Free interior stateroom offer?

[kelliebiz]

I’ve just received a marketing email from HAL telling me I can book a free interior stateroom on some selected cruises if I book within the next few days. Has anyone ever done this? Fine print says I’d be responsible for port fees etc. Is there any reason I shouldn’t jump on this? It does offer the ability to upgrade cabins. I’m attaching the limited cruises they are offering. I feel like I should grab it! Wondering about anything unforeseen or if there’s a catch somewhere. What do you all think?

[Dutchman48]

Yes, it is a valid offer, I believe the only charges is taxes and port fees. I have used the offer multiple times.

However, have never taken the inside room offer per say. What I have done was use the offer to get a discount on other rooms. I have just paid the difference between the inside room and either an ocean view or balcony.

Have sailed in inside rooms in the past and found I miss the natural light. Rooms have always been about the same size as an ocean as far as space, just like natural light to wake up to.

[FlorenceItaly]

The offer is legitimate.  It is a casino offer.  If you are interested, do not hesitate.  It is capacity controlled.

[kelliebiz]

48 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

The offer is legitimate.  It is a casino offer.  If you are interested, do not hesitate.  It is capacity controlled.

Thanks! what does that mean exactly, that it is a casino offer? I’ve seen that mentioned before, but don’t know what a casino offer is?

[Anne614]

We have received those offers and have two booked. I don’t think they are casino offers as those say “casino offers”.  

[Iamthesea]

I'd love to get that offer.  What does the * paragraph say?

 

Looks to me like HAL may be trying to fill some space.  Many of the cruises leave this month.   A full stateroom brings in more money spent by the occupants.

 

A cruise leaving Auckland to Sydney in a couple of weeks?  Not many people would be able to make arrangements, especially their arrange airfare in that short of time (although DH and I did that when offered a deal on a river cruise out of Germany some years ago.😀 Those were the days!)

Edited January 12, 2023 by Iamthesea

[HALcruiser2001]

I want one of these offers and can travel spur of the moment.  What do I need to do?  LOL.

[kelliebiz]

10 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

I'd love to get that offer.  What does the * paragraph say?

 

Looks to me like HAL may be trying to fill some space.  Many of the cruises leave this month.   A full stateroom brings in more money spent by the occupants.

 

A cruise leaving Auckland to Sydney in a couple of weeks?  Not many people would be able to make arrangements, especially their arrange airfare in that short of time (although DH and I did that when offered a deal on a river cruise out of Germany some years ago.😀 Those were the days!)

I skimmed thru and it said based on double occupancy, responsible for port fees, taxes, etc., I believe it also said non refundable once you book. 

yes they are all coming up pretty soon. Hard to coordinate on short notice for many folks. 

[Anne614]

You also have to pay $200 per person which you get back onboard as an OBC

[NCTribeFan]

I've done three of these since November 2021, and I've added 2 more at the end of the upcoming Rotterdam TA in April.

 

I could've stayed on Rotterdam for the entire summer but "free" isn't really free, you know.  I'd still be eating, drinking, taking excursions, gambling, etc. 😁

 

As long as HAL send me these offers, I'll continue to book them!

Edited January 13, 2023 by NCTribeFan

[kelliebiz]

Thank you everyone for your input! None of my people want to go but I’m seriously considering doing this on my own. The cabin may be free (or discounted if I upgrade), but I would imagine they would charge me double the port fees and taxes due to the double occupancy requirement. I think I’ll call them tomorrow for a bit more info. I just might pull the trigger on this

[RuthC]

15 minutes ago, kelliebiz said:

The cabin may be free (or discounted if I upgrade), but I would imagine they would charge me double the port fees and taxes due to the double occupancy requirement.

Not likely. 
I have sailed solo for years, usually paying double due to the supplement. But the port charges and taxes are per individual sailing, and have never been doubled. 

[NCTribeFan]

As Ruth says, it's $200 for the cabin plus taxes and port fees for one when solo, just as it is when you book a "regular" fare as a solo.  $200 OBC for spending.  

[VermeulT]

13 hours ago, bdd123 said:

I want one of these offers and can travel spur of the moment.  What do I need to do?  LOL.

Me too!

 

Are these offers linked to your mariner number?

Edited January 13, 2023 by VermeulT

[VermeulT]

That March 19th Nieuw Amsterdam trip is the one with 2 x Half Moon Cay stops.  It's currently showing $315 special price (no HIA) for me for an inside.  That's very tempting as is.  You tell me I can go for less than that and there would be no hesitation.  None.

[jbecker6469]

17 hours ago, Anne614 said:

You also have to pay $200 per person which you get back onboard as an OBC

Not necessarily.  Depends on the offer.

[Oceansaway17]

if I see an offer for something for free, I stop and think hmmmmm, what is the catch.

I do not think I would ever reply to one of these offers so as to not get caught up in a room or situation that was not to my liking.

[Bostonjetset]

44 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

if I see an offer for something for free, I stop and think hmmmmm, what is the catch.

I do not think I would ever reply to one of these offers so as to not get caught up in a room or situation that was not to my liking.

The catch is you have to pay taxes and port fees. It’s still a huge savings from paying the published fare along with taxes and port fees. 
 

For someone okay with an inside stateroom it’s really a good deal. I wonder how much money one has to donate to the casino to get these offers though. My mom gets them. I never do haha. 

[Oceansaway17]

1 minute ago, Bostonjetset said:

The catch is you have to pay taxes and port fees. It’s still a huge savings from paying the published fare along with taxes and port fees. 
 

For someone okay with an inside stateroom it’s really a good deal. I wonder how much money one has to donate to the casino to get these offers though. My mom gets them. I never do haha. 

yea I don't gamble either.  I still most likely would take a pass as I am superstitious of deals.

[PACD_JG]

2 minutes ago, Bostonjetset said:

For someone okay with an inside stateroom it’s really a good deal. I wonder how much money one has to donate to the casino to get these offers though. My mom gets them. I never do haha. 

I get these offers all the time, and I've never spent a penny in a HAL casino.

[HAL4NOW]

8 hours ago, VermeulT said:

Me too!

 

Are these offers linked to your mariner number?

Yes, they are linked to your mariner number.

[Banditswife]

we use these offers  sometimes.  They usually charge $200 per person plus taxes & port fees.  But the $200 comes back to you as onboard credit.  We just booked one for March- out total was $948, but we will get $400 OBC, $250 in casino play.  Plus we bought the insurance which was $99 per person & a transfer from airport to ship which was $19 per person.  For us, the catch has been that we had to pay the full amount upon booking, so be ready with your credit card.  They are legit offers.

[canadianbear]

Wish I knew the secret to get an offer like that!

[PACD_JG]

1 minute ago, canadianbear said:

Wish I knew the secret to get an offer like that!

Initially, I thought they were offering it to me because they knew I could never take them up on it (still working, still have kids in school).  @NCTribeFanputs that theory to rest, though.

[Banditswife]

Our offers come in the form of an email.  But usually after logging into the HAL site. We had tried booking a 20 day cruise using a code my son had used.  Were told "NO," we couldn't get the deal he got.  Then less than 7 weeks later, we get an offer for the same deal he got- same cruise.  I have no clue why these offers come in as they do, no rhyme or reason.  I do know: you best book it if you want it, cause they disappear.  Be prepared to pay full discounted fare up front.