Who is booking a HAL cruise today only with a $1 deposit?

[Destiny0315]

Available on 286 cruises!

 

[FlorenceItaly]

We are!  I have it on hold awaiting a call.  The 11 day Eurodam, Dec 9-20, 2023.  

[CruiserBruce]

Took advantage of the same deal, including HIA, about 3 months ago.

[canadarocks]

Trying to, but keep getting the "Something is Wrong" ..... uggh

[0106]

I just got off the phone with my PCC.  Decided to go with the perks of the Early Booking bonus instead because Crew Appreciation ($448 for 14 day Taste of Norway 2024) is included (& upgraded drink and internet package).

[FlorenceItaly]

I received the call back and we are set.  We have the HIA plus $300 OBC, military OBC and will apply for shareholder so all OBC will take care of Crew Appreciation and then some.

[cccole]

I was trying to see if cruises that include Antartica are included in the $1 deposit.  Was having a bit of difficulty navigating the website.   Cherie  

[Destiny0315]

16 minutes ago, cccole said:

I was trying to see if cruises that include Antartica are included in the $1 deposit.  Was having a bit of difficulty navigating the website.   Cherie  

Yes the Oosterdam's three consecutive 22 day cruises to Antarctica starting on December 7, 2023 are available to book for the $1 deposit, along with the solar eclipse cruises, Hawaii, South Pacific, and Australia too. Nothing past April of '24 though, which means not that hot 28 day Alaska Solstice cruise in June or the '24 VOV.

[Malton11803]

The price of the cruise comes out cheaper without the $1 deposit promotion. 

[cccole]

Thank you both for your replies.  Interesting that the price is less without the $1 deposit promotion.  Again, thank you, Cherie

[KAKcruiser]

You can only use the $1 promo with HIA.  You used to be able to book these low deposits with advantage fares but not now.

[Destiny0315]

9 minutes ago, Malton11803 said:

The price of the cruise comes out cheaper without the $1 deposit promotion. 

For some it will and for some it won't, depending on a number of factors, and if you cancel months from now before fp your only losing a buck! Just remember nothing cost a dollar anymore even at the dollar stores.🤔

[cccole]

I've contacted a PC for info.  Thank you.  Usually I have time to do the research myself.  Cherie

[FlorenceItaly]

15 minutes ago, KAKcruiser said:

You can only use the $1 promo with HIA.  You used to be able to book these low deposits with advantage fares but not now.

This is correct.  We did the math and it made a lot of sense to us to add HIA.  It was an additional $462 pp.  We like our cocktails.  Plus, I had a nice casino discount so overall a very good value for us.

I was told the deposit is refundable.

Edited January 17, 2023 by FlorenceItaly

[SusieO]

We booked the 2024 - 35 day Hawaii/Tahiti on the $1 deposit deal. 

[DinkyDee67]

4 hours ago, canadarocks said:

Trying to, but keep getting the "Something is Wrong" ..... uggh

No good for Aussies either 😥

[Ellencruise]

So tempting, must look!

[HappyInVan]

5 hours ago, Malton11803 said:

The price of the cruise comes out cheaper without the $1 deposit promotion. 

 Makes sense. HAL is making a bet with the pax. They're taking the risk, in return for higher revenues. Of course, they're sunk anyway if there should be another mass interruption of cruises.

 

CCL is ever the optimist. Build more ships, and they will come! Keep the fleet intact, and the customers will come flooding back!

Edited January 18, 2023 by HappyInVan

[HappyInVan]

Here's a sample.

 

14D Aussie and NZ Nov 26 on the Noordam. Both OV HIA and Verandah HIA are the same price $4,159 pp (double occupancy). Same HIA benefits.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/P3H14E/N373.html

 

So, no difference to those who usually booking verandah. However, it would benefit HAL if OV pax suddenly decided to upgrade. What great benefits!!!

 

Of course, a check of vacancies reveal a large number of available verandahs!

 

Does it make sense to wait for a lower non-promotional price if HAL can't fill the cabins? Verandah prices (without HIA) could fall. Very likely that OV prices would have to fall if pax do upgraded from OV?

[Bostonjetset]

Booked a Cali Coastal for 2024 for the $1 deposit. Not much to lose. Usually forego the HIA as I’m not a big drinker but in this case it was only $300pp more so seemed worth it with the $100pp shorex credit, free specialty dinner, WiFi, and $150pp OBC. Having the drink package on top of that was basically free. 

[Destiny0315]

For anyone who was debating or still trying to figure out and compare the math on the $1 deposit promotion, HAL has extended it to a second day(as they usually do)and it is now scheduled to end today(1/18).

[MISTER 67]

Not us, things need to improve in the Food and Entertainment departments before we sail on HAL again.

Edited January 18, 2023 by MISTER 67

[RedneckBob]

2 hours ago, MISTER 67 said:

Not us, things need to improve in the Food and Entertainment departments before we sail on HAL again.

Ditto with emphasis on entertainment!

[HappyInVan]

5 hours ago, Destiny0315 said:

For anyone who was debating or still trying to figure out and compare the math on the $1 deposit promotion, HAL has extended it to a second day(as they usually do)and it is now scheduled to end today(1/18).

 

Not a surprise. I looked at the prices for the Asian and Australasia cruises. Looked kinda high without HIA and $1 deposit. The marketing people are just trying to stampede us.

 

I hesitated on booking a $1-deposit Panama cruise. The cheap deposit is nice. But, why pay hundreds more for drinks that I don't consume?

[FlorenceItaly]

17 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

 

Not a surprise. I looked at the prices for the Asian and Australasia cruises. Looked kinda high without HIA and $1 deposit. The marketing people are just trying to stampede us.

 

I hesitated on booking a $1-deposit Panama cruise. The cheap deposit is nice. But, why pay hundreds more for drinks that I don't consume?

I agree that you definitely need to run the numbers.  For some it make sense, and for others not.

I will continue to price watch but unless my booked cruise comes up on a comp casino deal I doubt there is a better deal out there for US with the particular cruise we booked.