watch for additional charges on your credit card when you get home!

[FLACRUISER99]

Not at present. It's also a very involved technology. But in the meantime, there's no reason why you can't, as you mentioned, get a copy every so often or simply ASK what your balance is... if you keep that close of track (and some do) verbal information is even more green than something using electricity :D

Princess has added a dedicated printer at the main desk that you swipe your seapass and it prints out your bill, no personal involved. I though this was a great idea and I'm sure not very difficult technology to implement!

[dirtgirl]

Worth fighting for? It doesn't sound like it was much of a fight. It was a mistake, you contacted them, they fixed it. Sounds pretty easy to me.

 

It also seems it could happen on any cruise line. With a thousand or more passengers and literally tens of thousands of transactions, it is unlikely that there wouldn't be an occasional mistake. If HAL or any other line was trying to be dishonest, they would fight fixing it and make you prove you didn't use those two bottles of water, etc. My bet would be that far more passengers claim they didn't use something they did to get out of a charge than cases where HAL or any other line wrongly charges someone.

 

For someone who represents themselves as a TA, I would expect a little more of a "let's fix this" approach than simply flying off the handle.

 

Didn't fly off the handle with them at all - you have that wrong. You have no idea how my email was written. Screaming and yelling at anybody does not solve anything. Sure it can happen on any cruise line - this thread just popped up at the right/wrong time when two of us in separate cabins had the same problem. I said I was impressed that it was fixed. Maybe fight was the wrong word, but I was prepared for them to claim I consumed something I didn't.

It upsets me that many don't bother to 'correct' (see, didn't use the word fight) the extra charge.

 

PS Venting is different from 'flying off the handle'. And venting is what I was doing. It was not projected at a person. It was a frustration at a situation that seems very common.

[dan1618]

Didn't fly off the handle with them at all - you have that wrong. You have no idea how my email was written. Screaming and yelling at anybody does not solve anything. Sure it can happen on any cruise line - this thread just popped up at the right/wrong time when two of us in separate cabins had the same problem. I said I was impressed that it was fixed. Maybe fight was the wrong word, but I was prepared for them to claim I consumed something I didn't.

It upsets me that many don't bother to 'correct' (see, didn't use the word fight) the extra charge.

 

PS Venting is different from 'flying off the handle'. And venting is what I was doing. It was not projected at a person. It was a frustration at a situation that seems very common.

 

 

Sorry for the confusion.:) I was not referring to how you treated them. I was referring to the reaction on the board -- I am going to warn all my clients about them -- over a mistake that was easily corrected -- as though they are out to deliberately cheat people.

 

My post wasn't just about yours, but about the whole tone of the thread. I get frustrated when people act like every mistake is somebody out to get them. Mistakes happen. Good companies fix them when it is brought to their attention. It seems like that is what happened with HAL, so I view that as a good thing -- knowing that they will fix it if a mistake is made. Makes me more likely to do business with them, not less. :)

[dirtgirl]

Sorry for the confusion.:) I was not referring to how you treated them. I was referring to the reaction on the board -- I am going to warn all my clients about them -- over a mistake that was easily corrected -- as though they are out to deliberately cheat people.

 

My post wasn't just about yours, but about the whole tone of the thread. I get frustrated when people act like every mistake is somebody out to get them. Mistakes happen. Good companies fix them when it is brought to their attention. It seems like that is what happened with HAL, so I view that as a good thing -- knowing that they will fix it if a mistake is made. Makes me more likely to do business with them, not less. :)

 

 

You are correct, and I was impressed with how quickly it was resolved. Just a little bit to my background - I have had to do a lot of 'battles' lately regarding my own injury and being stranded overseas last year at Christmas time for 8 days due to Heathrow shutting down. It's been 4 months of insurance claims, British Airline's claims, etc. I just didn't want to have to deal with yet another issue regarding me.;)

[critterchick]

I received an email from HAL today reversing the charges. Seems they billed it to the wrong cabin.

