How to find out EXACTLY what is included?

[oldengine]

Booking a cruise appears to be a shell game. Here it is and here it isn't, BRING MONEY! I suspect that they want to keep you in the dark so that you will go for all those extra cost options, but I would rather KNOW what basics are INCLUDED before pushing the buttons for the extras.

We have booked the HA Alaska #27, which on the surface appears to be one great tour. How does one KNOW exactly what is included in the base price? The itinerary is as vague as it can be!

Thanks for any insight that you may drop on us. And by the way, when you book through a travel agent, Holland America will no longer discuss any trip planning with you. It appears that we should have booked directly.

[franu]

These are questions that you should ask your travel agent. I have been using the same TA for years but if there is a question about my cruise, I call and ask her. As a trained and very capable professional if she does not have the answer she will get it from the cruise line for me.

She will call me to make certain that I am informed or just to say hello which is an opportunity to see if I have any questions. She is a gem.
Fran

[dandro]

Our TA has been very kind about answering our questions, (that's what they are paid to do!) and I also have done lots of research on the HAL website.

It's no big secret about what's included and what's not. It's all out there, you just need to do your research, which includes here on cruise critic. This forum has been a treasure trove of information.

You might want to look at the "first time cruisers" section and the "ask a cruise question" section, they are also valuable sources of information.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your cruise!

[JDinWA]

I don't know what "#27" refers to, but your cruise fare covers your accomodations, meals, and most ship activities/entertainment.

You pay for alcohol/soft drinks, "special" restaurant meals (e.g. the Pinnacle), any gambling you do in the casino, bingo cards if you play, and port excursions.

HAL assesses a daily contribution for tips which is added to your bill, but you can opt out of that if you prefer.

[fann1sh]

I don't know what "#27" refers to, but your cruise fare covers your accomodations, meals, and most ship activities/entertainment.

You pay for alcohol/soft drinks, "special" restaurant meals (e.g. the Pinnacle), any gambling you do in the casino, bingo cards if you play, and port excursions.

HAL assesses a daily contribution for tips which is added to your bill, but you can opt out of that if you prefer.


Oldengine is going on a HAL cruise tour, which has a land travel portion. Unfortunately, I've never done a cruise+land package, so can't comment on what are "extras" for that.

(P.S. - I hope this works...a link to HAL site, #27 Great Land cruise tour description -

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseTourDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=AS 900727&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=E935&subProductCode=A06&tourId=T9A27&dateCode= )

[Lurker1]

We did an Alaska cruise tour five years ago. Some things might have changed, but this is what we found.

The two biggest extra costs on the ship portion are these: 1) daily charges for drinks, sodas, internet use, CD rentals, automatic tips, etc. 2) port excursions, which you can sign up for in advance of the cruise.

On the land portion, drinks are still extra. There are also excursions you can take in Denali that we could not sign up for until we were on the land portion.

[jhannah]

On the land portion of your tour, meals will be at your expense. (And you should expect costs 25% - 50% higher than what you pay in the lower 48.) I agree that your TA is your best source of information (or should be) for your particular situation.

[richwmn]

Booking a cruise appears to be a shell game. Here it is and here it isn't, BRING MONEY! I suspect that they want to keep you in the dark so that you will go for all those extra cost options, but I would rather KNOW what basics are INCLUDED before pushing the buttons for the extras.

We have booked the HA Alaska #27, which on the surface appears to be one great tour. How does one KNOW exactly what is included in the base price? The itinerary is as vague as it can be!

Thanks for any insight that you may drop on us. And by the way, when you book through a travel agent, Holland America will no longer discuss any trip planning with you. It appears that we should have booked directly.
AFAIK this is common to all the cruise lines. Your TA is receiving compensation from HAL for taking care of your questions, problems and concerns. In addition, by going to the TA for all your questions, he/she may be able to anticipate other questions and be of more assistance. Let them do their job.

Rich

[Jade13]

Booking a cruise appears to be a shell game. Here it is and here it isn't, BRING MONEY! I suspect that they want to keep you in the dark so that you will go for all those extra cost options, but I would rather KNOW what basics are INCLUDED before pushing the buttons for the extras.

We have booked the HA Alaska #27, which on the surface appears to be one great tour. How does one KNOW exactly what is included in the base price? The itinerary is as vague as it can be!

Thanks for any insight that you may drop on us. And by the way, when you book through a travel agent, Holland America will no longer discuss any trip planning with you. It appears that we should have booked directly.

I book directly and (sometimes) transfer to an outside agent right before final payment. That way I an talk to HAL directly. But, you CAN talk directly to Ship Services. They are also the group you would contact to but a soda card or unlimited laundry etc.

We purchase the soda card, unlimited laundry and any tours in advance so we know the prices.

[sail7seas]

Hi Old Engine.

Sorry, I've never done a land tour in Alaska but agree with the folks who suggest you speak with your TA. (S)he should be answering these questions for you.

