NA -- Sold Out -- Question

[Italy52]

Just took a look at my NA July 15th cruise to Alaska and the website shows all categories as "sold out." Possible???? How often does HAL run their ships totally filled?

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Tthat date is one of the "Inspiration Cruises" group dates on the NA - my guess is that the group block is large enough that the ship is sold out for non-group reservations Many of the ships public venues may be used for group activities and MDR hours for non-group guests may be limitied, especially if you are on anytime dining.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Some popular itineraries sell out while others don't.

Don't know if your itinerary is a popular one.

[OlsSalt]

Tthat date is one of the "Inspiration Cruises" group dates on the NA - my guess is that the group block is large enough that the ship is sold out for non-group reservations Many of the ships public venues may be used for group activities and MDR hours for non-group guests may be limitied, especially if you are on anytime dining.

 

Wonder when HAL will tell the non-group passengers if they want to dine in the main dining room they will need to eat between 5:30pm and 6:15 pm only. Or else use the Lido buffet since priority main dining room dining at all other times, may be given to the large group diners instead.

[JVilleGal]

:(

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[3rdGenCunarder]

Tthat date is one of the "Inspiration Cruises" group dates on the NA - my guess is that the group block is large enough that the ship is sold out for non-group reservations Many of the ships public venues may be used for group activities and MDR hours for non-group guests may be limitied, especially if you are on anytime dining.

 

Inspiration Cruises certainly has become a presence is a the cruise industry. When I was booking travel insurance recently, the drop-down list of cruise lines included Inspiration Cruises. Pretty surprising considering that they don't own or operate any ships.

 

OP, check back with HAL in a few days. Sometimes HAL will freeze bookings while they check on cabin inventory. This tends to happen during the last few weeks when they're placing guarantees, but it could be a temporary freeze, perhaps because the group has asked for more cabins.

[Italy52]

Thanks all for the information. As far as dining is concerned, we won't be eating in the dining room -- we usually go to the Lido as we are not big eaters.

 

Will monitor the cruise to see if availability pops up --- just seemed odd to me that everything was fine and then all of a sudden nothing was available. The last time this happened to me was with another line and the cruise was cancelled.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Wonder when HAL will tell the non-group passengers if they want to dine in the main dining room they will need to eat between 5:30pm and 6:15 pm only. Or else use the Lido buffet since priority main dining room dining at all other times, may be given to the large group diners instead.

 

On boarding day, in a notice left on the bed with all the sell-you-stuff flyers and other hooey. Lol

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

That's why they have so many ships there.

[ski ww]

We're on the NA Alaska cruise 1 Jul. About a month ago some cabins were listed as sold out & now all cabins are available. The prices on all cabins have gone way up in price, glad we booked last year. Don't think we'll see a price drop on this one.

Allan

[billbunger]

In case you do not know Inspiration Cruises is a christian organization.

 

Here is some information about your July 15 cruise.

 

http://www.inspirationcruises.com/christian-cruise/turning-point-alaska-2017

[RocketMan275]

Tthat date is one of the "Inspiration Cruises" group dates on the NA - my guess is that the group block is large enough that the ship is sold out for non-group reservations Many of the ships public venues may be used for group activities and MDR hours for non-group guests may be limitied, especially if you are on anytime dining.

or, possibly, the group hasn't decided in how many cabins they will book?

[RocketMan275]

In case you do not know Inspiration Cruises is a christian organization.

 

Here is some information about your July 15 cruise.

 

http://www.inspirationcruises.com/christian-cruise/turning-point-alaska-2017

 

That sounds preferable to an Oprah Experience,

[3rdGenCunarder]

That sounds preferable to an Oprah Experience,

 

I disagree. Groups can cause nightmares for non-group passengers, as we've seen in a few recent threads. The Oprah cruises are not booking a group with special priveleges. It's just something extra HAL is offering on a few cruises. The few days Oprah is on board could turn out to be a circus, but other than that, it all looks to me like stuff you can ignore. I'm not a fan of Oprah, and I don't like any celebrity trying to tell me how to live MY life. But as long as they don't follow me around the ship preaching at me, I doubt it would bother me.

[gamblingrandma]

Inspiration cruise is also on July 16th on the Oosterdam.

[Tampa Girl]

Have you thought of changing your cruise date?

[gamblingrandma]

Have you thought of changing your cruise date?

 

If it was only up to me I would change it. I prefer going in late June vs July. But others going with us cannot change. The group will not bother us. We drink. We gamble. I figure the casinos and bars will be less crowded. :D

[OlsSalt]

If it was only up to me I would change it. I prefer going in late June vs July. But others going with us cannot change. The group will not bother us. We drink. We gamble. I figure the casinos and bars will be less crowded. :D

 

From past reports, it sounds like you are the perfect match for this particular large group cruise. Nice when you have notice upfront:: empty bars, casino and preference for buffet dining over main dining room "as you wish" or late fixed. Enjoy and hope you report back how it all worked out.

[Tampa Girl]

If it was only up to me I would change it. I prefer going in late June vs July. But others going with us cannot change. The group will not bother us. We drink. We gamble. I figure the casinos and bars will be less crowded. :D

 

 

I like your optimism! Now, if you can ignore the disapproving looks as you carry your "demon drinks" from one venue to another. You need to think up the perfect response if such looks appear!

[jhsocal]

On our Alaska Westerdam cruise last July, rep. from Inspirations told me they could book up to half the ship, we had about 700. Wonder what deadline{before cruise} for group to book cabins? After deadline, other cabins might be available.

[alwaysfrantic]

I like your optimism! Now, if you can ignore the disapproving looks as you carry your "demon drinks" from one venue to another. You need to think up the perfect response if such looks appear!

Haha, they scoff at us with our demon drinks as they head back to their cabins to empty the mini bar in secret.

[alwaysfrantic]

In case you do not know Inspiration Cruises is a christian organization.

 

Here is some information about your July 15 cruise.

 

http://www.inspirationcruises.com/christian-cruise/turning-point-alaska-2017

 

I looked at the site; it is a heck of a lot easier to do a booking there than on the actual HAL site. God is with their IT office.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I like your optimism! Now, if you can ignore the disapproving looks as you carry your "demon drinks" from one venue to another. You need to think up the perfect response if such looks appear!

 

How about the line from a long-ago commercial (Alka Seltzer?) "Try it, you'll like it!"

[gamblingrandma]

On our Alaska Westerdam cruise last July, rep. from Inspirations told me they could book up to half the ship, we had about 700. Wonder what deadline{before cruise} for group to book cabins? After deadline, other cabins might be available.

 

The final payment for the Inspiration Cruise is April 7th. I am really anxious to see how many cabins open up. Our final payment date is May 1.

 

When I told my sister (who is going with me) about the Christian group coming on board she said ... and I quote "we are going to hell". LOL. I am sure we will be a bad influence :evilsmile: or at least a topic of conversation for some of those folks.

 

We are looking forward to this cruise so much...our 2nd trip to Alaska on HAL. I think that the Inspiration group will just make things a little more interesting. A Christian radio station is hosting this one....I'm going to have to tune in and listen so that I can be a little more informed. Cheers everyone!