this and a member mentions a price they paid for a cruise that they are interested in and if the price made it so it peaked their interest then another cruise could be booked. I think it might be helpful to those who like to shop on the internet and get there prices. It then helps them to have a starting point high or low. I really don't feel it is a bragging thing instead more of a informative thing.
When I found that fantastic price on line for our S Suite on the Oosterdam I shared that information here and several jumped and also purchased the S Suite so we will have quite a few from CC joining us on that cruise. I think it will be fun with so many of us on the same cruise all in the S Suite.

[gliles]

We get interline rates so aren't allowed to say :(

[ekerr19]

ekerr...you are right! ...thank you for doing the math...the dates you gave are 11/3-12, on the Noordam ...am i getting excieted :rolleyes: ..don`t let me handle the books.

as to not wanting to say what you paid...i noticed that i was really interested in what other people paid...i think we all like to think we got a good deal and would rather not have our bubble pricked...or...?

joan- I don't mind saying what we paid - we paid just a bit less than you did - about $1,100 pp - but we are one catagory below you, I think. We also received $50pp shipboard credit for a promo I read about on these boards and $100 shipboard credit from our TA... oh, and a "gift of wine" which will be Sutter Home White Zinfandel, as it usually is. :)

Hope this answers the question - I didn't mean to be vague, but I am a bit reluctant (as are some others) as someone else will be bound to have "a better deal" than mine, and the less I know about that, the happier I can be with the price I paid. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

......... I didn't mean to be vague, but I am a bit reluctant (as are some others) as someone else will be bound to have "a better deal" than mine, and the less I know about that, the happier I can be with the price I paid. :)EKerr, absolutely! And I hope you didn't feel I was forcing the issue. I just wondered why. From what I've seen, most people on these boards are pretty savvy and getting very good prices...a few $$$ here or there doesn't really matter. But if I see an enormous discrepancy I'll know I'm booking with the wrong TA!!! But I certainly wasn't trying to get people to do anything they're uncomfortable with ... I sure hope you know that.

Lisa, I am wondering how many days your Oosterdam cruises are. I remember when you got that price for the Mexican Riviera and now that I've booked a 14 day from LA to Ft. Lauderdale in October 2005 I'm wishing I'd looked into that at the time. The nice part is the Summit dumps me practically at my front door.

I priced HAL for the same cruise and for a Verandah cabin it was a +$3000 or so ... forced me to go with Celebrity even though I was hoping for a smaller ship. But I've sailed Celebrity in the past and been extremely happy ... toss up for me between HAL and Celebrity (except for the burgers and the ice cream where HAL wins hands down:) ).

[ekerr19]

EKerr, absolutely! And I hope you didn't feel I was forcing the issue. I just wondered why. From what I've seen, most people on these boards are pretty savvy and getting very good prices...a few $$$ here or there doesn't really matter. But if I see an enormous discrepancy I'll know I'm booking with the wrong TA!!! But I certainly wasn't trying to get people to do anything they're uncomfortable with ... I sure hope you know that.
Heather-

I did not read your post that way at all - I thought joan was asking why I hadn't posted the price we paid. :)

I think, for the most part we do pretty well - I have used the same TA for so many years, I probably wouldn't switch just to save $20-$30 pp - she will normally always match any price we find and they make up for it in so many other ways - I am a HAPPY, therefore, loyal customer. :)

It might bother me to hear someone paid hundreds less than I, but I guess that's ok too. Some people have a tendency to round the price of things DOWN a bit, if you know what I mean. ;)

[dakrewser]

Is that the same gold chain that beat the horse to death on the last dress code
debate?:D
No, that was a "gold" chain....

:rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather-

..................Some people have a tendency to round the price of things DOWN a bit, if you know what I mean. ;)
Oh I sure do:D !!! So funny. I have a friend who does this constantly! Always getting the best "deal" on any shopping she ever does.

