Holland America Line Personal Cruise Consultant

Who uses Holland America Line Personal Cruise Consultants? Do you ever get special perks from them? What is your thought about using HAL folks versus going through sites like Costco who give you the same rate but extra perks like Onboard Credits and dining credits? Your thoughts ?

We have had our HAL PCC since 2008 and she takes personal care of our cruising needs. Some call it "eliminating the middle man" since she sits at a HAL terminal and can make instant choices for us. She does notify us when group rates are available for pre-/post cruise hotels.

Our HAL PCC has nothing to do with cabin inventory upsells/upgrades but does ensure that we receive OBC whenever prices drop after final payment.

As our friend, we meet her whenever we are passing through Seattle and she joins us for dinner.

We do not use HAL for airline reservations but depend on Southwest Airlines for our "no-baggage fees" travel.

We would never trade her for a TA.

We have used a PCC since 2002. We are able to get PG dinners, VIP packages and other things depending on the length of the cruise booked.

All PCC's have a point method which they can use at their discretion for perks. They are limited in the value of the perks they can give by many other things.

If the price of our cruise drops prior to final payment we get the new price without rebooking. If it is after final payment we usually will get OBC of some sort.

We are very happy with our PCC and don't think it will change soon.

When our local TA went out of business some years ago, we started having a PCC make our bookings and we have stayed with him. Our prices are definitely not the best possible but we have made our choice to remain with him.

Thanks for the feedback. I look forward to my PCC and hope they deliver. :)

We have used a PCC since 2002. We are able to get PG dinners, VIP packages and other things depending on the length of the cruise booked.

All PCC's have a point method which they can use at their discretion for perks. They are limited in the value of the perks they can give by many other things.

 

If the price of our cruise drops prior to final payment we get the new price without rebooking. If it is after final payment we usually will get OBC of some sort.

 

We are very happy with our PCC and don't think it will change soon.

That is interesting to know.

We have recently received emails from a PCC that has been assigned to us. He indicates that he will be happy to help us with any future cruises we might want to book. He does not seem to be aware that we already have a cruise booked, unless he is not allowed to take business already booked.

I'm really not sure if it is worth trying to use his services or just leave the booking with HAL.

When others here have been 'assigned' a PCC, did you ask them about their work history and experience or did you just jump in?

Still undecided.

We do not book directly with HAL. We would rather enjoy the 8-12 percent rebate in the form of OBC's that our on line TA gives to us. And we get very good service from her.

It adds up quickly.

We have recently received emails from a PCC that has been assigned to us. He indicates that he will be happy to help us with any future cruises we might want to book. He does not seem to be aware that we already have a cruise booked, unless he is not allowed to take business already booked.

 

I'm really not sure if it is worth trying to use his services or just leave the booking with HAL.

When others here have been 'assigned' a PCC, did you ask them about their work history and experience or did you just jump in?

We have had at least 4 PCC's "assigned" to us since 2008. They tend to turn over. I like cutting the middleman out of the equation, but have not seen any real benefit except direct answers to questions. Have never gotten any perks like mentioned above. (Only 3 Star, so maybe why.) The system works for us, we live in a small suburb, so no great brick and mortar cruise specialists available.

Have had some general discussions with the PCC about their experience, but nothing real personal. End of the day, they provide a service and do a credible job.

Thanks for the feedback. I look forward to my PCC and hope they deliver. :)

Noticed that you will be cruising on the Zuiderdam - Sept 28th.........

This is a link to their roll call.....in case you would like to join.........:)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1739015

We book with our PCC. Yes, we have had several. The PCC seems to be able to make sure everything is booked correctly. We have done several TA's and only need air on way. We have always gotten an excellent rate via HAL. The PCC doesn't take care of the air. The PCC does help us with room or guarantee, dining time and makes sure all our perks are correct. After I am certain everything is booked to my satisfaction and I have no more issues or questions, I transfer the booking to an online cruise agency and get even more perks. I have had the same agent with my on line agency for several years now. She is very helpful. Seems like the best of both worlds.

It must be noted that if you spot the perfect cabin on the HAL website, such as an aft wrap (only 10 per Vista-class ships), while you are searching for a future cruise in the wee hours of the morning, you can book immediately online and then contact your PCC in the morning for the rest of the details. The PCC will locate your cruise booking number and transfer management of it to their control. This will probably work for cruises you booked prior to having a HAL PCC.

