Explore4 for US and Canada Officially Starts Monday July 18th

[VacationCharlene]

I just had the Explore4 added to my booking through HAL ..........................

 

HELP....I have been trying to figure out HOW you guys are seeing the Explore4 promotion already. I am waiting VERY impatiently to see how much it will cost for our 33 day Hawaii/Tahiti trip next March 2017. I even called Costco to ask them to call HAL and see how much it would be and they said it is not out yet....Anyone able to figure it out for me before Monday? OV Cat. C

 

Thanks I so want to know how much more it will cost! LaffnVegas?? ANYONE?

[Cruising-along]

PCC just added Explore 4 to our 13-day Oct '17 cruise. $260/pp.

[3rdGenCunarder]

what about "get up and go" promo? There's a 1-week overlap. Will the get=up cruises not be eligible for Ex4? Or will people have a choice?

[DaveOKC]

what about "get up and go" promo? There's a 1-week overlap. Will the get=up cruises not be eligible for Ex4? Or will people have a choice?

 

The Get Up and Go is for 2016 cruises while the Explore4 is for 2017 cruises (and perhaps Holiday 2016).

 

At least this is my understanding.

[freestyling]

The Get Up and Go is for 2016 cruises while the Explore4 is for 2017 cruises (and perhaps Holiday 2016).

 

At least this is my understanding.

 

After talking with my PCC today your info is correct Dave. I was able to secure at no additional cost on 7 day but no go on my 30 day.

[DaveOKC]

I just did a comparison for my relative's 11 day March, 2017 cruise. Veranda cabin cost went up by $500 pp this afternoon (from this morning's price). So, it will cost about $45/day per person to add it. Pretty much a wash IMO, unless you drink 5-6 beverages a day.

[jimd909]

HELP....I have been trying to figure out HOW you guys are seeing the Explore4 promotion already. I am waiting VERY impatiently to see how much it will cost for our 33 day Hawaii/Tahiti trip next March 2017. I even called Costco to ask them to call HAL and see how much it would be and they said it is not out yet....Anyone able to figure it out for me before Monday? OV Cat. C

 

Thanks I so want to know how much more it will cost! LaffnVegas?? ANYONE?

 

I called my HAL PCC and asked if he could add it. Originally he said not until Monday then he called me and said he could and he did. I originally booked direct with HAL.

[Jade13]

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.

 

 

You can no longer talk to the HAL PCC (about this booking) and discuss pricing now that you have transferred it to an outside agent.

[RocketMan275]

You can no longer talk to the HAL PCC (about this booking) and discuss pricing now that you have transferred it to an outside agent.

 

Why is that a issue?

Edited July 16, 2016 by RocketMan275

[tjcox9]

HELP....I have been trying to figure out HOW you guys are seeing the Explore4 promotion already. I am waiting VERY impatiently to see how much it will cost for our 33 day Hawaii/Tahiti trip next March 2017. I even called Costco to ask them to call HAL and see how much it would be and they said it is not out yet....Anyone able to figure it out for me before Monday? OV Cat. C

 

Thanks I so want to know how much more it will cost! LaffnVegas?? ANYONE?

 

We booked a 30 day cruise earlier this week. I checked this morning and it is now $1000 more per person, so I'm guessing yours will be slightly more than that!!! :eek:

[tjcox9]

We booked a 30 day cruise earlier this week. I checked this morning and it is now $1000 more per person, so I'm guessing yours will be slightly more than that!!! :eek:

 

It's actually an increase of $1330 PP! Double :eek::eek:

 

[RuthC]

...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.

Sadly, we are not allowed to discuss specific travel agents, nor mention individual PCCs on this forum. We are allowed to say that a TA or PCC is "great" so long as that agency/person can't be identified.

[DaveOKC]

With HAL's pricing and promotions programs you really have to keep checking on your deal, like never before.

 

My example - 1. Book cruise at a fare I liked and thought was fair.

 

2. Anniversary Sale introduced. Rebook with same fare but about $500-600 per person in "perks:.

 

3. Anniversary Sale goes off. Fares drop $400 pp but would lose perks, so stay with existing deal.

 

4. Explore 4 introduced (two weeks after #3 ends). Fares go up $900 pp, but some nice perks added. Stay with Anniversary Sale deal though.

 

All of this over the past 3 months on a cruise that is still 9 months away!

[iancal]

We very seldom see any 'free lunch' deal on HAL or any other cruise line. Unless the ship is not selling well or the offer is well into the final payment window.....our favourite time to buy!

 

Invariably, when we do the math on these specials it turns out that they are only special for the cruise line. Our net price has invariably been increased to account for the so called freebees. Not much different than any other business. Sure, once in a blue moon one might get a good offer.