[cruiservictor]

Very interesting thread. It is amazing how similar all our experiences are. I just got back last week from the Zaandam 3/27 cruise to Hawaii. Because of past experiences, I, too, have the mini-bar emptied out on the first day. Plus I also get copies of our account several times throughout the cruise - there was never a problem. Then when we got home, the final charge posted to my credit card was $5.31 more than the final statement. There was nothing that I knew of that would have resulted in that. I went to the HAL web site and sent an email to the "onboard bill questions" category. This past Friday afternoon I received this response from Pearl Tucker, Accounts Receivable Specialist - "Please accept our apologies for this error. It appears that an item was posted to the wrong cabin. I have requested a refund to your credit card for $5.31."

 

The credit has already been posted. But it does make you wonder how many of these "innocent" mistakes really do happen, and how many of the "victims" actually pursue it.

[dan1618]

Very interesting thread. It is amazing how similar all our experiences are. I just got back last week from the Zaandam 3/27 cruise to Hawaii. Because of past experiences, I, too, have the mini-bar emptied out on the first day. Plus I also get copies of our account several times throughout the cruise - there was never a problem. Then when we got home, the final charge posted to my credit card was $5.31 more than the final statement. There was nothing that I knew of that would have resulted in that. I went to the HAL web site and sent an email to the "onboard bill questions" category. This past Friday afternoon I received this response from Pearl Tucker, Accounts Receivable Specialist - "Please accept our apologies for this error. It appears that an item was posted to the wrong cabin. I have requested a refund to your credit card for $5.31."

 

The credit has already been posted. But it does make you wonder how many of these "innocent" mistakes really do happen, and how many of the "victims" actually pursue it.

 

If they are charges to the wrong room, then that means HAL makes no money if the mistake is NOT discovered -- because one room gets charged the $5.31(in your case) but the room it should have been billed to does not. If the mistake is discovered, odds are that HAL does not go back and later charge the correct room -- so if you discover it, HAL loses money when they refund you and don't charge the correct room. Hardly seems like an incentive for HAL to do this deliberately.

 

On the other hand, if HAL is FRAUDULENTLY adding charges to rooms in the hopes that they aren't discovered, then you should launch a full criminal investigation and never sail with them again.

 

Mistakes are mistakes. They happen. HAL fixed it. I can't believe how many people think this is some kind of conspiracy on HAL's part.

[critterchick]

Very interesting thread. It is amazing how similar all our experiences are. I just got back last week from the Zaandam 3/27 cruise to Hawaii. Because of past experiences, I, too, have the mini-bar emptied out on the first day. Plus I also get copies of our account several times throughout the cruise - there was never a problem. Then when we got home, the final charge posted to my credit card was $5.31 more than the final statement. There was nothing that I knew of that would have resulted in that. I went to the HAL web site and sent an email to the "onboard bill questions" category. This past Friday afternoon I received this response from Pearl Tucker, Accounts Receivable Specialist - "Please accept our apologies for this error. It appears that an item was posted to the wrong cabin. I have requested a refund to your credit card for $5.31."

 

The credit has already been posted. But it does make you wonder how many of these "innocent" mistakes really do happen, and how many of the "victims" actually pursue it.

 

If they are charges to the wrong room, then that means HAL makes no money if the mistake is NOT discovered -- because one room gets charged the $5.31(in your case) but the room it should have been billed to does not. If the mistake is discovered, odds are that HAL does not go back and later charge the correct room -- so if you discover it, HAL loses money when they refund you and don't charge the correct room. Hardly seems like an incentive for HAL to do this deliberately.

 

On the other hand, if HAL is FRAUDULENTLY adding charges to rooms in the hopes that they aren't discovered, then you should launch a full criminal investigation and never sail with them again.

 

Mistakes are mistakes. They happen. HAL fixed it. I can't believe how many people think this is some kind of conspiracy on HAL's part.

 

Ooh, I love a good conspiracy theory! I'm guessing that there are some sloppy recordkeeping practices and it's just easier to say that the charges were made to the wrong cabin than it is to actually track them down and resist the consumer. The response time is so quick (2 business days for me) that I don't think they really look into it.

[GeriatricNurse]

Princess has added a dedicated printer at the main desk that you swipe your seapass and it prints out your bill, no personal involved. I though this was a great idea and I'm sure not very difficult technology to implement!

