Disapointed

[chrispb]

How in heavens name would you think that HAL could get others to purchase a cruise from Dubai to Capetown?

 

Lots of ex-pats living in Dubai - I don't think there'd be any problems selling a trip. I'm sure it would be easier to sell than the longer cruise. It's one I could be interested in and I couldn't care less where the cabin was located - preferably near a smoking area though:D:D:D

[TiogaCruiser]

Correct for 2014 but not for 2015. And also I do not request a special treatment but would expect at least a knowledgebale res agent to give the right answers.

 

Sure sounds like the Rep was willing to put your request through the right channels -> up, with your deposit. I'm sure you didn't expect a line worker to make a management or administration level decision ( which may take research and effort on several fronts).

[bobpatj]

If the 2014 cruise were segmented the way you want, wouldn't you be able to cancel the first cruise and rebook the shorter segment? If the cruise begins in September, it must be close to final payment. I'm confused, now, if you were booking 2014 or 2015? I've been interested in this cruise, but not able to take it yet.

[Commodore]

If the 2014 cruise were segmented the way you want, wouldn't you be able to cancel the first cruise and rebook the shorter segment? If the cruise begins in September, it must be close to final payment. I'm confused, now, if you were booking 2014 or 2015? I've been interested in this cruise, but not able to take it yet.

 

I was looking at 2015 and there is only 48 and 83 days, however if the 48 days does not sell well they will probably offer a shorter segment.

[sail7seas]

I edited my post and maybe you haven't read it since the edit but I am interested to learn how you think HAL should have processed your request. Please do not think I'm being sarcastic or disrespectful. I am not. I'm just interested in your viewpoint if you don't mind sharing.

 

Thank you.

 

[anniegb]

Sorry I was posting details of 2014 segments - duplicate.

Edited June 17, 2014 by anniegb

[Commodore]

I edited my post and maybe you haven't read it since the edit but I am interested to learn how you think HAL should have processed your request. Please do not think I'm being sarcastic or disrespectful. I am not. I'm just interested in your viewpoint if you don't mind sharing.

 

Thank you.

 

 

the agent should have told me right away that I have to pay a deposit in order for the request to go through and the rate would be the 48 days rate. Without asking right and left after telling me that he would request it.

[chloes nana]

LOL!!! Love your response Joanie! :D

Hmmmmmm,

 

Interesting scenario you have laid out before us....

 

I wonder if I could do the scenario you ask about with let's say, an airline? If they sell an advertised route and you ask them to make a stop just for you?

 

Am I missing something here? Or am I reading right or wrongly what you are upset about?

 

Joanie

[BruceMuzz]

I really love coming over to the HAL board.

You have the most unique, special, and original complaints and comments over here.

Most people just cannot make up stuff like this.

[Susie51]

I'm confused - you didn't list the sailing but the Rotterdam has a segment in September that goes from the port you list and arrives in Dubai - no deviation necessary.

 

Might not be the right cruise but it gets you where you want to get off. I am quite sure it is the right cruise though as the other segment ends in Capetown.

 

Good suggestion.

[chrispb]

HAL is now selling Dubai to Cape Town on the Rotterdam sailing on 26 October for 20 nights

 

Some nice ports enroute - Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Durban, Porth Elizabeth.

 

Too many sea days for me but if this part of the trip is split then OP may get what he wanted.

[kjw869]

I really love coming over to the HAL board.

You have the most unique, special, and original complaints and comments over here.

Most people just cannot make up stuff like this.

 

You so right. It's better than some of the "Reality" shows on TV. :)

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Forums mobile app

[Boatdrill]

Correct for 2014 but not for 2015. And also I do not request a special treatment but would expect at least a knowledgebale res agent to give the right answers.