On the other hand, she always has to one-up me when I book a cruise. Just this week I told her I booked the Panama Canal cruise for Oct. 05. She immediately told me that they were going to book a cruise of the British Isles for the Spring and then they were also going to do the Panama Canal in the Fall.

This year as soon as we booked our Eastern Caribbean cruise for this November, she booked the same cruise in December. And of course she insists she will only cruise Princess because nothing else compares or even comes close:eek: and she always pays less than we do by just a few $$$.

Come to think of it, why is this woman my friend????!!!!:rolleyes:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa, I am wondering how many days your Oosterdam cruises are. I remember when you got that price for the Mexican Riviera and now that I've booked a 14 day from LA to Ft. Lauderdale in October 2005 I'm wishing I'd looked into that at the time. The nice part is the Summit dumps me practically at my front door.

Heather, it is a 7 day cruise. Luckily is is pretty close for us No cross Country flights, just a quick 50 minute flight. I would love to have done a B2B at that rice but cab't take that much time off work at one time:(

[ekerr19]

Oh I sure do:D !!! So funny. I have a friend who does this constantly! Always getting the best "deal" on any shopping she ever does.

On the other hand, she always has to one-up me when I book a cruise. Just this week I told her I booked the Panama Canal cruise for Oct. 05. She immediately told me that they were going to book a cruise of the British Isles for the Spring and then they were also going to do the Panama Canal in the Fall.

This year as soon as we booked our Eastern Caribbean cruise for this November, she booked the same cruise in December. And of course she insists she will only cruise Princess because nothing else compares or even comes close:eek: and she always pays less than we do by just a few $$$.

Come to think of it, why is this woman my friend????!!!!:rolleyes: Oh I hear you! I have a "friend" like that too! :eek: Wondering why she still is too...

I must admit to being somewhat guilty in the "rounding down" department if DH should happen to ask how much I paid for something... he doesn't normally ask - usually only when it is a large ticket item for one of the kids... boy, did I ever get the look when I "rounded down" the price of the last snowboard I bought for our son. :D

[michmike]

we beat HAL's website price by $300 per person for an upcoming cruise. If you want to e-mail me at tohoku@cablespeed.com I will share who we used. It is our first online agency booking and I have been well pleased with the service we have received.

[joanagain]

now you see, that is why i appreciate all the info i can get from these boards...thanks ekerr, for sharing that...
we spoke about these promos some time ago...i did not find a promo that was acceptable...and i was running out of numbers...my TA told me that the Noordam was not eligible for any credits...so, i just stopped looking.
actually, i was not addressing anyone in particular, just stating what i thought about this subject in general...as to being vague...i understand where you are coming from, and i think we all have a bit of that in us, but as Heather says, we respect each others privacy.

wow, now that is something, $100 from your TA...as much as i love my TA, i need to cruise more to rate a bono from them.

[sologrip]

breaking the first cruise commandment..WHAT DID YOU PAY?

i saw this on celebrity, (i think)... taken from carnival thread...i wonder how many are courageous enough to see how their "good deal" fares with others of the same category...come on, tell us ;)
remember, state which damm ship, length of cruise, and cabin category in your total payment.
any takers?

Doesn't matter for us...We pay 150 to 200% more than any other couple on these boards....Any cruise, any time, any HAL ship......Boo Hoo. And when I say my cruising partner is a real dog, he's got the ears and tail to prove it......

[jollycruiser]

I bought a loaf of bread at our local grocery store for $0.49. Beat that!!

[tomc]

$.30 plus an in-store credit plus an upgrade to a better aisle and lunch with the manager. nyah nyah.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I must admit to being somewhat guilty in the "rounding down" department if DH should happen to ask how much I paid for something... he doesn't normally ask - usually only when it is a large ticket item for one of the kids... boy, did I ever get the look when I "rounded down" the price of the last snowboard I bought for our son. :D
I'm a big rounder downer, too, with DH. I also tend to be a bit cloudy on the "when" of a purchase ... I've bought almost everything "ages ago":D .

