Is HAL going to have a sale anytime soon?

[lerkel]

I am eyeing one Princess and two HAL cruises for our upcoming vacation and they are all so expensive (compared to the other cruises and other lines such as Royal). One vacation of this cruise (Asia) is cheapest on Cunard. A balcony on Cunard would be cheaper than interior on Princess or HAL.

Worst of all NONE of these ships have good reviews. Not even the Cunard one.

 

I am hesitant to shell out so much money for a vacation that might not be good (if reviews are to be believed). These are itineraries with places we would like to see so I would like to make it happen. We also have never cruised so we have no high expectations..

 

Is there a sale coming that I should wait on?

 

Thanks everyone!

[MOcruiserman]

Don't put too much stock in reviews. People write negative reviews for all sorts of reasons, some of which are extremely petty. I've been on three cruises, all of which had some very negative reviews but turned out to be very good. For instance I kept reading how HAL's MS Noordam was a "tired" ship and that the carpeting was worn. But I didn't see any evidence of this at all - the ship was beautiful and the carpeting was fine throughout.

[Alberta Quilter]

Let me preface my remarks by saying that I know nothing about Asian cruises. However, I believe that HAL, Princess, and maybe Cunard are marketing those cruises to Asians and, I suspect, keeping pricing higher than what they once were sold. But that's just a guess on my part.

 

What you can do, with HAL for sure, is book now and keep watching for price drops. HAL will refare the cruise should the price drop between now and final payment date, at your request.

 

By the way, there is a current promotion that HAL is having called the View & Verandah sale. I doubt they'll have another sale until that one is over at the end of February.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Alberta Quilter

[cruz chic]

I've never seen a good sale on Hal. On the view and veranda sale they have just upped the price of the ov to the veranda price. You are better off hoping for a price reduction.

[RMLincoln]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Tell us more about what you are comparing and we may be able to give some pros and cons. Tell us your concerns about the "bad" reviews.

 

Consider the different environments on Princess vs HAL vs Cunard, for example, will you be traveling with jacket and tie, suit or tux and/or dressy dresses (I can't tell if you are men or women or both traveling) because Cunard's dress code is more formal for dining in the Main Dining Room (MDR) than either Princess or HAL.

 

What types of entertainment might you enjoy on board... Cunard has more live music although both Princess and HAL have live music each evening but not as extensive a variety.

 

Size of ships: HAL will likely be the smallest and most intimate but your selections would give us a better feel - and we might be able to tell you more about what each feels like.

 

I don't follow Cunard's pricing but I do know that HAL usually lowers prices as time gets closer depending on if the ship is filling up - when are looking at sailing? But booking early can lock in a preferred room location.

 

Reading reviews is good but research before your first cruise can be overwhelming.... most reviews need to be read with a grain of salt, on both the pros and cons.

 

My motto: It's hard to have a bad day on cruise ship! m--

[knittinggirl]

We cruised Princess last year, and found their individual drink prices much cheaper than Royal Caribbean.

 

Also, Royal Caribbean's top drink package is now around $70 per DAY, and their soft drink package is over $9 per day.

 

Personally, we try to keep our drinks down below $70 for a 7 day cruise. Can't even fathom buying $70 worth of drinks in a day. But if we would get the package, we may be buying $70 worth a day, but not drinking near that much.

[DaveOKC]

Lately HAL seems to like to give away "perks" rather than lower prices to move cabins, especially if the sailing is outside of final payment date. That way they do not have to refund monies to people who have already booked at the higher price. Plus, they normally say that these perks are only good for new bookings, so they are covered there.

 

After final payment date, they do lower some prices, but the people already booked cannot say much about it as they are "locked in" due to the cancellation penalty. Further, HAL often holds back some lower categories, such as VH, HH, SZ until after final payment, since they can use these categories to show a lower price but again not cause problems with previously booked customers.

 

While HAL's pricing strategy may appear to be "odd" to us, it seems to be well thought out from a marketing point of view IMO.

Edited January 13, 2016 by DaveOKC

[janmcn]

I would think a good TA would help you out here...I would never go by pricing on the various cruise line websites since those are deceptive compared with what I've been able to get with a good TA.

