When does Holland America usually post their upcoming Grand voyages?

[islandwoman]

When can I expect to see Holland America's Grand Voyages (other than the World Cruise) for fall 2024 ?   I would like to book the October 2024 Grand Africa out of Ft. Lauderdale.  If HAL is not going to do the Grand Africa in 2024, I'd like to see what other Grand Voyages might be offered out of Ft. Lauderdale during North America's 2024 summer or fall.   

[boulders]

They just started releasing Europe for summer, 2024. Winter 2024 Australia grand voyage was released around February/March. I'd expect to see fall, 2024 somewhere in the next 3 months or so. 

[REOVA]

Maybe someone just off the Grand Africa may know but they sometimes release these to current passengers before opening to website. Probably in April/May it will hit website. 

[GeorgeCharlie]

You can get on the pre-release notice list by way of a FurureDam deposit.

[islandwoman]

3 hours ago, GeorgeCharlie said:

You can get on the pre-release notice list by way of a FurureDam deposit.

What's that? 

[Charleston Lady]

The Futuredam deposit is a small refundable deposit, usually $100, that gives you early notice of that voyage and first choice of rooms. Then you can officially book or say no and have the deposit refunded. We have done it before for the world cruise.

[islandwoman]

How do I arrange to make one? 

[GeorgeCharlie]

17 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

How do I arrange to make one? 

 

If you normally book directly with HAL, then just ask your PCC to book it for you - which is what we did. Otherwise, any regular TA experienced in booking HAL cruises would be able to book it for you. . Once it's booked, it will show up on your HAL account like any other booking.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

10 hours ago, islandwoman said:

What's that? 

Future Cruise Request ( FCR)

[WriterOnDeck]

I'm guessing HAL might not do Grand Africa in fall of 2024. They will have done it two years in a row, and bookings don't usually hold for such repeats. I have my fingers crossed for another Grand Asia in fall 2024. I was on in 2017 and 2018 (latter with lower bookings -- good for me because I got a great upgrade). The Grand Asia's leave from and return to the same port on the West Coast (San Diego and LA most recently). They get in 2 weeks before the Grand World, and then do a Panama Canal cruise over the holidays to be in Fort Lauderdale for the GWV. But who knows these days?

[Red Haired Lady]

On 12/25/2022 at 8:29 AM, islandwoman said:

When can I expect to see Holland America's Grand Voyages (other than the World Cruise) for fall 2024 ?   I would like to book the October 2024 Grand Africa out of Ft. Lauderdale.  If HAL is not going to do the Grand Africa in 2024, I'd like to see what other Grand Voyages might be offered out of Ft. Lauderdale during North America's 2024 summer or fall.   

They are doing the Grand Australia in Jan 2024...but out of San Diego

 

Edited December 27, 2022 by Red Haired Lady

[islandwoman]

2 hours ago, WriterOnDeck said:

I'm guessing HAL might not do Grand Africa in fall of 2024. They will have done it two years in a row, and bookings don't usually hold for such repeats.

🙁

[islandwoman]

We really want to do the Grand Africa or something else out of Fort Lauderdale.  Couldn't do Grand Africa this year because we want to see the annular solar eclipse that will be visable in North America on October 14, 2023.

We have a HAL cruise booked for spring 2023 that we have to cancel.  I was hoping to transfer that deposit onto the 2024 Grand Africa.

Edited December 28, 2022 by islandwoman

[BermudaBound2014]

I’m very interested in the Grand Australia but CCL has announced they are selling one HAL ship and I want to wait to book until they name the ship being sold. 

[Sea42]

11 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I’m very interested in the Grand Australia but CCL has announced they are selling one HAL ship and I want to wait to book until they name the ship being sold. 

I missed that announcement! I thought they had announced that CCL was selling 3 ships, 2 from Costa but did not specify the 3rd.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-intends-to-sell-three-cruise-ships-across-brands/90964

[BermudaBound2014]

2 hours ago, Sea42 said:

I missed that announcement! I thought they had announced that CCL was selling 3 ships, 2 from Costa but did not specify the 3rd.

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-intends-to-sell-three-cruise-ships-across-brands/90964

 

You might be correct. I'm certain I read that the third ship was one of the two remaining smaller HAL vessels, but I can not find that article right now which makes me suspicious that it might have been just another rumor (sorry).

 

I know CCL plans to sell older/smaller ships but I believe that there are still several ships meeting that criteria spread across the CCL umbrella. Given they keep adding ships to Carnival, it also makes sense they would downsize  by eliminating another older carnival vessel.

 

On the conference call they were specific that these three ships were being sold not scrapped so someone is buying. I'm very interested to learn just who that someone is :). 

[islandwoman]

Are you suggesting that the ship that Holland America uses for the Grand Africa (in 2023 the Zuiderdam) might be sold and therefore the Grand Africa will not sail beginning in 2024?

[BermudaBound2014]

6 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

Are you suggesting that the ship that Holland America uses for the Grand Africa (in 2023 the Zuiderdam) might be sold and therefore the Grand Africa will not sail beginning in 2024?

 

The entire cruise industry continues to change in response to tremendous financial pressure. I don't think any cruise is a 'for sure' sailing, especially into 2024.

 

My personal opinion is that cruisers should remain flexible.