golfbagger

Not new to HAL, but new to "Navigator", and its function😕.  We just down loaded our cruise docs. online, with boarding passes; on which there is a recommendation to not print until 7days prior, unless using Navigator?  Reading this thread seems to indicate that going with printed passes would be wiser?  

I was hoping that the Nav. App would provide a link to onboard and boarding activity, while driving to the port, much like my Delta Air app. ??

31 minutes ago, POA1 said:

You won't always see your promos on the site. The campaign codes start with HEP for email and HAL for postal mail. Your PCC should be able to see if any apply to your booking. If you have the bare bones advantage (refundable deposit) fare, you don't really have any promos to loose.

Thanks!  the advantage rate is not bad--- just watching for any new promos before final payout.

So I booked a 2024 Eurodam cruise in Dec. 2022, with full refundable deposit, and now ready to make final payment.  I assume that the fare and insurance costs will be as quoted by my HAL agent; but should I ask about promos and perks, and changes available now?  The only promo offer from HAL, during the past year, has been the "have it all" deal, which I do not want.  Maybe HAL reps.volunteer this info🤥  golfbagger

5 hours ago, DCThunder said:

I didn't think about the bread pudding.  I know everyone raves about it, but I'm not a big fan.  A savory casserole such as a stratta as a breakfast item would be a good use of some of the leftovers too.

Hey Mr. Thunder; you should try HA's bread pudding!  I will be hunting for some on my Jan '24 Eurodam cruise.  We are former Sunset Beach residents; now living way up in Holden Beach. 

Golfbaggers

On 4/23/2023 at 11:38 AM, Destiny0315 said:

Besides offers that were being made to casino players I believe other offers were made to past HAL pax who did a lot of non casino spending on previous cruises, pre HIA. Now that HIA has pretty much become a fixture with HAL they are seeing some of that spending money upfront from the pax and there is less need now to lure in that past spending customer with the offers.

Interesting Point Destiny.  I am still offered a "casino discount" (about 14% of fare). Play in the casino every day, and do not do the HIA.  Maybe I should not expect other promos prior to final payment🥲

Thanks folks for the info.  Wish We had thought about the $100 future deposit on our '22 cruise.  Also wish I could get my old, pre-pandemic,TA  back. 

We just booked a 10day Eurodam cruise for Jan. 2024 via a phone call to a HAL PCC.😁  No prior experience with direct booking, but after searching HAL website offers, received a contact from a PCC.  The offer given was $80 higher than online, however the big surprise was that a $1200 deposit (vs.$600online) was required to have the deposit refundable.  The PCC then said that more options/perks were available if I added the "have-it-all" package.

She also said that better "Cruise only" promos might come along, and that my deposit would be safe to 90days prior--so we booked! Wondering now  if I understand the booking game?

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Not permitted.

• Guests are also prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in any form including, but not limited to, paper, plastic, glass, or aluminum bottles, cans, and/or cartons. However, an allowance of six (6) liters of water [twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 mL in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less)] are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed on board. 

Ok, Thanks.  Guess I will have to cancel my order for 1L of Bombay delivered to my cabin?  Just picked up diet tonic for me mate.🙃    It was nice when one bottle of wine could be taken on for use in cabin.

Just saw a report that HAL policy no longer allows any wine w/o corkage. What about a six pack tonic in cans? Change for 2022?

Why Cancel?  Have not done so Yet!  Scheduled to sail on 2/13--- But--- Jumpin Jingle-bells,  why take a risk of being sent to a  "Q room" that you did not book?  I would like to support other passengers and also the cruise line.  Is moving to a later date the best way to manage?  Help!!!

Bagger

On 8/26/2021 at 7:42 PM, Chickadee910 said:

Do you really need to show the casino promotion to the casino host or cashier or does it usually show up under your room listing. I try to keep that promo in my emails because it says I can’t print it out. The promos get confusing which goes with which cruise. Thank you.