 

Oh, you don't think that you will ever see that modern technology onboard HAL ships anytime soon, do you? :rolleyes: Along with the interactive televisons in the staterooms, like X has! :rolleyes:

[lvz2cruz]

I will say this seems to be a consistent thing with HAL. We cruised once and were incorreclty billed once. We have ten sailings with Celebrity and have never had minibar charges added after departure. Yes it is good that they take care of it but I wonder how many people do not follow up thus greatly padding their bottom line.

[GeriatricNurse]

I received an email from HAL today reversing the charges. Seems they billed it to the wrong cabin.

 

Same as what happened to me! :mad:

[Boytjie]

I will say this seems to be a consistent thing with HAL. We cruised once and were incorreclty billed once. .

 

One occurrence makes it a consistent thing? :confused:

 

We have sailed HAL four times and never had that happen. Not so consistent, I'd say. :rolleyes:

[dan1618]

Same as what happened to me! :mad:

 

I can see why you would be upset. I wouldn't want them to reverse the charges either! :eek:

[dan1618]

One occurrence makes it a consistent thing? :confused:

 

We have sailed HAL four times and never had that happen. Not so consistent, I'd say. :rolleyes:

 

I shared your confusion, but I finally figured it out. I couldn't understand why people who paid at least $1000 a person to go on a cruise, who probably spent several hundred more on shore excursions, dinners at the Pinnacle, and all sorts of other extras would be mad about $5 in extra charges that were removed by HAL as soon as they asked about it. I mean -- why would HAL try to rip people off and risk losing customers who spend thousands on HAL cruises -- and why would someone who spent thousands be so upset over 5 bucks. Then it came to me:

 

We are trying to scare people off of sailing HAL. That way the ships won't be as heavily booked, HAL will run more specials to fill them up (so we can cruise for less money) and the ships won't be as crowded so service will be better. Like Hannibal Smith on the A-Team used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together!" :D

[Silver sailor]

I why would someone who spent thousands be so upset over 5 bucks.

 

Dan your defense of HAL is admirable

However let me give you my thought on your comment

True when one pays thousands for a cruise 5, 10, or even 100 dollars is a small amount

However I have an unusal quirk I like to get what I pay for

If you would tend to overlook this fine, but obviously there are others who do not

 

recently had the following experience

About an hour prior to debarking the mini bar was checked and two bottles of wine were missing

I told the young lady that we did not consume the wine, which we did not.

She said they would be replaced but we would not be charged .

Credit card amount ctually charged was higher than final statement and I quested HAL

The charge was for the Mini bar

Received email stating that it should have been charged to another stateroom

Credit to be issued but I wonder if the "charged to wrong room " is a standard reply

Is the explanation true?

How often does it happen?? but it does

[dan1618]

 

Dan your defense of HAL is admirable

However let me give you my thought on your comment

True when one pays thousands for a cruise 5, 10, or even 100 dollars is a small amount

However I have an unusal quirk I like to get what I pay for

If you would tend to overlook this fine, but obviously there are others who do not

 

recently had the following experience

About an hour prior to debarking the mini bar was checked and two bottles of wine were missing

I told the young lady that we did not consume the wine, which we did not.

She said they would be replaced but we would not be charged .

Credit card amount ctually charged was higher than final statement and I quested HAL

The charge was for the Mini bar

Received email stating that it should have been charged to another stateroom

Credit to be issued but I wonder if the "charged to wrong room " is a standard reply

Is the explanation true?

How often does it happen?? but it does

 

Actually, I would not overlook it. I would call HAL and ask for the charge to be removed. It seems that has worked for everyone that had the issue. If they removed it without argument, I would be more than satisfied.

 

As for the explanation "charged to the wrong room"? I suspect that often is the true explanation, but I also suspect that HAL does not take the time to investigate every disputed charge. Let's face it: till they pay 3 people 10 bucks an hour to find the mistake, fix the mistake, and explain the mistake, they lose even more money. So my suspicion is that they say "Sorry -- charged to the wrong room -- and remove the charge without a second thought. Unless they see a pattern that leads them to believe they have an onboard honesty problem with staff -- or a customer who is trying to get something for nothing -- I doubt they do anymore. Because I know mistakes happen, I am fine with that.

