Opinions Please...Getting Explore 4 If Already Booked

Just curious and wondering if anyone can tell me the possibilities...

A number of folks are saying that HAL is about to start the Explore 4 promo in August. We are already booked for a cruise but haven't made final payment yet.

What are the chances we might get in on at least some features of the new promo? Thanks!

Just curious and wondering if anyone can tell me the possibilities...

 

A number of folks are saying that HAL is about to start the Explore 4 promo in August. We are already booked for a cruise but haven't made final payment yet.

 

What are the chances we might get in on at least some features of the new promo? Thanks!

Prior to final payment (and as long as you are not on one of the new non-refundable fares), you can always just rebook (quickly and easily) your cruise. You generally can keep your cabin and other reservations like shore excursions, specialty dining, etc.

HOWEVER, you normally will have to pay the new fare (likely alot higher than what you have reserved now). You cannot keep your old fare and get the Explore4 or any of its perks just added on for free.

Of course, there are exceptions to this, especially if your cruise is not selling well and HAL decided to lower fares.

We have a 25 day MED/TA cruise in October. We asked about Explore-4 and they said NO, it was linked to cruises 6 months or more in the future. And, it would have raised our cruise fare by almost as much as buying the SBP online. If your cruise is in 2018 or later, it might be sold under the Explore-4 promotion. But prices usually go up when it is attached. There's no free lunch !!

It would just be a re-fare for your reservation. The question is will it be worth it? We did a re-fare to Explore4 last year for a cruise and a re-fare for the Ready, Set, Sail promo as well. It actually cost a bit more dollar-wise but made up in OBC, gratutities, etc.

I had it added to a cruise this year when it came out last year. In my case the fare did not change, and I got included gratuities, the beverage package, $200 toward internet and Pinnacle grill for 2

I'm booked on the Zaandam 14 day Alaska Explorer for 7/30/18 - modified booking yesterday to include the Explore4 promo. My fare only went up by $85pp with the new promo. Yes it is a fare increase but well worth it IMHO. Especially considering how minimal it was :D

I forgot to add - Explore4 is for cruises departing between January 2018 to April 2019. Not sure if any sailings (such as grand voyages, etc) are excluded. 2017 cruises are not applicable.

The Explore4 promo includes the Signature Beverage Package for 2, 1 pinnacle grill dinner for 2, free or reduced 3rd & 4th guest fares and up to $200 onboard credit for suites.

Not as generous as last years version as that one offered pre-paid gratuities for suites and an Internet credit for suites

You might get something, the explorer 4 usually cost a lot more.

But ask your TA to check you never know. 😀

It is hard to predict if you will qualify for the Explore4 promotion and if HAL will want to charge you a higher price.

About 3 years ago we were already booked for a cruise for 2016. The Explore4 was offered in July 2015. We were already paying top dollar for the Pinnacle suite and we were turned down for the package.

So all you can do is have your TA call HAL and see what happens.

I'm booked on the Zaandam 14 day Alaska Explorer for 7/30/18 - modified booking yesterday to include the Explore4 promo. My fare only went up by $85pp with the new promo. Yes it is a fare increase but well worth it IMHO. Especially considering how minimal it was :D

I'm on this same Zaandam cruise as you. Did you just call HAL and ask them to add Explore 4? I'd like to get this added to my reservation too.

I'm on this same Zaandam cruise as you. Did you just call HAL and ask them to add Explore 4? I'd like to get this added to my reservation too.

If you are booked directly with HAL call them and ask to be refared under the Explore4 promo. If booked with a travel agency they can do it in the HAL booking system or by calling HAL. The amount of the fare increase is not consistent category to category so your fare differential could be more substantial than mine. I was originally booked on an "advantage" fare (standard early booking fare w/ no restrictions) in a category H. I also qualify for a casino discount which factors in as well.

P.S. - Andi Land I think we may be neighbors on this sailing. I know you were considering room 3367. I'm currently booked into 3369.

