richwmn

Has anyone ever been "bumped" off due to overbooking with a guarantee. I've booked a guarantee on a segment of next year's world cruise. I've only ever done one other HAL cruise so I have no status at all. Since it's sold out, I'm just a bit concerned.

Not that I have ever read of in all my years on Cruise Critic. If it had ever happened, I am certain something about it would have been posted.

 

There is one circumstance where people have been bumped from a cruise, and that involves people who are booked at the very, very low travel agent rates.

If you are paying a published fare, even with TA discounts and/or on board credits, then you have no need for concern.

There have been several instances of HAL overbooking a cruise. As far as I know, no one has been bumped, rather HAL keeps making a better and better offer until someone can change to another date or ship. On my Ryndam cruise in Dec 09, the roll call mentioned people getting offers. I was with a group of people who had one person cancel and I was a solo. We were able to move me to the second person in a cabin, replacing the cancellation, and freed up a cabin that way. Saved a bit of money and I believe got a bit more. It doesn't happen often.

::nods::

 

Most of the time I'm over on Princess, but next cruise I'm over here on HAL.

 

Their ships swap regions frequently. I've gotten AU$ SOBC on the Emerald

on one cruise, but then after it did a trans-Pacific and came over to Santa

Clarita territory, I got US$ SOBC on her during a cruise a few months later.

 

 

 

That apparently doesn't happen over here on the HAL side?

No, it doesn't happen on HAL. Princess is under 3 operating companies: Princess, Princess UK and Princess Australia. HAL is only under one.

From the linked pdf:

*The onboard credit for Carnival Cruise Line,

Costa Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises is

determined based on the operational currency

onboard the vessel. Please visit our corporation

website at www.carnivalcorp.com for updates.

Thanks! I might have to search for another Board since I’m not having much luck on this one. I would have thought more people had experience with HAL group bookings. Bummer!

 

 

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Sorry I can't help you from personal experience, but several years ago I inquired about a group booking and was directed to a specific department within HAL. A quick search found this:

for eight or more cabins please contact the groups department and they can assist. 1–877–932–4259. It would be a great family vacation!

For more information, contact your travel agent partner or our Groups Department at 888-425-9477.

That is not a b-to-b... It is ' consceutive cruises. One must clear immigrtgion and customs with their luggage when they disembark from cruise #1. HAL can do nothing about that. CBP makes the rules. .

Agree, I was using the term B2B loosely. I should not have since it is a term of art for "collector" type cruises which are B2B, but on the same ships. Our own unofficial "B2B" was on two different HAL ships. Thank you for catching this potential confusion.

I believe the term "B2B" has been generally used on this board, and the others on CC, to denote all consecutive cruises, regardless of ship or even cruise line. See these entries from the current Future Cruise List

Ruby Princess - 14-Jul-18 - 7 day Alaska

luvteaching - B2B with Eurodam July 21st

Volendam - 18-Jul-18 - 11 night cruise tour Y4C Vancouver to Anchorage

rafinmd - completing the R class, B2B2B Westerdam Jul 29 & Crystal Sumphony Aug. 10th

We found a Canada NE & Iceland on the Rotterdam for September 2019. It's 24 days. It contains some new (to us) ports.

I thought that might be what you were talking about, which is why I asked for more information. After that cruise the Rotterdam goes to Montreal, then continues to do Canada NE until 12 October when it goes to Tampa. I don't see a Boston to FLL option.

I didn't say that the ship had to be home-ported in the US. I said that *if* it

were home-ported in the US, SOBC on a 14+ day CCL cruise would be $250.

 

Other homeports, other amounts: AU$250, £150, €200.

 

For what it's worth, I think South American cruises are generally home-ported in the US

The amount of the onboard credit depends on the currency of the ship, which in the case of Holland America is always the US Dollar. If you look at the Carnival Corp Website you will find that the amounts you list are for Australian Brands, Continental Europe Brands, and UK Brands respectively. Holland America is a US Brand which ALWAYS uses the USD for on board currency, with the possible exception of a few cruises totally in Australian waters marketed to Australians.

The pdf for OBC can be found here - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiDpPaNtczaAhVI0lMKHegpD8cQFghRMAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fphx.corporate-ir.net%2Fphoenix.zhtml%3Fc%3D140690%26p%3Dirol-sharebenefit_pf&usg=AOvVaw3JufYOsAuZ5GkmsxFF1o16

What's involved in switching cruise ships (all w/ Holland America) ships?

