highlandmom

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

Wonderful! 

Good grief 🤦‍♀️I just noticed your location!  Are you in Ottawa too? 

22 hours ago, Fouremco said:

@highlandmom, let me add my name to the list of posters who have stated that your PCC's response was totally unacceptable. While I understand your reluctance to get her in trouble, you are doing both HAL and your fellow cruisers a disservice by letting this go by unchallenged. If you choose to keep using a PCC, phone and speak to a supervisor, request a new PCC, and explain exactly why, just as you've done here. If you choose to use a TA at this point, at least phone and speak to the supervisor.

 

On the question of TA's, we've used the box box store ever since they opened their travel arm in Canada a few years ago and have been extremely pleased with them. Their website is very easy to use to conduct research, and I've had nothing but very positive experiences dealing with their agents. While you won't necessarily get the same agent if you call back on a booking, their record keeping must be excellent as whomever I deal with is right on top of things. I've cancelled cruises, changed cabins, re-fared booking, etc., all with no difficulty and with no charge. For our last HAL cruise, in June, we received $710 (USD) in refundable OBC, plus 2% cash back on the booking price.

 

Full disclosure: every communication with this TA has resulted in an email confirming action taken or information provided during a phone call. I've never asked for an email quote, but I have no reason to believe that one wouldn't be provided if requested. To give an example, for a booking made about a month ago, a cabin I was interested in must have been placed on hold in the minutes before my phone call to the TA to book it. As a result, I booked our second choice, but asked the agent to keep an eye on the first one and, if it was released, swap cabins and let me know. A few hours later, the agent sent an email confirming the swap.

 

Whatever route you choose for booking, I hope it all works out well. You and DH must be proud seeing one son getting married and another heading to Depot. 

Thank you for your thoughts on the situation.  I'll take calling in to a supervisor into consideration.  Regarding the box store,  I spent some time yesterday afternoon on their travel site and found it very easy to navigate.  I really like that the room options are easy to see or change and that it's easy to add a second room to the booking.  I was also pleasantly surprised to see though the price was almost the same as the HAL site, I would receive the promotions HAL is offering plus $645 US OBC on the Koniningsdam option or $380 on the NS option.  That's an incentive in itself.  I really appreciate that you've mentioned being able to communicate with an agent and reprice or change the booking with ease.

The final payment deadline is today on both cruises so I will monitor closely over the next week or so.  Perhaps the price will drop a bit if people cancel at the "deadline".    Hopefully it won't  go up 🙂  Now if only airfare wasn't so insane!!! 

Thanks also for the well wishes regarding the boys.  Yes, we are very pleased and proud of them.  It'll be a full circle moment for our family because 21 years ago, the son entering Depot was 6 weeks old & being carried around in a car seat, when my husband finished his training with the RCMP!

9 hours ago, Taters said:

OP, I was a bit taken aback when I read that your PCC wouldn't do business with you via email.  You see, I'm deaf.  I have cochlear implants, but they are far inferior to natural hearing and I really struggle on the phone.  I always prefer email.  If anyone were to tell me that, I'd get upset.

 

My HAL PCC is an amazing guy.  He has never hesitated to work with me via email and is very patient with me during the occasional call, like when I am giving him my credit card number.  I will not email that to anyone.  

 

I hope you get someone new...  There are some awesome people working at HAL.

Thank you for sharing your personal situation  with us.  I am very glad you have a PCC who gives you excellent customer service in the manner you request!   Coincidentally, I have hearing loss and severe tinnitus and that is one of the reasons I too prefer email.  I also just like the paper trail.  

10 hours ago, sevenseasnomad said:

 

I cannot understand a PCC with whom you've deal before sending such a message.  As others have said, it's time to move on with a new PCC or with a TA.  I hope everything works out for you and your family to enjoy each other this Christmas.

 

BTW, we're on the B2B Christmas/New Year's on Nieuw Statendam this year.  Last year, we cruised the same ship for Christmas week only, and the previous year we were on the K to celebrate Christmas.  Both ships are so similar that there's little difference.  Come join us on NS.  Our roll call is starting to pick up, if you decide to sail on NS.  Best of luck with finding a PCC or TA who is efficient and gracious to help you plan this important cruise.

Just to clarify, I hadn’t utilized this PCC for our Koningsdam cruise in March.  For that cruise (our first with HA) I just called the 1-800 number and dealt with an agent who answered.  I was subsequently assigned this PCC and started receiving all of the HA emails with her signature line.  

Thanks for for the invite!  Your holiday plans sound wonderful.   There was so much we liked about our time on Koningsdam that we know we’ll enjoy sailing her again.  You typically wouldn’t think an 18 yr old would have loved it but she is adamant that it was her favourite cruise (out of @12).  We aren’t loyal to one line and have sailed on most of the major ones a couple of times.  We are looking forward to trying HA again.   

I hope to do do some research today both on the cruises and  maybe finding a TA. ⚓️

45 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

...thanks for your request for a quote but I spend all day on the phone and don’t have time to reply to emails for quotes.   If you call me I’ll help. 

