More evidence HAL likes new passengers better!

[lovetocruise2020]

Kazu,

My own experience is that I only got 8% off the price without taxes in the form of OBC. That's all I got. I have shopped around and that seems the best deal. But people here are also taking about the poor service. Let's face it , HA is not a cheap cruise and if old timers who have invested buco $$$ over the years are complaining , that doesn't make me feel inclined to become one by taking my first cruise with them. I rather start building my elite status with someone else. I'm going to do some heavy cruising in the next 20 years hopefully. But I will have to stay unbiased and be objective in the next 2 months before final payment.

 

 

Thank you and i will talk to you soon :)

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Please email me if you like to take our conversation further.

 

taneous@hotmail.com

 

Considering TA's earn from 8% to 16%, (higher volume sales better comission) that is a very fair deal.

 

To me, status does not mean much, if I have to sail on another line in a mini suite to even compare to an obstructed OV cabin on HAL.

 

It really depends. You have to compare apples to apples, for what is important to you. AND what type of cabin experience you are looking for (suite/standard) etc.

 

To me, accommodations, amenities, *hot room service and room service from MDR (*that is not common on other lines) and available enhancements, to upgrade the cruise.

 

Our suite cruises will prob go to the HAVEN on NCL or if its a good deal HAL.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

For what it is worth: 5 stars, no cruises booked, 2 FCD/FCC that we want to use (are you listening, HAL??).

 

We have been getting a few emails from HAL since returned from our latest cruise (June) but have not received the one Lisa's husband got. We have list of 3 cruises in September and will book one of those if we can find a promo. I wish HAL would send us something!

 

Lisa: did you also receive the email? If not, I wonder why.

No, only received one email but then we are both registered with the same email address. So their computer may be smart enough to figure it out. I have to admit I was just totally shocked when we got this. We have never ever had special Mariner pricing. I already had the cabin on hold for one of the sailings listed, HAL did have to cancel my booking and give me a new reservation number and it is not combineable with a Group amenity of $100.00 in Ship Board credit but it does still get the $200 HAL is giving.

 

So we are still netting a $300.00 savings. The Inside, Ocean View and Balcony were the only categories with the reduction in special pricing. The Vista Suite and Neptune Suites were the exact same price. While I would have jumped for joy if the price was reduced on the Signature Suite we are also fine traveling in a regular balcony cabin.

 

I think if you are looking for special pricing for any type of Suite that is going to be very rare. It is based on what HAL needs to sell. S and R Class Ships have so few Suites the seldom go on sale, and on the larger ships there seems to be a new draw toward the Signature Suites with the SY cabins going to guarantee status quickly so they really do not have the need to reduce that price. Neptune Suites they just plan to make their extra money on Upsells so they keep the pricing steady with once in a great while the SC may have a reduced price after final.

[Christine Frances]

I have never sailed HAL. Because I periodically check out itineraries I created a profile about 3 yrs ago and I just got this email re "private sale fares". Maybe someone can check if there is any difference in price than offered to regular HAL cruisers.

 

Last-Minute Fares Christine—Don't miss these extraordinary private sale fares on last-minute Europe cruises. Hopefully there is enough info to check.

 

From Mediterranean glamour to the onboard delights of a Transatlantic Voyage and the intimate elegance of the ms Prinsendam, enjoy your cruise of a lifetime. Mediterranean

Fares from $529* Transatlantic

Fares from $729* ms Prinsendam

Fares from $1,029*

[cruz chic]

That is exactly my point!!! It is not the fact that it is only going to New Mariners or New to HAL it is going out to Mariners no matter their status but it depends on if they have a cruise booked and possibly if they have a FUture cruise deposit not being used.

 

The last few months is the first time since about our 3rd HAL cruise that we did NOT have a single future cruise booked. So it has been a good solid 8+ years that there was always at least one cruise booked with HAL. We have been bombarded with snail mail and emails starting at about 2 weeks after we canceled the Eurodam. This week alone so far has been 2 snail mail and 2 emails including yesterdays private sail offered. I also just went back to an email I received about 2 weeks ago and addressed to my husband was a private sale for Alaska this year. I never really read it or opened it because I was not interested in Alaska since we just went in May. But the same on this one the pricing appears to be $200.00 to $400.00 per person off the normal price.

 

I think there are probably plenty of 5 and 4 star Mariners getting these offers who do not have a cruise booked maybe even have future cruise deposits they can use. I am guessing it is a shock to HAL we do not have a cruise booked with them and want to change that :D SO yes it does go against the thought theory HAL is only giving this to New Passengers.

They are probably worried that they have lost you so the offer appears. If you have cruises booked (more loyalty) you get nothing. Why not appreciate what you have along with newbies? That is the question.

[gabbyisadog]

Just got another special price notice. $500 cruise credit on New England and some others. I am a 3 star. I have nothing booked on HAL. I think the offers may go to those without a booking. I get offers all the time but we never book more than 3-4 months in advance.

[whogo]

I have never sailed HAL. Because I periodically check out itineraries I created a profile about 3 yrs ago and I just got this email re "private sale fares". Maybe someone can check if there is any difference in price than offered to regular HAL cruisers.

