forevercruising1

I’m not sure, but her vocal “resume” would lead me to believe yes, she was there singing before Covid. What forum is it where the PCC’s are discussed?

We received the “Stateroom Capacity Advisory” email, letting us know our cabin(s) are in jeopardy. Because this is the Christmas cruise/ holiday sailing, the PCC told us the chances were high that we would be moved at HAL’s discretion. To avoid having our son separated from us (we have him booked in the second cabin as a single), we decided it was best to move now while cabins are still available that fit the correct occupancy and that are next to each other. Due to the loss (feels more like “theft”) of our original cabins and the horrific handling of this situation by HAL, we are still considering canceling altogether; just like HAL told us, “the chances are high.” 😑😑😑

Our PCC did not - Would not fight for us at all - wouldn’t even try. Ultimately, she sent the message, “too bad, so sad.” She said we would likely be moved and that “this policy has been in effect for years.” Our original cabins are now gone and we have been relocated to cabins with two maximum capacity so that our family could stay next to each other. NOT what CO or the Future Cruise Consultant promised us when we booked onboard in December, 2023. This call and lack of empathy from both our PCC and HAL are extremely disappointing. Our eight booked HAL cruises are soon to be decreased dramatically. We won’t keep playing this game; it doesn’t work for us.

This is incorrect, as we just proactively moved our two cabins "at risk" of being taken from us due to higher capacities to different Verandah cabins that only sleep two. We had CO on both cabins and, in fact, were told that if we change our minds about the new cabin location, we can call back and choose two different ones. This was today, with a PCC. What you were told contradicts the "Staterooom Capacity Advisory" email that we received because it clearly instructed us to call in and select a new cabin if location was important to us. (FYI: We also booked in 2023, but nothing was done during our phone call today to enable us to keep our original cabins, which were booked with CO; neither our Mariner status nor our booking date made a difference.) We now know that HAL simply doesn't care how that "newly enforced" policy affects us as people, as families, as Mariners, or as future cruisers.

Yes, see my post above, #130. That is on the Koningsdam - I would assume it is the same on the other Pinnacle Class ships.

For us, we booked the specific cabin for specific reasons. Our V category verandah cabin has a fully covered balcony, which we prefer, and the verandah is about three times larger than the regular verandah balcony. We spend a lot of time relaxing and dining on the verandah, so getting moved to a “regular” verandah cabin changes the dynamics of our cruise experience. Our preferences are clearly not the same as others’, but for us, the specific cabin choice and verandah do matter.

We have also stayed in both the 2 and 3/4 capacity NS on the Koningsdam. Even though they are the same size, the sofa doesn’t pull out in the majority of the NS near the Neptune Lounge. They only sleep two.

It might very well be there, but I’ve read all of the “fine print” I can find both on the website and in our booking confirmations and I cannot find anything stating that. For those who have found it, please let me know where to locate the new policy language. Thanks.

I am hoping to get clarification on this, too.

FYI: About half of the Neptune Suites on the Koningsdam only sleep two; they will not work for us because we are usually a family of three. For example, there are only four Neptune Suites in the close proximity of the Neptune Lounge that sleep three -- 7068, 7076, 7063, 7067; the other 19 Neptune Suites in that hallway are maximum capacity of two (I have tried to book one for the three of us, and am not able to do so). There is another section of Neptunes farther toward the back of the ship, however, that sleep three -- 7118, 7120, 7122, 7124, 7111, 7113, 7115, 7117. The back wrap-around Neptune Suites also sleep three.

Not sure what you mean with your first question — when we originally booked, there was no free 3rd or 4th passenger promotion (that was 12/2023). Yes, we have refundable deposits. In regards to my reference to a CO “rep,” when I have called to add CO and select new staterooms, I have had to be transferred to an agent capable of completing those tasks; the regular HAL phone rep is usually not able to do it. As KAKcruiser said, there is a CO department which handles the CO upgrades.

We have looked and there is nothing even remotely close to being as nice as the two cabins we specifically chose for this sailing.

Yes, when we purchased Club Orange, we started at the lowest Verandah category and were upgraded to the Verandah cabins that we chose. That does confuse things -- thanks for the suggestion to speak to a CO rep.

About half of the Neptune Suites on the Koningsdam only sleep two; they will not work for us because we are usually a family of three. For example, there are only four Neptune Suites in the close proximity of the Neptune Lounge that sleep three -- 7068, 7076, 7063, 7067; the other 19 Neptune Suites in that hallway are maximum capacity of two. There is another section of Neptunes farther toward the back of the ship, however, that sleep three -- 7118, 7120, 7122, 7124, 7111, 7113, 7115, 7117. The back wrap-around Neptune Suites also sleep three.