 

Will they move the luggage to the other ship for you?

 

What if the ship we're switching to is late? Do they hold the ship since we'd be coming from another HAL ship?

 

Can we get off the ship a port early and board another ship the next day? How do we do that?

 

We're thinking about an itinerary where we start in Boston and end up in Fort Lauderdale. And flying up to Canada is a major hassle. In orde to do Boston to FLL we need to swap ships or visit something in South America.

Is Iceland and Greenland considered a far distant port as far as that PVSA works?

 

We want to see what's involved in this type of itinerary before we start thinking seriously about booking.

Without a little more information, your question can't be answered with the exception of the PVSA part. Iceland and Greenland are far ports so transport between two US cities would be allowed. A cruise starting in Boston and ending in FLL would not be allowed, however if you are doing something like the VoV and then continuing from Boston to FLL, it would be ok.

As ArtsyCraftsy said, "Yes".

 

Good news:

• If the "long" cruises are 14+ days and homeported in the US, it's $250 per.

 

Middling news:

• It's technically use-it-or-lose-it OBC, but I've heard tell of folks getting a refund on unused SOBC.

 

Bad news:

• Unless they've changed the rules, you'll need to apply separately for each cruise.

• It's one SOBC per stateroom, even if y'all own two separate 100 share blocks.

This is good news. Our next trip is 34 days, the Kon Tiki sept 10 (FLL.) And the next one is Jan 30 Antarctica... not sure how long that is...22 days I think...but that leaves out of Argentina...not US ... do you not get the OBC for cruises leaving from other countries? That would be a deal breaker as we often go out of Amsterdam, Copenhagen...etc.

bolding is mine. I am not sure where haboob got the idea that the cruise had to be homeported int the US. I don't see any restriction in the Carnival Corp policy that states that, and I got the credit for a Rome to Barcelona cruise. Maybe that restriction is for Royal Caribbean or NCL?

This is confusing, because following the law, HAL could not sell this as one longer cruise.

And, booking the two cruises separately, and leaving the ship and going thru a full new check-in would not be a violation?

 

Wonder what is up?

booking as two, leaving the ship and doing a full check in would not change things - it would still be a violation and most likely would be flagged as not allowed prior to boarding the first cruise.

A few years ago Veendam was the subject of quite a few negative reviews. On one Canada/New England Cruise she failed her inspection and many passengers were very unhappy with the shape the ship was in. As a result, I believe HAL didn't renew the contracts of several upper management people. I had a friend on that cruise, and they refuse to consider HAL again, even thou they had two good cruises on other ships prior.

Since that time Veendam has had at least one, probably two dry docks. I have been on three cruises on Veendam, one Quebec City to Boston, then Ft Lauderdale to Montreal and finally Montreal to Fort Lauderdale. While I am not picky, I didn't find any problems with the ship or crew and would easily consider another Veendam cruise.

Yes, Veendam is older but the crew takes good care of the ship. Remember that people who have problems are more likely to complain and that people who have a good time generally don't write as many reviews.

We are new to HAL, and recently did the same. Our PCC forwarded our request to the appropriate folks (by email), and we had our OBC applied within the hour.

 

I'm sorry, but fax machines are very 20th Century, and, in any event, lots of folks don't own one.

 

I asked HAL the reason for the "no email" rule, and was told it was to protect our confidential information. Yet HAL has no problems emailing out cruise confirmations with all the confidential info on those, and the other cruise lines in which we own stock use email to handle requests for shareholder benefits. And faxes are hardly a confidential form of communication.

The prohibition against using email for requesting stockholder benefit came originally from Carnival Corp. It came as a response to the very real idea that the pdf format could infect a computer with a virus. A google search found this:

 

Can a PDF carry a virus?

 

A really dangerous idea has escaped into the wild: Acrobat PDF files can be used as viruses: Jeremy of sudosecure.net has demonstrated a proof of concept of a PDF virus: a malicious PDF containing an embedded executable which modifies other PDFs to include malicious code. ... This attack is, in fact, a classic virus.Apr 7, 2010

Unfortunately, many people want to give an answer, even if they don't know the correct one. So they come up with something that "sounds good". Another person hears it and thinks it is correct and repeats it.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt

attributed to Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain and others

This thread was started about 15 months after the most recent dry dock in Apr 2016. We were on the O in 12/16, 7 months before this thread, and didn't notice any of the things the OP pointed out in his pics. A couple of them I think are real nit-picks.