And when I tell DH the price of the cruise before booking, I never add on the insurance. I mean, why upset him?;)

[dakrewser]

$.30 plus an in-store credit plus an upgrade to a better aisle and lunch with the manager. nyah nyah.
I got all that plus a coupon for 50% off my next loaf!

:) -dave

[kelelmel]

I think this is a great topic and couldn't agree more with Dave:
There is nothing crass about talking about price on a forum such as this IF the purpose is to make each other smarter consumers, and help each other make the most of the vacation money they have to spend. That is indeed a worthy goal of a forum such as this. If the discussion is to impress or belittle, for example, then that is crass. There are a few discussions on CC that become crass. I think this one is in the name of better shopping. If you don't like it, don't read it.
I'd love to share, but haven't booked a HAL yet (am looking for spring) this info is valuable to me as I look around, ThanksUnforutnately, my concern is not the cruise fare its my onboard account total at the end of the week, uugghh!! :D

That said, we are in a cat. SS for 11/6/04, E. Carib. on the Z, booked with an online agency for $1060.00/pp. Anticipating my bar tab to be about the same :p

~Kelly

[lipoppop]

Staten Island ferry in New York- once paid 5 cents now it is up to a dollar I think. Can't afford it so I swim.

Military ship from Japan to California. Would you believe I paid NOTHING!. They even let me clean the cabin so I did not have to tip the steward.

Canoe trips on the Saco River in Maine way back when I was young (er). The summer camp paid me $500 to take the campers on trips for eight weeks. There was another plus. I met the camp nurse who became my DW a year later.

I have my pension and social security checks direct deposited with HAL and they give me what's left after they charge for our cruises so I don't know exactly what I pay.

I can't get excited about paying the least for a cruise. My TA does a good job and is very fair. We cruise because we enjoy it, not to save the last dollar.

Some people only book suites; some people book the cheapest inside cabin they can. I am sure they all enjoy the cruise regardless of what they paid.

Just think, if you overpay for a cruise there is just that much less for the children to fight over when you die.

Happy Cruising :cool:

[ekerr19]

I think this is a great topic and couldn't agree more with Dave:
Unforutnately, my concern is not the cruise fare its my onboard account total at the end of the week, uugghh!! :D


~Kelly
Oh kelelmel... we've had a few of those ugly onboard accounts too! Our worst, 16-day Noordam Holiday sailing with 2 cabins & three kids, our 16-yr. old thought phone calls were only $2.00 per call, not $2.00 per minute... :eek: Our tab (on board account - 2 cabins) - about $4,700 for 16 days, inlcuding shore excursions. Yikes! Needless to say, we only had one cruise that year!

[ekerr19]

I'm a big rounder downer, too, with DH. I also tend to be a bit cloudy on the "when" of a purchase ... I've bought almost everything "ages ago":D .

And when I tell DH the price of the cruise before booking, I never add on the insurance. I mean, why upset him?;) Oh, why upset him indeed!!! :D Heather, you are a woman after my own heart! I always say, "what he doesn't know won't kill him" and since I just deposit his paychecks and I pay all the bills - it really doesn't matter much to him. He just sees that he has money in his wallet, money in the bank, money for the kid's college funds and our retirement, so hey - we cruise!

He looks at the brokerage (yuck!) accounts, 401k's, savings, and that's it. :)

I think I'm lucky that way!

Oh, I forgot, I bought that last year! Don't you remember???? :)

[Pudgesmom]

I find it interesting that "we" constantly look for a lower fare for our own cruises, and then simultaneously bemoan reduced services on another thread. In some cases, we may be getting what we're paying for.


Beth

[ekerr19]

I find it interesting that "we" constantly look for a lower fare for our own cruises, and then simultaneously bemoan reduced services on another thread. In some cases, we may be getting what we're paying for.


