Club Orange

[kelship]

Hi all. Apologies if this has been covered.

Sailing in Dec on Nieuw Statendam. 

 

If I'm booked in an obstructed balcony guarantee and then purchase Club Orange, can I choose only from obstructed balconies? Or would I have the choice of non obstructed balcony cabins as well?

[FOPMan]

If you are in a guaranteed room, you don’t select the cabin number.

[kelship]

Thank you for responding. 

 

I've read that once you purchase Club Orange, one of the benefits is an upgrade in cabin within category...hence giving me the chance to choose a cabin. 

 

I'm just not sure which level of category...obstructed only, or all balconies.

[DaveOKC]

1 minute ago, kelship said:

Thank you for responding. 

 

I've read that once you purchase Club Orange, one of the benefits is an upgrade in cabin within category...hence giving me the chance to choose a cabin. 

 

I'm just not sure which level of category...obstructed only, or all balconies.

You get to choose from all "balcony" cabins.  Of course not Vista or higher categories.  Great deal IMO.

 

[kelship]

Oh wow, cool. Ok thank you!

[FlorenceItaly]

5 minutes ago, FOPMan said:

If you are in a guaranteed room, you don’t select the cabin number.

This is not true.  I just completed a sailing on the Zuiderdam where I was originally booked in a VH guarantee(casino offer) and chose to add Club Orange.  I moved myself into a VA balcony of my choosing.

[djvand]

You can upgrade as high as you want within the same meta category.  In other words, if you booked in VH you could in theory get any other V category.  I booked in a lower V and when I added Orange I got to pick a VQ room.  This is, of course, only possible when you speak with an  orange agent and based upon availability.

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by djvand
Typo

[MrSnuffleupagus]

Please also note that not all HAL employees are well versed in Co upgrades. If you don’t get the right answer the first time, call back until you do.

[Crew News]

You can call directly to HAL:  Add Club Orange by contacting Holland America Line Ship Inventory at 1-888-628-8107 or 206-626-7381. 

 

When you call, have a ship deck map open when you are given choices.

Edited June 7, 2023 by Crew News

[kelship]

Thanks everyone. 

 

I was checking to see if I made a bad decision...and I did. 

 

Originally booked obstructed balcony guarantee, but couldnt stop thinking about non obstructed. 

Asked my TA if it was possible to switch, she said yes for $200. I approved...and THEN realized I'd forgotten about Club Orange. 

 

Asked the TA to undo and sign me up for CO but can't undo. 

 

So, lesson learned. Worst case, I still get some sort of non obstructed balcony, so it'll be lovely! Thanks everyone. 

[KAKcruiser]

Why can't you switch?  

[kelship]

TA said she called but was told  'you could not downgrade once you have upgraded'. 

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by kelship
Original was duplicate

[MrSnuffleupagus]

19 minutes ago, kelship said:

TA said she called but was told  'you could not downgrade once you have upgraded'. 

 

Is your rate refundable? If so, could you cancel and rebook with CO?

[Haljo1935]

28 minutes ago, kelship said:

TA said she called but was told  'you could not downgrade once you have upgraded'. 

 

Correct - been told that numerous times. And they will not simply refare. However, if you don't have a non-fundable rate, you can cancel and rebook as noted by @MrSnuffleupagus Just be aware you're subject to rate increase, if applicable, in that scenario. 

10 minutes ago, MrSnuffleupagus said:

Is your rate refundable? If so, could you cancel and rebook with CO?

 

[kelship]

Not refundable, price has gone up, and I would lose OBC. 

 

Overall, I'm thrilled to be going and will have a not obstructed balcony which is way better than a week at work so I'm still excited! Thanks everyone! 

[Haljo1935]

14 minutes ago, kelship said:

Not refundable, price has gone up, and I would lose OBC. 

 

Overall, I'm thrilled to be going and will have a not obstructed balcony which is way better than a week at work so I'm still excited! Thanks everyone! 

Good deal - Sounds like you're set. Enjoy your cruise!! ☺🛳🚢

Edited June 7, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[TAW1963]

6 hours ago, kelship said:

TA said she called but was told  'you could not downgrade once you have upgraded'. 

 

I have a suggestion, but it may/may not always work.   It did for me.   I had the same problem in that I booked an upgraded cabin first and then decided that I could save quite a bit of money with Club Orange.  I booked myself on the HAL webpage.  I called the regular helpline number and the representative said that they couldn't do anything to help by downgrading the price to an obstructed balcony and then adding Club Orange to get me back in my upgraded cabin.  However, I called a fews days later to cancel the cruise and transfer my non-refundable deposit to another booking.  For the new booking, I was transferred to someone from what I recall to be the  "accounts" department.  They had complete control and I did get an obstructed balcony, added Club Orange and was moved to a much more expensive aft-facing balcony on the new booking.  They preserved my non-refundable deposit because the new booking was of equal or great value. The price difference alone paid for Club Orange and even saved me a considerable amount of money.   I told the guy in accounts that I originally wanted to just work with my old booking, downgrade to an obstructed balcony and then add Club Orange, but the representative said it was not possible.   He said, "I can do that for you if you want to keep the old booking."   So it may be worthwhile to call the helpline, but ask for someone with more authority to modify bookings.  If they transfer you correctly, they can do exactly what you want.  Good luck and happy sailing!

Edited June 7, 2023 by TAW1963

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, TAW1963 said:

I have a suggestion, but it may/may not always work.   It did for me.   I had the same problem in that I booked an upgraded cabin first and then decided that I could save quite a bit of money with Club Orange.  I booked myself on the HAL webpage.  I called the regular helpline number and the representative said that they couldn't do anything to help by downgrading the price to an obstructed balcony and then adding Club Orange to get me back in my upgraded cabin.  However, I called a fews days later to cancel the cruise and transfer my non-refundable deposit to another booking.  For the new booking, I was transferred to someone from what I recall to be the  "accounts" department.  They had complete control and I did get an obstructed balcony, added Club Orange and was moved to a much more expensive aft-facing balcony on the new booking.  They preserved my non-refundable deposit because the new booking was of equal or great value. The price difference alone paid for Club Orange and even saved me a considerable amount of money.   I told the guy in accounts that I originally wanted to just work with my old booking, downgrade to an obstructed balcony and then add Club Orange, but the representative said it was not possible.   He said, "I can do that for you if you want to keep the old booking."   So it may be worthwhile to call the helpline, but ask for someone with more authority to modify bookings.  If they transfer you correctly, they can do exactly what you want.  Good luck and happy sailing!

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to try this on one of my current bookings.