Why I Am Not Surprised

[G&G]

My grandson who had sailed on HAL twice, the last cruise 12 years ago, received an email from HAL today concerning "Special Fares" for Europe. Listed in the Special was the 35 day Voyage of the Viking; inside cabins reduced to $4,999 !

 

We are Five (5) Star Mariners and did not receive the email. Then I went to HAL's website and under "Special", the VOV was listed but for $6,999 for an inside cabin. I then selected "Details" and there it was; current Fare $7,799, special fare $4,999; over 30% reduction in price.

 

This is why we either wait to the last minute to book a HAL cruise or sail other cruise lines.

[cruz chic]

My grandson who had sailed on HAL twice, the last cruise 12 years ago, received an email from HAL today concerning "Special Fares" for Europe. Listed in the Special was the 35 day Voyage of the Viking; inside cabins reduced to $4,999 !

 

We are Five (5) Star Mariners and did not receive the email. Then I went to HAL's website and under "Special", the VOV was listed but for $6,999 for an inside cabin. I then selected "Details" and there it was; current Fare $7,799, special fare $4,999; over 30% reduction in price.

 

This is why we either wait to the last minute to book a HAL cruise or sail other cruise lines.

 

I don't blame you. This is a huge sore point with me. The only time I see special pricing is when I don't have a cruise booked with them.

[SilvertoGold]

Well, HAL certainly isn't extending this pricing to Canadian 5 stars: CN$8399 plus tax for an N.

 

Hmmph!

[hcij2015]

My grandson who had sailed on HAL twice, the last cruise 12 years ago, received an email from HAL today concerning "Special Fares" for Europe. Listed in the Special was the 35 day Voyage of the Viking; inside cabins reduced to $4,999 !

 

We are Five (5) Star Mariners and did not receive the email. Then I went to HAL's website and under "Special", the VOV was listed but for $6,999 for an inside cabin. I then selected "Details" and there it was; current Fare $7,799, special fare $4,999; over 30% reduction in price.

 

This is why we either wait to the last minute to book a HAL cruise or sail other cruise lines.

 

Oh dear. I got that email today.:o

Canadian here.

Oh, and another one called Private Fares for Alaska.

Edited May 29, 2015 by hcij2015

[sail7seas]

My grandson who had sailed on HAL twice, the last cruise 12 years ago, received an email from HAL today concerning "Special Fares" for Europe. Listed in the Special was the 35 day Voyage of the Viking; inside cabins reduced to $4,999 !

 

We are Five (5) Star Mariners and did not receive the email. Then I went to HAL's website and under "Special", the VOV was listed but for $6,999 for an inside cabin. I then selected "Details" and there it was; current Fare $7,799, special fare $4,999; over 30% reduction in price.

 

This is why we either wait to the last minute to book a HAL cruise or sail other cruise lines.

 

 

Are you booking VOV?

It is irritating to see so many different prices for the same thing.

[Lotsasmiles]

Well, HAL certainly isn't extending this pricing to Canadian 5 stars: CN$8399 plus tax for an N.

 

Hmmph!

 

AUS $9999 for an N :( I know our dollar rate has dropped against the $US (about .76c) but that is double !!

[Mary Ellen]

I once booked a cruise with my 1* neighbor. My 4* price was pretty noticeably higher than her's. Our TA had to work with HAL to get my price reduced. :rolleyes:

 

Nope, not surprised by the OP's experience.

[G&G]

Are you booking VOV?

It is irritating to see so many different prices for the same thing.

 

I wish we could but we have other plans.

 

We sailed on the VOV in 2010 & 2012 and it was one of our best cruises. The cruise had become to pricey until yesterday. I remember in 2009 when we first looked at this cruise there was a last minute sale at $3,499 !

 

I guess I was amazed that HAL did not send us the email; we have been only sailing with them for over 30 years !

[cruz chic]

I wish we could but we have other plans.

 

We sailed on the VOV in 2010 & 2012 and it was one of our best cruises. The cruise had become to pricey until yesterday. I remember in 2009 when we first looked at this cruise there was a last minute sale at $3,499 !

 

I guess I was amazed that HAL did not send us the email; we have been only sailing with them for over 30 years !

 

........and that's the reason they don't. If they figure they have you in the bag they don't really care. I'm in the same boat as you.

[G&G]

........and that's the reason they don't. If they figure they have you in the bag they don't really care. I'm in the same boat as you.

 

I guess they don't know that since March 2013 we have been on eight (8) cruises; only two with HAL !

[syesmar]

Hi,

I had to call the Mariner Society a few weeks back because I noticed we'd stopped getting emails. This also happened last year after I'd filled in one of the (annoying) pop ups on the HAL website....I thought since we were already on an email list, I could check "no" to sign up for promotions. Instead, they stopped entirely. My PCC fixed the issue after I called. Now I just ignore the pop up and don't fill it in. Not really sure why they stopped a few weeks ago.

 

I did get the email. Price by following email link: $6,999, but after logging in, the base shows $7,799 but the "price in green": $4,999. Quite a difference, indeed!

 

I would call the Mariner Society and see what the issue is, as you are getting the rate when you log in but not the email.

Edited May 29, 2015 by syesmar

[VioletHorse]

I once booked a cruise with my 1* neighbor. My 4* price was pretty noticeably higher than her's. Our TA had to work with HAL to get my price reduced. :rolleyes:

 

Nope, not surprised by the OP's experience.