Welcome to CC/HAL.

[kryos]

Booking a cruise appears to be a shell game. Here it is and here it isn't, BRING MONEY! I suspect that they want to keep you in the dark so that you will go for all those extra cost options, but I would rather KNOW what basics are INCLUDED before pushing the buttons for the extras.

I think it's really very simple. If you are taking a standard cruise on a premium or mass market cruise line, your food items in the regular dining venues are included. Iced and hot tea, as well as coffee, is included. Your entertainment onboard the ship (production shows, bar and lounge acts, etc.) are included. Your transportation on the ship is included. Many activities (except those clearly noted on the daily program like wine tastings, cooking classes, etc.) are also included.

Other than that, it's pay as you go. Transfers from the airport to the pier (and back), airfare to the pier, shore excursions, spa treatments, liquor, soft drinks, bottled water, specialty dining venues, gambling, purchases in the shops, gratuities (on HAL $11 per day plus 15% added to all drink/soft drink purchases no matter where you buy them ... for the room, at a bar, in the dining room, etc.) are extra. These things are considered to be "discretionary" charges and thus if you choose to incur them, you will be billed for them.

Of course, there are some exceptions to this, most notably the luxury cruise lines, that include beverages and gratuities and even some shore excursions in the cruise fare. But those are rare, and the base cost of the cruise in those cases will be a lot higher than what you would pay on HAL.

A lot of people think that a cruise is an all-inclusive affair, but it most certainly is not. I've heard of some people who had final bills at the end of the cruise that were higher than what they paid for the cruise itself. All depends on your spending habits once onboard.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

On the land portion of your tour, meals will be at your expense. (And you should expect costs 25% - 50% higher than what you pay in the lower 48.) I agree that your TA is your best source of information (or should be) for your particular situation.I thought some of the meals (not drinks, of course) were included on the land tours. I thought it was a matter of whether those icons for the meals were listed on the tour itinerary. I thought most "basic" tours were included on them too ... though I have seen it written "afternoon on your own ... see tour guide for suggested activities available"). In that case, yeah, the activity would be at an extra charge.

But what's the point of booking the land tour if it's not gonna include most meals and activities? I don't get it.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

Oldengine is going on a HAL cruise tour, which has a land travel portion. Unfortunately, I've never done a cruise+land package, so can't comment on what are "extras" for that.

(P.S. - I hope this works...a link to HAL site, #27 Great Land cruise tour description -

Yeah, that's what I meant. The tours labeled "optional," I would assume incur an added charge. But the ones included ... I would think they included meals and the cost of the tour itself. I would also assume meals at the hotel or lodge in the evening would be included ... especially where the tour description states "dine with your fellow travelers ..." I would think an unincluded meal would specifically state that ... such as "dinner on your own."

If all the meals and tours are extra, it would seem to me that I would be far better off just booking a stay at the lodge on my own and dealing directly with them for all of my tours. Or am I missing something?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[agabbymama]

You might want to go to the Brochure section on the HAL website and flip through to Cruisetour #27. It's almost the same description as fann1sh posted, but it does tell you about the meal plan. While $409 seems like a lot, you will end up paying that or more for meals in Alaska. And with the vouchers, it's anything on the menu and includes your beverage.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/Main.action

I don't usually pay for anything extra on the ship. There is plenty of ffood and beverages (that are included in the price of the cruise). Photos are the only extra I purchase (I do like the embarkation photo & formal night photo).

On the land portion, again on the HAL site,

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ShoreExcursions.action

There are optional excursions. HAL only lets you sign up for excursions you have time for. And they are charged to your credit card as soon as you sign up for them, not put on your Sail & Sign card.

We did Yukon Wilderness Cruisetour #1 and found that there was plenty to keep us busy on the basic cruisetour. The only additional excursion I booked was the Husky Homestead Tour out of Denali. Jeff and Donna King own the Homestead and Jeff has won the Iditarod 4 times. I wanted to go there, and was thrilled that HAL offered the excursion.

The extra costs really depend on you, if you don't want to spend extra money, you don't have to.

[oldengine]

Adding a note that we did book the $409 tour meal plan. Unfortunately, we have no idea what that really includes either. Perhaps we should simply trust them to take care of us? Anyway, thank you for all the responses! We have a lot to learn about our #1 cruise.

[Mary Ellen]

Adding a note that we did book the $409 tour meal plan. Unfortunately, we have no idea what that really includes either. Did you TA not go over this with you???? You REALLY need to talk to your TA. If they don't have the information - and aren't willing to get it for you, you should probably consider a different TA for your next vacation.

[jtl513]

I think it's really very simple. If you are taking a standard cruise on a premium or mass market cruise ...I believe the OP is mostly concerned about the land portion of the cruise-tour.
I would think an unincluded meal would specifically state that ... such as "dinner on your own."No, unless you take the meal plan almost NO meals are included. Those few that are included specifically state that.

