DaveOKC

Almost always a tradeoff of price and service.  I book through a HAL PCC and get very good service, many times "over and above".  Have gotten some great deals due to her "making a call".

Good example, in Dec I was wanting to upsell to a Neptune from a Signature, but Neptunes sold out (6 weeks prior to sailing).  My PCC called the upsell department and informed them that I would like an upsell if one opened up.  The day prior to sailing (at 5 pm) I get a call from the upsell department offering an upsell to a Neptune (someone had cancelled that day).  My cost was a REFUND of $1 (long story why).  Try this with most TAs or big box reps.

DO I get the lowest price on my cruises?  Probably not, but by working with a good PCC the overall deal for me is often better.  Many times my PCC has gotten me refunds or perks that I never thought she would be able to.  Further, I seem to be able to get upsells to a Neptune on 80-90% of our cruises, at a great price by the way.

So, I guess that my answer to this question is that how to book a HAL cruise depends on how involved you are and if you can find a good PCC.

We have been in 4 Eurodam Neptunes in the past year. Sister ship to the NA.  We try to get deck 7 near the Lounge, as it is sooo convenient.  If we were going on a scenic cruise (like Alaska or the Panama Canal), I would recommend the aft wraps - give up some space, add more walking, but get great views.  Otherwise, go for deck 7 between the midship elevator and the Lounge.

On 4/20/2024 at 10:46 AM, bajae said:

I have zero experience with the “key in the mailbox” process but is there any “activation” that happens in the checkin process? So if someone does go to the wrong cabin, and they try to open the door, the card wouldn’t work since the real occupants haven’t checked in? I know this wouldn’t stop it if the real occupants have checked in but haven’t made it to the cabin yet. But in that case, hopefully the error is quickly discovered and corrected. 

We had a mixup 6 months ago and were able to access both cabins with the keys.  The other person was a last minute cancellation, so they obviously did not checkin.

Be hopeful - people do cancel at the last minute so you might still get the SS or even a Neptune.  Early Dec we got an upsell offer the evening before the cruise (we were in our port area hotel at the time), so this does happen.  With the Cancel for Any Reason people often wait until the last minute to cancel.

In our case we moved from a nicely located SS to a SA, which then opened up the SS for someone else.

18 hours ago, Sea-n-Ease said:

Is there any reason to wait until closer to sail date before completing the online check-in tasks?

If you print your boarding pass and luggage tags early, you are more likely to get an upgrade, since this will require you to reprint everything!  Just kidding of course, but it does seem to work that way.

If you use the $1 deposit deal and take Club Orange at the same time, is the CO fee due at that time and if so is it refundable?

4 hours ago, TAW1963 said:

Just a quick update from my prior posts in the thread.   I was booked in a VB, aft-facing veranda, by first booking in a VH veranda, purchasing Club Orange, and then getting the free upgrade.  For a 7-day, May 19-26, 2024, Alaska cruise on the Westerdam, I had paid $819 pp base fare, plus $175 pp for CO.   Today I received an upsell from HAL to a Neptune Suite, for a cost of $499 pp additional for the base fare.  This brought the total base fare to $1318 pp.  I took the upsell, HAL applied the amount paid for CO price, and then I paid the remaining amount.  I was unable to get one of the corner-aft Neptune Suites, but I did get a nice Neptune Suite located center-aft and starboard.  This will be our first cruise in a suite, and for a price of $1318 pp (+port fees, taxes, etc.), I think it was a pretty good deal.  

Anytime you can get a Neptune suite for under $200 per day per person I say you got a good value.  

One thing for the OP to consider.  If you take an "upsell" you generally can pick your cabin.  With a free upgrade you cannot - you get what they assign you.  Sometimes this makes a big difference.

49 minutes ago, richwmn said:

Medallions are received on the cruise that you hit the number of days. Star benefits are received on the next cruise. But HAL is not consistant

For our most recent medallion we did not get it on the current cruise, NOR even the next one.  Had to ask for it and was of course given both conflicting answers.

