Call Us .......

[sail7seas]

When checking various cruises on the HAL site, if the category you are interested in says "Call Us for Availability and Price" does that always been the category is sold out?

[Randyk47]

When checking various cruises on the HAL site, if the category you are interested in says "Call Us for Availability and Price" does that always been the category is sold out?

 

I've often thought it might be they're sold out or very, very close to sold out. I've also thought that this also appears when HAL is in the process of working through up buys, up sells, and assigning guarantees.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Yes that is exactly what that means, that category is SOLD OUT but they will gladly place you on a Wait List :D They will also book you inot another category and be wait listed for the category you really want.

[sail7seas]

Yes that is exactly what that means, that category is SOLD OUT but they will gladly place you on a Wait List :D They will also book you inot another category and be wait listed for the category you really want.

 

 

;) They won't be booking US into another category. If what we want is not available, we find some other cruise, some other date. :D

 

[jtl513]

I've often thought it might be they're sold out or very, very close to sold out. I've also thought that this also appears when HAL is in the process of working through up buys, up sells, and assigning guarantees.

I agree. I think it just means that everything is a great state of flux, and may be sold out now, but not an hour from now, and then closed again later, etc, so they just say call us for the up-to-the-minute info.

[adrift@sea]

I agree. I think it just means that everything is a great state of flux, and may be sold out now, but not an hour from now, and then closed again later, etc, so they just say call us for the up-to-the-minute info.

 

I agree with you, this has been our experience numerous times. If the ship is totally sold out, it will state that in HAL's site. I can't tell you how many sailings that we have successfully booked after being told that the sailing was sold out.

[cmdchiefthom]

For an experienced cruiser, or traveler, it never hurts to listen to an offer. My attitude is if is an itinereary you want, at a time you want to go, on a ship you like, what does it cost you to call a toll free number at the cruiseline?;) Nobody is going to force you into making the deal!;)

[sail7seas]

For an experienced cruiser, or traveler, it never hurts to listen to an offer. My attitude is if is an itinereary you want, at a time you want to go, on a ship you like, what does it cost you to call a toll free number at the cruiseline?;) Nobody is going to force you into making the deal!;)

 

 

Yes, of course. :)

[Sir PMP]

When checking various cruises on the HAL site, if the category you are interested in says "Call Us for Availability and Price" does that always been the category is sold out?

 

And you're going to pay more...

[fatcat04]

I've seen them do this to cruises I have been on when they were doing the upsell shuffle. Then cabins magically reappear after the upsells go out.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

And you're going to pay more...

Actually that is NOT True at all. If you get placed on a Wait List for any category the price they offer is what the LAST Published Rate is. If the last rate for that category was a Flash Rate that is what they will sell it to you for or if it was on the Sail and Save Promo.

[sail7seas]

And you're going to pay more...

 

 

 

;) It would be hard for us to pay more than we are usually paying. We make the conscious choice but we know there are better prices out there. We just don't choose to book with places we have seen those lower prices. I check the usual places from time to time like many cruisers do.

 

[kjw869]

I've often thought it might be they're sold out or very, very close to sold out. I've also thought that this also appears when HAL is in the process of working through up buys, up sells, and assigning guarantees.

 

Yes, it happened to us a year ago. The "Call for Availability" was listed for the entire list of cabins for two weeks before they resumed listing prices again. We were offered an upsell to an SA during that time, and had the choice of seven cabins.

[Amuse Bouche]

;) They won't be booking US into another category. If what we want is not available, we find some other cruise, some other date. :D

 

 

;) It would be hard for us to pay more than we are usually paying. We make the conscious choice but we know there are better prices out there. We just don't choose to book with places we have seen those lower prices. I check the usual places from time to time like many cruisers do.

 

 

It's pretty easy to understand your drift here that there is no other category over the one you want, and in the second post, that you pay the maximum amount a couple can on a cruise ship. So, you frequent the penthouse suite. How very nice.!