I use the PCC and have had a wonderful experience using them, this is my second one now as mentioned before they move on. They do have perks available and I found that is easy to get good rapport going. I just booked my 4th trip to Alaska this morning this time with a Land/Cruise trip and excited.

Rick

It must be noted that if you spot the perfect cabin on the HAL website, such as an aft wrap (only 10 per Vista-class ships), while you are searching for a future cruise in the wee hours of the morning, you can book immediately online and then contact your PCC in the morning for the rest of the details. The PCC will locate your cruise booking number and transfer management of it to their control. This will probably work for cruises you booked prior to having a HAL PCC.

I booked a cruise online in May and called my PCC the next day to have it transferred. I was told it could not be done once the booking was made and deposit received thru the online system.

I booked a cruise online in May and called my PCC the next day to have it transferred. I was told it could not be done once the booking was made and deposit received thru the online system.

I did this once ... but I'm pretty sure that I only put a 24-hr HOLD on the cruise, I didn't actually complete the booking. My PCC called me the next day to finalize the booking.

I did this once ... but I'm pretty sure that I only put a 24-hr HOLD on the cruise, I didn't actually complete the booking. My PCC called me the next day to finalize the booking.

Thank you! This is good info to have. I was a little upset when I wasn't able to transfer it over but it's all ok. Next time I know to only put it on hold. Learn something new here everyday.

My travel agent and friend passed away of few years ago and now use a PCC. I'm very please with the services provided by my PCC, although I do miss the "kick backs."

Who uses Holland America Line Personal Cruise Consultants? Do you ever get special perks from them? What is your thought about using HAL folks versus going through sites like Costco who give you the same rate but extra perks like Onboard Credits and dining credits? Your thoughts ?

We do not use HAL's PCC's.

For starters they do not accept the AMEX Plat shareholders shipboard credit -- we get $300 in shipboard credit, a free Pinnacle dinner and a bottle of sparkling wine from AMEX.

This is just me -- I would not use an online agency. I prefer to deal with a person that I can go and see and talk to personally.

I book our hotels and flights and when needed -- transfers like limos.

I booked a cruise online in May and called my PCC the next day to have it transferred. I was told it could not be done once the booking was made and deposit received thru the online system.

I think if you are past final payment date you cannot transfer the booking, but up until that date I thought you were allowed to transfer to an agent of your choosing.

We have used a Travel Agent for several years. We received perks the first couple of cruises and nothing for the last couple of years ,even though we brought her new business via introducing friends. We figured the travel business must not be doing well. At any rate this year we recieved an "invite" from an HA PCC and will go with her. If we get no perks we will have lost nothing.

I've never used a HAL PCC. Talked to one a few years ago who somehow was assigned to us but never did any booking with him. Nice enough fellow but couldn't offer any perks or discounts so I saw no value added.

Same here.

'Nice' did not pay the bulldog for us.

Neither did a complementary Pinnacle dinner. What does it for us is the 8-12 percent rebates in the form of OBC's. And our on-line TA is just a 'nice'. If we feel the need to get chatted up (which we don't), we can go to a local automobile dealership!

I used a HAL PCC for 7 cruises. I have only received one small floral arrangement and a PG dinner in all that time. So, now I have gone to a TA recommended by friends and she is doing MUCH better for me. :D:D

I think if you are past final payment date you cannot transfer the booking, but up until that date I thought you were allowed to transfer to an agent of your choosing.

I was told no by both the PCC and her supervisor. Not much explanation from either of them other than once I booked it online I couldn't switch it.

I used a HAL PCC for 7 cruises. I have only received one small floral arrangement and a PG dinner in all that time. So' date=' now I have gone to a TA recommended by friends and she is doing MUCH better for me. :D:D[/quote']

 

We once spoke with our "assigned" PCC about booking a cruise direct with HA. After listening patiently I asked only one question, "Can you give me the same deal I can get from several TAs who are offering hefty OBCs?" The answer was No... In this case it was a Grand Cruise and the OBC (which we actually were able to take as a price reduction) was over $3000! The PCC could offer us free luggage shipping....but our airline (Southwest) also does that for free :)

 

Hank