Good question!  I have obtained cruise discounts, from Hal, when booking with my TA (10-15%) in the past.  Promotions, ie, "$50 free play" etc, arrive from e-mails all the time.  My current booking, in Feb. 2022, did not include casino offers, via an on line agent.  I think I will contact the casino host,  after boarding, and ask what promos are available, based on my casino history.  Anybody tried this approach?   Golfbagger😉

" Golden Age of Cruising" ??  If HAL, and all main lines, have to sail at 50%  or even 75% capacity, for an extended period,  the cost of cruises will have to be much higher!  And I don't see a luxury priced market for them.   So,  protocols/restrictions for travel  will have to change in the next few months.  (ie, masking in my area of N. Carolina is again optional)   People will have to work with deal with endemic risk as per Norolvirus on ships.   I do hope that HAL can survive long enough?   

It would be nice to know what is reliable feedback from HAL?  Is the protocol policy, issued by Carnival on 10/13/21, now cast in stone?  Will the CDC be calling the shots after 10/31/21?  My prior thinking was that Feb. 2022 demand was high. --- but keeping an eye on pricing may still be a good indication.  Keeping the two day testing in place, is tough for travel planning---still; we have not cancelled.🥺

Hey, I like this casino discussion!  Going on NS, Feb.13,  and wondered if Black Jack rules and play will be as bad as on Eurodam in 2020?---  Only a 6/5 table open most of the time, but with an 8deck shoe, and not that busy!  In 2018, on the "old" Rotterdam they had a 3/2 w/$15 min.--very busy and a great time😛  I wonder if the casino operator really wants table play?---maybe, because free drinks are now coming back?

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

I did NOT say that I saw no difference between cruising and ANY activity, I see no difference between cruising and MANY activities.  Church, weddings, parties, bus trips, crowded shopping and dining venues, bus stations, subway stations, need I go on?  The point is we are all grown ups here and we have had 18 months to learn.  

I agree with Mary229.   If I cannot sit in the main dining venue, after fully vaccinated and tested, with other cruisers,  then I will cancel by 2/22 booking!  Getting up near 80 now,  but  will not allow fear of being near an unmasked person to take charge.   CDC does not like risks--Me will assume some to enjoy a cruise again! 😛

Interesting problem?  Sounds like the "Casino Operator" becomes your TA?--so you would have to deal with them.  If all else fails; try getting back to HAL, and asking for a casino discount with the agent.  I usually get a fare discount, presumably for my HAL casino history🤔

Speaking of the ship's network: Can  Nav  be used from my Laptop, while on board?  Can it be downloaded before sailing?  I also like to turn off the phone, as soon as getting on board.

Casino time is just about an everyday activity for us.  There are many questions related  to credits and playtime etc.  Our best discounts generally happens when we  have our TA mention our casino "habit" to the HAL representative while booking.   Those free cabin promos must be part of a marketing arm of CCL?  They are real, but you may not be able to select your own cabin?  We used an on-line TA for our Feb. 2022, NS booking: got the cabin  selection wanted, w/o any casino offer.   Hoping now that maybe the casino will buy a drink once in a while.🤥

Interesting thread!  I thought that we had completed "on line check in" for our Feb.2022,  NS  cruise.  So there will be a re-do, with Vaccine "attestation" to get around Florida law?  Wonder if I should wait until final payment time to do this?  

We do wish to have a 95% vaccinated experience, and that the debate will end by 2022.🤔

Cailey53, Thanks for the help> Just booked NS Feb. 13 2022, cruise; as you suggested with different V category--very helpful thread! 

Thanks for the help, Cailey and Doone.  I Just tried ( from my Hal account) the Feb. 13 NS  and got the same block to changing a stateroom.   Think I will call Hal next week😁

Good luck to you.  I have been trying to book this cruise for Jan 2022, without success.  My TA could not book it unless it is a Guaranteed booking--You cannot pick your own cabin. Do not understand why?

Can someone  help me understand Hal's  marketing?   Is it too early to obtain an "advantage fare"🤔

Hey thanks TAD2005, as well.  I have booked a Rotterdam Lanai for Feb.  Thought it would enhance my "back to traditional cruising" experience.   Do you think that I can imagine being on an Amizon Steamer -with afternoon tea et, al?  Maybe too many old movies eh' ?

Sailing on Rotterdam in Feb.2019, on a casino discounted fare--maybe 15-20%?  TA was able to get the assigned cabin/type we wanted.  Great!!!  Just hoping that Hal still has good B-Jack rules>>at least pays 3/2 for a B/Jack?  Does anyone have some recent experience with their table games?

golfbagger