Question about Bookings...

[MisterMatthew]

Hello good people!

 

My question is this -- let's suppose there is a sailing to ABC LAND (hypothetical).  And, the sailing is June 20th, 2025.  Would this sailing be revealed to certain person (s) before others?

 

And, when i say "be revealed" .. i am also asking can ea and every person BOOK IT?  I hope my question makes sense.  I am a 1-star mariner (hopefully reach 2 by end of the year).  Does that have any SAY in someone wanting to book?  

 

Lastly, are there ever situations in which a Travel Agent would be aware of a sailing before, let's say, someone just logging onto the HAL website?

 

I certainly thank you in advance.

 

---MisterMatthew

[CruiserBruce]

Occasionally, someone finds out some itineraries ahead of their public releases...sometimes as much as a month ahead. This is true of both unique and routine itineraries. I can't explain how it works...its only happened to us once, a very long time ago.

 

Frequently, when this happens, HAL will allow you to put a deposit on a generic booking on a cruise.

 

I guess some will be concerned about a very unique cruise selling out. But we booked on an unique cruise for 2024 within 5 days of the schedule release in December, and that cruise has not sold out yet...even with a group of 500 on it. Several categories are sold out, tho.

[Mary229]

I find the best way to check is at the future cruise desk when sailing.  They often get advanced notice and can also take a variety of deposits including the one Bruce mentioned.  If you are fortunate enough to get a good future cruise consultant on your cruise they are a wealth of information for tips and tricks.  Plus they have sailed the ships 

[Haljo1935]

Hey @MisterMatthew I occasionally receive "private fare" and "exclusive" offers to book. Sometimes when I click the link (can only be accessed by clicking the link in the email) I am not able to see the sailings, but once I log in and click, it takes me right to them and I'm able to see them.

So, some of those may be ones that have not yet been released.

Sometimes I see the sailing, but at a different rate than was in the email. But once I log in and click through (as though to book) the price changes to what was in the email. So, that makes me believe offers for special rates are tied to a Mariner number. 

I've tested these out with friends and family who are Mariners but did not receive the email. Sometimes they can't see the sailing, like I mentioned I couldn't when I wasn't logged in, again making me think they are indeed "sneak peek/pre-release" of sorts. For the ones where I see a different rate, when they see the sailings, they're at the higher rate. Again, leading me to believe that the special rate is tied to the Mariner number.

A couple times when I've called in to book something, the HAL person I'm talking with has mentioned a different sailing to me that I cannot see on the website; when I say I can't see it, they say something like "it hasn't been released yet but I can book it for you." So, again I believe some HAL passengers do get access to unpublished, sneak peek pre-sales.

I can't speak to TAs ability to see unpublished sailings as I rarely use a TA and when I do, I already have the details nailed down (dates, ship, cabin...).

I've never had this experience while onboard meeting w/a FCC, so I can't speak to their ability to see unpublished sailings.

 

Edited June 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[MisterMatthew]

On 6/24/2023 at 8:52 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Occasionally, someone finds out some itineraries ahead of their public releases...sometimes as much as a month ahead. This is true of both unique and routine itineraries. I can't explain how it works...its only happened to us once, a very long time ago.

 

Frequently, when this happens, HAL will allow you to put a deposit on a generic booking on a cruise.

 

I guess some will be concerned about a very unique cruise selling out. But we booked on an unique cruise for 2024 within 5 days of the schedule release in December, and that cruise has not sold out yet...even with a group of 500 on it. Several categories are sold out, tho.

 

Very interesting, CruiserBruce.  Thank you good sir.

[MisterMatthew]

On 6/25/2023 at 3:56 AM, Mary229 said:

I find the best way to check is at the future cruise desk when sailing.  They often get advanced notice and can also take a variety of deposits including the one Bruce mentioned.  If you are fortunate enough to get a good future cruise consultant on your cruise they are a wealth of information for tips and tricks.  Plus they have sailed the ships 

Mary, that is something i have overlooked.  Good idea!

[MisterMatthew]

On 6/28/2023 at 4:44 PM, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @MisterMatthew I occasionally receive "private fare" and "exclusive" offers to book. Sometimes when I click the link (can only be accessed by clicking the link in the email) I am not able to see the sailings, but once I log in and click, it takes me right to them and I'm able to see them.

So, some of those may be ones that have not yet been released.

Sometimes I see the sailing, but at a different rate than was in the email. But once I log in and click through (as though to book) the price changes to what was in the email. So, that makes me believe offers for special rates are tied to a Mariner number. 

I've tested these out with friends and family who are Mariners but did not receive the email. Sometimes they can't see the sailing, like I mentioned I couldn't when I wasn't logged in, again making me think they are indeed "sneak peek/pre-release" of sorts. For the ones where I see a different rate, when they see the sailings, they're at the higher rate. Again, leading me to believe that the special rate is tied to the Mariner number.