If you are booked directly with HAL call them and ask to be refared under the Explore4 promo. If booked with a travel agency they can do it in the HAL booking system or by calling HAL. The amount of the fare increase is not consistent category to category so your fare differential could be more substantial than mine. I was originally booked on an "advantage" fare (standard early booking fare w/ no restrictions) in a category H. I also qualify for a casino discount which factors in as well.

 

P.S. - Andi Land I think we may be neighbors on this sailing. I know you were considering room 3367. I'm currently booked into 3369.

Yes, we are neighbors 😊 I'll give HAL a call tomorrow and see what happens. Thank you.

Definitely worth checking. We originally booked Feb 2016 for our July 2017 Alaska cruise. When Explore4 came out last year we rebooked same room, saved $60 and got free drinks and PG dinner.

Thanks everyone. I think it's worth investigating with my TA.

I'm booked on the Zaandam 14 day Alaska Explorer for 7/30/18 - modified booking yesterday to include the Explore4 promo. My fare only went up by $85pp with the new promo. Yes it is a fare increase but well worth it IMHO. Especially considering how minimal it was :D

Atlanta!

I and my family are on this itinerary embarking the day you and AndiLand get off! We are in the FIVE category H oceanviews on the port hallway corresponding to your two's and the three aft of them. I am so jazzed to tell my family members their drinks (including real coffee/espresso!) are covered!

But what I don't understand is how you got the E4 before August 1st? I will definitely call my PCC tomorrow (rather after I sleep today) and beat the rush!

We were able to have our TA add Explore 4 last year with no price increase whatsoever. We got the Signature Beverage Package, two Pinnacle dinners, two Canaletto dinners, and $300 pp OBC. This was in a suite on the Eurodam the week before Christmas. It won't always work out this well, but it doesn't hurt to check. Good luck.

Atlanta!

I and my family are on this itinerary embarking the day you and AndiLand get off! We are in the FIVE category H oceanviews on the port hallway corresponding to your two's and the three aft of them. I am so jazzed to tell my family members their drinks (including real coffee/espresso!) are covered!

 

But what I don't understand is how you got the E4 before August 1st? I will definitely call my PCC tomorrow (rather after I sleep today) and beat the rush!

Not sure how they got Explore 4 early either - it's still not on the HAL website. Inside connections?

We were already paying top dollar for the Pinnacle suite and we were turned down for the package.

I'm surprised you were turned down. Was it because all the Pinnacle Suites were booked so there was no new pricing on them?

We changed to Explore 4 on our Koningsdam Cruise. Additional charge was $400 per person which was a good deal when considering all the perks (which we used). Then the cruise price came down and we ended up re-pricing again with Explore 4 the total cost from our original price was only $100 per person so GREAT deal. Best advice to OP is to add up the value of the perks and see if it's worth the upcharge or not.

Not sure how they got Explore 4 early either - it's still not on the HAL website. Inside connections?

Some agencies are offering Explore 4 now to current clients in advance of HAL's announcement. (I had an e-mail from mine yesterday.)

Some agencies are offering Explore 4 now to current clients in advance of HAL's announcement. (I had an e-mail from mine yesterday.)

I just checked the travel website for a LARGE agency and it is showing a SALE option (no details) for $700 more than the current HAL price on my 16 day cruise.

HAL quietly opened the promo for sale on 7/29 through their agent booking portal, however they have not officially "launched" it yet, so it does not show on their webpage or travel agent sites yet. As I work for a travel agency, and know how to search deeper into the fare codes, I was able to modify my booking myself :)

Not sure how they got Explore 4 early either - it's still not on the HAL website. Inside connections?

I called HAL this morning and they added it to my booking. No inside connections. 😊 From talking to the rep, they've had quite a few calls to add this on.

I called HAL this morning and they added it to my booking. No inside connections. 😊 From talking to the rep, they've had quite a few calls to add this on.

You didn't mention if it cost you anything to "add it on" to your booking, and if the fare changed. Please elaborate. Thanks.

You didn't mention if it cost you anything to "add it on" to your booking, and if the fare changed. Please elaborate. Thanks.

My fare increased $100 per person to add this on.

My fare increased $100 per person to add this on.

That is excellent! Hope my TA can wave her magic wand and get that good of a deal for us. Enjoy your cruise.