Even putting in my Mariner's number, the price doesn't change!

 

Make sure you are comparing apples with apples, too...what are the hidden costs for each?

[iancal]

We have done many cruises on many cruise lines. Europe, Mexico, Caribbean, Alaska, Australia/New Zealand.

 

We have spent the last two winters in SE Asia-Thailand, Malaysia etc. In fact, we leave in a few weeks for two months in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam

 

We looked carefully at Asian cruise on several lines. We had two issues with them. First off not one of them spent any time in areas that we think are deserving of much more than six hours. Even the overnights in places like Phuket and Bangkok were not to our liking. In some cases not even that when you factor in bus travel.

 

Secondly, we thought that they were grossly overpriced given what we pay for independent land travel. Plus, when we travel we do not necessarily want to cocooned in a Marriott style hotel and food environment when there is so much local colour available. This comment should be tempered by the fact that we are fairly independent travellers, albeit in our early sixties.

 

We were looking at these cruises with a view to pick one up at a discounted rate at the last minute. Not even sure that we would do this. Not sure about China and Japan cruises, but we certainly feel this way about Vietnam, Thailand, and points and south.

Edited January 13, 2016 by iancal

[Randyk47]

There's some great advice above, particularly getting a travel agent to help you out with this first cruise. Have to say I'd personally be very hesitant to give you much advice. You stated you've never cruised before which is fine as we all had to have a first cruise but then again jumping right in and taking a major cruise, an Asia cruise is a major cruise in my book, as your first cruise is I think fraught with danger. Have you thought about maybe a less complicated "try it you might like it" cruise just to see if you like the experience?

[iancal]

You might also want to consider some type of escorted tour. There is lots of choice out there, Gate 1, etc.

 

They will give you a much better overview/tour than you will get from a cruise.

 

It really comes down to your travel preferences and what you want from a cruise. Everyone has different preferences.

[blizzardboy]

Lately HAL seems to like to give away "perks" rather than lower prices to move cabins, especially if the sailing is outside of final payment date. That way they do not have to refund monies to people who have already booked at the higher price. Plus, they normally say that these perks are only good for new bookings, so they are covered there.

 

After final payment date, they do lower some prices, but the people already booked cannot say much about it as they are "locked in" due to the cancellation penalty. Further, HAL often holds back some lower categories, such as VH, HH, SZ until after final payment, since they can use these categories to show a lower price but again not cause problems with previously booked customers.

 

While HAL's pricing strategy may appear to be "odd" to us, it seems to be well thought out from a marketing point of view IMO.

 

You can always re-book before final payment at whatever the current deal is, whether higher or lower price, with the current perks. I usually book as soon as the cruise area I want opens (12-15 months out), then monitor pricing as the year goes by. You want to make sure HAL removes any "marketing hold" on your account. If you have a cruise booked, they often "hold" sending you sale info. My PCC watches for this stuff as well, but I still stay on top of things.

[Lis2065]

Hi - not sure what country you are living in, but if it is Australia just remember that some TAs will charge you to re-ticket if you want to take advantage of price drops after your initial booking.

 

We have been very fortunate with ours as she monitors the prices and lets us know but I have heard stories of some bigger agencies not returning calls and then charging an agency fee to cancel and rebook.

 

So I guess what I'm saying is talk to a TA and ask questions about their fees and charges.

[moviefan2010]

They have a sale right now on lots of cruises.

[lerkel]

WOW! Thank you so much for all the replies everyone!

 

"We" is my husband and I. Both about to turn 30 from Vienna, Austria and currently in Dublin. We love to travel and explore and have been to many places. Africa and Asia are both on our to-do list.

 

For our vacation this year we want to go to Tokyo for a week or so and then cruise and see a bit more. At leas that was the plan but I am not managing to make the numbers work! I never even drink alcohol and we never drink soda... but the tips have to be added on and then the excursions (which we would want to do!! Not with the cruise line which is cheaper but still adds up).

