Discounts for booking while On Board

[serendipity1499]

Will be on board the "Westerdam" in Nov...Received a brochure from HAL yesterday..In it, there's an 18 day "Passage to Venice" April 11 on the Rotterdam..Sounds very interesting! ..It lists sample fares as: "Brochure fare" & directly under that "Your fare" (Promo fare).. If booked by Nov. 30 they offer a 2 Cat. Upgrade..Of course, the Air fare back to Miami & Taxes are extra, but I can book that..If I approach my DH, will need answers to the following:

1) Have you ever booked while On Board another HAL Ship?

2) If yes, did HAL give a discount for booking On Board?

3) If yes, Is the discount taken off the "Brochure fare" or the "Your fare" (Promo fare)

Also received the same trip with an enhanced itinerary from our Travel Operator...The price is more, but includes Air, Baggage Handling & Transfers, a private Boat Tour in Venice & 4 extra days..(One in Miami, which we really don't need & 3 at a Superior first class hotel in Lake Maggiori)..Also will receive a 5% rebate from the cost of the November trip to be applied toward this Operator's Tour if booked within one year... I might be able to get them to take off the Miami Hotel & transfer too...

Thanks for all your help..Happy Cruising Everyone...Betty

P.S. With so many of us gone in Oct. & Nov. who is going to mind the Store?

[TedC]

In the past when you booked on board you were given a ship credit, usually $100 pp, although the credit may have varied depending on the length of the cruise. I presume this same policy is still observed.

Some people book on board, get the credit, then transfer the booking to their TA, who can sometimes get a lower price.

[JimVrhovac]

TedC is correct. All bookings on board are transferred to your travel agent and they still get the commission for them. Many times they have improved the price as time went on.

Travel Reps are only on cruises of 10 days or longer but they do have a direct line to Central Booking so you can set these up on 7 day cruises.

Your get a 50-100 on board credit depending on the length of the cruise booked.

We have done it several times and have never had a problem.

Jim & Ruth

[jasl]

Betty, I know which Travel Operator you use and we just returned from one of their trips. This included three nights at Lago Maggiore and I would highly recommend that pre-cruise portion, the location is WONDERFUL. You could give them a call and tell them you like to book your cabin while on the Westerdam in order to receive the onboard booking shipboard credit and once you are booked, will they take over the reservation and allow you further discounts and/or blend it into their program. If you have not used your credit (5%) from last years' South America cruise, you should be just within the year to use it towards their Rotterdam program. Good Luck!!
In case I don't "talk" to you before you leave for Barcelona, here's wishing you, Primetime & husbands smooth sailing & safe travels.

[serendipity1499]

Ted & Jim appreciate your replies...Our Nov. cruise is 17 days Trans-atlantic...I guess I did not explain myself well enough..We don't use a travel agent per se & would not have the booking picked up by one...I sometimes do handle my own booking & act as our own agent as I retired after more than 30 years in the Airline Business....It's fun but can sometimes be frustrating...

Our cruise in Nov. however is a published cruise purchased through a "tour operator"..It really is nice to have someone meet you at your destination & handle all the Hotels, Transfers etc..I was trying to decide if I could get a better rate by booking directly thru HAL on board (if they give a discount on the Promo Rates ) & act as my own agent or go through the tour operator... It looks like the tour operator is best in this case if HAL only gives $50-$100 Shipboard credits for booking on board...There is no barganing (or lowering of prices) with the tour operator...

Also, Hal will not give us $50-$100 ON Board Credits when we book through the Tour operator since their rates are already discounted..This tour operators packages include many extra's & their rates are based on bulk blocked space..They usually can't be matched by a small Mom & Pop Agency, or even an on-line agent....They deal in long-haul cruises & have their own Reps. on board the HAL ships..

Now all I have to do is convince my DH that we should book another Trans-Atlantic! LOL...He hates flying back from a cruise, but doesn't seem to mind flying out to meet a cruise..Go figure! Thanks again Ted & Jim & enjoy your cruises..

Betty

P.S. Jim also many thanks for posting the info about Contractors who work with Insurance Companies..I printed your post it & have it with our policies.. Wish you & Ruth a wonderful trip..You both deserve it, after what you have been through..Glad the slippers were saved!

[serendipity1499]

Hi Joyce.You & I were posting at the same time..What are you doing up so late? Yes, we're using our 5% for our Westerdam Trans-Atlantic next month... Looking forward to it..But will have another 5% for this trip..Marilyn & I want to book the Trans-Atlantic again, now we have to convince Al & John..They hate flying back home after a cruise, but don't seem to mind flying to get to a ship...It's Primetime's 50th anniversary next year, so this would be a wonderfull way to celebrate with them...And then in 2006 it's our 30th (don't think we'll be around to see 50) so now have to come up with another extra special cruise...Maybe to South America again...Marilyn wants to go to the Amazon, but I'm not convinced...Hate Bugs! LOL!

So glad to hear that you took the trip & enjoyed it...That might be an idea, to see if we can book on board & then ask if it can be blended into the tour operators trip...This way HAL just might give us the On Board Credit..I'll print your reply up & show Al & John..Maybe it will convince them to go...Best to you & Bob..Are you leaving for South America soon? Thanks again & hope you & Bob have a wonderful Christamas & a wonderful cruise..

Betty

P.S. A cold front came down from your way here yesterday...What a beautiful day it was..