 

Our preference is never freebees/inclusives. We much prefer a cash discount over an options discount and then buy what we want. When we see these offers we actually discount them by what they are worth to us, not what the cruise line says they are worth.

Edited July 16, 2016 by iancal

[cheeto]

We are on the Eurodam June 3rd Alaska cruise and I found an online website that shows the Explore4 pricing. When I checked my date it still shows my 3rd pax at the original full price of $499. I was hoping that it would be reduced; I knew it would never be "free" since it was a summer cruise but what about at least reduced?

 

Our rate went up $200 per person for 1 & 2, so I was hoping the reduced 3rd would even it all out.

 

Nancy

[msmayor]

Thanks to those who mentioned that their PCC was able to add the promotion now, and to the poster that mentioned applying it to a casino fare. I sent my PCC an email this morning and within an hour she responded that we could indeed add it now, and it only increased our fare by $85 each. For a 10 night cruise in a suite, that $170 is a bargain.

 

And I am still below the website 'regular' price by a good margin. Very happy!!

[MCC retired]

Thanks to those who mentioned that their PCC was able to add the promotion now, and to the poster that mentioned applying it to a casino fare. I sent my PCC an email this morning and within an hour she responded that we could indeed add it now, and it only increased our fare by $85 each. For a 10 night cruise in a suite, that $170 is a bargain.

 

And I am still below the website 'regular' price by a good margin. Very happy!!

 

US TA's have this Sale to book you now in their POLAR booking system.

[cheeto]

We are on the Eurodam June 3rd Alaska cruise and I found an online website that shows the Explore4 pricing. When I checked my date it still shows my 3rd pax at the original full price of $499. I was hoping that it would be reduced; I knew it would never be "free" since it was a summer cruise but what about at least reduced?

 

Our rate went up $200 per person for 1 & 2, so I was hoping the reduced 3rd would even it all out.

 

Nancy

 

My PCC confirmed that 3rd pax rate is still the same, no reduced rate. We are still going to go with the Explore 4 since my total increase of $400 is almost a wash with the Suite OBC & Pre Paid Gratuities. There is still a benefit even if having the Beverage Package is the only thing truly FREE. I didn't have that before.

[oceanmom]

18 day cruise next summer, increases in fare ($250-500 for Neptune and Vista suites) are covered by Explore 4 pre-paid gratuities and internet minutes. In essence, beverages will now be free and there will be little if anything on our bill at the end of the cruise. And once we transfer to the big-box TA next spring, we'll have a ton of refundable OBC. And fares tend to be stable for this particular cruise. Nice!!

Edited July 16, 2016 by oceanmom

[VennDiagram]

The cruise we booked a long time ago has gone up and up. There is no way Explore is a good enough value for us, to pay the increased price.

[jhannah]

Our 14-day is up $625pp. No seeking a promo for us!

[crazytomatoes]

We were able to update our booking to add explore 4 through our travel agent today and our price for our 14 day Alaskan cruise in May 2017 went down by $60/person. We have 3 inside rooms booked and our agent also gives us a lunch and dinner at the Pinnacle Grill in addition to the the explore 4 package, we are of course very pleased.

[kazu]

The cruise we booked a long time ago has gone up and up. There is no way Explore is a good enough value for us, to pay the increased price.

 

Ditto. Our cruise has gone up so much I was shocked to see it go up again for Explore4.

 

Our 14-day is up $625pp. No seeking a promo for us!

 

Totally agree. Ours is up nearly 50% now between increases and Explore4. I don't think so. I must book the wrong cruises.;):rolleyes::p

[VacationCharlene]

For those waiting for Explore4 it will Officially Start with HAL Monday July 18th. It will include the Free Signature Beverage Package, 3rd and 4th Guest Free or at a Reduced Rate, Free Pinnacle Grill Dinner for Two and Reduced Deposit. Suites will receive Internet credit of $200 and Pre Paid Gratuities.

You may also hear of some agencies being able to start the promo as early as tomorrow.

 

July 18th, 2016....I AM STILL NOT SEEING ANYTHING....darn it. Will someone PLEASE let me know about how much the fare currently is with Category D on 33 day Hawaii/Tahiti rt San Diego on the Maasdam March 24, 2017. Actually MY category is C but it appears to be sold out. I still would like to know how much it is for something close to ours. IF my particular Category IS sold out are they not able to offer the promotion for a price?? I even tried inputting an Alaskan cruise to see if I could see the Explore4 as quite a few people are posting that they have been able to get the Explore4 for a few days now :mad:

 

Thanks all!! Lisa or another TA PLEASE look it up for me. :D

[OTOW guy]

they want $1000 more pp. Doesn't seem worth it doing the numbers.