A couple times when I've called in to book something, the HAL person I'm talking with has mentioned a different sailing to me that I cannot see on the website; when I say I can't see it, they say something like "it hasn't been released yet but I can book it for you." So, again I believe some HAL passengers do get access to unpublished, sneak peek pre-sales.

I can't speak to TAs ability to see unpublished sailings as I rarely use a TA and when I do, I already have the details nailed down (dates, ship, cabin...).

I've never had this experience while onboard meeting w/a FCC, so I can't speak to their ability to see unpublished sailings.

 

Buddy, i follow you.  The word "private" in a SALE may be the key.

 

----MisterMatthew

[Heartgrove]

There are a number of "Special" fares that HAL uses and not available to all passengers. One time we were booking a cruise to Mexico when I believe we were 3* at the time. We were talking to our PCC and he tallied the fare. (Do not book online, always use a PCC!) The cost was way less than we had figured for the HIA package. Turned out it was a Mariner exclusive fare that was refundable but significantly cheaper than even the non-refundable fare. 

 

Just this past week we booked a cruise for April. We pay for DSIL to sail with us once a year to thank her as she watches our dog when we are are off cruising. It was another conversation with our PCC to book the cruise and he finishes with our stateroom. He then starts on DSIL's stateroom, pauses, and tells us she has a casino offerthat can be applied! Amazingly DW and DSIL were on a cruise together last year and had spent equal time in the casino - but DW didn't get the offer! It was a real plus with us paying as her offer saved us just over $700.00.

 

Hang in there, Mister Matthew!

[Haljo1935]

54 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

There are a number of "Special" fares that HAL uses and not available to all passengers. One time we were booking a cruise to Mexico when I believe we were 3* at the time. We were talking to our PCC and he tallied the fare. (Do not book online, always use a PCC!) The cost was way less than we had figured for the HIA package. Turned out it was a Mariner exclusive fare that was refundable but significantly cheaper than even the non-refundable fare. 

 

Just this past week we booked a cruise for April. We pay for DSIL to sail with us once a year to thank her as she watches our dog when we are are off cruising. It was another conversation with our PCC to book the cruise and he finishes with our stateroom. He then starts on DSIL's stateroom, pauses, and tells us she has a casino offerthat can be applied! Amazingly DW and DSIL were on a cruise together last year and had spent equal time in the casino - but DW didn't get the offer! It was a real plus with us paying as her offer saved us just over $700.00.

 

Hang in there, Mister Matthew!

See, A good PCC is worth their weight in gold. In this case, worth over $700 of gold!!

I sure wish someone would find a way for me to learn the name of one of those good PCCs 🙄🤔🤫 to help me resolve my ongoing HIA debacle.

 

[DaveOKC]

2 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

See, A good PCC is worth their weight in gold. In this case, worth over $700 of gold!!

I sure wish someone would find a way for me to learn the name of one of those good PCCs 🙄🤔🤫 to help me resolve my ongoing HIA debacle.

 

Try the Holland America FB site.  I have seen recommendations on there.  SOme were on the casino HAL pages.

[VacationCharlene]

Something you can also do is CALL Holland America and say you want to put a FUTURE CRUISE DEPOSIT on a certain cruise that is NOT listed yet(we are waiting for the 2025 Voyage of Vikings)  You can place a deposit down and you are supposedly notified FIRST when it finally shows up online again.  Try to have a room number you MAY want...by the ship the voyage has previously been on.  You WILL BE assigned an actual booking number when you place a deposit while you have to WAIT for that cruise.  Hope this makes Sense since happy hour has set in here in California just now.  As always be sure you are booking and reserving a REFUNDABLE deposit 🙂

[Haljo1935]

31 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Try the Holland America FB site.  I have seen recommendations on there.  SOme were on the casino HAL pages.

Thanks - I am not on FB but I'll get DH to look. 🙂

[Heartgrove]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

See, A good PCC is worth their weight in gold. In this case, worth over $700 of gold!!

I sure wish someone would find a way for me to learn the name of one of those good PCCs 🙄🤔🤫 to help me resolve my ongoing HIA debacle.

 

 

It takes work! In eight years we have probably had as many PCCs. We have our third excellent PCC now. The downturn from COVID really shook up the ranks. At the beginning they would come and go, including one we had for only two weeks before she left. The three best have actually been men.

 

As for getting one from a FB recommendation, after we lost our previous PCC of 1-1/2 years we chose two to contact off of comments by other FB customers/passengers.  Made a decision that we would use the first one to contact us. We did and what a mistake! Heard from her one time. Never able to reach her so left voicemails that were never returned.  We needed to cancel a booking and spent over a month attempting to contact her. Ended up talking with a woman that supports the PCCs that could cancel the booking. Finally contacted a HAL supervisor to change to a different PCC as we needed a new booking. The supervisor actually went into her voicemail to check her lack of response.  By this time we had a name of a PCC to request to be assigned to. He has been with us since last year and really great to work with. 

 

 

[Haljo1935]

Thanks @Heartgrove Doesn't seem like it should be so difficult to change something one never asked for to begin with (I was assigned my current PCC), but it's been challenging. And when you ask for one that doesn't work out, you should be able to get that changed w/o an investigation.