If all the meals and tours are extra, it would seem to me that I would be far better off just booking a stay at the lodge on my own and dealing directly with them for all of my tours. Or am I missing something?Yes, you're missing something ... namely that the tours don't stay in the same place the whole time.


We did a "Double Denali" cruise tour (2 nights in Fairbanks and 2 in Denali) and a meal plan was not an option. For us the only included food was lunch at the Gold Dredge and at a lunch stop enroute on the coach from from Denali to Seward. Food on the McKinley Explorer train was not included.

The Sternwheeler excursion was included, and there was a free tasting of some foods that they were trying to sell. Oh, and on the bus ride into Denali (which was included) we got a free box lunch.
I can't tell you anything about the rest of your cruise-tour, but as others have said your TA should be able to find out if s/he doesn't know ... including exactly what meals your meal plan covers.

[oldengine]

Did your TA not go over this with you???? You REALLY need to talk to your TA. If they don't have the information - and aren't willing to get it for you, you should probably consider a different TA for your next vacation.
You've got that right and yes, I have talked with the TA several times. I suspect that my TA is well versed on cruises, but the land tour portion simply did not compute. I have never spent so much money with so little information given in return. Fortunately, I have ample time to get this put together.

Surely, someone here on CC has made the land tour and written about it. So far, our best information is on the HAL web site and in the HAL Alaska Cruise Book. We will be searching. :)

[middle-aged mom]

.......... Fortunately, I have ample time to get this put together.

Surely, someone here on CC has made the land tour and written about it. So far, our best information is on the HAL web site and in the HAL Alaska Cruise Book. We will be searching. :)

Oldengine, have you been over to the Alaska Port of Call Forum here on CC yet? You'll find lots of good info. You might try posting your cruisetour questions over there:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=55


ps It sounds as if a few of the posters above have some direct cruisetour experience, too.

[Mary Ellen]

I suspect that my TA is well versed on cruises, but the land tour portion simply did not compute.Your TA should still be able to get the information you want/need from their HAL rep - even if they aren't familiar with the tour portion.

[shark410]

We did something very similar to this on the Statendam awhile ago though 'backwards'. Several lunches were included (they appear to be mentioned in the website description of #27) but the rest of the meals were not.
I think there is an art to brochure writing and the reader must be careful not to assume more is included and then suffer disappointment.

Many people on CC urge purchase of the meal plan. We got it and were well-fed but I have recommended against it to friends. If you eat a big breakfast and a big dinner and don't mind doing that at the hotel then it is probably a good deal. If you'd prefer to go to a bar for a burger or just have coffee and toast in the morning, I don't think you'd regret being able to do that rather than using your vouchers.

We found the land portion of the trip to be as memorable as the part on the water. I imagine you will also.
Try to relax and enjoy your vacation.

[EduTravler]

DH and I are doing AK CruiseTour#21 and we do have a few meals provided probably because we will be in places where we have few or no options for dining out: Coldfood and Prudhoe Bay. I know we get these meals because they were listed on the reservation confirmation document my TA gave me which she received from HAL when she booked our trip. Even though I do trust my TA I have called HAL several times with my list of questions and they have graciously answered each one to my satisfaction - sometimes it's just easier not to have an intermediary.
I have read threads that suggest the meal plan because the tour often arrives at the overnight destination later in the evening when one is most likely too tired to go out looking for a place to eat. And, like previously stated above, food in AK is expensive so often you won't find a better deal elsewhere.
Just some thoughts to ponder.

[EliseRN]

Did you TA not go over this with you???? You REALLY need to talk to your TA. If they don't have the information - and aren't willing to get it for you, you should probably consider a different TA for your next vacation.
Actually, I have a great travel agent but Princess couldn't give a straight consistent answer to either of us if they had to...different agent, different answer or no info at all. So my TA is in the same boat I am.

Princess was great before I booked...but afterward...I would get more civility and consistency from an automated system most of the time and we are spending more than 8k on the CruiseTour alone. (saved 3 years to do this on our 5th anniversary).

I digress...but as an example we are still trying to find out how the included meals are going to be provided for the land portion of our August CruiseTour..ie; do we get a voucher and can go when we want or are the included meals only served between certain hours...etc. Hard to make rest of plans when I don't know how that works if you know what I mean.

Oops...see search took me to Holland America page instead of just the general AK page...sorry :-)

[oldengine]

great before I booked...but afterward...I would get more civility and consistency from an automated system most of the time
My booked fare is well over 16k plus the extras. It's like buying a new car. After the deal is closed, the salesmen scatter.

Fortunately, with reading the threads here and by using Google, I have figured out most of the abbreviated jargon on my itinerary. I also merged the HA Tour 27 (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseTourDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=AS 900727&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=E935&subProductCode=A06&tourId=T9A27&dateCode=) information with the itinerary that my TA gave me and filled in the blanks with Google links to the hotels. The picture is getting brighter!