Our February Noordam Cruise is Sold Out already!

[innlady1]

What can I say...we're about to close the inn for the season, we're down to few guests, and are in the middle of a brutal Nor'easter!

I'm bored and had time to check the HAL website and our cruise seems to be sold out, the 20 day Caribbean cruise starting on February 3. So I filled out the info at an online website requesting prices for this cruise, and just received an email that it is, indeed, "sold out."

Is that unusual? Seems so to me. I did notice a month or so ago that the price had increased somewhat since I booked.

[ekerr19]

Is it chartered?

[innlady1]

Originally Posted by ekerr19

Is it chartered?

I hope not! We have quite a roll call going. The time frame is popular but I find it surprising that the 20 days segment is sold out.

Nothing listed on Rich's website for groups. On any Noordam cruise, for that matter. I'm not sure how to find out about charters. Guess I'll email our PCC first thing in the AM.

[CowPrincess]

There might be a large group that isn't a charter.

[twinkletoes4445]

I think it's just a popular cruise and it's just sold out early, but I could be wrong ... there could be a group on the sailing. The cruise we were on this past Jan/Feb sold out really early. I remember in March of 2008 the prices of the remaining cabins jumped in price (our cabin category went up $2,000). I don't recall there being any cabins available by May.

[Sage]

Well Sheila, I know why it sold out so quickly. The Super Bowl Beach Patrol is on board the first segment, and the Pink Flamingos are on the second segment. You are just one popular group.

[OVgirl]

We're on the Feb. 3 sailing and I noticed that the earlier cruise that we are also on, Jan.24 is also sold out. I hope that the only reason is the popularity of this itinerary.

[mamaofami]

Guess my decision has been made for me.

[Love the beach]

We were lucky to get one of the last few cabins for the Jan. 24th cruise. I know that this one could have been combined with either the cruise before (Jan. 14th) or the one after (Feb. 3rd) to make a 20 day cruise for just a few hundred $$ more. (I recently came across a HAL flyer from early spring offering "early advantage booking prices" and the 20 day cruise was only $400 more per person than the 10 day.) Perhaps this is why the "sell out". Had I known then that we were going to book this cruise, I certainly would have booked the 20 days!

[gebo]

So what happens to my guarantee SS cabin? Nowhere to go?

[CoolChile]

Originally Posted by gebo

So what happens to my guarantee SS cabin? Nowhere to go?

You'll either be "there" in an SS or . . . hey! Is the penthouse booked? We may have to move our meet 'n' greet to your "suite."

[GmaPajama]

This morning, there are some cabins available for each of the 10 day segments that make up this 20 day cruise - even though the 20 day cruise itself shows sold out. When I booked my own cabin (a year in advance) we had to ask HAL to move the one I wanted from one inventory to another - it was available for each of the 10, but not for the 20. HAL was happy to do that. My point is ... I believe there are cabins to be found if one can work around HAL's system of cabin inventories. And, of course, some cabins always become available at final payment time - from those who meant to cancel but forgot till it nearly hit them in the pocketbook.

[innlady1]

Originally Posted by twinkletoes4445

I think it's just a popular cruise and it's just sold out early, but I could be wrong ... there could be a group on the sailing. The cruise we were on this past Jan/Feb sold out really early. I remember in March of 2008 the prices of the remaining cabins jumped in price (our cabin category went up $2,000). I don't recall there being any cabins available by May.

Hi Twinkletoes...I was on one segment with you last year....the "Good Nuts Cruise" on 1/23, then the one that followed on 2/2. I called our TA (a good friend of ours) and asked him to book the Good Nuts for us and it was sold out (I'm thinking it was in July). Someone on CC put me in touch with their TA who had blocked rooms (a bunch of Good Nuts went through her), and that's how we got on.

So I'm thinking this is just a really popular time frame...and a popular ship!

[innlady1]

Originally Posted by Love the beach

We were lucky to get one of the last few cabins for the Jan. 24th cruise. I know that this one could have been combined with either the cruise before (Jan. 14th) or the one after (Feb. 3rd) to make a 20 day cruise for just a few hundred $$ more. (I recently came across a HAL flyer from early spring offering "early advantage booking prices" and the 20 day cruise was only $400 more per person than the 10 day.) Perhaps this is why the "sell out". Had I known then that we were going to book this cruise, I certainly would have booked the 20 days!

Holy cow...I never saw that offer! What category for $400 more?

[Love the beach]

Originally Posted by innlady1

Holy cow...I never saw that offer! What category for $400 more?

This was from the 2010 Early Advantage brochure that came in the mail:

"Combine the Wayfarer and Seafarer Itineraries for a 20 day Collectors' Cruise from $1699". It lists all the Noordam cruises from Jan 14th thru May 4, 2010. Fares based on the Jan 14th cruise. Inside price was $999, Verandah was $1299. ( I had looked at it quickly---- -and now realize that the $1699 would have been for an Inside cabin and not the Verandah as I had first thought!) Sorry about that!

[m steve]

No one wants to be home in Feb. due to weather so it's the month a lot of people sail. Took the 20 day on Noordam last Nov. and really enjoyed the cruise and staff. I suggest you contact a large cruise online company as they may have a block of cabins reserved. The cruise line can't access those cabins for their bookings. There are a lot of them listed on this site.

[bloofer]

Originally Posted by OVgirl

We're on the Feb. 3 sailing and I noticed that the earlier cruise that we are also on, Jan.24 is also sold out. I hope that the only reason is the popularity of this itinerary.

I happen to know that there is a group booked on the Jan 24 sailing of the Noordam. It comprises several Irish performers and bands, along with a legion of fans. Have no idea how many, whether dozens or hundreds.

[innlady1]

Originally Posted by mamaofami

Guess my decision has been made for me.

Don't give up, Carol! My PCC called yesterday. She said the 2/3 portion is showing "sold out" but that she could wait list folks because there will be cancellations before final payment is due on 11/20. The second part of our b2b has room (2/13).

I'd be happy to give you her name. Personally, having heard several "horror stories" re on-line agencies, I've found it reassuring to deal directly with HAL in these economic times. Before HAL, she worked for one of the big agencies who books World Cruises.

[innlady1]

Originally Posted by bloofer

I happen to know that there is a group booked on the Jan 24 sailing of the Noordam. It comprises several Irish performers and bands, along with a legion of fans. Have no idea how many, whether dozens or hundreds.

I read that a while ago. Should be interesting.

[m steve]

beer and boiled potatoes on that cruise.