jaitip

It usually depends on your final payment - date- NOT when you happen to pay. It also is possible some agents charge their own fees for cancellations and changes. Happens in the US. It could also be an inclusive package that can't be separated- so the claim posted re transfers, may in fact be an inclusion you can't separate under your booking agreement.

 

There are all kinds of ways to book. AND it's important to go in the direction that is right for you. There is no way to predict the future, prices go up and down, and that "down" price isn't known until the ship sails. With late booking- which I frequently do, you do have to be 100% accepting of prices going up, selling out, and NOT going. :) I'm paying a game right now, with a cruise in a week. Everyone who booked in advance has all their plans in place and are relaxing- ready to go. Me, I'll be putting things together quickly. :) You've got to know, what works the best for your travel style.

Yes at that time I was afraid that it would be full. But now I think there are always cancellation anytime. I saw changing price often. Next time if I do not have good deal, just wait, if full just don’t go [emoji4].

Just prepare myself ready and keep looking for a deal.

What is your plan? Mind to tell me? Come to Alaska on the same trip? [emoji38]

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Original Poster (you). Don't feel bad. This happens in the US also, prices go down. Sometimes people can negotiate an upgrade or some money back, sometimes they can't. Some cruise lines are easier to work with. You were set on Holland America from day one.

 

 

 

You were OK with the price of the cruise when you booked it. Go and have a great time with your Mom. I hope the cruise is fabulous.

Thank you so much.

I just paid the due amount on March 14. I think if I regularly check, i can cancel in time and rebook. But HAL did not give me anything for compensation. Regarding this, it was negotiation between HAL and my travel agent. HAL said that they cant do with me directly. This is experience I have learnt.

I don’t yet know much about the things. Just learn day by day.

Well when I booked , I was not really ok, but just want my mom to go and see what i see as there might be last chance for her. Who know what will happen.

I knew Alaska in school, but not much. I saw some Thai people review about Alaska, I then want to go.

Also, i feel good that there is this community here which helps a lot. Otherwise I will continue knowing nothing. People here are nice. I can learn English as well ^^

Time is coming, feel a bit nervous, not for myself but my mom.

Thank you again.

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The OP is from Thailand. Who knows how their bookings work.

Umm

For transfer, HAL said that we can deduct as people reach different date.

I think travel agent here could not help anything much. They are just straight. Sometimes don’t try to find the way out and just give any answers just because think that we don’t know.

Maybe they have less experience as it is not wide market here.

By the way, what OP meant?

Thank you

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When we did it last year we took Uber/Lyft in the middle of the night from the Fairbanks airport to the Westmark. I looked up my receipt and we paid $16.89 for the whole ride. We've been traveling to Alaska almost every year and having Uber there now is great!

I thought it would be cheaper than taking HAL transfer, that is why i prefer to go on my own. Also, at the time of booking, i am not sure when i will arrive there. I saw the hotel is not far from the airport, but just not sure if i could find a taxi. I then ask here.

Thank you.

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Did you purchase the CPP (Cancellation Protection Plan)?

No, I thought that I would go for sure so I did not see it was a need.

Today agent here said she would try to negotiate but not guarantee. She said mostly she did were the same type of the stateroom reduced in price, so she could negotiate. But for my case, she said it’s common that cruise would reduce price in the last minute. But I said that at the time of my booking, there should also be the restricted fare option so i could pay one go for the good price. That is even good for the cruise line.

Thank you

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If you paid for the transfer and told HAL your flight information (airline and flight #) there will be someone at the Fairbanks airport from either Holland America or Princess (they work together) to help you with your luggage and transport you to the Westmark in Fairbanks. You don’t need to tip them and if they put you into a cab HAL will have covered the tip. They have cruise line or Grayline Alaska busses running all day waiting for guests who have paid for a transfer to arrive. The daylight hours are long in June.

Oh thank you

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I assume that it's after final payment for you at this point, correct? Otherwise, you can cancel and rebook. Unfortunately, your agent is not much of a help. Some agents can negotiate for some onboard credit, upgrades, or other perks when the price difference is huge, as in your case. I'd say call HAL and ask for some kind of compensation. It doesn't hurt to try.

May I ask, even we paid all, can we still cancel and rebook?

Seem like I read rules, it cant be so.

Thank you

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I assume that it's after final payment for you at this point, correct? Otherwise, you can cancel and rebook. Unfortunately, your agent is not much of a help. Some agents can negotiate for some onboard credit, upgrades, or other perks when the price difference is huge, as in your case. I'd say call HAL and ask for some kind of compensation. It doesn't hurt to try.