Glad it's worked for you and definitely appreciate the insight.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

On 6/24/2023 at 11:52 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Occasionally, someone finds out some itineraries ahead of their public releases...sometimes as much as a month ahead. This is true of both unique and routine itineraries. I can't explain how it works...its only happened to us once, a very long time ago.

 

Frequently, when this happens, HAL will allow you to put a deposit on a generic booking on a cruise.

 

I guess some will be concerned about a very unique cruise selling out. But we booked on an unique cruise for 2024 within 5 days of the schedule release in December, and that cruise has not sold out yet...even with a group of 500 on it. Several categories are sold out, tho.

It is called a Future Cruise Request    FCR

[MisterMatthew]

20 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

There are a number of "Special" fares that HAL uses and not available to all passengers. One time we were booking a cruise to Mexico when I believe we were 3* at the time. We were talking to our PCC and he tallied the fare. (Do not book online, always use a PCC!) The cost was way less than we had figured for the HIA package. Turned out it was a Mariner exclusive fare that was refundable but significantly cheaper than even the non-refundable fare. 

 

Just this past week we booked a cruise for April. We pay for DSIL to sail with us once a year to thank her as she watches our dog when we are are off cruising. It was another conversation with our PCC to book the cruise and he finishes with our stateroom. He then starts on DSIL's stateroom, pauses, and tells us she has a casino offerthat can be applied! Amazingly DW and DSIL were on a cruise together last year and had spent equal time in the casino - but DW didn't get the offer! It was a real plus with us paying as her offer saved us just over $700.00.

 

Hang in there, Mister Matthew!

 

Interesting stuff.  Btw, awfully nice of her to watch your pet!

 

Okay. Okay. Pause!  I have to ask, when people say CASINO OFFER, this relates to playing in the ships casino?  Yes?  

 

I ask beause my last 2 sailings were complimentary---given to me (locally) by "BOYD GAMING" where i live.

 

Can you please give me the skinny on this.  Thank you!

 

---MisterMatthew

[MisterMatthew]

19 hours ago, VacationCharlene said:

Something you can also do is CALL Holland America and say you want to put a FUTURE CRUISE DEPOSIT on a certain cruise that is NOT listed yet(we are waiting for the 2025 Voyage of Vikings)  You can place a deposit down and you are supposedly notified FIRST when it finally shows up online again.  Try to have a room number you MAY want...by the ship the voyage has previously been on.  You WILL BE assigned an actual booking number when you place a deposit while you have to WAIT for that cruise.  Hope this makes Sense since happy hour has set in here in California just now.  As always be sure you are booking and reserving a REFUNDABLE deposit 🙂

 

Charlene, that does make sense.

Thank you.  I like the way you think.

 

----MisterMatthew

[Haljo1935]

6 hours ago, MisterMatthew said:

 

Interesting stuff.  Btw, awfully nice of her to watch your pet!

 

Okay. Okay. Pause!  I have to ask, when people say CASINO OFFER, this relates to playing in the ships casino?  Yes?  

 

I ask beause my last 2 sailings were complimentary---given to me (locally) by "BOYD GAMING" where i live.

 

Can you please give me the skinny on this.  Thank you!

 

---MisterMatthew

I am aware of 2 types of Casino Offers. One is tied to casino play and will come (usually) with some amount of free play, free drinks while playing and other perks, including ability to upgrade cabin (for a fee). These are called Casino Offers. I have heard of land-based casino offers, but not sure if they're the same as this or if they're a 3rd type of casino offers. Coming from Boyd Gaming, yours fits in here.

The other is NOT tied to time or $$ spent in the casino, but are called Casino Rates. They will come w/free inside cabin (occasionally ov), some amount of OBC and ability to upgrade cabin (for a fee).

I have NEVER spent a penny in any CCL casino but have received and booked free casino rate cabins on both Carnival and HAL.

 

[Mary229]

8 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I am aware of 2 types of Casino Offers. One is tied to casino play and will come (usually) with some amount of free play, free drinks while playing and other perks, including ability to upgrade cabin (for a fee). These are called Casino Offers. I have heard of land-based casino offers, but not sure if they're the same as this or if they're a 3rd type of casino offers. Coming from Boyd Gaming, yours fits in here.

The other is NOT tied to time or $$ spent in the casino, but are called Casino Rates. They will come w/free inside cabin (occasionally ov), some amount of OBC and ability to upgrade cabin (for a fee).

I have NEVER spent a penny in any CCL casino but have received and booked free casino rate cabins on both Carnival and HAL.

 

The casino offers most frequently discussed on these boards are from previous play in the ship casino.  I haven’t been in a land based casino in over 15 years yet we get varying offers from playing small amounts in the ship casino.  (For me $200 per 30 day sailing -slots).  Some offers are free rooms with free play, others and more frequently are discounted rates.  Those discounts are10% and up on a large array of sailings. The free offers or extremely reduced rates are on targeted sailings.