 

Wrong answer! I would go with someone else based on that response alone

I agree and based on the other responses feel a tad validated in my dismay at her response (or lack of).   

 I guess my intention in starting the thread was to see if I was expecting too much or if she just wasn’t what most experience.  

Thankfully for others, they seem to get excellent service!   I will keep looking for someone who wants to book our annual vacations ⚓️🏖🍾

51 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

Wow, I’d report her to be honest.  We just recently booked 2 cruises with our PCC-started with email and very little phone conversation.  He was excellent at responding and always has been going above & beyond some times.  You definitely got a dud.  

I don’t think I’ll go as far as reporting her.  I guess at the very least she was honest by saying she wouldn’t do what I asked 😲

I also won’t  “hold it against” HA.   We will still keep those two cruises as very promising options.   She just won’t see any commission  from our cruise ( 2 cabins with 5 people still totals a hefty sum in my world).  Her loss.   

5 minutes ago, Gigi1977 said:

My PCC is fabulous.  He loves that I do email.   He will send me quotes and even do holds for a short period while we reserve vacation time!! He worked over an hour getting us flights that worked recently.  I think you have the wrong PCC.  Ask to change!! 

 It sounds like you are in excellent hands with your PCC.   That’s very reassuring.  

6 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Good for you! 

 

Nearly makes you wonder and suspect why they don’t put quotes in writing.

 

 

I was wondering if it was a hesitancy to be held to a given price quote.  But, without being too harsh,  I think it was just laziness.    A disclaimer on a quote something to the effect of “subject to change at any given time” would free her or HA from a price guarantee. 

2 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Wow.

 

I’d be tempted to email her right back and say something like “ Thank you for your prompt reply. I won’t take up any more of your time. “

Mans just go on to work with someone else.

 That’s exactly what I did.  Very politely just said that I guess I misunderstood her role and I’ll research on my own.  

4 minutes ago, Lido deck main said:

IMO, I think the PCC has the attitude that her time is more valuable than the clients time.  It would had been nice had she at least called you if she doesn’t like to email. I would try another PCC.  Hope you all get to go on the cruise, sounds wonderful, whatever option you choose, we both still work full time, I know how hard it sometimes is to find coordinating time off.  

 Thank you, we really hope to make it work.  We did a Christmas cruise a few years ago and loved it!   We happen to be at one of those pivotal moments as a family when everything is about to change (one son is getting married in May and another son is headed to RCMP training and will be posted somewhere else in Canada).  So, it is a milestone Christmas.   

1 minute ago, rafinmd said:

Looks suspicious to me.  I'm just wondering though why you went to a PCC rather than a TA where you could have included all 3 of your interested cruises.

 

Roy

 Good question Roy.  I’m not opposed to the idea I just haven’t found a travel agent.  We go on one or two cruises a year for the last 10 years and all except one I booked online or by calling into the cruise line.  

   There was a recent & long thread debating using a TA or going on your own.  I learned about trying to use a TA who is part of a President’s Circle (sorry, that title may be wrong).   At that time I googled it and searched but came up empty.  I wish we were allowed to recommend agents but I respect the CC policy.  

So, this interaction happened this week and it has me going hmmmm 🤔

We are intending to do a family Christmas cruise this year and have it narrowed down to 3 options, 2 of which are HA (Koningsdam & NS).   We sailed  K at spring break in March with our 18 yr old and loved it so it’s the leading contender.  We intend to  book in a week or 2 once we confirm our 3 young adult children can all make it and hubby can get the time off work.  

I have always booked our cruises directly to retain control but I receive all of these emails from an assigned PCC and thought - let me give her a shot at doing the leg work and then I’ll just book through her in a week or 2 when we know for sure which we pick.  

So that’s the context, (hang in there - yes this is long), I emailed the PCC  and requested an email quote (which I know can change daily) for 2 cabins.   I outlined a couple of specifications  like one Veranda for 3 pax & one inside for 2 - preferably on the same deck and nearish etc.  I also ask to be informed of any obc or special offer.  This will just give me an idea of where the budget needs to be and cabin availability.  Nothing crazy.  I thought..

This is the paraphrased email reply I got from her....thanks for your request for a quote but I spend all day on the phone and don’t have time to reply to emails for quotes.   If you call me I’ll help. 

Huh⁉️   It’s very possible that I totally don’t understand what a PCC or even a travel agent  does.  I thought giving a potential client quotes for 2 cruises would be something they did all the time.  Was it  because I asked for it via email?  I just prefer email to get the info.  

 Was I asking something crazy and out of line?  

What say you?

We too received an offer yesterday on the March 6 Koningsdam sailing.   It was to upgrade from a VC balcony to a Neptune Suite.  I thought the suites were showing sold out so I was surprised.  

It’s our first HAL cruise 🎉 and  it absolutely would have been nice to be in a suite.  There are 3 of us in the cabin so the extra space would have been a plus (our last spring break cruise we were in a suite on the Anthem).    But, the price was $3300 Can. 👎🏻   That was an easy no for us in this particular situation.  I’d rather put it toward another cruise.  But for some, I’m sure it would have been an easy “yes”.   

