Need advice: TA booked wrong category

My usually very reliable Travel Agent accidentally booked us in an ocean view instead of a Vista Suite on our upcoming trip. By the time I realized what had happened, all the balcony rooms were sold out. When we booked, we had six to choose from, now they are all gone!

We are on the Volendam in March, 2017 from Hong Kong to Vancouver.

The ocean view we are in is called semi-obstructed and is on deck 2.

My question is, what is the best way to get on a waiting list. Is there known travel agencies that book blocks of rooms on Holland America that anyone can recommend and see if they are holding a balcony?

I could book directly with Holland America, I suppose. I'm sure they would fill their waiting list first when it gets closer to final payment date.

I normally am not this picky, but we truly wanted to have a balcony for this particular cruise, and I even picked out the side and room number! It was a hard hit when I checked my booking online and saw the error.

This is a unique itinerary and it is for a very special occasion. However, Volendam is small, and this particular cruise booked up very early.

Anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.

Kmcspoon

You need to get your TA to work hard for you, especially as it was they're mistake. Although it does appear any cabin with a balcony is sold out, you may need to wait until after final payment to find one.

I agree with Dave on both his points: the TA needs to stay on top of this and get you a balcony as soon as one opens, which could well happen right around final payment date as people cancel or agencies return unsold cabins.

You need to get your TA to work hard for you, especially as it was they're mistake. Although it does appear any cabin with a balcony is sold out, you may need to wait until after final payment to find one.

Ditto this good advice. It is a long way out until your cruise and I bet a cabin will open up. Be sure your TA has you waitlisted on the category you want.

Are there any other segments to this cruise? I don't think there are, but in case, you could ask your TA to contact HAL and ask them to check inventory and pull one out of you.

the advice previously posted is good. Keep your TA on it. It's their mistake. Perhaps she/he can be a bit aggressive with HAL to see if there are vistas in a group blocked by a large TA and get you on?

It is the TA's mistake. The TA should be doing something to protect you too IMO in case the price goes up.

How does a TA make a mistake as material as this one. Personally I would have little confidence in this TA to get much done to remedy this.

But I also agree, there can be a lot of juggling of cabins up to the last minute on a lot of cruises, though this is a very popular one. I would deal directly with HAL to see what you can sort out, and then also keep your fingers crossed.

However, this trans-pac itinerary could be a cold or windy cruise and you may not use your balcony that much after all. Though the cabin itself with its windows and door to the outside air is always welcome no matter what. I appreciate your profound disappointment. (See me tearing my own hair out hearing anything like this happened. :eek:)

The Volendam however is a lovely ship, so being anywhere in its public rooms and outdoor spaces will help make up for any possible final disappointment not getting what you intentionally picked out cabin wise.

I am sorry this happened. Time to make lemonade, if nothing gets resolved - just being on the Volendam for this cruise segment is reward enough.

We took the Volendam on its grand Asia segment (Singapore - Kobe, Japan) and an intervening charter in Japan stopped us from taking this trans-pac segment segment home, so it remains on our own must-do-still list. Lucky you, It will be a great cruise on a great ship ...regardless.

Thank you to all who replied. I appreciate the advice and the sympathy!

Doing a bit of research on my own, I can see that Holland America has 2 balconies open, but they have it bundled in with a cruise that starts 2 weeks earlier and ends in Tokyo. I am taking 2 extra weeks in essence, just going on from Tokyo to Vancouver.

But so far, apparently the TA hasn't been able to get either of those cabins.

I just don't know how bookings work and how much a cruise line will prioritize an outside Travel Agent's request for an upgrade.

I guess I'll make sure I know final payment date for each leg of cruise, and have him push for the balcony...

I have sailed in both ocean view and balconies, and I should be thankful that we are able to cruise as much as we have.

And, have my lemon squeezer ready to make lemonade and think of all the cherry blossoms I will see from the deck! :p

Sincerely appreciate the responses.

The TA goofed up big time.....this would be a novice bungle😑

TA must fix it and.waitlist you immediatly! There will be cancellations!

A suite to a window with an obstruction...REALLY?!?!?!

Be firm and let them know they need to be on it and fix it...WTH?!?!?!

Thank you to all who replied. I appreciate the advice and the sympathy!

 

Doing a bit of research on my own, I can see that Holland America has 2 balconies open, but they have it bundled in with a cruise that starts 2 weeks earlier and ends in Tokyo. I am taking 2 extra weeks in essence, just going on from Tokyo to Vancouver.

 

But so far, apparently the TA hasn't been able to get either of those cabins.

 

I just don't know how bookings work and how much a cruise line will prioritize an outside Travel Agent's request for an upgrade.

