ame1993

On 3/15/2024 at 2:25 PM, Bimmer09 said:

I got an email this morning offering up some new Pacific Coast/Mexico HAL cruises and was instructed to book one pronto. Neither DeckChairQueen nor I have sailed HAL before and yet now I find we have 3 bookings. The cruises show on the HAL website so I didn't bother getting in touch with our PCC. Snagged an aft-wrap Neptune with HIA and booked online.

Ketchikan and Victoria are the only ports we are familiar with from our Princess sailings.

Anyone else get the email and book? We are on the 7 day Noordam April 19 2026. She also has a sailing in October 2025.

 

Norris

We're scheduled the October 2025. This week be our 2nd HAL. We were on the Volendam in June (Montreal to Boston) and it was fabulous!

In case you didn't know:

1) if you're a member of AARP (most anyone can join regardless of age) you can purchase discounted HAL Gift Cards (I think $500 for $460). You can purchase up to 5 per month. That's how we're paying for our cruise - every little bit helps!

2)  if you're a member of AARP, you can also complete paperwork for an On Board Credit (OBC). I think it's $100.

3) if you own/purchase 100 shares of Carnival Stock, you can apply for an additional OBC. The amount is dependent upon the length of your cruise, so for this one I think it might be $100. FUI: The OBC from Carnival Stock is good on Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, HAL Cruises and Seabourn.

4) You mentioned you booked directly thru HAL - if your normal Travel Agent gives you an OBC, you may be able to transfer your booking and still get OBC - check with your TA

Enjoy! Wish I could get my husband to commit to that many cruises!

Thanks for sharing your travels! Well be taking the Monarch Empress soon to explore the Danube. First time with this cruise line and first river cruise. So I'm very interested in learning more through your travels.  EnJoY!