 

The reason for the sudden interest in cruising after years of independent travel is my food allergies. I can't have gluten and on top of that we are both vegetarian. I am more vegan since I don't tolerate milk well either. We recently just went to Paris for a week and finding food was so hard! The vegetarian dish in most restaurants was with fish and gluten free? Pfffscht. The thought of getting to see lots of places and then sleeping in the same place, reliable GF friendly meals, and traveling around with less flying.. it's really appealing. Stressing about what to eat took away a lot of joy from Paris - a city I used to love.

 

We are also old souls. Not into partying. Very into chilling with a good book on our kindles and watching talks (so the speakers on cruises sound interesting).

 

I have been eyeing a few itineraries on Holland, Diamond Princess, and Azamara and disappointed at the reviews for all (like, only Disney has good reviews?!). Also eyeing a Royal Carribean one that is way cheaper than all others but bad times.

 

We want to go this March, April (preferably) or the first week of May.

 

Thankful for any input! Maybe cruising is not the way to go but I am overwhelmed just planning meals for Tokyo!

 

Thanks guys!

[RMLincoln]

Thanks for returning with more info of what you are looking for.....

Ships do very well with GF; vegan is something you will have to work a bit harder at as many vegetarian dishes have cheese and eggs. But you can order salads, (request no cheese or eggs) and vegetables as side dishes (steamed vegetables, stir-fry, rice, potatoes etc) or eat in the buffet (no dress codes in the buffet) and pick and choose for yourself. You can request vegan meals by signing up ahead of time and they will work with you; you can also bring some things with you if you feel you need to - GF soy sauce, safe snacks for example which is something we have done for our granddaughter who was sensitive/allergic to a hugs list of foods. It can work well.

 

I don't know where you are reading the negative reviews or what it is they say is poor about their experiences, but there are a lot of 4 and 5 Star Mariners on this HAL forum, meaning that they like HAL enough to cruise more than 200 or more nights!

 

Pricing is something that varies over time and by source (website or travel agent or maybe even country). I can't help you there but others might. m--

Edited January 13, 2016 by RMLincoln

[blizzardboy]

Hi - not sure what country you are living in, but if it is Australia just remember that some TAs will charge you to re-ticket if you want to take advantage of price drops after your initial booking.

 

We have been very fortunate with ours as she monitors the prices and lets us know but I have heard stories of some bigger agencies not returning calls and then charging an agency fee to cancel and rebook.

 

So I guess what I'm saying is talk to a TA and ask questions about their fees and charges.

 

I do a lot of my own research and also use my HAL PCC for info, booking(s), and admin matters until right before final payment at which point he transfers the "final" booking to my TA so I can pick up their perks. No fees for the re-bookings that way.

[lerkel]

I don't know where you are reading the negative reviews or what it is they say is poor about their experiences, but there are a lot of 4 and 5 Star Mariners on this HAL forum, meaning that they like HAL enough to cruise more than 200 or more nights!

 

I keep reading them right here on cruise critic. One ship is the Ms Volendam (all Holland cruises I am eyeing are on that) and only "72 percent of cruisers liked it!"

Then you read the reviews and get nervous. I'm just nervous to put so much of our vacation budget into what will end up being a mediocre experience.

 

The other ships are Diamond Princess and Cunard's Queen Elisabeth. That said, I think Cunard is too upscale (despite shoddy reviews) because getting DH into a suit is not an easy task and so a jacket at dinner overnight is too much. He is in tech and never has to dress up.

[DaveOKC]

I keep reading them right here on cruise critic. One ship is the Ms Volendam (all Holland cruises I am eyeing are on that) and only "72 percent of cruisers liked it!"

Then you read the reviews and get nervous. I'm just nervous to put so much of our vacation budget into what will end up being a mediocre experience.

 

The other ships are tDiamond Princess and Cunard's Queen Elisabeth. That said, I think Cunard is too upscale (despite shoddy reviews) because getting DH into a suit is not an easy task and so a jacket at dinner overnight is too much. He is in tech and never has to dress up.

