Are lower prices on HAL a new thing?

[dexter]

I shop around on the internet for cruise prices even when I'm not buying...just curious. I have noticed that HAL is quite a bit less expensive than other premium lines. Prices this fall are even less than Carnival for balcony and above categories. Just wondering why. I just booked a cat. S on Zuiderdam for less than a regular balcony on Mariner of the Seas and less than Carnival Glory largest balcony.

[Charliesmom]

I find that this is true. We booked a Cat. S on the Westerdam for less than I paid in 1997 for a balcony on the then new Sun Princess. We chose an unpopular week for cruising, so that might explain some of it. I also think that Carnival Cruise Lines which owns HAL might be trying to attract a younger crowd. HAL has a reputation for having older passengers.

[FlorenceItaly]

dexter - I have the same "hobby" as you do and have noticed the very same thing.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)
RCI - Rhapsody of the Seas
October 2004


RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005
Caribbean Princess, Sept 2005
(CC Group Cruise)

[Krazy Kruizers]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Prices

We were surfing HAL's website yesterday and noticed that everyone of our future cruises has gone up in price.

So, if you see a good price now, book it!

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Guest Anorak33]

Can HAL be truly called a "Premium" cruise line now?
Certainly we like HAL but don't think it is significantly better than Princess.
I would have said IMHO that HAL is a good mass market line.
I don't know what is was like before but from members on this forum it was "better" in some ways.

I too have noticed very reasonable cruise prices - I believe HAL are trying to fill the ships to capacity and hope to generate income from all those passengers on alcohol sales, bingo,photos, excursions etc. (Hence new rules about bringing alcohol on board, increased corkage fees etc.).

As a Carnival stockholder I am watching this with interest.

Meanwhile just take advantage of those low ticket prices and you don't have to spend a penny on board if you don't want to.

Statendam
QE2 (x2)
Regal Princess
Golden Princess
Royal Princess
Big Red Boat

[sail7seas]

Lucky you to be finding low prices. The cruises we have looked at are priced at a higher per diem for the the "S" we always book than we have paid for some time. I guess it varies by dates/ships/itineraries. We are finding the prices somewhat higher than we paid last year and the year before...on the cruises we are interested in.

Certainly nothing inexpensive about Maasdam Boston to Boston Canada/New England cruise we are taking in July.

<img src=http://domania.us/DaveEdwards/HALlogo.gif>

[dexter]

It seems to be just Zuiderdam that the fares are lower. We are cruising 8/28 and got a great rate on cat: S. That particular week is much less expensive than others before or after. I'll take it. That suite is about 560 square feet including balcony and it was priced just $200 more than we paid last year for a regular balcony on Glory.

[jollycruiser]

On our next cruise in Dec. (before Christmas) we will be paying about the same we paid on our last cruise in March. But we are now in an S suite where as last time we were in SS. Not a bad upgrade for the same price. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[gizmo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dexter:
It seems to be just Zuiderdam that the fares are lower. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have been receiving a lot of emails with great deals, mostly for the Zuiderdam. I would say maybe 75% of the "good deals" are for the Zuiderdam and the rest are spread across the other ships. For a while there were a lot on the Maasdam when the ship was sailing out of Norfolk.

[Orcrone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> For a while there were a lot (of good deals) on the Maasdam when the ship was sailing out of Norfolk. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>There still seem to be when the ship returns. I wanted to sail out of Norfolk. One reason I booked with HAL is because 10 days on HAL was marginally more expensive than 7 days to Bermuda on Celebrity. Additionally, it was actually [B]less[/B] expensive than 6 days to the Bahamas on Carnival. However, if you're looking for a suite, they are sold out of 'S' suites for the 10/30 sailing.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[ryansmemom]

I don't think you can make a blanket statement across the fleet or across the planet. My research,my own experience, talking with travel agents, people I know who live in other countries, etc., has shown that pricing can vary due to many factors.

For example, HAL has been discounting the Vista class ships because they are new and they are trying to promote them. They are targeting a different demographic than their traditional one. Therefore they will sell those ships at a very attractive rate. I was given this information by two HAL employees.

Cruise lines also give different travel agents different prices for the same product. There are incentives for travel agents selling different cruise line products. Friends of mine who are travel agents get free cruises and other incentives from RCI. I don't know how the formula works but pricing will vary.

I also know that pricing may vary depending on the location of the consumer. The cruise line may be targeting a particular demographic in a particular location and the price of the cruise ticket will be different. We discovered this when we booked our Millenium cruise. (This is a standard business practice by the way.It is used in many industries, insurance is just one example)

That is why, I never ask anyone what they have paid for their cruise, airplane ticket, insurance, jewelery or many other items. The only thing that matters to me is that I am happy and content with what I have paid for my purchase. If I feel that I have gotten good value for my money that is good enough for me. Why ask for trouble?

Linda

Thanks for listening

[Orcrone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> My research,my own experience, talking with travel agents, people I know who live in other countries, etc., has shown that pricing can vary due to many factors. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I can believe it. Many people have said that the Maasdam is not inexpensive sailing out of Boston this summer. But I think that the rates for the same ship out of Norfolk in the fall is very reasonable.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[ekerr19]

Marc-

We wanted to book the Maasdam again for next Easter Break... I am holding off, it is an 11-day out of Norfolk, departing 3/20/05.

The price for the same cabin we booked this past April is still about $1,000 higher (total of 4 people). It turned out to be a popular port - I'm sure prices will start to reflect the same.