Yes I paid all since the beginning of March. I just recheck the price again today to see how it goes and see that.

You are absolutely right, agents here are not much helpful. If you are Thai you would understand the way of people behave here. Seem like lazy to find the ways of help. I feel so.

Last night HAL replied and said that I have to contact agent I booked. It is contract between HAL and my agents. I understand this point but until now my agent is still quiet.

Not many agents here I know. Even I know I don’t feel good with them. In normal case, they are fine because problems are not arise. It is just booking and pay and they get commissions. Thai people get used to refuse with the things.

HAL said that i have to contact my agent , and they must call HAL for any issues.

If my agent here said no, I will try to call HAL

But my speaking and listening are bad, i might misunderstand some points.

I think agents in USA are more helpful , just feel so as people here said so. Not sure if it is my case. Most of agents there have restrictions for non resident to book with them, especially for Princess and HAL.

Thank you

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Your mom needs a wheelchair, right? She really should bring some closed toe shoes, but if she will NOT, bring along some wool socks that she can wear with sandals. That will be better than open toed shoes without socks. Bring several pairs of socks, if you have to -- they take a long time to dry, and there's a good chance they WILL get wet. (She is in her 80s -- it is sometimes difficult to convince older people about things....)

Yes but she use wheelchair sometimes, but for travelling i think most of the times because we have a long walk. She never wear it that’s why she feels uncomfortable.

Thank you ^^

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A transfer is NEVER compulsory. Change your agent or get a refund.

And Thailand is the best holiday destination in the world!!! You don't need to travel so far

Well i paid full amount already , i also check in just yesterday. You see I even check in myself ^^

I dont go anywhere often in Thailand, maybe when i am older and older^^ it is too hot here.

I want my mom to see Alaska. Different country different feelings.

I admit i am nervous to bring my mother there. Feel not ready about clothes and shoe for her. She does not want to wear closed toe shoe. But i told her you must.

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that happened to me last year on Princess we were a party of 4 in an ocean view room, I actually reached out to them and was able to cancel less the cxl fee and booked 2 balcony guarantee rooms (he was able to get side by side for us) and got a 500.00 refund. You never know until you ask. Just sayin :)

That is good.

But most of the time it is rather impossible here. That’s why i contact HAL directly. At the beginning i thought that booking with agent here is better as they know all info about cruise but not that. Also it is easier to speak Thai ^^

When i ask them i also ask HAL too to be sure.

I am waiting for answer from HAL.

Thank you

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Ask your agent to give you the difference in onboard currency (Cruise cash)

Yes

But I do not know if it can be this.

But I think my agent here cant do anything. Not helpful at all.

Like I asked her to deduct cost of transfer because I dont use it,she said I have to pay because it appears automatically when booking. But I told her that I already HAL that we can deduct.

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It's $637+309 taxes per person for an inside cabin.

You also need a Canadian visa in advance

Yes i also have Canada visa already.

Itinerary is D3L 14 days double denali, but name in the web is 14 night double denali, which is wrong. It is just 13 nights

I see only Verandah, total price is $2398 for two persons for guarantees room for restricted fares. I try to book to see total price which include all taxes already.

I ask HAL directly, agent in my country does not know much. I just booked via them but not helpful. Prices are the same as on the HAL web. Mostly I ask HAL directly, often the answers are different. Next time it is better to book myself.

Unlike in USA, there are a lot of agents which could give better deals.

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You can contact the cruise line and see if they will upgrade you. It is worth asking the question.

 

Yes, this happens a lot.

Thank you

Yes I did contact and still wait for answer.

Some Thai people used to experience this situation before, but it is too different and at that time cost of cruising was not expensive like nowadays. He got upgrade room.

If it is not more than $1000 different, i could accept.

I have US and Canada visa since January. it is worth to book plane tickets even now.

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Which ship and departure date?

Ms westerdam, departure date is June 3rd , 2018

But i do land tour first

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This is norrmal. HAL needs to fill their staterooms and to do so they will offer promotions and at this time they are offering a nonrefundable rate. After final payment they will lower their fares gradually until they have sold out their staterooms. People who have to fly a long way need to plan early for flights and can’t wait for last minute reductions.

 

Nobody feels good about it when rates are reduced after final payment (except those who can book a last minute cruise). You can still hope for an upgrade to a higher category stateroom.

 

I would only book a nonrefundable restricted fare after final payment for that particular cruise, too late for most people to make necessary travel arrangements.

