Booked Eurodam Inaugural cabin today!

[liv2cruise4ever]

Congrats Peggy......sounds like a great cruise....:D

[cruznon]

We don't use a TA, but usually book direct. We booked our request for Inaugural cruise on board the Oosterdam. When HAL called today, our request had been put in the hands of one of their vacation specialist. She was wonderful: answered all my questions then booked the requested cabins with new booking numbers. I got email confirmation and checked HAL site and there it was!!! She told me all agents were very busy, since 2008 European cruises began booking today. I plan to stay with HAL directly unless a TA can offer me a better deal to transfer booking to them.

[cruznon]

Thanks, Live 2cruise.....I'm excited. Hope to see you in a few days on the Golden

Peggy

[joeinsb]

After reading all of your posts, we called our TA who called HAL and was told that "they have not yet finished loading their itineraries into their computers and that no one has been assigned a cabin yet." They are taking deposits with "fictitious booking numbers" until they have everything loaded into their computers. When we researched Eurodam sailings, we noted that the inaugural sailing was around July 13, 2008, which our TA says has been changed to July 15. No mention by her of a July 5 sailing, but if you deduct 10 days from July 15 you get July 5, which is when the new inaugural sailing takes place. Or does it?

 

This is not the first time, nor the first cruise line, that we have dealt with where one agent says one thing and another says another. Or that one denies something while another admits it. Honestly, I think the cruise lines are only hurting themselves when they jerk people around like that.

 

At this point, we are getting a bit annoyed at thwe whole process. BTW, we have money down and an assigned booking number, but not a cabin.

[cruznon]

Joe,

HAL called me this AM to ask if I'd like to choose cabins. Checking my immigration form--cabin # and date are there.

 

Inaugural is July 5th, 2008. My reason for posting this was to let others know that the booking process has begun for the Eurodam.

[Jade13]

Joe, I received the 2008 Europe Brochure last week. A TA on top of things should have this. The prices are not set so that is why I was told it was not loaded. The Eurodam is at the top of the schedule for a 10 day July 5., page 25 Copenhagen to Copenhagen (mostly Norway).

 

The timing is bad in my opinion (for my interests) as I won't miss July 4 to travel overseas...

[sail7seas]

Joe, I received the 2008 Europe Brochure last week. A TA on top of things should have this. The prices are not set so that is why I was told it was not loaded. The Eurodam is at the top of the schedule for a 10 day July 5., page 25 Copenhagen to Copenhagen (mostly Norway).

 

 

Ditto.....

 

I received the 2008 Europe Brochure about a week ago.

I was told prices are not yet set.

Eurodam's Inaugural sailing is set for July 5.

 

We paid a $100 pp to be placed on Future Cruise Request List and will be advised when our cabin selection can be confirmed and prices will be quoted.

 

 

All that being said, I have no doubt that everything Cruznon has said here is absolutely her experience. I think they are just starting to quote the prices and enter the bookings and her PCC got to her sooner than other PCC's got to their clients and TA's may not yet be in the loop. Perhaps the PCC's finish up their bookings and then the TA's are allowed to start doing theirs? (That is merely speculation on my part.)

 

[Tinknock50]

....and hopefully, Greg, you will get the same price.

 

I am paying more than the amount of our original booking. She was very nasty IMO to refuse to transfer the booking. It is very tempting to spread her (and her Agency's) bad name all over the place to any cruiser who was interested in hearing which Agency (and Agent) I would never recommend.

Sail,

E-mail me about "you know what".:)

[bepsf]

SC5182 and VA8184 for M&D & I.

HAL is having system issues right now so I wasn't able to give them dinero for M&D's stateroom, but at least I'm in their system with booking numbers.

:D

 

7 more aft corner suite available!

;)

[Sassaroli]

They have been the prices publishes you for summery season 2008?I'm interested for a cruise aboard the Zuiderdam and the Eurodam...Thanks and sorry for my english.

[Jade13]

Question - For those who book with one TA and then transfer to another - I assume this is because someone else is giving you a better price?

 

Wouldn't it be better to get the original TA to accept the lower price, especially if you have it in writing?

 

I am having a hard time with this issue. I have booked this time direct with Hal after getting so so service going through a TA for a $100 savings in the form of cruise credit. My time is worth more than $100. Now I have a Hal TA - who is great and answers immediately etc by e-mail. He was recommended by Ship Services person that I already had dealt with and recently received rave reviews on this bb

 

The issue is that someone gave me the on-line TA (all those posts got deleted) they used to use who is a little sketchy since they have no phone and originally quoted me the same price direct from Hal shown on their web. After I asked "I thought you were a discounter/consolidator", their response was for me to transfer the booking and they would discount 12% which is over $600.00. I asked and they said there are no hidden costs nor cancellation fees above what I would get with Hals insurance (Someone else gave me their on-line TA and I was turned off by the long list of penalties, about $75.00 for anything including an error in the spelling of your name).