Beth
Beth-

I agree with you - this is the reason we stick with HAL rather than venture out to Radisson (though I'd seriously like to give them a try) - we can cruise a couple times a year on HAL - we never would have been able to do this with our kids in the 1980's... HAL has become a mass market cruise line and the cut backs reflect this - It so happens that I still like their product and will continue to sail - until otherwise. :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Oh, why upset him indeed!!! :D Heather, you are a woman after my own heart! I always say, "what he doesn't know won't kill him" and since I just deposit his paychecks and I pay all the bills - it really doesn't matter much to him. He just sees that he has money in his wallet, money in the bank, money for the kid's college funds and our retirement, so hey - we cruise!

He looks at the brokerage (yuck!) accounts, 401k's, savings, and that's it. :)

I think I'm lucky that way!

Oh, I forgot, I bought that last year! Don't you remember???? :)
ekerr19, you really should not be telling all our secrets, Tom my DH is a Lurker on this board and reads all this daily:eek:

:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

I agree with Beth and EKerr in many ways. Because more is included on lines like Radisson and Crystal (and boy you're paying for it), but on HAL I don't have to pay for it if I don't want it. The fact is if I ever got a bill like yours, Laura, at the end of the cruise I would most likely slit my wrists:eek: . Our bill is always under $500, usually way under.

But there are other things that HAL appears to be changing that upset me ... things like loud music, water slides, eliminating the library, adding some fancy culinary arts that I neither need nor want. And then there's the deal at Half Moon Cay about a water park:( ... not an "improvement" IMHO. And I suspect we will see an increase in their rates in order to pay for the addition of these so called "improvements".

Evidently they are beginning to try to appeal to a group of people I don't think I particularly want to cruise with ... or so it would appear. We shall see.

There is still Celebrity ... for however long.

[HeatherInFlorida]

ekerr19, you really should not be telling all our secrets, Tom my DH is a Lurker on this board and reads all this daily:eek:

:D
Shhhhhh;) ... we were only talking about Ekerr and me! Lisa, I distinctly remember you saying long ago you would never do anything like we've mentioned here. You clearly said you are always totally upfront and above board in any discussions about purchases and the like with your DH:rolleyes: .

[stanjj111]

10 night cruise over new year's. Cat B $1457.51. Then we got a 100 dollar credit thanks to you folks on CC. I don't think that this is a bad price for a holiday cruise.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Shhhhhh;) ... we were only talking about Ekerr and me! Lisa, I distinctly remember you saying long ago you would never do anything like we've mentioned here. You clearly said you are always totally upfront and above board in any discussions about purchases and the like with your DH:rolleyes: .
Yes, That's the story Heather, I defintely did say that;)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Oh No,:eek: DH wanted to know what I was laughing about so he had to read the thread. He says"Honey we need to talk. What is this that other husbands have money in the wallet?" Now I am in trouble :p

[KSCnCA]

We are using an online TA who called me with a fare that he thought was a mistake. He reserved it for us and gave us something like 5 days to put a deposit. Oosterdam Nov 05, 7 day Mexican Riviera, out of our home town, San Diego. We paid $587pp incl taxes and port charges for a VC. Wish I had called all my friends. It's an awesome deal and when we put the down payment I was really unsure, now I think "how can we not go!" Love the fact that we have two cruises booked! Now we won't have the let down when we come home in December of not having another one to look forward to!

Our Dec 04 Zuiderdam was $821 incl taxes and port charges for an A Aft. :) But we are paying the air, so that factors in. Really looking forward to HMC!

[joanagain]

"...Oosterdam Nov 05, 7 day Mexican Riviera, out of our home town, San Diego. We paid $587pp incl taxes and port charges for a VC. Wish I had called all my friends. It's an awesome deal ..."

You got that right...AWESOME!

[ekerr19]

Oh No,:eek: DH wanted to know what I was laughing about so he had to read the thread. He says"Honey we need to talk. What is this that other husbands have money in the wallet?" Now I am in trouble :p
Lisa- oops, sorry! Trust me, it doesn't stay there long! When the kids need lunch or movie money - I say "get some out of Dad's wallet" then DH says, "what happened to all my money?", I reply, "You must have spent it on another football pool"... he walks away shaking his head and his empty wallet. ;)

Heather - that shipboard account only happened once, and once was enough! I am much more careful with the kids now days. Believe me, I felt like slitting my wrists. :eek: The look on my face could have been used for the MasterCard "priceless" commercial...