 

All I was trying to say here is that when they fix it, why continue to gripe about it? With literally thousands of passengers every week, mistakes are going to happen. There are enough real problems in life that it isn't necessary to make mountains out of molehills. :)

[kazu]

Actually, I would not overlook it. I would call HAL and ask for the charge to be removed. It seems that has worked for everyone that had the issue. If they removed it without argument, I would be more than satisfied.

 

As for the explanation "charged to the wrong room"? I suspect that often is the true explanation, but I also suspect that HAL does not take the time to investigate every disputed charge. Let's face it: till they pay 3 people 10 bucks an hour to find the mistake, fix the mistake, and explain the mistake, they lose even more money. So my suspicion is that they say "Sorry -- charged to the wrong room -- and remove the charge without a second thought. Unless they see a pattern that leads them to believe they have an onboard honesty problem with staff -- or a customer who is trying to get something for nothing -- I doubt they do anymore. Because I know mistakes happen, I am fine with that.

 

All I was trying to say here is that when they fix it, why continue to gripe about it? With literally thousands of passengers every week, mistakes are going to happen. There are enough real problems in life that it isn't necessary to make mountains out of molehills. :)

 

Exactly. I've been reading and laying low as I always manage to say the wrong things but.................first we complain about the charge................and then we complain that the charge was refunded too quickly ?????????????????

 

Boy, it does take a lot to make some people happy. I've never had a charge that wasn't mine nor been charged when I got home and if I did I would simply call/email them and get it rectified. Takes less time than starting a thread :D Things happen. i don't think HAL is dishonest or trying to take everyone for a ride. One experience does not make a standard practice.

 

Waiting for the flames now - it's ok - I just think this is way overboard (no pun intended) and it's no different than a hotel where you are charged for something and didn't use. You just get it fixed. You don't claim there is a conspiracy

[lvz2cruz]

One occurrence makes it a consistent thing? :confused:

 

We have sailed HAL four times and never had that happen. Not so consistent, I'd say. :rolleyes:

 

When it is happening to several people on multiple ships over a period of months I think it is fair to say it is a consistent problem. If it happened to me and me alone or only to the OP we could say it is an isolated event.

Remember only a small portion of cruisers post on CC--so our experiences can be multiplied by several hundred or thousand. I am sure you can agree that becomes a consistent occurrence.

 

I would also bet a small percantage of those overcharged actually pursue a credit.

[dan1618]

When it is happening to several people on multiple ships over a period of months I think it is fair to say it is a consistent problem. If it happened to me and me alone or only to the OP we could say it is an isolated event.

Remember only a small portion of cruisers post on CC--so our experiences can be multiplied by several hundred or thousand. I am sure you can agree that becomes a consistent occurrence.

 

I would also bet a small percantage of those overcharged actually pursue a credit.

 

Several people on multiple ships over a period of months: HAL has 15 ships sailing. At any given time, HAL might have 15000 or more passengers sailing. If it happened to 2000 people over a 3 month period, I would still call it pretty isolated.

 

If you really think HAL is trying to rip people off, stop sailing them. Why would you frequent a line that is trying to steal your money?

[SabreSailor]

We never use anything from mini bars...we always have our own drinks we bring with us or buy elsewhere. Is there a way we can asked to have the stuff removed from the mini bar so we don't have to worry about it and can use the space for our own drinks?

 

We always ask our cabin steward to remove everything from the fridge as soon as he can get to it, since we never use it and don't want a potential hassle. We've never had a problem with them doing this....

 

We did have a $4 charge added to our credit card after the final bill on one cruise. We simply reported it as a billing error to our credit card company (form is on the back of the slip you return with your payment) and it was taken off the card....

[GTVCRUISER]

I have been nickeled and Dimed on all the Cruise Lines , getting charges on my bill after getting off the ship :(

[RuthC]

Resurrection alert!

[lvz2cruz]

Resurrection alert!

 

 

I thought the resurrection is celebrated next week:):):).

 

Ruth, I hope you get a huge chocolate bunny. The ears are the best;)!

[mor mor]

Resurrection alert!

Insurrection perhaps?

[lovetocruise2020]

This is why we always purchase shipboard credit, with our card before we leave. We still get the miles and points, and get a refund on the remainder.

Makes perfect sense to us. One time waited 2 weeks for a hold to come off. As well as random charges after the cruise.

 

This has been a better way for us.