We are angered by HAL’s new policy and livid that those of us who booked long before it was activated are not exempt. * We booked two cabins for this year’s Christmas cruise on the Koningsdam (12.21.24) with the Future Cruise Consultant onboard the Koningsdam last December, 2023. * We selected two very specific cabins due to their locations and their verandahs. * As always, our bookings were marked “Do not upgrade.” We chose those cabins and have no desire for any others. * We have Club Orange for both cabins — paid for at initial booking. * We were NOT provided with the “do you accept the possibility of your cabin changing due to capacity levels” option. Had we been presented with that, we would not have booked at all. We received the following notice in an email yesterday (again, we booked in December, 2023): We are booked in a quad extended balcony cabin, which we selected specifically for its location and balcony, and we booked the same cabin (on the other side) for our adult son and are paying the single supplement for his. We were never informed that the cabin capacity might ever become an issue. It is ironic that HAL’s email states that “guest stateroom selection is on a first-come, first-served basis,” as we were clearly the first, yet HAL is choosing to serve other people and take our cabin(s) away from us. Instead of canceling (which my husband is ready to do), I would like to fight this and try to keep our Christmas cruise cabin selections and vacation plans in tact (we are not interested in changing to any of the few cabins that are still available on that sailing). Is anyone else currently in this situation and attempting to fight the good fight? If so, what is your plan?

Exactly.

I don’t know — it is likely. Since we booked with the Future Cruise Consultant onboard in December, 2023, we didn’t think our cabin selections would be in jeopardy. We always mark “Do not upgrade” in our bookings, so we are used to actually getting to sail in the cabins we select and pay for; now that HAL is changing its policies and not honoring us as “grandfathered in,” it is very likely that we will make other vacation plans. — Very frustrating now that we have finally earned Three Star.

Yes, I have looked. No, we are not interested in other options.

So, we just give in and voluntarily move to the “leftovers” for that sailing? That won’t happen; we will cancel both cabins before moving to “leftovers.”

Completely angered by this new policy and livid that those of us who booked long before it was activated are not exempt. We just received this notice in email yesterday (12.21.24 Christmas cruise on the Koningsdam — we booked in December, 2023): We are booked in a quad extended balcony cabin which we selected specifically and we booked the same cabin (on the other side) for our adult son and are paying the single supplement for his. Other than canceling (which my husband is ready to do), what is the best plan of attack?

Thank you for the detailed suggestions. I asked most of your questions today (with two different reps), but I'm planning to call again and ask a few more questions, so your list is very helpful! I thought I'd also post a screenshot of the payment section of the booking -- We paid the deposit with FCD's and paid CO with two HAL gift cards.

No, I corrected myself in subsequent postings. I am aware that I must have booked this non-refundable fare in the promotion in April. I just don't remember doing it because we always book refundable fares, even though they are slightly higher in price.

Thank you, Andi Land! Your experiences give me hope! I called two different HAL reps and asked for my FCD's back, but I got the same "No" from both; perhaps this might change if I am able to remove CO from the booking -- we'll see! I appreciate your responses. 🙂

FOR THE RECORD: I see my errors and I won't make them in the future! I also understand that CO is posted as non-refundable, so I'm sure I won't be able to cancel just the CO as I suggested in #1. Lesson Learned! (I just need to get my ducks in a row so that I completely understand the FCD's and see if I can figure out any way to salvage any money already paid in this booking.)

UPDATE + Still Seeking Advice: Hello, again and Happy New Year! My call to HAL wasn't too happy as I was told (twice) that, even though I booked with two Future Cruise Deposits (one for me; one for my husband), the promotion we booked under apparently had a non-refundable deposit of $175 (I still do not remember booking under this promotion and we normally do not book non-refundable deposits, but I must have done so) and we will lose that amount for each of us if we cancel (total of $350). As I've stated in this thread, I was under the assumption that Future Cruise Deposits were refundable, anytime, no matter the booking promotion; however, I have called two different HAL reps (I called this afternoon) and I have been told otherwise. SO, here is the bottom line: If I cancel this booking, I will lose my Future Cruise Deposit . . . AND an additional $75 per person. Since we booked Club Orange and upgraded our cabin, I assume the $75 pp would come out of that $350. FINALLY, a couple more questions: 1. I thought about calling another day to ask to cancel just the Club Orange (to hopefully get the $350 Club Orange charges back). ** Have any of you been successful in doing this? I assume, if I am able to do so, that we would be moved back to the lowest cabin in that category again; does anyone know if that is correct? 2. IF I am able to cancel Club Orange and only have the Future Cruise Deposits left on that booking, I'm wondering if I would only lose the $100 FCD; can anyone confirm this? Thanks for all of the comments and for sharing your experiences; I appreciate your insight.