1 hour ago, Euby said:

I'll hit the 100-day mark during my next cruise.  Will they provide it at that point or on my next cruise (like they do the Mariner levels)?

Normally next cruise, but you never know with HAL!

Port Everglades has been quite efficient in recent years.  Hope this continues with the new Noon boarding time, as more people will likely be coming earlier.  We will see this week!

35 minutes ago, 0106 said:

On the Oosterdam in February, we found it on our bed with a generic note. There was no ceremony or in person recognition.   I left mine in the cabin when we disembarked.  

In Dec we got our Gold at a special ceremony in BB Kings showroom.  About 50 guests were there.  No Bronze were given out - I was told that they were just sent to the cabins.

For this reason we avoid Spring Break season for cruising and as stated, the 7 day or shorter routes.

20 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

 

So we use a big, online, internet TA and for years I would read on here all about this magical upsell offers that would be forwarded from their TA.....I then inquired with our big, online TA and I asked her to send the upsells my way.  She said she did get $$$ for upsells but the back and forth with the passenger and the cruise line (have to call, wait on hold, back and forth with decisions and they are gone sometimes while trying to complete the sale) was not worth it.  I told her I understood but would promise to be decisive and understanding.....and since then, she has sent them to us....but I also call HAL directly.

This is what I always thought was the case with the big TAs.  Not worth the time and trouble to them.  If they are this petty on something that they do make money on, how can you trust them on other issues?

12 hours ago, KroozNut said:

I would not expect any upgrade offer, which is why you should book your specific cabin and annotate 'no upgrade offers'.

 

To clarify - we mark our reservations Do Not Upgrade, which means that HAL will not give us a free upgrade (since sometimes their idea of an upgrade does not line up with ours).  However, we STILL get Upsell offers, which means that HAL contacts us to see if we are willing to pay a bit more to move up a category or two.  This happens on most of our cruises by the way.

Another point, just a month ago HAL starting offering these paid upsells around 45 days prior to our sailing (it used to be 2-4 weeks), so watch your emails closely.

I know this is unlikely, but someone told me that some hotels do this?

On the R class ships (Zaandam and Volendam) there is a HUGE difference from the Neptunes to any other cabin IMO.  Basically they are twice as large.  Plus all of them are located on the same deck as the Neptune Lounge and not far from it.

Only negative is that some of these Neptunes are under areas of the Lido pool, which can be a bit noisy at times.

On 3/21/2024 at 1:10 PM, nhraformula00 said:

The shuttle is just easier. Show up at your time slot and away you go. Taxi are a pain in Ft.Lauderdale, they are always trying to overcharge people. Is a few $$$$ really worth the hassle to go 2 miles. I have been to this hotel over 8 times in the past 10 years and have seen people standing  around waiting for a taxi that never comes. 

Happened to us - taxi never showed.  Too short a trip is my guess.

On 3/20/2024 at 2:18 PM, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Yes, the speed limit is 65mph for most of it.

35 minutes.

Doing 47 miles in 35 minutes is not reasonable.  

We are staying at Hyatt House Dania Beach on April 5 for one night, using Hyatt points.  Rate is 15,000 points, not too bad IMO.

I find this hard to believe.

Gilberts menu and map:

https://gilberts17thstgrill.com/menu

They have a paid shuttle run by a third party.  I think it costs around $9 pp but not certain.  Cost for a taxi about the same (for 2 people).  Shuttle is easier IMO (have had taxis not show up) but take longer as multiple stops involved most times.

 I have never seen HAL offer a paid upgrade within a category (such as a Neptune), so I assume you are asking about what happens if you call them and offer to move up a level or two.  In this case, I am pretty certain you would get to keep the crew appreciation offer and anything else you have.  Of course you should ask this question to the HAL or TA person you are dealing with.

We like Gilberts just across from Hyatt Place.  Mostly hamburger and sandwiches, but very good quality and reasonable prices.  Be sure to say hello to Mama Gilbert - she is great.