The best deals we see are all on the the Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and Westerdam. We just don't care for the size and layout of the Vista class ships.

We did find the Volendam out of Ft. Lauderdale departing 3/20/05 - 10 days - for about the same price we paid for our last Easter Break cruise - we are looking very closely at it.

Noordam 1984
Veendam 1999
Amsterdam 2000
Noordam 2001
Statendam 2001
Noordam 2002
Zuiderdam 2003
Maasdam 2004.
Noordam 2004

[BCEagle78]

My wife and I are booked on Volendam on Nov 26 this fall and the posted prices on hollandamerica.com have just gone down for the fourth time since we booked.

For at least this cruise looks like they are having trouble filling the ship. This is one of the ones that originally was western Caribbean itinerary and was switched to eastern.

Cruisin' Eagle

[Orcrone]

ekerr,

I took a look out of curiosity. The spring cruises are a few hundred dollars more than the fall cruises. Perhaps when it gets closer it will come down a little in price, or it may just be that spring cruises are in higher demand.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[iluvcruzin]

orcrone

Fall is generally the least expensive time of year to sail from my experience. Cruiselines would run 1/2 price / 2-for-1 specials quite frequently between late September and the 1st week of December. Many group cruises now occur during this time frame with terrific pricing (I booked at a group rate for the October sailing).

Spring is generally higher priced time of the year (not the highest, but moreso than fall). Sometimes the spring cruises do not come down in price - may even sell out. Also I've seen them charge book rate for those sailings near Easter. I sailed in April and there was no price cut except to offer a guaranteed rate 2 weeks before sailing.

Anyway.. that's my take on it.

Maureen

MS Maasdam 10/30/2004
Princess Sun 2/27/2005
Mariner of the Seas 10/16/2005

[Orcrone]

Maureen,

Your take seems reasonable. Fall cruising is also hurt by hurricane season. Can you tell me a little bit about the group rate? Not trying to butt in on you group. Just wondering if it was through CC or one of these boards that might allow me a lower rate.

Thanks,
Marc

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[iluvcruzin]

Since the TA isn't affiliated with CC I can't post it here. However, I can say it's the same TA handling the addicts group ones for next year. I imagine most booked on that board are with the same TA (she's great!).

Maureen

MS Maasdam 10/30/2004
Princess Sun 2/27/2005
Mariner of the Seas 10/16/2005

[Orcrone]

Maureen,

Thanks anyhow. I'm happy with the price of my cruise so I'll just let it be. Otherwise I'd drive myself crazy (although DW would tell you that it wouldn't be a long trip). [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[ekerr19]

My understanding from Host Maureen's post on my thread asking about referring TA's... if someone asks you for a recommendation for a TA, you can give the agency name- but you should not post the specific name of the person you deal with in order to prevent the appearance of your agent trolling these boards trying to drum up business.

Noordam 1984
Veendam 1999
Amsterdam 2000
Noordam 2001
Statendam 2001
Noordam 2002
Zuiderdam 2003
Maasdam 2004.
Noordam 2004

[glrounds]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ekerr19:
My understanding from Host Maureen's post on my thread asking about referring TA's... if someone asks you for a recommendation for a TA, you can give the agency name- but you should not post the specific name of the person you deal with in order to prevent the appearance of your agent trolling these boards trying to drum up business.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

ekerr,

Normally I think that is the case, but when it is about a group cruise that is [B]NOT[/B] sponsored by Cruise Critic it is an easy way to get into trouble with the Administrators. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

Live well, love much, laugh often.

Gary [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.cruisemates.com/animated/Dolphins.gif[/img]

[iluvcruzin]

It's ok. I gave Marc some clues on where to find the agency. If he goes to the other cruise board we both participate in, he will find the answer.

Gary is correct in that it may cause some problems with admin. Good example to keep mum about a group cruise.. The one I'm sailing next october is a group cruise from another board. It happens that CC started a group cruise on the same sailing after ours was formed. If I announce that our pricing is lower than crucon's, that may not sit too well with CC. (it's not a HAL sailing so I think it's safe to say this information will get lost in the shuffle)

Maureen

MS Maasdam 10/30/2004
Princess Sun 2/27/2005
Mariner of the Seas 10/16/2005

[Orcrone]

Maureen,

I found the cruise you were referring to. I figured if I could look online on their prices I'd take a glance. But I had to call in to the agency you referred. I already booked through another onilne TA and got what seems to be a very good price. I started having some ethical issues with calling a different TA to price shop after already booking. So as long as I'm satisfied with the price I got, I'm going to leave well enough alone.

But I appreciate the info and look forward to meeting you in October (I'm so excited I can't wait). [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[FlorenceItaly]

Marc - Your TA has been good to you. I respect your decision to stay with her.

Marie

HAL - MAASDAM - June 2004/Canada/New England
RCI - Mariner of the Seas,
Sept 2004(CC Group Cruise)
RCI - Rhapsody of the Seas
October 2004


RCI Majesty of the Seas - Spring Break, March 2005
Celebrity Mercury, April 2005
Caribbean Princess, Sept 2005
(CC Group Cruise)

[Orcrone]

OK, call me a liar. After posting I went back and realized that you could get prices online, so I peeked. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif[/img] Anyhow, it was about $50 per person more than I'm paying.

Also, don't know if I mentioned this beforehand, but ask your TA about promo 7031. It got me $50 per person shipboard credit. I originally read about it on that other board.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam