CHANGE for the BETTER to CASINO PROMO

[mustgo]

Thanks for the info. Our visa card insures the trip. Then I buy a low cost travel ins policy with a trip cost of 0 but high medical and evacuation payments. That keeps the costs down. Hope to not need that but we are in the older age group so one never knows. The one time we had to cancel a cruise, we were fine, but our son had a serious motorcycle accident.

[cyndibru]

Travel Agencies get approx 15% in commission on your fare before taxes and fees. TAs more often than not offer their own perks in addition to your deal with HAL. The big wholesale club rhyming with bosco offers about 9% of your fare in on board credit (OBC). 9-10% of your fare before taxes and fees in perks seems to be the top deals. Unused OBC from a TA is refundable to the passenger if not used, so that would be my preference. HAL's OBC is not refundable.

Some TAs don't offer up much compared to others. Shop around and do your due diligence on the TA. I negotiated a match of the bosco deal with my TA with the understanding that she'll get all of our business except some airline stuff. I don't need a TA for most things, but the more involved the trip, the more valuable they become.

HAL allows transfers up until final payment due date. Some other lines have same rule with additional restriction of transfers allowed within 60 days after booking.

 

Thank you so much for that very helpful explanation!

[Bristol5]

:confused:I don't know, but my conscience would bother me to switch to a TA after I have been helped by a PCC. I understand the desire for OBC, and I would like that too, but just don't think I would feel comfortable switching.

[blizzardboy]

:confused:I don't know, but my conscience would bother me to switch to a TA after I have been helped by a PCC. I understand the desire for OBC, and I would like that too, but just don't think I would feel comfortable switching.

If you conduct business only with your heart you'll go broke! Your empathy is laudable, but slightly misplaced.

My PCC explained it as follows: They are salaried employees. They get a small percentage commission on any cruise they book after it sails, even if the booking is transferred to a TA. They get a little more if it stays "in house", but my PCC is a pragmatic guy and has said that he'd be doing the same thing I'm doing if he were in my shoes.

Edited August 1, 2016 by blizzardboy

[cabinluvn]

Just tried to add the Explore 4 promo to my 17 day Hawaiian cruise. I already had the casino promo and OBC from booking onboard. My TA called them and was told that if I wanted the Explore 4, I would lose the casino promo and it would be $1140/pp more. My TA's guess as to why some people are getting both promos is that perhaps the discount with their casino promo was not as significant. Apparently we have a big discount. Not sure how they factor that. We gamble some, but don't run big amounts through the casino. Guess we won't be enjoying the Explore 4 this cruise

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

My TA called them and was told that if I wanted the Explore 4, I would lose the casino promo and it would be $1140/pp more.

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As a percentage of the fare, our discount is also substantial, but it is a shorter cruise. My PCC is off until tomorrow, but I'd like to bounce this off of him on your behalf. I would like to give him the departure date, so we can talk on a not quite hypothetical basis. If it's not too personal, cabin type might help as well.

Under the "old" rules you got the casino deal in lieu of other promos. That's why it surprised me 10 days ago or so when I saw a post mentioning getting both the casino pricing and Exp 4. To get Explore 4, it says "new bookings only", but that usually means re-faring the same booking at current rates, so the fare going up wouldn't surprise me. It also states Exp 4 is not combinable with other discounts, etc., which flies in the face of getting both deals. Makes me wonder if we were the beneficiaries of a short-term error of omission on HAL's part.

Edited August 1, 2016 by blizzardboy

[mustgo]

When I check a cruise online, I get the casino rate and also get Explore 4 but we drink very little so on a 12 day cruise our price was $189 pp less without the Explore 4 than the price quoted online. I have to phone in to get it priced that way. It is a better way to go for us but many would do better with the Explore 4.

.

[cabinluvn]

As a percentage of the fare, our discount is also substantial, but it is a shorter cruise. My PCC is off until tomorrow, but I'd like to bounce this off of him on your behalf. I would like to give him the departure date, so we can talk on a not quite hypothetical basis. If it's not too personal, cabin type might help as well.

Under the "old" rules you got the casino deal in lieu of other promos. That's why it surprised me 10 days ago or so when I saw a post mentioning getting both the casino pricing and Exp 4. To get Explore 4, it says "new bookings only", but that usually means re-faring the same booking at current rates, so the fare going up wouldn't surprise me. It also states Exp 4 is not combinable with other discounts, etc., which flies in the face of getting both deals. Makes me wonder if we were the beneficiaries of a short-term error of omission on HAL's part.

