Kfrech

I cancelled through the Big Box TA last Sunday for an Alaskan cruise in mid June. Since I was 97 days out, I opted for a full refund. I received an email confirmation from the big box TA immediately, however, when I log into HAL's website, my booking shows that it's still active. I have not received any monies yet.

I canceled our June 13th sailing just a few days ago for the very same reason. Firstly, I was more than 90 days out so could get a full refund. More importantly however, was thinking about the idea that we'd be cruising the inside passage to various ports, only to be told the ship couldn't dock. Although it was a trip we were very much looking forward to, Alaska will be there next year.

Now what to do with our non-refundable round trip airline tickets to and from Vancouver....we had 3 days pre-cruise in Vancouver and than a 7 day cruise. Time to start investigating what to do now with our 10 days!

I cancelled today 97 days out for that very reason. Even though we are both in good health, we’re more nervous about being quarantined than the actual virus. I wanted all of my money refunded. I want to be able to book again on my own terms. Fortunately, we were able to do that. I realize it’s not necessarily an option for those sailing in the very near future. 

We canceled this morning. We were 97 days out from sailing, so received a full refund.

I'm sure we'll revisit cruising at some point.

3 hours later and we are cancelled with all money being refunded since we were more than 90 days out. 
 

Very easy phone call since we weren’t rebooking anything. I was on the phone with the agent for less than a minute and received email confirmation of our cancellation. 

Imagine that? Letting the medical professionals lead this charge...what a concept.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if airlines waived all change fees, regardless of when you booked  your air travel?

I'm not afraid of air travel, but would be upset if I was forced to fly into an area that has been deemed a hot spot, simply because I didn't want to eat the cost of the plane ticket.

Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury on being on hold for extended periods of time during the work week. I'm a teacher and can't imagine my third graders sitting patiently and waiting for me!

Our full refund date is the 14th of March, so we still have some time. However, with how long this is taking for everyone involved, I want to get this resolved sooner rather than later.

What I don't understand is why the Big Box TA doesn't give HAL passengers the same option they have for RC, Princess and Celebrity who are sailing before 5/31 who wish to cancel. Those passengers send an email and receive a link with additional instructions. It certainly would free up a lot of agents.

I agree--it's a terrible situation for all.

I’m just looking to cancel at this point, so it should be fairly easy. I’m 97 days out. 
 

For us, the virus isn’t scary. We are both in good health. It’s the possibility of being quarantined. 
 

We’ll revisit cruising when all this blows over. 

Good to know. I’m on hold now with both my landline and my cell phone. When I called through my cell phone, I was actually given the option of receiving a call back in 1 hr and 20 minutes. We’ll see which one picks up first!

At least the message now says your wait will be longer than 1 hour....instead of less than 1 hour like yesterday.

Remarkably enough, I was just able to get through.

Silly question, I know.

Not sure how you are suppose to cancel, rebook, etc. if you can't get through to anyone.

8 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Good points - we are domestic US flight on Southwest and International (Vancouver to Oklahoma) on American.  Booked the lowest class airfare directly through the airlines.

 

We are basically in the same situation. Considering cancelling a June cruise (either once the date is extended or using CFAR insurance) but are afraid we're going to be stuck with the airfare. Although carriers are making exceptions for tickets purchased now, they haven't budged yet on tickets purchased months ago. We are roundtrip Pittsburgh to Vancouver. Rather than eat the airfare, we most likely will be make a vacation out of Vancouver and the surrounding area.

10 minutes ago, kristapb said:

I was on a live chat with HA this afternoon and they told me if you booked airfare thru Flight Ease, the same policy would apply to the flight cost.

 

How did you manage that? I can not get through at all. Computer screen just spins and spins....

Thank you. This may be our better option. Now if I could only get through to HAL....I realize there are many more folks that need to cancel ASAP.

We are not frequent cruisers. Our scheduled trip to Alaska this summer will only be our 3rd cruise. We are attending a wedding in Vancouver this summer and decided to add an Alaskan cruise as an afterthought. I'd rather not have FCC, but I realize we might not have much of a choice.

Having said that, we have until March 13th to purchase CFAR through HAL. I would purchase the Platinum Plan. Again, with very little cruise experience, would this get us monies refunded (instead of FCC)? What exactly is refunded?

Same problem for me on HAL’s website. 

I've been on the phone with big box TA for 2 hrs. and 20 minutes now. When I initially called this morning when they first opened, I was told the wait time was "less than 2 minutes." Clearly not. It must be an awful time to be a TA.

I don't want to cancel yet; I just don't want to have to pay the final balance, since PIF dates for June sailings and beyond have been changed to 60 days. My PIF date was March 1st to TA, but not until March 13th to HAL. I'd like that amount credited back to my CC (I haven't paid the bill yet so may call the CC company and see how far I get with them). I also have until March 13th to purchase CFAR insurance which I may do directly through HAL. I just hate having all this money tied up.

Have round trip travel book separately to Vancouver for 10 days, so we might be stuck with that unless airlines change their policies for trips purchased prior to the small window of time they are offering now. We can make a vacation out of that, so that's the least of my concerns.

Wow...2 hours and 20 minutes later with big box TA and I'm still on hold. I have a feeling I'll be calling back early tomorrow morning...as will everyone else.

I just want my final payment credited back to my card, since it's now not due until mid April and hasn't been paid yet.

Still on hold with big box TA. It's been 80 minutes. They're open until midnight eastern time.

1 minute ago, ozzie0075 said:

 

This appears to be from a communication sent directly to TAs.

Thanks so much. I'll report back when my call is completed....it might be a while.

4 hours ago, Love2cruise77 said:

Just got this from HAL:

 

For Existing Bookings: To give your clients peace of mind, Holland America Line is introducing a new Short Term Cancellation Policy on select cruises. For all departures between now and May 31, 2020, we are allowing guests the option of cancelling their booking no later than March 31, 2020, with a minimum of 72 hours in advance of their departure date. However, this new cancellation program will apply to sailings departing through and including March 9, 2020, which are now within the 72 hour window. Any cancellation will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for the amount of their cancellation fee that can be used for another cruise in 2020 or 2021. The FCC must be booked by December 31, 2020. This applies to bookings on spring 2020 Land+Sea Journeys and cruises for all destinations. FCCs are nonrefundable, non-transferrable and do not have to be used on the same destination that was cancelled. FCCs are non-commissionable; however, we will offer a $50 bonus re-booking commission per person. We have also made the decision to give your clients longer to make final payment for June 2020 sailings. For all June departures, final payment will now be due at 60 days prior to sailing date.

We also know that there are people with specific individual health situations that impact their ability to safely travel during these times. For those guests who are able to provide supporting documents from their health care provider, Holland America Line will issue them a Future Cruise Credit. For information on submitting a request with documentation under this “Compassion Policy,” please contact our Reservations Department. This offer is available for guests booked on any sailing, regardless of departure date.

As a thank you to currently booked guests who join us for their cruise as planned, up to and including departures through May 31, 2020, we will provide an Onboard Credit of US$200 per stateroom/US$100 per person for voyages longer than 7 days and US$100 per stateroom/US$50 per person for voyages less than 6 days. This credit will be automatically applied to each eligible booking so you do not need to take any action.

Can someone tell me where the above that I've underlined came from?? I don't see it on HAL's website. My final payment for our June 13th sailing from due on March 1st to the big box TA. It's sitting right now on my credit card, but I haven't paid it yet. I'm on hold right now with the big box TA hoping I can hold off making final payment until April 1st.

We are sailing Koningsdam to Alaska on June 13th. Our final payment was due on March 1st (big box TA). We have until March 13th to purchase HAL's CFAR insurance (which we intended to do). Here are my questions:

If HAL extends their cancellation policy for sailings beyond May 31st, will they refund the CFAR insurance? I'm ok with a FCC (instead of only receiving 90% back through the Platinum policy.)

Am I correct in assuming that once we cancel our trip, anything we pre-purchased (beverage package, additional OBC), is directly credited back to our CC?

I am pleased about that too. I did consider canceling, but than would lose out on the great perks that came with booking the Explorer 4 promotion.