 

Now, I don't plan to use trhem. Why would a use a TA that a long time member dumped..but am having a problem with that large amount of $$$.

 

So, I assume the rebooking has to do with cost savings? Of course these TAs do not want to give up their livelyhood..

[sail7seas]

In my situation, it is one of those cases where the logical assumption/presumption is not accurate. ;)

 

I did not move my reservation searching for a lower price. In fact, I am paying more in order to not deal with the original TA. I had been sent to the original TA and I became dissatisified with them. In fact, I never was comfortable with them from the beginning. It was worth it to me to move to another and pay more in order to not deal with them.

 

DH and I made that decision. Others may not agree.

 

[mamaofami]

Do you really think you get a better price with one of these big cruise discounters? i have read about everyone getting a guarentee but not picking their cabin. I booked one cruise directly with HAl and was very happy. I booked a recent one with Amex and felt I got a good price, including my marriner discount. I got to pick the cabin I wanted and that alone seems worth it to me if I pay a few dollars more.

 

My question: Do you really save money with these big companies? Seems like you're all having lots of trouble with them?

[sail7seas]

Out of well over 60 cruises (all cruise lines) we have been incredibly lucky to enjoy, this is the first time I used one of those big cruise companies. This is the first time I have been uncomfortable with the Agency I was using. It was the last time I will use one of those companies.

 

I always pick our specific cabin number and did this time, as well. We have never done a guarantee.

 

 

 

[doowillie]

With due respect to revneal, were I on the receiving end of his threats I would be in no hurry to expedite things.

[cruznon]

Brian,

Looks like we'll be in the same neighborhood. We have VA5185. The views of the fjords should be fabulous from these aft cabins!

Glad you got those terrific cabins.

Peggy

[RevNeal]

With due respect to revneal, were I on the receiving end of his threats I would be in no hurry to expedite things.

 

I am simply attempting to get this agency to do what all agencies KNOW they should do in such situations ... and particularly when these are bookings that went to them through no effort of their own. I've been attempting to get a response from this agency since late January (for over a month and a half), to no avail. I've sent an e-mail once a week, all but the last being very polite; in these e-mails I've simply requested that the bookings be released to HAL. Releasing them takes very little effort ... just a simple toll-free phone call or fax to HAL Reservations. But, I've received NO response. I've faxed them my request, I've mailed it in physical mail, and I've also phoned and left messages. After 50 days (6 e-mails, 4 phone messages, 4 faxes, and 2 physical mails) I had not received even so much as a single acknowledgment of my request. The TA I wish to transfer to is flabbergasted by this behavior on the part of a major online TA. HAL Reservations are ALSO quite astonished that the Agency hasn't even bothered to respond to my multiple requests.

 

Today ... however ... after sending a final e-mail informing them that: (1) when I am on the Ryndam I will cancel those two bookings and re-book them with the Future Cruise Consultants, and that (2) if I have to do this I will publicize how terribly non-responsive their agency has been in this situation, I FINALLY received this e-mail in response:

 

Dear Dr. Neal,

 

Thank you for taking the time to correspond with us.

 

Unfortunately, Xxxx Xxxxxxx has a $50 administration fee to transfer reservations. That being said, as a courtesy to you, we will be amenable to canceling the reservation with Holland America with no cancellation penalty. Your deposit would be returned to you in full.

 

Please advise which of these options you prefer.

 

Best personal regards,

 

Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx

General Manager

Xxxx Xxxxxxx

 

The TA I'm working with and to whom I wish to transfer this booking has expressed his horror at this "unbelievable" response, and has offered to reimburse me the other agent's fee for doing what should be done by simple courtesy. While such will not be necessary, I find this other Agent's attitude to be reflective of the best in the industry.

 

In short ... it was actually informing them that I would be canceling these bookings if they would not release them (and they had no way of charging me any kind of cancellation fee, since I NEVER BOOKED IT WITH THEM TO BEGIN WITH), and setting a deadline of next Monday, that occasioned their finally bothering to respond to me. Since it will appear that I won't have to cancel the bookings, and that they will transfer them (though I will have to pay a $50 bribe for this convenience), I will simply never book with them again ... and will certainly never recommend them EVER again.

[bepsf]

In my situation, it is one of those cases where the logical assumption/presumption is not accurate. ;)

 

I did not move my reservation searching for a lower price. In fact, I am paying more in order to not deal with the original TA. I had been sent to the original TA and I became dissatisified with them. In fact, I never was comfortable with them from the beginning. It was worth it to me to move to another and pay more in order to not deal with them.

 

DH and I made that decision. Others may not agree.

 

 

Makes perfect sense to me - particularly regarding this specific cruise...

 

...considering we'll be booking both domestic & international air, trains & hotels on both ends of the cruise, etc. I'm considering going w/ a TA instead of booking these things myself online just to have the comfort of knowing one can make a call to a real human being that I know and trust instead of some anonymous call-center in India should things go awry.