 

DD and I recently booked a cruise on Carnival. DD had called me with pricing when we were deciding about taking the cruise, but when I went to the website to check it out, my price was $300 more per person. I once again tried by including my loyalty club #, and the pricing was still the same. Yet DD still got the lower price, both with and without her loyalty club #. I didn't have any Carnival cookies on my computer as I hadn't been on their website in over a year, and I clear cookies from my computer on a regular basis, so there were no leftover prices from previous inquiries.

 

We live in the same state, but different cities. We have exactly the same number of sailing days on Carnival, so Carnival's pricing is certainly an enigma as well.

[cruz chic]

I guess they don't know that since March 2013 we have been on eight (8) cruises; only two with HAL !

 

But they would not know that. I also cruise on princess. The ONLY time I get special pricing is when I don't have a cruise booked with hal. It's not a matter of not being on a list etc. I see the special pricing for about a month after I have booked one. Ever since I booked the NA for april I have not seen any special pricing and will not until after that cruise. If I book something else I won't see it. There are many people on this site that never see special pricing because they always have something booked.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just hate that HAL has prices all over the board for nearly every cruise and every category.

[SilvertoGold]

Well, HAL certainly isn't extending this pricing to Canadian 5 stars: CN$8399 plus tax for an N.

 

Hmmph!

 

Well, this morning the pricing is back down from CND8399 + tax to the same as the past few weeks' pricing of CND 5999 + tax.

 

That is a 20% exchange over the USD 4999, if the difference is all exchange and not just a higher starting pricing.

Edited May 29, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[Laurino]

From my side of the pond, it's currently €5500 for an inside including taxes and fees (it's July 25 this year, we're talking about?), that's about 6050 USD or 7540 CAD.

 

On the other hand, I won't get any €-price drops on my upcoming NE/Can cruise on HAL, even though I have noticed several $-price drops... The $-price is currently about $240 lower than the €-price.

[G&G]

My grandson who had sailed on HAL twice, the last cruise 12 years ago, received an email from HAL today concerning "Special Fares" for Europe. Listed in the Special was the 35 day Voyage of the Viking; inside cabins reduced to $4,999 !

 

We are Five (5) Star Mariners and did not receive the email. Then I went to HAL's website and under "Special", the VOV was listed but for $6,999 for an inside cabin. I then selected "Details" and there it was; current Fare $7,799, special fare $4,999; over 30% reduction in price.

 

This is why we either wait to the last minute to book a HAL cruise or sail other cruise lines.

 

Well, the Special Fare did not last long. This AM it was gone; was offered less than two (2) days !

[SilvertoGold]

Still CND 5999. this afternoon.

[syesmar]

G&G,

Are you logged in? I still see the same prices as a couple days ago, but the lowest rate is only after I've logged in. Good luck!

[SilvertoGold]

I have to be logged in, too. The pricing is in "green" to signify a special.

[G&G]

I have to be logged in, too. The pricing is in "green" to signify a special.

 

I logged in and no special fare of $4,999.

 

Maybe HAL found out I am sailing on other cruise lines and has blocked me from special fares :eek::D !

[cruz chic]

I logged in and no special fare of $4,999.

 

Maybe HAL found out I am sailing on other cruise lines and has blocked me from special fares :eek::D !

 

Do you have a cruise booked with them right now? I show $8398. No special pricing.

[Tante Amalie]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all of you 4 and 5 star Mariners are not good customers. HAL doesn't value your business because you are not a profitable demographic to serve. They would much rather have a new cruiser than repeat business from customers who spend very little on photos, the casino, excursions, etc. I know you don't want to hear this, but you are not good clients and they would prefer that you simply go away or pay higher fares. It's good business on their part to discourage you from taking up cabins that can be sold to more attractive customers.

 

Don't take it personally. You might be the exception that spends wildly while you are on board. But HAL has to do what's best for them, even if you don't like it.

[cruz chic]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all of you 4 and 5 star Mariners are not good customers. HAL doesn't value your business because you are not a profitable demographic to serve. They would much rather have a new cruiser than repeat business from customers who spend very little on photos, the casino, excursions, etc. I know you don't want to hear this, but you are not good clients and they would prefer that you simply go away or pay higher fares. It's good business on their part to discourage you from taking up cabins that can be sold to more attractive customers.

 

Don't take it personally. You might be the exception that spends wildly while you are on board. But HAL has to do what's best for them, even if you don't like it.

 

What you are saying is not totally untrue. That said I met this couple onboard taking their first cruise and they were as cheap as can be. He carried beer around in a backpack that he bought at happy hour. My bills are still plenty high. Hal is not bright in their marketing at times. I do get "special fares" when I don't have a cruise booked.

[kjw869]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all of you 4 and 5 star Mariners are not good customers. HAL doesn't value your business because you are not a profitable demographic to serve. They would much rather have a new cruiser than repeat business from customers who spend very little on photos, the casino, excursions, etc. I know you don't want to hear this, but you are not good clients and they would prefer that you simply go away or pay higher fares. It's good business on their part to discourage you from taking up cabins that can be sold to more attractive customers.

 

Don't take it personally. You might be the exception that spends wildly while you are on board. But HAL has to do what's best for them, even if you don't like it.

 

There is some truth to this and a Hotel Director (Bruce Muzz) posted this a year ago. A HAL Hotel Director even told us that the longer a person cruises, the less they spend. We are prime examples.

 

Below is the link to his Feb. 2014 post.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41757673&postcount=4