 

72% does not surprise me. Cruising is a "different" experience to different people I have found. Some like certain things about it, others do not. Service can vary somewhat by the crew members you encounter (I have to say that for the most part HAL has a great crew). You cabin experience can vary depending on noise levels in the area, motion of the ship and common maintenance issues. Thus ratings will vary by person to be sure.

 

For example, on our last cruise we met a man who was LIVID at the cruise experience, mostly because he did not have a butler assigned to his Neptune Suite. He swore that in the brochure it said that a butler was included. We knew that this was not the case and tried to explain that he must have misread it, but he was adamant and would not listen, and he stated that he would never cruise on HAL again!

 

You really need to do your homework on HAL and its various ships before your decide. I have found these CC topic message boards to be the best source, with the reviews being only of limited value.

 

If you try HAL, I feel comfortable that you will like it.

[lerkel]

Thank you DaveOKC!

[SilvertoGold]

OP

 

I am in the same position, planning a land trip to Japan plus a cruise after, although not the same time period.

 

I hope you find what you want, but I don't really see much on HAL at the times you want to sail. The ones I do see are outrageously priced and by no means, whatsoever, in my own opinion after many years sailing HAL, worth it. I think they have sold these cruises very well and so the higher pricing.

 

Personally, I'd go with Cunard: not foolproof but dependable and a premium line. The suit business is a problem, though, for you. Tough decisions! Best of luck!

[albingirl]

They do have sales but their promos are pretty much to drag you in and then after final payment, they drop the price, sometimes dramatically. This leaves me cold. I like how Norwegian does it. They offer promos, like beverage packages and specialty dining packages at the time of the booking and they don't drop the original booking price close to sailing. I appreciate that.

[fire eater]

We have sailed exclusively on HAL and love the ships. The Volendam is smaller and can access areas that larger ships cannot enter. She is a beautiful 'little' ship and we loved the size. We are sailing on the Maasdam in October, which we are eagerly anticipating.

I think that more people seem to write bad reviews than people who love their cruises. Maybe we happy ones are just walking around with huge, contented smiles on our faces.

fe

[lerkel]

OP

 

I am in the same position, planning a land trip to Japan plus a cruise after, although not the same time period.

 

I hope you find what you want, but I don't really see much on HAL at the times you want to sail. The ones I do see are outrageously priced and by no means, whatsoever, in my own opinion after many years sailing HAL, worth it. I think they have sold these cruises very well and so the higher pricing.

 

Personally, I'd go with Cunard: not foolproof but dependable and a premium line. The suit business is a problem, though, for you. Tough decisions! Best of luck!

 

Yes it is a bit of a dilemma. :p First world problem! Tokyo will be so go go go and I just want a relaxing break in there too. The cruise just seems like a great compromise and add on.

 

I agree with previous posters. The happy cruisers don't feel as much of a need to review so I am not as worried anymore. That said, Cunard is OUT. I just peeked at that forum and there is a discussion about whether the blazer can be taken off for dancing!! They will have to change that eventually when the millennials take over. There are ridiculously wealthy people among DH's coworkers and you can't get any of them in a suit much less make them wear a jacket at dinner. Hi hi.

[wen_c82]

Yes it is a bit of a dilemma. :p First world problem! Tokyo will be so go go go and I just want a relaxing break in there too. The cruise just seems like a great compromise and add on.

 

I agree with previous posters. The happy cruisers don't feel as much of a need to review so I am not as worried anymore. That said, Cunard is OUT. I just peeked at that forum and there is a discussion about whether the blazer can be taken off for dancing!! They will have to change that eventually when the millennials take over. There are ridiculously wealthy people among DH's coworkers and you can't get any of them in a suit much less make them wear a jacket at dinner. Hi hi.

 

Hi

 

You may want to take a look at Diamond Princess 5 days cruise out of Tokyo to tack on. It's short but given this will be your first cruise it may be a good trial to tack on at the end of your vacation.

 

On the other hand, being a vegetarian in Tokyo maybe even more difficult than in Paris. A few years ago my friend who is a vegetarian traveled to Tokyo on business told me it was not easy to find food she can eat even in a great hotel. Maybe consider to join a tour that way the tour guide can help with your special needs. Happy travel.