 

I guess I'll make sure I know final payment date for each leg of cruise, and have him push for the balcony...

 

I have sailed in both ocean view and balconies, and I should be thankful that we are able to cruise as much as we have.

 

And, have my lemon squeezer ready to make lemonade and think of all the cherry blossoms I will see from the deck! :p

 

Sincerely appreciate the responses.

If those cabins are available on another segment and there is no conflict with yours, then the TA better apply a bit of pressure and plead they are in trouble and get them out of inventory.

I've had cabins taken out of inventory before. We are on a Collectors' cruise for our upcoming cruise and cabins I preferred were available on both segments.

I asked my TA if she could get them out of inventory and she did. I got my preferred cabin.

Your TA should have errors and ommissions insurance. They might need it ;)

If there is a supervisor, owner, whatever and you have no luck with your TA then I would go over their head and complain. Maybe the owner will have more luck with HAL. Otherwise, I think they owe you something - OBC, whatever for this mistake.

I don't mean to sound harsh but if I had my heart set on a Vista and was in an OV when I had requested a Vista, I wouldn't be a happy camper either.

This is one problem that a TA (Cruise Specialist ) working with a Large Top Producing Agency , will have contacts to fix their screw up.

However , as stated , your TA may be a novice with no knowledge on how to fix this. Hopefully the TA is working with a Agency with HAL contacts.

I know this was a huge error on TA's part. He knows it, too. He definitely got my email that said "don't let this port side vista cabin number xxxx get away!!! Here is credit card info..." He didn't explain what happened on his end.

However, I wrote it while on a cruise on Suez canal, and since I'm new to Holland America with this cruise, didn't have an account set up and didn't get online to check my reservation until I got home.

I know it is a first world problem, but I also appreciate being able to come to this forum and talk to people who have a lot of experience.

This TA did save me on a prior cruise on another cruise line when my trip got canceled 3 days before sailing. I did have to find another cruise on my own, but he was able to see and get cabins that I couldn't see online, so I have been grateful to him for that.

I am very happy to try Holland America. I remember seeing my first HAL ship when docked on a Princess ship on my honeymoon in 1995. I remember my DH saying someday he would love to be able to try a HAL cruise. Glad he can finally get his wish!

I spent a long time trying to find a different cruise, but this itinerary is just too unique and perfect for us.

Thank you again to all. I sincerely appreciate your responses.

This is one problem that a TA (Cruise Specialist ) working with a Large Top Producing Agency , will have contacts to fix their screw up.

However , as stated , your TA may be a novice with no knowledge on how to fix this. Hopefully the TA is working with a Agency with HAL contacts.

This is what I wondered...and if anyone is able to somehow let me know what a Top Producing Agency is...or a hint at how to find them. If I understand the forum correctly, recommending specific TA's or agencies is probably not allowed.

I will talk to my TA again tomorrow armed with better information on how to push.

.....

I don't mean to sound harsh but if I had my heart set on a Vista and was in an OV when I had requested a Vista, I wouldn't be a happy camper either.

Back to the lemonade analogy:

We had our heart set on a verandah cabin on our 45 day Tales of the South Pacific on the Amsterdam, only to find out the balcony was so stinky from the scupper vents, it was virtually unusable.

Ship happens, even when everything looked perfect up front. (HAL did what they could to keep flushing these drains and did offer a small reimbursement, but no cabin changes could be offered on this very popular cruise either.)

Why not call Holland America on your own and try to make a new booking and ask them to get your desired cabin out of inventory? If they are able to do this, then keep this booking and have your travel agent cancel the booking you made with them.

Back to the lemonade analogy:

 

We had our heart set on a verandah cabin on our 45 day Tales of the South Pacific on the Amsterdam, only to find out the balcony was so stinky from the scupper vents, it was virtually unusable.

 

Ship happens, even when everything looked perfect up front. (HAL did what they could to keep flushing these drains and did offer a small reimbursement, but no cabin changes could be offered on this very popular cruise either.)

But, you got the cabin you requested. Sure ship happens and certainly has to us and I try to make lemonade out of lemons. But, when it's sour it's no fun.

OP has a serious issue and it's not a making lemonade out of lemons IMO. It needs to be resolved to their satisfaction.

Why not call Holland America on your own and try to make a new booking and ask them to get your desired cabin out of inventory? If they are able to do this, then keep this booking and have your travel agent cancel the booking you made with them.

Good idea. The OP can even transfer it to the TA (or another one) for some perks after. I would let the TA try to prove themselves first though (like Monday ;) ).