[HeatherInFlorida]

This doesn't relate to this thread, but I am having the most awesome time watching the Celebrity Summit cam going thru the Panama Canal with the Oosterdam ahead of it. Here are the links, if your interested
Monitor Window (http://www.celebrityatsea.com/Monitor.asp?Loc=CS2)
Live Cameras - PanCanal.com (http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html)

They haven't gotten to the Gatun Locks yet but should before too long.

Anyway, back on topic! KSCnCA that is an amazing deal! I'm not sure what a VC category is, but awesome no matter what. we just paid $2350 each for a 14 day from LA to Ft. Lauderdale on Celebrity Summit Verandah ... more than I wanted but the least I could find.

Lisa, Ekerr .... LOL!!!:D

[kelelmel]

Oh kelelmel... we've had a few of those ugly onboard accounts too! Our worst, 16-day Noordam Holiday sailing with 2 cabins & three kids, our 16-yr. old thought phone calls were only $2.00 per call, not $2.00 per minute... :eek: Our tab (on board account - 2 cabins) - about $4,700 for 16 days, inlcuding shore excursions. Yikes! Needless to say, we only had one cruise that year!OMG, is your daughter still working that tab off?

[KSCnCA]

Heather: Some day we will save up for a Panama Cruise. (my dream!)
Just looked up the new cabin designations on HAL:
VA = A

VB = AA

VC = B

VD = BB

VE = BA

VF = BC

Now I am really confused. I thought that BB was better than BC, and BA better than BB. :confused: In any case, I am just happy to have our cruise booked.

[dexter]

We got a deal in August on the Zuiderdam that we'll probably never be able to match. We paid just a little over $2200 for two people in a category S.
Great deal for such a big cabin and all the amenities.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather: Some day we will save up for a Panama Cruise. (my dream!)
Just looked up the new cabin designations on HAL:
VA = A

VB = AA

VC = B

VD = BB

VE = BA

VF = BC

Now I am really confused. I thought that BB was better than BC, and BA better than BB. :confused: In any case, I am just happy to have our cruise booked.
Absolutely! Me, too. BA always was above a BB ... odd. Maybe somebody can 'splain?:D

[Orcrone]

Heather: Some day we will save up for a Panama Cruise. (my dream!)
Just looked up the new cabin designations on HAL:
VA = A

VB = AA

VC = B

VD = BB

VE = BA

VF = BC

Now I am really confused. I thought that BB was better than BC, and BA better than BB. :confused: In any case, I am just happy to have our cruise booked.Are you sure you looked it up correctly. On the Zuiderdam it is as listed above, except VD = BA and VE = BB, which is the way you'd expect it to be. Perhaps the sight you read it from had it wrong, or you just wrote it down incorrectly.:confused:

[Roboat]

This is really a great thread, with many helpful, informative and funny replies. thank you, joanagain, for starting it, and thank you all for some very delightful posts.

We paid $1,584 total for B verandas for the 7 day western on the Zuiderdam next week, after deducting the $100 per cabin shipboard credit. That's about $113 pp/pd, which is OK. This was for specific cabins - though not ideal cabins (B5160 and B5162 - any comments?)

BTW, my VTG TA initially insisted the credit did not exist "at that price" - but Jazzsea from this forum informed me it WAS available, and told me not to take NO for answer. Thank you again!!!

As many of you know, some websites show lower prices because they DO NOT INCLUDE port changes and taxes that can add another 10-15%. You have consider the whole package - including the shipboard credit or lack thereof - when evaluating price.