Thank you

It is a huge different. I paid $58xx something.

I knew that price could be up and down all the time, but i never see any restricted fare option that would also be much cheaper.

What a pity!

Even i book now, it is still worth for little more expensive for airfares.

Next time I won’t book early for trips in US as I don’t need to reapply for a visa. It is valid for 10 years.

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Is it normal for this?

At the time I booked, I saw the price shown start $2600 something per person, but today I found it as $999 per person for guaranteed stateroom so it would be about $2398 per stateroom including taxes and port expenses. These are restricted fare which must fully pay at the time of booking.

If we select the room, it would be $4578 total. This is upper verandah deck

Of courses, not many rooms we can select.

But when i booked earlier, there were not these choices, even the guaranteed stateroom still start at $2600 something.

I had not seen restricted fare option at all.

Well actually the prices shown are normal price let say $2500 something but we have to select the room first and that we would see. This happens after HAL change web interface.

When this happen, what you can do? Or this is normal? So why should book early even if we could choose the room as you wish.

I feel unfair.

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$5-$10 would be a decent tip. If the driver helps with the bags and such giving $10 would not be too much in my opinion. I'm going on the assumption the fare will be in the neighborhood of $35 as mentioned above. At the time of year you will be arriving it will probably NOT be dark outside - probably fully light. Good luck and enjoy your trip! :)

Oh I see, it is fully light. I don't realize that.

Thank you

If your tour doesn't start the next day, I'd definitely suggest you get a car rental. Fairbanks is spread out with plenty to see and do.

 

Yep, as suggested plenty of cabs. a generous tip amount is 20 %, but 15% should be, at least considered.

Thank you, My tour starts on the next day ^^

I live in Fairbanks, and can reassure you that there will plenty of taxis available. When you exit the airport baggage claim area you will look toward the left. There will be the line of taxis. Regarding rates, a taxi from the airport to our home, which is farther from the airport than the Westmark Fairbanks, runs about $35.00.

Thank you.

The cruise charges $22 per person. So it will be $44 for two.

How much I should give for tip? In my country there is no tips.

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There'll be plenty of taxis at the airport.

Do you know how much approximately?

I ask the hotel about this, they said they don’t know the info

Thank you

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Hi everyone

I will fly to Fairbanks and go to Westmark Fairbanks hotel, how can I get there in case I do not book any transfer with the cruise line?

I will arrive around midnight, is it hard to find taxi?

I will do land+ sea tour with HAL but i did not book any transfer from HA. I already paid full amount of the cruise costs and about to go for check in online. But now just not sure if i should get the transfer with the cruise. I think i cannot change anything now.

Thank you

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We did a Kenai Fjords tour in August a couple of years ago. On that trip we saw one humpback whale and a super pod of orca who had come together. Three years previously, we did the same trip and didn't see either. If whales are a must see, then I would recommend doing both.

Well if i don’t see them i still have chance in Juneau and Vancouver.

Thank you^^

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I think you had mentioned cruising in May jaitip, so the Major Marine Orca Quest could work for you - but if you're doing a land/sea combo you will also be starting or finishing in Vancouver. Orcas are the most common 'whale' spotted here (they're actually big dolphins, but that 'killer whale' name stuck). We have resident pods of salmon-eating Orcas that hang around the area, so from April to October you'll be offered a guarantee by all the whalewatch operators - no whale, a free trip for life until you do see one!

 

 

 

Unless you're in town a few days - or come back again - the guarantee may be hard to claim. Orcas are fast and cover a lot of territory, so we never get 100% sighting rates here - but over the whole season most companies can claim 95%. If they're too far away to reach and return to port though, there's nothing to be done - which is why if you have only one chance to go I recommend Wild Whales. Unlike all other providers they have no fixed tour length (usually 3 hours) or multiple trips, they only use their boats once per day - so they will stay out up to 7 hours if they have to. They also depart from in Vancouver itself, so are more convenient to get to than the other companies out in Richmond who charge extra for a shuttle bus to the pier.

Oh thank you

Yes i do land&sea tour .. ending in Vancouver. I will spend 3days there.

I see lots of orcas tour in Vancouver as well.

I have to organize my time.

Thank you for your help.

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There have been posts that say that whale watching trips out of Vancouver are good for seeing orcas. Out of Juneau, we saw humpbacks.

 

In May, Major Marine has Orca Quest tours out of Seward. There are transient Orca pods around then in addition to the resident Orca pods so a better chance of finding Orcas around Seward then.

Thank you^^

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