I have to agree with catl331. I just looked at the pictures and someone had to be looking very closely to find the problems. The Oosterdam measures

• Length: 936 feet
  
• Beam: 105.8 feet
  
• 10 Passenger Decks
  

and OP provides 8 pictures to support his claim.

I believe that with out cruise days and suite "kicker" we ought to transition from 2 to 3 stars this cruise. Assuming that it true would I be able to "invoke" the 25% restaurant discount during this cruise? That would make me more inclined to try Sel de Mer...

You get the benefit of your new level at the start of the next cruise after the level is obtained with the exception of world cruises.

There have been reports of people getting the upgrade on the second part of a B2B, but never when the level is reached during a cruise.

Good News!

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3344909-carnival-declares-0_50-dividend

https://www.nasdaq.com/article/carnival-increases-quarterly-dividend--quick-facts-20180411-00442

For those who mentioned including the Port Charges and Taxes in the fare, they are separated because of a court case that I believe happened in the 90's. People complained when the fare was adjusted due to Port Charge / Tax changes and the court ruled that in order for the lines to recoup those charges they had to be pulled out of the fare and detailed. Port Charges and Taxes sre supposed to be a direct charge of only what the cruise line was charged. It must be said, however, that many ports kick back part of the Port Charges if the line (or Group of lines like CCL and RCL) meet goals. I don't believe those kickbacks are, or have to be, refunded to the passengers.

Thank you for taking over this task, as the 4th (or maybe more) in the line of volunteers to do it.

It is a real service to your fellow cruisers.

You will need that first page if you qualify for the "express line" (4 & 5 * Mariners and Suites) and wish to use it.

thanks to everyone for the information. Last week, just before the $60 offer expired, I signed up for the plan to test it. While around home it doesn't seem any better/worse than any other your endorsements mean that I will switch over my phone from AT&T shortly! Can't wait to get the service at cruise ports!

Have been told that you can use your phone in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as if you were in the States. What is your experience?

 

 

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I've never had any problems calling back home from either St Thomas or Puerto Rico. Or for that matter calling either from home. Calls both ways are covered by my ATT plan.

The company I used in Barcelona (and several other cities) was Barcelona City Tours, also known as "the Red Bus". Many cities also have a "Yellow Bus" which I also used elsewhere. I generally found that the Red Buses were a bit better - newer buses and better commentary.

Both Bus companies have more than one route in each city, and transfer between routes is allowed on the daily ticket you purchase. Routes are generally called Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow.

If I'm not mistaken, stop #5 on the Red Route of the Red Bus is at the cruise dock and you can join the tour there.

Rich

Agree with Copper -- I used the HOHO bus last Sept and had a very good experience, even with the protesters. We had to change routes a couple of times to get around problems. The driver and guide were both very helpful. I got a very nice overview of the city.

maybe someone here can answer the question.

Otherwise, maybe the fastest way to get the attention of the host would be to click the report triangle and send a message that way.

You could also send an email directy to the host. his address is cruisecritichostwalt@gmail.com.

I don't think this is the norm for PCCs in general. I generally have my confirmations, like others, while still on the phone or at least within a few minutes. I have several friends that use the PCC department that all really like the person they deal with, so there are many good ones out there. Call and get transferred to another.

You have my email if you wish to chat further.

Rich

That is the question. I do not see a financial page. All I see is "make a payment" and that does not show any credits or prepaid gratuity benefits. I am booked directly with Holland. Where is the so called financial page?

As far as the stockholder credit is concerned, it is on the "Make a Payment" page, on the right side under guest summary it gives Guest Total, Cruise Fare, Taxes and Fees and Onboard Credit. This shows the Total of HAL provided OBC. I don't know if prepaid gratuity is included in that total.

That's odd. I submitted my request in mid January for my Sep/18 cruise and the OBC was credited to my account that same day.

The current pdf shows that the benefit expires July 31st, as it does each year. At the stockholder meeting each year, at least for the past 10 - 12, it is renewed for another year.

 

The benefit is applicable on sailings through July 31, 2018 aboard the brands listed below. Certain restrictions apply. Applications to receive these benefits should be made at least

two weeks prior to cruise departure date.