 

I would be glad to help any way I could. We would have to rebook, and there is always the chance we wouldn't get the aft cabin that we were able to get only by booking onboard. Not sure what rebooking would do to the $300 OBC we got when we booked onboard. To muddy the water, we booked with my sister and BIL and we have aft cabins next to each other and plan to open the partition between the two on the deck. They are not interested in Explore 4 so if we rebooked there would be a chance we would lose the cabin next to them

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

I would be glad to help any way I could. We would have to rebook, and there is always the chance we wouldn't get the aft cabin that we were able to get only by booking onboard. Not sure what rebooking would do to the $300 OBC we got when we booked onboard. To muddy the water, we booked with my sister and BIL and we have aft cabins next to each other and plan to open the partition between the two on the deck. They are not interested in Explore 4 so if we rebooked there would be a chance we would lose the cabin next to them

 

 

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When is your cruise? Here's a copy of email I sent to my PCC: "Has HAL reverted back to old rules on not combining Casino and Exp 4 promos? There was a post from someone who has booked a 17-day circle Hawaii cruise that said the were told they'd have to give up the casino discount to get Exp 4. Please advise." I'll let you know what he says.

FYI, re-faring won't change your cabin choice. Not sure about the $300 OBC. I'd sure mention that it came from booking on board.

Edited August 2, 2016 by blizzardboy

[cabinluvn]

The cruise is not until January. I did mention to my TA that the OBC was from booking onboard. She just said OK, so since I was not going to be able to get the promo anyway, I did not mention it again. Looking forward to the answer from your TA

 

 

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[taba]

I have the casino rate for a summer 2017 cruise. When the Explore 4 promotion came out, I asked if my discount qualified for the Explore 4 and I was told it did. The rate when up with the promotion, but I ended up paying only $50 PP more for the Signature Beverage Package.

 

If you have the casino discount, you can check out the rate online by doing a dummy booking with your Mariner #. The discount rate does not show up until you reach the screen where you select your stateroom.

[blizzardboy]

Just tried to add the Explore 4 promo to my 17 day Hawaiian cruise. I already had the casino promo and OBC from booking onboard. My TA called them and was told that if I wanted the Explore 4, I would lose the casino promo and it would be $1140/pp more. My TA's guess as to why some people are getting both promos is that perhaps the discount with their casino promo was not as significant. Apparently we have a big discount. Not sure how they factor that. We gamble some, but don't run big amounts through the casino. Guess we won't be enjoying the Explore 4 this cruise

 

 

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Here we go. Just got off the phone with my guy. First, ask your TA what your Casino promo code is. Don't show your hand until they give you an answer. If it begins with PX, that's a targeted deal that not everyone gets and wouldn't be combinable. Code DE1 is the prevalent Casino promo, and is combinable with Exp 4 (Exp 4 code is KA2) on your January, 2017 17-day Hawaii cruise. His feeling was that if it were a PX number, you would probably have the DE1 code attached to your Mariner number as well. TAs hate to add things that cut the commissionable fare. I'm not accusing them, but the answer to the code question will tell you a lot.

Another suggestion from my guy, call the HAL reservation line, give them your Mariner numbers and get a quote. They can tell you if you have the DE1 casino promo, and it is most definitely combinable with Exp 4, code KA2. Hope this helps.

Dave aka blizzardboy

Edited August 2, 2016 by blizzardboy

[cabinluvn]

I emailed my TA and told her what you shared. She called again and the Explore 4 can be added for an additional$416/pp. That sounds a little steep since it is just the SBP and Pinnicle dinner as there are no 3rd and 4th people with us and we have already made our deposit. There is no OBC like the last Explore 4. The rest of the perks are for suite guests, and not applicable to us. What do you think?

 

 

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[DaveOKC]

I emailed my TA and told her what you shared. She called again and the Explore 4 can be added for an additional$416/pp. That sounds a little steep since it is just the SBP and Pinnicle dinner as there are no 3rd and 4th people with us and we have already made our deposit. There is no OBC like the last Explore 4. The rest of the perks are for suite guests, and not applicable to us. What do you think?

 

 

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Depends on how long your cruise is.

[cabinluvn]

Seventeen days

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

I emailed my TA and told her what you shared. She called again and the Explore 4 can be added for an additional$416/pp. That sounds a little steep since it is just the SBP and Pinnicle dinner as there are no 3rd and 4th people with us and we have already made our deposit. There is no OBC like the last Explore 4. The rest of the perks are for suite guests, and not applicable to us. What do you think?