[HeatherInFlorida]

So right, Roboat. I got an ad in the mail the other day that advertised a price on the Rotterdam for a 12 day "vacation" (which included 1 "free" night in Miami which is of no interest to me;) ). So the cruise portion was 10 nights. A "B" Verandah was advertised as $2149pp which they purport to be a savings of $1960pp over "retail". At the bottom in red it gleefully says that port and other charges of $174pp are INCLUDED.

But then under that in black ink it says "Government Fees and other taxes are not included and are $300 pp (subject to change)". And my reaction immediately was :eek: :eek: !! $300???!!! That's $600 additional for 2 people! What a ripoff!!!

So you really have to be an informed consumer... no question about that.

[joanagain]

:) roboat

you are entirely welcome... to this thread...i owe you one, ...you gave me emotional support during my "sky auction affaire"... and i thank YOU. ;)

[kelelmel]

Giving new meaning to the term Med Cruise

****** - 1999
Paxil - 2002
Effexor - 2003 Roboat,
Very funny! I need to get on those cruises :p

[Roboat]

Roboat,
Very funny! I need to get on those cruises :p Thanks.

I was gonna put a countdown clock for Lithium 2005 but I don't want to jinx it! :D

[KSCnCA]

Are you sure you looked it up correctly. On the Zuiderdam it is as listed above, except VD = BA and VE = BB, which is the way you'd expect it to be. Perhaps the sight you read it from had it wrong, or you just wrote it down incorrectly.:confused:
It was on Holland's site. If you go to the deck plans it shows both the current letter designation and the future V_. And I got the same info from my TA. :confused:

[DFD1]

As best I can tell, if you're comfortable cruising in one of the lower priced catagories, you can probably do it for between $60 and $70 per day per person including all taxes and port charges. That's not too bad compared with cruising prices a few years back.

IMO, others may differ.

[Orcrone]

It was on Holland's site. If you go to the deck plans it shows both the current letter designation and the future V_. And I got the same info from my TA. :confused:My observation of the Zuiderdam was on the HAL sight. Which ship were you looking at?

[Sailure]

10 day cruise on Volendam East Farer Cat. S $2000 per person - $100 voucher. I wasn't looking for bargains and I chose my suite. I'm not sure if I could have done better or not. I just wanted what I wanted and was willing to pay for it.;)

Leaving on Sunday!!!! Can't wait!

[Sailure]

Because it's crass to talk about price in public. Either you're perceived as the chubby guy in the bright plaid polyester pants with an open shirt (lot's of hair poking out) and an oddly colored "gold" chain who constantly wants to tell you what a deal he got, or else you give the impression of the jumped-up yuppy-wannabe who's out to impress with how much he overpaid. It's definitely a lose-lose situation. :(

-dave
It doesn't bother me what anyone paid and I don't mind telling what I paid. If I did good, then others know they also can do good, if I got ripped, then others know they can do better. Either way, I just pick a cruise I want, pick a room I want and go for it.

As long as I'm sailing and having a good time, being waited on and being fed well....I'm a happy "sailure"!:)

[Sailure]

joan- I don't mind saying what we paid - we paid just a bit less than you did - about $1,100 pp - but we are one catagory below you, I think. We also received $50pp shipboard credit for a promo I read about on these boards and $100 shipboard credit from our TA... oh, and a "gift of wine" which will be Sutter Home White Zinfandel, as it usually is. :)

Hope this answers the question - I didn't mean to be vague, but I am a bit reluctant (as are some others) as someone else will be bound to have "a better deal" than mine, and the less I know about that, the happier I can be with the price I paid. :)
I forgot to include the basket from the TA and the Russel Stover chocolates, brut wine and something else and the pretty little basket it all came with...along with the really nice "leather-like" document wallet.;)

[Sailure]

Oh I sure do:D !!! So funny. I have a friend who does this constantly! Always getting the best "deal" on any shopping she ever does.

On the other hand, she always has to one-up me when I book a cruise. Just this week I told her I booked the Panama Canal cruise for Oct. 05. She immediately told me that they were going to book a cruise of the British Isles for the Spring and then they were also going to do the Panama Canal in the Fall.

