3 Questions (on pricing / booking) a HAL cruise.

[MisterMatthew]

Background:  I have only done one cruise, it was on HAL Zuiderdam.  It was great!  I did not purchase the cruise, I won it via a casino.  So, paid for taxes & daily $15.50 crew appreciation.  I went solo.

 

I am eager to cruise again. 

 

QUESTION 1:  If you cruise solo, do you, basically, just pay the amount (as if 2 persons were cruising)?

 

QUESTION 2:  If I book a cruise through a travel agent --vs-- my Cruise Consultant @ the HAL Call Center, is there ever a chance of obtaining a BETTER price?

 

QUESTION 3:  If I find a cruise that I want to sail on... and it is in the future (such as 8 months, 12 months, 24 months away), what amounts of money does HAL want?  And, when?  I do understand this is somewhat vague.  So, let's use a hypothetical:

 

There is a "XYZ" cruise in JULY, 2023... and it is $5,000 total cost. 

 

----Matthew

 

 

[DaveOKC]

Question 2 - most times the prices will be the same, but some TAs offer you extra perks (or cash back).  Mostly these are the very large online and big box store agencies.

 

One thing to keep in mind - you need to constantly monitor your booking fare even after you book, as price declines and/or sales happen all the time.  Generally, the cruiseline will allow you to "refare" your existing reservation if it is prior to the final payment date (on most of my cruises I refare at least once if not two or three times).  In doing this, you have to accept the total deal (price plus perks) for the new deal, you cannot keep part of your existing deal and not the rest.

 

[FlaMariner]

9 hours ago, MisterMatthew said:

QUESTION 2:  If I book a cruise through a travel agent --vs-- my Cruise Consultant @ the HAL Call Center, is there ever a chance of obtaining a BETTER price?

 

My experience is that my TA (big internet TA) always has better prices than what HAL quotes me.  

[FlaMariner]

9 hours ago, MisterMatthew said:

QUESTION 3:  If I find a cruise that I want to sail on... and it is in the future (such as 8 months, 12 months, 24 months away), what amounts of money does HAL want?  And, when? 

 

From my TA regarding HAL:

 

Deposit and Final Payment

 

Cruise	Deposit Amount	Final Payment Due Date
Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Canada/New England, Europe, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and 16 to 18-day Hawaii voyages	$350 to $2900 per person	75 days prior to sailing
All other sailings, including holiday sailings, 30+ day transatlantic voyages and segments of 30+ day transatlantic voyages	$350 to $2900 per person	90 days prior to sailing

 

[RuthC]

Question 1. Yes. At least in my experience over many years, usually more than once a year. 
However, I take the longer, more exotic cruises, not the typical 7-day, or Caribbean cruises. Those might be less than a 100% supplement. 

[lcand1923]

I, too, am a Solo Cruiser.  

 

Question 1 — This is the easiest way to figure your cost.  Once in a while, it may be a bit less.

Question 2 - DaveOKC’s advice about monitoring your cruise fare is very good.  I, personally, have found it easier to Refare when using the PCC provided by HAL.  Having said that, if you have developed a relationship with a TA, they MAY monitor and refare for you without any hassle. 

Question 3 - FlaMariner has provided a good chart.

[Torquer]

Question 2:  It is relatively easy to find an online travel agent that will give you a discount or rebate of 4% to 10%.  Depending on the TA, they will take it off the price you pay them.  Others will give you a rebate check once you have completed the cruise.  You will almost certainly have to call or email the TA directly; they do not list the exact discount on their websites and we found the more costly the cruise, the bigger the discount.  We always stay in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, so this is really a significant amount of money.  If we stayed in less expensive cabins, I would probably book directly with HAL; that way you can have your assigned Personal Cruise Consultant that may get questions answered quicker than a TA.

 

Question 3:  For cruises less than 14 days, we have found the deposit to typically be in the $500 range, per person.  But it varies based on the cruise and HAL often has specials that reduce it further.  For example, on a 12-day cruise later this summer in the Pinnacle Suite, our total deposit for 4 people is only $600.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

You do not pay Port Fees for 2 people , only for one person.

[MisterMatthew]

Thank you everyone.  This is excellent information.  I do appreciate it!!

 

----Matthew

[Roz]

When I book as a solo in an inside or outside cabin, I've been able to get fares below 200%  For example, I'm paying 179% for an upcoming South American cruise.  The deposit was only $300. 

[MisterMatthew]

4 minutes ago, Roz said:

When I book as a solo in an inside or outside cabin, I've been able to get fares below 200%  For example, I'm paying 179% for an upcoming South American cruise.  The deposit was only $300. 

Roz, good to know.

[Red Haired Lady]

From my experience the amount of the supplement depends on the class of the ship.  On the Pinnacle Class ships (Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) it is 100% supplement.  On the other ships it is usually 79% supplement.  Also, the World Cruises (or segments of world cruises) plus the Grand Voyages (or segments) are 60% solo supplement. Of course, this could change in the future. 

Edited June 2, 2022 by Red Haired Lady

[MisterMatthew]

On 6/1/2022 at 6:13 PM, Red Haired Lady said:

From my experience the amount of the supplement depends on the class of the ship.  On the Pinnacle Class ships (Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) it is 100% supplement.  On the other ships it is usually 79% supplement.  Also, the World Cruises (or segments of world cruises) plus the Grand Voyages (or segments) are 60% solo supplement. Of course, this could change in the future. 

I appreciate your feedback.  Part of me is wanting to pursue a longer cruise.  Perhaps one that is ESPECIALLY long.

 

----MisterMatthew