 

 

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Amazing price drop compared to where the TA started, though. At that price it's a great deal to me for a 17-day cruise. Your break even point at $8/drink is a little over 3 each per day, if I did my math right. I would have no problem doing 6 drinks day by myself, especially on sea days. The normal price for the SBP would be $100/day for the two of you. The PG dinner is gravy, no pun intended.

Edited August 3, 2016 by blizzardboy

[DaveOKC]

I emailed my TA and told her what you shared. She called again and the Explore 4 can be added for an additional$416/pp. That sounds a little steep since it is just the SBP and Pinnicle dinner as there are no 3rd and 4th people with us and we have already made our deposit. There is no OBC like the last Explore 4. The rest of the perks are for suite guests, and not applicable to us. What do you think?

 

 

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For a 17 day cruise your cost would be just over $24 per day per person. Or, about 3 mixed drinks/house wines per day. I would take this deal, even if you just used it for specialty coffees, sodas and water - it is also very convenient to have the card and not have to figure out your charges at the end.

Edited August 3, 2016 by DaveOKC

[cabinluvn]

I forgot about the specialty coffees! We had the Explore 4 for our cruise in May and we both enjoyed those in the morning after our walk of the promenade. Add in the water for excursions in hot weather and I think it makes sense...thanks for helping me decide!

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

I forgot about the specialty coffees! We had the Explore 4 for our cruise in May and we both enjoyed those in the morning after our walk of the promenade. Add in the water for excursions in hot weather and I think it makes sense...thanks for helping me decide!

 

 

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I have to give all the credit to my PCC for providing us the codes. I already emailed him your thanks. I don't know your TA, but the cynic in me thinks you caught a $1400 hand in the cookie jar!

Edited August 3, 2016 by blizzardboy

[cabinluvn]

That is always possible, but she does not work on commission. This TA that I use gives me a percentage off the best deal HA posts. Sometimes it is a lot and sometimes not so much. I don't get OBC or any other perks from her. It does make me wonder...that is for sure! We have one more cruise after the Hawaiian booked with her and then I think I will scout around to see if I can find a better deal. I like to book while onboard and they automatically transfer the booking to her, but I can tell them not to. I live in a small town with few agencies and I am kind of scared to use the big box agencies. Yours sounds like a keeper!

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

That is always possible, but she does not work on commission. This TA that I use gives me a percentage off the best deal HA posts. Sometimes it is a lot and sometimes not so much. I don't get OBC or any other perks from her. It does make me wonder...that is for sure! We have one more cruise after the Hawaiian booked with her and then I think I will scout around to see if I can find a better deal. I like to book while onboard and they automatically transfer the booking to her, but I can tell them not to. I live in a small town with few agencies and I am kind of scared to use the big box agencies. Yours sounds like a keeper!

 

 

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Your experience is one of the reasons I book early with my HAL PCC, watch pricing and promos in case a better deal comes along, then transfer to my TA before final payment is due to claim their perks. You can get 9-10% of the fare before taxes and fees in discount, or more frequently OBC, from a TA. TA supplied OBC is refundable if you don't use it. Instead of booking on board, you can buy future cruise credits which attach to your Mariner number without bringing your TA into the picture, since you're thinking about switching. I would consider getting a quote now from HAL on the cruise after the one upcoming to see where you stand after this misadventure. If you want to talk to my PCC in the future, I can provide you my email address.

[cabinluvn]

We always have one or two FCD on hand just in case. We have found that, when we book onboard, we can usually get cabins that our TA is not able to get. We kind of did it in reverse for the Hawaiian cruise. We got a quote from our TA, but she could not get the cabin we wanted(an aft verandah). We were able to get that from the CD onboard. I don't know if the aft cabins were just not available to all TAs or just mine. Then we sent it to our TA and we got a discount off the price. If you don't mind, I would love the name and company of your TA. My email is cabinluvn@gmail.com. Hopefully, this does not break any CC rules

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

We got a quote from our TA, but she could not get the cabin we wanted(an aft verandah).I don't know if the aft cabins were just not available to all TAs or just mine.

 

 

No worries on policy violations. email you shortly. bb

[KirkNC]

We did not even know much about the casino promo but I booked one of our Prinsendam 2017 sailings last Dec. I got a confirm from my TA with a price, three days later I got another confirm from my TA for the same sailing. I did not look at it closely until last night. The second confirm was almost 25% less then the first so I called, I wanted to be sure my price would be based on the second confirm. My TA called HAL and was told the second confirm included a casino promo discount. Apparently HAL just automatically applied it (no complaints here!). :p