This year as soon as we booked our Eastern Caribbean cruise for this November, she booked the same cruise in December. And of course she insists she will only cruise Princess because nothing else compares or even comes close:eek: and she always pays less than we do by just a few $$$.

Come to think of it, why is this woman my friend????!!!!:rolleyes: Doncha just love it when someone tells you what they paid for something and don't add in the tax...as though it didn't come out of their pocket along with the item?:D

[Nasmas]

10/30 Zuiderdam, $2300 total for S for both of us. That is about $200 higher than the 09/04 cruise we booked and had to cancel. We booked with an online agency that was $300 lower than just about anything else we saw. After we booked the 10/30, the price went down so I asked for a credit. We got it or so they say. We've not received the bill yet.

[KSCnCA]

My observation of the Zuiderdam was on the HAL sight. Which ship were you looking at?
The HAL site shows all the Vista Class ships (Zui, Oos, Wes) the same:

A = VA
AA = VB
B = VC
BA = VD
BB = VE
BC = VF

[Orcrone]

The HAL site shows all the Vista Class ships (Zui, Oos, Wes) the same:

A = VA
AA = VB
B = VC
BA = VD
BB = VE
BC = VFKaren,

That's what I reported above. If you look at your post on the previous page you had VD = BB and VE = BA, which is not what you just posted. I think you have it correct now.

[dewhit6959]

Dear Nasmas;

Are you sure your numbers are correct? We have friends on the same cruise as you on the Zuiderdam in the same category S suite and they were dumbfounded with the quote you were given. Their agent told them that nothing in this category is available at that charge. May we assume that your rate is without taxes, port charges, etc.?

[gizmo]

Dewit,

I just looked up the 10/30 cruise that Nasmas is taking on an internet site. The total price (including port and taxes) was a just couple of dollars less than what Nasmus is paying.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Dewit,

I just looked up the 10/30 cruise that Nasmas is taking on an internet site. The total price (including port and taxes) was a just couple of dollars less than what Nasmus is paying.
Out of curiousity I just checked a couple of online sites as well: One quoted $2576, but the other quoted $2312.08 including taxes and fees. That's a fantastic price ... makes me want to wait until the last minute next time!!!:D

[dewhit6959]

I had thought that early booking was the way to go, but maybe not!
Are these type discounts common on this size ship as you get close to the sailing date? I guess I will wait for the last minute to book, then find out that I should have booked a year earlier !! ha.

[Orcrone]

I had thought that early booking was the way to go, but maybe not!
Are these type discounts common on this size ship as you get close to the sailing date? I guess I will wait for the last minute to book, then find out that I should have booked a year earlier !! ha.Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If a cruise sells well, the price will probably go up and vice versa. However, booking early will lock in your price and it can always go down if there's a subsequent price drop. Also, by booking early you can get your choice of cabin.

[Nasmas]

Dear Nasmas;

Are you sure your numbers are correct? We have friends on the same cruise as you on the Zuiderdam in the same category S suite and they were dumbfounded with the quote you were given. Their agent told them that nothing in this category is available at that charge. May we assume that your rate is without taxes, port charges, etc.?No, that was the total. On the site after we booked, it was $1081, per person. before we asked for the adjustment, we'd paid $2500+ ( I don't have the exact figure with me) and after I asked for the adjustment, it is $2300, so yes, taxes and port fees were included. I'd love to tell you the site but that's a no no. e-mail me at edmassey@tcworks.net and I'll tell you which on-line site I used. You do have to check them daily though because they do change. Sometimes they run them lower for two to three days then they go back up. But, on this 10/30 cruise, there are still 11 (as of yesterday) S rooms available, so they might go even lower.

[Cinder]

I would tell you what I paid if I remembered, I just don't. I have noticed that the good deals are more prevalent when there is high volume, that is, the Caribbean and Alaska have more excellent deals.
I have paid higher prices for the rare New England and/or Hawaiian cruises than I have for any of the Caribbean or Alaska trips. -