Congratulations on the upgrade!  We are on that sailing too and are very excited to sail with HAL for the first time. That and get out of all of the snow here in Ottawa!!!  3 weeks today!!!

On 1/26/2019 at 3:08 PM, POA1 said:

 

We were pretty disappointed in the wines by the glass during our last cruise. You had to work to assemble a whole list. If you have the EBP, taste everything. Some of the best wine is available on the SBP. 

Taste everything?? Wellllllll if we must 🥂👌🏻

 We intended  to stop in there for our wine before our spring break trip on the Koningsdam. However @POA1 your recent Christmas review “inspired” me to get the  EBP 😆🍹HAL owes you a commission!

Do you have any recommendations on wines by the glass that you think are worthy or well rated? I know it’s subjective, but advice is welcome .  I do have your recommendation of Nicolas Feuillatte noted 🍾

cheers

6 hours ago, pghsteelerfan said:

Cockleshell, yes, it's $28.00, per cab/each way to/from.  The cost is split among passengers, depending on the number of people.  So yes, $14.00 pp/each way if just 2 of you.  Normally when you get a taxi from the port, they will wait for the taxis (mostly vans) to fill first, which it will bring the total number to 4+ people, which will bring the charge down to $7.00 pp/ each way.  Even if there are 10 people, they will still charge each person $7.00.  The trip is about 30 minutes to get there.   

 

Carambola (South Friar's Bay), yes, only $4 pp/each way.  That's what we paid on our second visit to St. Kitts.  We went to Shipwreck, same beach just opposite ends.  It's only about 15 minutes from port.  Be sure to have your driver stop at the Timothy Hill overlook which has great views where you can see both the Caribbean and Atlantic.  If you go to Carambola, be sure to take a walk down towards Shipwreck to see the black sand, if that's something that interests you.  It's only about a 10 minute walk.  Have a great time!

 

Thank you so much for the reply!   We are excited to see St Kitts, it’s a new port this trip.  

I've read so many reviews about so many beaches on our upcoming trip my head is spinning. 

Deciphering my notes, I think I've decided on Cockleshell beach in the Spice Mill Restaurant area for our day in St. Kitts.

Could someone please confirm the taxi or bus price?  I have $14 pp / per way written down and a 30 minute drive. Is that correct?  Are there shared open buses available for less?  There are 3 of us so $84 for transport seems a bit steep. I have only $4 pp to Carambola written down.  (I know it's closer to the port.)

Thank you!

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

Yes, can order from the Nam Sushi menu and can even sit at the Nam Sushi Bar.  The Tamarind is not open for lunch and that includes the Nam Sushi.

 

Here is the Nam Sushi menu:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Nami-Sushi.pdf

 Thank you very much.  Then go to Tamarind and order a couple of rolls a la carte is probably what we will do 🙂.

BTW I enjoyed your recent trip report and your site with menus etc.  It’s made for fun reading as we explore “all things HAL” before our holiday!   Thank you for taking the time to upload all of those documents.  

Does anyone know, who has sailed post dry dock, if you are dining at Tamarind, can you order sushi / rolls from Nami Sushi (and pay the a la carte fee)?  Tamarind was on our "must try" when we sail in March but since they separated Nami Sushi out taking some of the menu items I know my daughter would like best, it's not quite as appealing.  

Also, is Nami Sushi ever open for lunch on sea days?

Thank you!

I just wanted to take a second to say how much I have appreciated this thread.  POA1 (how do you imbed a screen name?), I recognize you have put a lot of time and energy into it and it has been very interesting and informative.  You and your wife seem lovely and I appreciate your attention to detail and planning - especially the wine ordering. Your wife's shoes get a big thumb's up too!  DH, DD & I are sailing HAL for the first time at spring break (Koningsdam March 6th - yippee) and I have been voraciously reading all things HAL.  So thank you for taking all of the time you have to post about your recent holiday!

Shelley

We are super excited to be on the Koningsdam March 6th for 11 nights!!  I’ve seen on our role call that there is a group booking for an entertainer (Perry Grant).  I have no clue who that is but I poked around to try to find out how big this group is going to be and any potential impacts on the rest of the passengers.  I saw on their FB site they are advertising all sorts of private events including private concerts every evening in the Crows Nest.   My question - would the ship actually close off that entire venue every evening for the group?   I haven’t been on the ship but it seems like that would be a popular place and would displace people.    I know overall it won’t trouble us.  We will enjoy our fun in the sun and out of the snow!  But I’m more curious than anything.   Does anyone have any experience  or advice with anything similar to this music group cruise?

Thanks for the possible explanations. The sailing isn't until March 6th (2019) but perhaps our category is sold out, and that would be in line with DaveOKC's thoughts.  

Reading through this thread it seems that some people added the Cyber sale perks and were able to keep their OBC, even from the cruise line, not just a TA.  We booked with the flexible fare option (not Explore 4 or anything special) and had received $150 OBC.  In order to add the cyber sale perks we had to give up the credit.  Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that it was added with only a 30 minute call.  We came out about $150 "ahead".  But I'm just wondering why we couldn't have kept the credit too.  

What could explain the different results people are getting? 

Thank you very much!