 

I would hope that if this is the case, Holland America would be keeping in close contact with you and making sure you know about availability. I always figured the Penthouse Suite people were catered to much like a high roller in Vegas.

[sail7seas]

It's pretty easy to understand your drift here that there is no other category over the one you want, and in the second post, that you pay the maximum amount a couple can on a cruise ship. So, you frequent the penthouse suite. How very nice.!

 

I would hope that if this is the case, Holland America would be keeping in close contact with you and making sure you know about availability. I always figured the Penthouse Suite people were catered to much like a high roller in Vegas.

 

 

We stay in "S" or "SA" cabin though we have stayed in Penthouse.

The care and service we receive in "S" and "SA" cabins is on the same level as we received in Penthouse. Excellent..... ;)

 

[kazu]

It's pretty easy to understand your drift here that there is no other category over the one you want, and in the second post, that you pay the maximum amount a couple can on a cruise ship. So, you frequent the penthouse suite. How very nice.!

 

I would hope that if this is the case, Holland America would be keeping in close contact with you and making sure you know about availability. I always figured the Penthouse Suite people were catered to much like a high roller in Vegas.

 

Oops you made an assumption (and you know what happens when you assume :rolleyes:) - and looking at your signature - I find it a bit ironic.

 

they happen to like deluxe veranda suites - they don't stay in penthouses typically. there is nothing wrong with liking space and being willing to pay for it. No one will refuse a DECENT upsell to the penthouse (doesn't happen very often). Many people get these deluxe verandas on an upsell for dirt cheap - but some people prefer to be assured they will be there and pay the real dollar.

 

and, no, Hal doesn't keep in touch intimately with these people that I know of. Why would they? They got our money. we paid for what we wanted - on to the next booking:p Don't knock it until you have tried it:):)

 

btw = if you have the penthouse and you are in the right port - you may be escorted onto the ship - other than that as far as I know the service is the same as for the rest of the suites. No special deal (other than the welcome). Nothing different than the deluxe veranda suites get - which for many is just fine.

[teachermandoug]

Well said, Jacqui!

[sail7seas]

Oops you made an assumption (and you know what happens when you assume :rolleyes:) - and looking at your signature - I find it a bit ironic.

 

they happen to like deluxe veranda suites - they don't stay in penthouses typically. there is nothing wrong with liking space and being willing to pay for it. No one will refuse a DECENT upsell to the penthouse (doesn't happen very often). Many people get these deluxe verandas on an upsell for dirt cheap - but some people prefer to be assured they will be there and pay the real dollar.

 

and, no, Hal doesn't keep in touch intimately with these people that I know of. Why would they? They got our money. we paid for what we wanted - on to the next booking:p Don't knock it until you have tried it:):)

 

btw = if you have the penthouse and you are in the right port - you may be escorted onto the ship - other than that as far as I know the service is the same as for the rest of the suites. No special deal (other than the welcome). Nothing different than the deluxe veranda suites get - which for many is just fine.

 

 

Yes, that ^ ^ ;)

 

Thank you, Jacqui. You explained our preference well. :)

(And, yes,,,,, we have actually refused upsell offers. We really like the "S" cabin on Maasdam better than the Penthouse. We might take an upsell on a Vista/Signature but probably not.)

 

[PathfinderEss]

When checking various cruises on the HAL site, if the category you are interested in says "Call Us for Availability and Price" does that always been the category is sold out?

Everytime I've called my TA on a category that say's "Call Us for Availiability and Price" she tells me they are sold out but we can go on a wait list.

[Amuse Bouche]

Oops you made an assumption (and you know what happens when you assume :rolleyes:) - and looking at your signature - I find it a bit ironic.

 

they happen to like deluxe veranda suites - they don't stay in penthouses typically. there is nothing wrong with liking space and being willing to pay for it. No one will refuse a DECENT upsell to the penthouse (doesn't happen very often). Many people get these deluxe verandas on an upsell for dirt cheap - but some people prefer to be assured they will be there and pay the real dollar.