But, you got the cabin you requested. Sure ship happens and certainly has to us and I try to make lemonade out of lemons. But, when it's sour it's no fun.

 

OP has a serious issue and it's not a making lemonade out of lemons IMO. It needs to be resolved to their satisfaction.

 

 

 

Good idea. The OP can even transfer it to the TA (or another one) for some perks after. I would let the TA try to prove themselves first though (like Monday ;) ).

Agree, she should do everything she can before departure. But once on board, it is time for lemonade - hopefully paid with a generous OBC from her travel agent.

I'd have a lot of trouble making lemonade out of this situation!

Am I correct that you just found out and haven't talked to the TA yet? If so, start there and see what he/she says. Are there any Neptunes available? For an error this egregious, the TA should offer that if there's no way to get you into a Vista.

If you call HAL, do an inquiry as if you're making a new booking. Don't tell them you booked with a TA because they might not talk to you. They aren't supposed to "poach" bookings from TAs, and any direct contact with a passenger who used a TA can be construed as that. If they tell you no Vistas are available, explain the problem and ask how to get on a waitlist. You've got a long way to go, and cabins are likely to become available. The trick is how to get in line to grab one.

You might also ask about transferring the booking back to HAL. I have never done it, but I'm sure someone here can tell you how it's done.

I'd have a lot of trouble making lemonade out of this situation!

 

Am I correct that you just found out and haven't talked to the TA yet? If so, start there and see what he/she says. Are there any Neptunes available? For an error this egregious, the TA should offer that if there's no way to get you into a Vista.

 

If you call HAL, do an inquiry as if you're making a new booking. Don't tell them you booked with a TA because they might not talk to you. They aren't supposed to "poach" bookings from TAs, and any direct contact with a passenger who used a TA can be construed as that. If they tell you no Vistas are available, explain the problem and ask how to get on a waitlist. You've got a long way to go, and cabins are likely to become available. The trick is how to get in line to grab one.

 

You might also ask about transferring the booking back to HAL. I have never done it, but I'm sure someone here can tell you how it's done.

Now there is a SMART idea.

Let the TA get them a Neptune and absorb the cost - LOL.

I think the OP may have a tiny problem talking to HAL though. As soon as they check their phone # or mariner number, they are going to know they are already booked.

Best to do it in a general way - interested in booking, no Vistas, can you help? And not disclose at the beginning who they are or they will be "cut off".

JMO and experience.

I'd move your booking to a new TA in a cocaine heartbeat. Then wrk with the new TA to get this sorted.

Why don't you ask your TA to get in touch with the agency's BDM at HAL. They usually have ways of doing extra things like that. At least, the TA could get some ideas from the BDM as to the best way to get around the problem to solve it. Good luck.

You might also ask about transferring the booking back to HAL. I have never done it, but I'm sure someone here can tell you how it's done.

Had to do this ONCE. That was enough.

First the TA has to agree to it. For me, it was a three way phone call initiated by the TA. Then, once I had given all my info so HAL could be sure it was me, it was left to the TA to finish the transfer. After that, I was able to get my PCC on the phone to finish up our business (which was to change the cruise date, etc.)

For the OP, this would allow them to deal directly with HAL but without any TA clout (if they ever had any).

HAL, however, may not be real happy to transfer this booking out to another TA after this whole exercise.:rolleyes:

Cheers!

Kmcspoon ... Pardon my confusion. Are you wanting to cruise from Hong Kong or Tokyo? And what are the travel dates?

Cheers!

OP has already stated that TA is having trouble booking one of the available cabins and can't get it done. I would be finished with this TA. I have had HAL check with inventory control and had a cabin freed up that was being held for a longer cruise. It can be done. You just have to be persistent.

Kmcspoon ... Pardon my confusion. Are you wanting to cruise from Hong Kong or Tokyo? And what are the travel dates?

 

Cheers!

We want to start in Hong Kong, March 28. End up in Vancouver 44 days later. It is booked as two B2Bs.

Apparently different segments of the cruise I could get the balcony, but all the balcony and suite categories on the April segment in Japan is fully booked.

I'll see what he says tomorrow.

I do accept my share of the blame for not checking the booking at the time. I have never had this happen to me before, but I certainly have lived long enough to know better.

You are all very insightful, and it has been very helpful to read the replies.

I'll see what TA comes up with tomorrow. I have been laboring over alternate itineraries and lines, and really, nothing compares. Well, I did see a trip to Antarctica that looked amazing, but that is only because I adore penguins. I want to see Japan in the Springtime!

Thank you again.

Please do let us know how you make out.

I hope you get some satisfaction. Finger crossed!!!!!