Explore4 for US and Canada Officially Starts Monday July 18th

[OTOW guy]

she said that HAL said it will be possible after Friday. Hope the fare stays the same or just a little bump up like they did this year. Some of the longer cruises like 30+ days won't be included.

Edited July 13, 2016 by OTOW guy

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I don't want Explore 4. I'm asking two things;

- can a PCC book a cruise at a lower rate without the explore 4?

- if so, can I then transfer that booking to a TA without the explore 4 but at a the lower rate?

 

Yes, HAL will still offer what they call Advantage Fares which will not have the amenities of Explore4. In most cases the prices is lower but once in a while it is the same and is worth adding the Explore4. I think HAL will have some good promotions to kick off Alaska for next year with the beginning of Explore4. They did this last year and expecting the same for this year.

[RocketMan275]

Yes, HAL will still offer what they call Advantage Fares which will not have the amenities of Explore4. In most cases the prices is lower but once in a while it is the same and is worth adding the Explore4. I think HAL will have some good promotions to kick off Alaska for next year with the beginning of Explore4. They did this last year and expecting the same for this year.

 

Appreciate your response. If there isn't a large difference, we might consider the Explore 4. The included gratuities would help. Guess we will just have to wait and see.

[crazytomatoes]

We are currently booked on a 14 day Alaskan cruise for May 2017 in an inside room, do you know if the explore4 would apply to inside rooms or would we have to upgrade to a ocean view room or above? Also we have a second room booked for our adultish children aged 23 and 20, would they be able to get the explore4 promotion if one of them is not of drinking age? I am not meaning the 20 year old would get an alcohol package but something nonalcoholic for her and alcoholic for the 23 year old? Or would the room not qualify because someone underage is in the room?

 

 

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[Alberta Quilter]

I don't want Explore 4. I'm asking two things;

- can a PCC book a cruise at a lower rate without the explore 4?

- if so, can I then transfer that booking to a TA without the explore 4 but at a the lower rate?

 

I know that LaffnVegas answered your first question. As to the second, yes, once that reduced fare is in place, then that should transfer over to the TA at that same rate. If the TA has an even lower rate at the time of the transfer, I think you would get their lower rate but I don't have experience with that. I do know that you should be able to get their additional OBC if they offer it. (That's why I transferred my booking.)

[Lady Arwen]

Hopefully, this promo will apply to our 12 night in May to the Western Med. The price was high when we booked, so perhaps that won't get much higher with the promo added.

[grayjay]

It will be interesting to see whether the Explore4 promotion differs in regard to Europe and US/Canadian markets.

In Europe the promotion appeared about 10 days ago and it's only European cruises and transatlantics in 2017. Prices with/ without promotion differ from 10-25 % more with the Explore4 package - I checked several cruises we're interested in. About 160 cruises are offered which include the promo.

I'd also love to see a few more cruises included - Alaska for instance or the Pacific...

So let's see how it works out next week!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info

[qsuzi]

Lisa am I correct that the 5-27-17 Eurodam sailing will go up $100pp on HAL on Monday but agencies that can book it before Monday can book at the existing $1,999. At least one agency gives a $100 OBC for an SY suite and SY, SS, SA, and SB suites are all currently priced at $1,999pp?

Edited July 14, 2016 by qsuzi

[Heartgrove]

I am just off the phone with my PCC concerning a possible booking - when he volunteered pricing using Explore 4 as well! He said that it will be out Monday but that they were doing a "soft" introduction as of now.

 

It seems that it will cost an additional $200-400 USD approximately, depending on the cruise. For example, a cruise that I booked months ago for next year just went up $250 about two weeks ago. To add Explore 4 to that cruise was an additional $200. But an additional cruise that I am looking at that has not had a recent price increase was approximately $400 more.

[DaveOKC]

Looks to me to be a bit better deal than the Anniversary Sale (for suites), but it will depend on the length of your cruise and how much you will use the free drinks.

 

Now need to see what the price will be vs what I am at - that will tell the tale.....

 

UPDATE - my April, 2017 cruise increased $500 pp (for 18 days) over what I paid in the Anniversary Sale. So, for $1000 increase in fare plus giving up $500 in OBC and $100 in Beverage cards, I pick up 2 Pinnacle dinners plus free beverages. Doubt that we could drink $1600 in beverages over 18 days. So I guess I will pass on Explore4.

[qsuzi]

UPDATE - my April, 2017 cruise increased $500 pp (for 18 days) over what I paid in the Anniversary Sale. So, for $1000 increase in fare plus giving up $500 in OBC and $100 in Beverage cards, I pick up 2 Pinnacle dinners plus free beverages. Doubt that we could drink $1600 in beverages over 18 days. So I guess I will pass on Explore4.