 

and, no, Hal doesn't keep in touch intimately with these people that I know of. Why would they? They got our money. we paid for what we wanted - on to the next booking:p Don't knock it until you have tried it:):)

 

btw = if you have the penthouse and you are in the right port - you may be escorted onto the ship - other than that as far as I know the service is the same as for the rest of the suites. No special deal (other than the welcome). Nothing different than the deluxe veranda suites get - which for many is just fine.

 

I think you misinterpreted my post. I wasn't trying to be mean at all. I've often wondered what it's like for someone who can and does book the upper level rooms, given they are in shorter supply. When I book, I book the mid priced veranda. I have lots of room to go up if what I want isn't available.

And I've wondered what the personal service for booking is with people who can book suites and penthouses. I really did imagine that they would be courted like a Vegas high roller.

 

Sail, I apologize if it seemed like I was mocking you. I really wasn't. I thought you were trying to get info without seeming like you were bragging. Sometimes I feel bad that I can afford a balcony, when some people save for a long time for an inside. I want to do a cruise in an SA or a penthouse, but DH can't justify the cost, as he's frugal. I've decided I'm going to surprise him with one when he retires, since we are a double income family.

 

My sincerest apologies. I'll try to be more careful how I word things.

[Amuse Bouche]

Oh...and I'm still trying to figure out how to get them to call me with an upsell!! Maybe that's another reason I figured suite people are treated like high rollers! I've never received an upsell offer. DH would just have to deal with it if I did! :D

[kazu]

I think you misinterpreted my post. I wasn't trying to be mean at all. I've often wondered what it's like for someone who can and does book the upper level rooms, given they are in shorter supply. When I book, I book the mid priced veranda. I have lots of room to go up if what I want isn't available.

And I've wondered what the personal service for booking is with people who can book suites and penthouses. I really did imagine that they would be courted like a Vegas high roller.

 

Sail, I apologize if it seemed like I was mocking you. I really wasn't. I thought you were trying to get info without seeming like you were bragging. Sometimes I feel bad that I can afford a balcony, when some people save for a long time for an inside. I want to do a cruise in an SA or a penthouse, but DH can't justify the cost, as he's frugal. I've decided I'm going to surprise him with one when he retires, since we are a double income family.

 

My sincerest apologies. I'll try to be more careful how I word things.

 

No worries - I apologize if I misunderstood your post:)

 

Suite passengers are not courted like high rollers, believe me. They get some nice perks (Neptune Lounge, breakfast in the pinnacle), but other than that - they are treated no differently than any other passenger on the ship;)

[kazu]

Oh...and I'm still trying to figure out how to get them to call me with an upsell!! Maybe that's another reason I figured suite people are treated like high rollers! I've never received an upsell offer. DH would just have to deal with it if I did! :D

 

Upsells are very strange;) Some people get the call numerous times and others never seem to get it:( There is no rhyme or reason as to how the upgrade/upsell fairy works. (Other than a TA who is intimate with HAL and knows when they are about to do it) If any of us could figure out how the upsell fairy works, we would be rich :):)

[Randyk47]

Upsells are very strange;) Some people get the call numerous times and others never seem to get it:( There is no rhyme or reason as to how the upgrade/upsell fairy works. (Other than a TA who is intimate with HAL and knows when they are about to do it) If any of us could figure out how the upsell fairy works, we would be rich :):)

 

We've only gotten one up sell offer in all the years we've been sailing with HAL and quite frankly it wasn't a very good offer so we turned it down. On the other hand, rather than wait around for the magical and mystical upgrade/up sell fairy to show up we started booking deluxe suites. Obviously the chances up getting an up sell offer to a penthouse suite is not good, actually pretty darn poor, especially since we prefer the R and S class ships that only have one penthouse cabin.

[jtl513]

There is no rhyme or reason as to how the upgrade/upsell fairy works.

I'll bet there is ... we just don't know what it is. I can't believe it's a reason-less, totally random process. :):)