[bepsf]

Brian,

Looks like we'll be in the same neighborhood. We have VA5185. The views of the fjords should be fabulous from these aft cabins!

Glad you got those terrific cabins.

Peggy

 

Yippee!

 

Let's open those partitions across the entire back of the ship and throw a party!

:D

[sail7seas]

Makes perfect sense to me - particularly regarding this specific cruise...

 

...considering we'll be booking both domestic & international air, trains & hotels on both ends of the cruise, etc. I'm considering going w/ a TA instead of booking these things myself online just to have the comfort of knowing one can make a call to a real human being that I know and trust instead of some anonymous call-center in India should things go awry.

 

 

I can see why you would think this applies to Eurodam seeing as this is the Eurodam thread but it applies to another cruise we have booked, Brian.

 

 

I wouldn't let those folks anywhere near our Eurodam booking. Actually, I won't let them near any booking for us, ever again. :p

[Sunshine91]

Greg - What you've experienced is just awful! :o So sorry for you.

 

Part of my brain isn't understanding tho, why you have booked cruises w/several different TAs. Is it because you would use TA "A" for your personal trips, TA "B" for group cruises & TA "C" for cruises on which you serve as chaplain? I've seen posts from others who have used multiple TAs & have written about releasing & transferring bookings from one TA to another & have wondered why. Is it about price? I've always been curious about that. Hmmm. Maybe I should start a thread. :rolleyes:

[RevNeal]

Greg - What you've experienced is just awful! :o So sorry for you.

 

Thanks ... greatly appreciated.

 

Part of my brain isn't understanding tho, why you have booked cruises w/several different TAs. Is it because you would use TA "A" for your personal trips, TA "B" for group cruises & TA "C" for cruises on which you serve as chaplain? I've seen posts from others who have used multiple TAs & have written about releasing & transferring bookings from one TA to another & have wondered why. Is it about price? I've always been curious about that. Hmmm. Maybe I should start a thread. :rolleyes:

 

That's a very good question. I actually have 2 normal TAs who have been very good to me over the years. I normally book with one for personal cruises with Christopher or other family members; I book with the other one when it's just me and or I'm looking for a quickie/cheap deal. When serving as chaplain I book through the Line directly (special arrangements).

 

Sometimes, however, my two normal TAs just can't come close to beating a deal I can find elsewhere and/or they can't get me a certain category of cabin because other agencies have blocks of cabins reserved for their clients. This was the case this time. I was late booking the Noordam ... I had waited and waited and waited because I wasn't sure if I was going to be free to make the cruise. However, when I finally discovered I was going to be able to go -- almost too late -- the only agency I could find that had a reasonable price for a cabin that I was willing to book was this particular online Agency. My two normal TAs could get me a cabin, but in categories/areas that I didn't want to stay, or for prices that I wasn't willing to pay.

 

I might never have tried to transfer this particular booking (the Rotterdam booking) had I not wanted to join a group booking that had been arranged with a different TA. I want to be with this group, at their group rate, with their group perks. I'm shifting the Eurodam booking because this other agency has ignored me and delayed providing a simple courtesy.

[Copper10-8]

Here's some news on Eurodam:

On the February 9th, 2007 Eurodam's, construction number 6149, keel was laid at Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera (Venezia).

It was a special day as this is the first ship of the Signature Class and the 10th Holland America Line cruise ship build at Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera.

From left to right, Paolo Capobianco Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard Director, Pieter Rijkaart Director New Building Holland America Line and, blessing the ship, Padre Sergio.

[bepsf]

On the February 9th, 2007 Eurodam's, construction number 6149, keel was laid at Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera (Venezia).

It was a special day as this is the first ship of the Signature Class and the 10th Holland America Line cruise ship build at Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera.

From left to right, Paolo Capobianco Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard Director, Pieter Rijkaart Director New Building Holland America Line and, blessing the ship, Padre Sergio.

 

Copper--

 

This isnt the 13th HAL ship built at Marghera?

Were Statendam and her sisters built elsewhere?

 

...and why a Catholic priest? *If it's to be a Dutch ship, shouldn't it be a Lutheran pastor?

:rolleyes: ;)

 

(noticing Carnival Freedom looming in the background...)

[Copper10-8]

Copper--

 

This isnt the 13th HAL ship built at Marghera?

Were Statendam and her sisters built elsewhere?

 

...and why a Catholic priest? *If it's to be a Dutch ship, shouldn't it be a Lutheran pastor?

:rolleyes: ;)

 

(noticing Carnival Freedom looming in the background...)

 

Brian, not sure (bet ya Doug or Stephen Card can tell us) but I can only assume that Statendam, Maasdam and Ryndam were built at one of the other Fincantieri yards (they own several). We know Prinsendam was built elsewhere.

The south of Holland is about as catholic as Rome. Pretty sure the priest is there because they're in Italy, dude;)