 

Sorry it was not a better value for you. I would think this is not uncommon for those who already booked a Promo fare and are on longer cruises.

 

We did not book on a Promo fare and it's a 7-day cruise so our cost went up $200 total for the added Explore 4 promo benefits. Our TA does not have the exclusive Explore 4 fares/rates prior to Monday when the per person price goes up.

Edited July 14, 2016 by qsuzi

[AnnieBelle]

I believe ONLY Holiday sailings for 2016 will be included (waiting to confirm this) otherwise only 2017 but not all sailings will be included, let's just say most sailings. I do know that all 2017 Alaska is included.

 

Would the week of Thanksgiving be considered a holiday cruise or are those just over Christmas and New Years? Our cruise went down but we will lose gratuities and $50 OBC. However, the price is $60 less taking these things into consideration. I would LOVE to have the Explore 4 though.

[Crew News]

Would the week of Thanksgiving be considered a holiday cruise or are those just over Christmas and New Years? Our cruise went down but we will lose gratuities and $50 OBC. However, the price is $60 less taking these things into consideration. I would LOVE to have the Explore 4 though.

 

Since only one country considers the US Thanksgiving a holiday, HAL prices do not consider it a holiday. HAL does have a US Thanksgiving addition to their MDR menus.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Pricing is going up.

[Cruiser Andi]

My PCC was able to add it on yesterday. Our price went up $50pp.

 

 

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[KirkNC]

UPDATE - my April, 2017 cruise increased $500 pp (for 18 days) over what I paid in the Anniversary Sale. So, for $1000 increase in fare plus giving up $500 in OBC and $100 in Beverage cards, I pick up 2 Pinnacle dinners plus free beverages. Doubt that we could drink $1600 in beverages over 18 days. So I guess I will pass on Explore4.

 

Our July 15th cruise is up $2,600 for two. Its a 20 day cruise. I have never seen a case where the drink package makes sense for us.

[Cruiser Bruiser]

Our July 15th cruise is up $2,600 for two. Its a 20 day cruise. I have never seen a case where the drink package makes sense for us.

 

Earlier in the week I booked a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise leaving San Diego the day after Thanksgiving 2017. With the notion of adding Explore 4, I just checked the fare on the website. It went up $350. For a 7-night cruise. As I'm sailing solo, I will not be altering my reservation. :(

[Lady Arwen]

Just checked the price of our 12 night Oosterdam in May to the Med.....went up a total of $800.00! Won't be taking advantage of the promo.

[Groningen]

I booked our cruise last Tuesday for $3199 per person. To get some free drinks, I'd have to pay a fare today of $4299.

I just don't get why people get so excited to get the Explore package, when you know very well that you are paying for it. HAL is in it to make money, not to be nice.

[Lady Arwen]

I booked our cruise last Tuesday for $3199 per person. To get some free drinks, I'd have to pay a fare today of $4299.

I just don't get why people get so excited to get the Explore package, when you know very well that you are paying for it. HAL is in it to make money, not to be nice.

 

You nailed it!

[alwaysfrantic]

My Land/Sea is still priced the same. A girl can hope!

[RocketMan275]

I booked our cruise last Tuesday for $3199 per person. To get some free drinks, I'd have to pay a fare today of $4299.

I just don't get why people get so excited to get the Explore package, when you know very well that you are paying for it. HAL is in it to make money, not to be nice.

 

Things can be very expensive when they are 'free'.

[jimd909]

I just had the Explore4 added to my booking through HAL that also had a casino discount. The price did not go up. It actually went down over $1,600 because I had it transferred to an online TA that gave the additional discount.

 

$200 OBC

Signature Beverage Package

Pinnacle Grill

Pre-paid Gratuities

$200 Internet Credit

 

And my HAL PCC still gets credit. It's because of him that this all worked out. He suggested I transfer the booking. I don't know if we can give out the name of HAL's PCCs, if so I'll gladly post it. He's great.

Edited July 15, 2016 by jimd909

[alwaysfrantic]

The Land/Sea don't show at all at a big agency for members in Seattle and the promo doesn't show for just the cruise part....yet. BUT in addition to the shipboard credit they have an option to add $500 to the price. It doesn't say you get any extras....guess they load the add on before they load the promo details. So and extra $250 PP on the cruise portion, IF they will even add it on a Land/Sea package. They would not add the $50 group booking credit since it was a land/sea, not just sea.