 

Last-Minute Fares Christine—Don't miss these extraordinary private sale fares on last-minute Europe cruises. Hopefully there is enough info to check.

 

From Mediterranean glamour to the onboard delights of a Transatlantic Voyage and the intimate elegance of the ms Prinsendam, enjoy your cruise of a lifetime. Mediterranean

Fares from $529* Transatlantic

Fares from $729* ms Prinsendam

Fares from $1,029*

 

I checked one of the links. The starting price of $1599 increased to $1979 when I put in my mariner number. Mariners pay 24% more!

[Thebes]

Considering TA's earn from 8% to 16%, (higher volume sales better comission) that is a very fair deal.

 

To me, status does not mean much, if I have to sail on another line in a mini suite to even compare to an obstructed OV cabin on HAL.

 

It really depends. You have to compare apples to apples, for what is important to you. AND what type of cabin experience you are looking for (suite/standard) etc.

 

To me, accommodations, amenities, *hot room service and room service from MDR (*that is not common on other lines) and available enhancements, to upgrade the cruise.

 

Our suite cruises will prob go to the HAVEN on NCL or if its a good deal HAL.

 

Voila!!!!!!!!!!

I just found a killer offer as a newbie with an Internet agency. Here it is :

 

13.5% off the stated HAL price before adding taxes, port fees, etc

 

Plus

 

$450 coupon booklet to use on the ship for First time passengers.

 

Plus

 

$200 deposit pp not $1200 only for newbies.

 

Conclusion : I'm treated better than a star 5 mariner.

 

Result : HAL does cater to newbies and therefore I will never become a mariner I'll establish my elite stays with a line that treats me like one.

 

Point has been made !!

 

For now I'll enjoy the great savings for newbie. It just took me some time to research :)

[lovetocruise2020]

I checked one of the links. The starting price of $1599 increased to $1979 when I put in my mariner number. Mariners pay 24% more!

 

What a joke.

[sail7seas]

Voila!!!!!!!!!!

I just found a killer offer as a newbie with an Internet agency. Here it is :

 

13.5% off the stated HAL price before adding taxes, port fees, etc

 

Plus

 

$450 coupon booklet to use on the ship for First time passengers.

 

Plus

 

$200 deposit pp not $1200 only for newbies.

 

Conclusion : I'm treated better than a star 5 mariner.

 

Result : HAL does cater to newbies and therefore I will never become a mariner I'll establish my elite stays with a line that treats me like one.

 

Point has been made !!

 

For now I'll enjoy the great savings for newbie. It just took me some time to research :)

 

 

Once you complete your first HAL cruise, you are a Mariner.

 

If you complete a cruise on any of the Carnival Family of Ships and then sail HAL, on your first HAL cruise you will be a Mariner. (Carnival Family include Princess, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa, HAL and Carnival.)

 

[jakkojakko]

The key Seems to be to not have a cruise booked. We are three stars and received offers by email and snailmail for 500 dollars OBC on a lot of cruises. We subsequently booked one for december.

[Aquahound]

Once you complete your first HAL cruise, you are a Mariner.

 

I came off my first HAL cruise a 2 star Mariner. Not hard to do, I guess. I'm not complaining....it just seems odd I completely skipped the first tier with only one cruise.

[SilvertoGold]

Voila!!!!!!!!!!

I just found a killer offer as a newbie with an Internet agency. Here it is :

 

13.5% off the stated HAL price before adding taxes, port fees, etc

 

Plus

 

$450 coupon booklet to use on the ship for First time passengers.

 

Plus

 

$200 deposit pp not $1200 only for newbies.

 

Conclusion : I'm treated better than a star 5 mariner.

 

Result : HAL does cater to newbies and therefore I will never become a mariner I'll establish my elite stays with a line that treats me like one.

 

Point has been made !!

 

For now I'll enjoy the great savings for newbie. It just took me some time to research :)

 

As a newbie on HAL or with this agency?

Hope the coupon book is not the regular one which most on this board tinks is next to useless!

[Thebes]

I'm sure it's like the coupons u get in Vegas. 5-10% discount no big deal. But even with that. The deal still great for getting almost 15% off HAL prices.

[lovetocruise2020]

I'm sure it's like the coupons u get in Vegas. 5-10% discount no big deal. But even with that. The deal still great for getting almost 15% off HAL prices.

 

Considering TA's make 8% to 16%, I hope you get good service! If you do that is a great deal. If you do not... :eek:

[sail7seas]

I'm sure it's like the coupons u get in Vegas. 5-10% discount no big deal. But even with that. The deal still great for getting almost 15% off HAL prices.

 

 

With HAL's coupon book, you only 'get something' if you spend something. You might get $5 or $10 for casino if you spend that $5 or $10.... that sort of thing.

 

Most of us don't think that booklet worth much.

You may disagree. Hope so. :)

 

[iancal]

Well, those coupon books make good coasters.

 

They are also handy for using to level table legs.

 

Other than that.......the recycler likes them.