 

Agreed. And to have the res agent say he/she "was told by colleagues" doesn't give a person a lot of confidence in the information...it sounds as if they were all standing around the water cooler.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Boatdrill

[betsey]

I have to jump in here. Many years ago I worked for a cruise line and one of my responsibilities was to review and approve cruise deviations. One of the factors involved is the legal issues. There are many maritime laws both in the US and abroad that restrict where one can board and disembark (i.e. Jones Act/Passenger Services Act here in the US). Not every embark/debark port pair is legal. Second - yes, if one gets off in Dubai, the cruise line may have a difficult time reselling that same cabin/category for the remainder of the voyage. Also, are there customs/immigration services at that port? Is it a tender port? There are a lot of operational things to consider as well. As for asking for a deposit to consider the request - it's a matter of showing how serious the guest is. There's no reason for a cruise line to consider a deviation request on a cruise that's still in the option stage.

[dhill]

I see no reason why the OP's plan would not work.

 

Of course he would need to be the CEO of HAL or Carnival......:p

Well you got me that time. I was sitting here reading your post when I saw your little bug running around up there. I thought it was a real bug walking around on my screen:eek: and picked up a pen and tried to get it off!GOOD ONE;)

[david,Mississauga]

It's not just HAL that has the policy of making the passenger(s) pay for the entire segment. We recently took an Atlantic crossing - Southampton to New York - on Cunard which was making a rare call in Halifax, Nova Scotia en route. We wanted to disembark in Halifax rather than New York, but we booked the crossing as advertised and paid the modest deposit. My travel agent, who is a cruise specialist, said he would contact Cunard reservations to enquire. The first response was: "It can't be done." He went up the ladder and the deviation was soon approved. I was not expecting any reduction in fare, but we were leaving the ship only two nights and a day early, so it was no big deal.

 

Interestingly, on the many eastbound crossings which continue on to Hamburg after Southampton, both the New York - Southampton and Southampton - Hamburg segments are sold. I doubt there would be the same demand for a two-day Halifax - New York segment, but at one time the Italian Line sold that as a segment.

[Jade13]

Despite all the compliments for Hal service, I am very disapointed with Hal. I called Hal last sunday and ask if a 48 days cruise London to Capetown could be shortened to 26 days London to Dubai the agent said I have to book it first then he will apply for a deviation.Ok I told him to do it came back to me after an hour and said first I have to deposit 3840$ and the price for 48 days cannot be altered.I shall stick to Princess as I am Elite and I shall forget my Mariner status with Hal.

__________________

 

I don't understand. You can depart early but you still need to pay the full fare. Unless HAL is selling the segments, why would they sell to you for less and take a big loss with an empty cabin?

 

They do sometimes sell segments, but it might be within a few months of the sailing on itineraries that are not selling well.

 

Try SilverSea. They sell segments. So does Azamara, but be careful because Quest has large blocks of charters in both 2015 and 2016.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Jade13

[Jade13]

The whole problem is the way it was handled by res. not that Hal could or not sell one cabin it did not go that far but asking for for a 3840$ deposit just to get an answer is insulting.

here is what I received:

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX

 

 

 

Earlier today I sent in an Itinerary Deviation Request for your booking that would allow you to disembark at Dubai. I’m told by my colleagues that we will only approve deviations once the booking has a deposit on it, if it is outside of Cancellation Fees. We would need to resubmit the request once deposit has been applied. Please be aware that we will not alter the price of the cruise to reflect the early disembarkation. If you have any further questions please contact us again – your booking XXXXis on hold until June 18, 2014. Is trhis the way they treat Mariners?

 

They will allow the deviation. We have done it multiple times on HAL and Azamara. We have left the ships and rejoined later, and have also departed early. They just aren't going to give a discount if the cruise is not being offered in the segments that you wish.

[jenp123]

If there are potential port and legal issues why would a cruise line go out of their way to investigate the request without some sort of indication that the customer is serious about the cruise (like a deposit)

 

The agent sounded like they handled this request appropriately. My guess is that they didn't know about the requirement of a deposit and when they found out, the OP was advised of the steps it would take to look at a special request.