Jade13 Posted July 17, 2017 #126 Share Posted July 17, 2017 I always get HAL's insurance so I can get 90% of the fare back if I cancel. It's 95% back prior to 30 days before departure (unless that has changed). Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted July 17, 2017 #127 Share Posted July 17, 2017 It's 95% back prior to 30 days before departure (unless that has changed). Sent from my iPhone using Forums May have changed because the HAL website says 80-90%; no mention of 95. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 17, 2017 #128 Share Posted July 17, 2017 It's 95% back prior to 30 days before departure (unless that has changed). Sent from my iPhone using Forums As long as I can remember, it has been 80 - 90% back. I checked last week, and it had not increased to 95%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 17, 2017 #129 Share Posted July 17, 2017 It's 95% back prior to 30 days before departure (unless that has changed). Sent from my iPhone using Forums Forgot something. It is not 80 - 90% prior to departure. It is from the date that the cancellation penalty commences, and that may depend upon the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trav-ler Posted July 19, 2017 #130 Share Posted July 19, 2017 (edited) Unfortunately, we learned of this new practice the hard way. We were on a 2 week Alaska cruise last week and booked another cruise for 2018 while onboard. The future sales young lady said absolutely nothing about it being a non-refundable deposit (after nearly 60 cruises we never even gave it a thought) and were absolutely furious when we learned she booked it as a SnapFare when she could have booked it as a Mariner or standard fare. The price she gave us was the same as on the computer so it was no 'sale'!!!! We are now fighting the issue with Holland America... Edited July 19, 2017 by Trav-ler spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hflors Posted July 20, 2017 #131 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I just found out something from a HAL rep. He said that even if you buy Hal ins the NON refundable deposit isn't part of the insurance. Only the balance of the payment is refundable (period) I asked because I wanted to know what the difference in price and deposit was. The difference between fully refundable and non-refundable is only $200 pp. IF we decide to book the cruise it will be at the refundable rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boytjie Posted July 20, 2017 #132 Share Posted July 20, 2017 It looks like the cruise lines will be all going that way. Royal Caribbean is: https://www.******************.com/2017/05/09/royal-caribbean-announces-new-non-refundable-deposit-program I guess I can't post a link to the article. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 20, 2017 #133 Share Posted July 20, 2017 It looks like the cruise lines will be all going that way. Royal Caribbean is: https://www.******************.com/2017/05/09/royal-caribbean-announces-new-non-refundable-deposit-program I guess I can't post a link to the article. :( I think I found the articile. ;) RCCL will continue to offer regular pricing as well and the non refundable has some points attached to it. The only place it seems where the non refundable is a "must" is their high end suites! (Effective July 1st) This link has some of the info. https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7808 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 20, 2017 #134 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I think I found the articile. ;) RCCL will continue to offer regular pricing as well and the non refundable has some points attached to it. The only place it seems where the non refundable is a "must" is their high end suites! (Effective July 1st) This link has some of the info. https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7808 Unfortunately, however, HAL seems to be applying it across the board to all categories; note the fares for the Grand Voyages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 20, 2017 #135 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Unfortunately, however, HAL seems to be applying it across the board to all categories; note the fares for the Grand Voyages. You can get the refundable fares on HAL by calling (your TA, PCC or HAL). A PITA but they are there. Am I understanding correctly that the only option for the Grand Voyages is the non refundable one - not refundable at all? That really stinks :( Those are big investments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestyling Posted July 20, 2017 #136 Share Posted July 20, 2017 We may be seeing a "testing" of the waters for non-refundable deposits and change fees! The link below is an article from a travel industry newsletter explaining this new "approach". http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/No-refunds-on-deposits-for-some-Royal-Caribbean-fares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 20, 2017 #137 Share Posted July 20, 2017 You can get the refundable fares on HAL by calling (your TA, PCC or HAL). A PITA but they are there. Am I understanding correctly that the only option for the Grand Voyages is the non refundable one - not refundable at all? That really stinks :( Those are big investments! No, I don't know if there are refundables. I booked before the website showed the "non-refundable deposits" on their first page. I did not follow through with trial booking to see if there were refundable deposits available. I saw the same footnote on the Grand World. My TA confirmed with HAL that the non-refundables became effective on July 11th. (I avoided it by one week!) Another CC called her PCC, who told her a couple of weeks ago that the cruise had not, at that point, been selling well. I wonder if it has anything to do with these deposits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 20, 2017 #138 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I just found out something from a HAL rep. He said that even if you buy Hal ins the NON refundable deposit isn't part of the insurance. Only the balance of the payment is refundable (period) I asked because I wanted to know what the difference in price and deposit was. The difference between fully refundable and non-refundable is only $200 pp. IF we decide to book the cruise it will be at the refundable rate. Have you checked with a rep from the insurance company that is underwriting the CCP? I believe that the policy says: ". . . . and receive a refund equal to 90% (Platinum policy) of the prepaird, non-refundable portion of your cruise vacation." I don't take any HAL's rep at face value. It is worthwhile checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFD1 Posted July 20, 2017 #139 Share Posted July 20, 2017 To "Trav-ler"'s comment about difficulty with an on-board cruise consultant giving bad information about deposits. We had the same difficulty last year when we committed $1,700 in deposits without being told they were non-refundable. It took weeks of difficulty getting those deposits--not refunded--but moved to another cruise. If HAL is going to make these significant changes and not make enemies in the process, they must be sure all the "players" in the "booking game" know what the changes are and be able to give correct information about them. In this as in all things....Buyer Beware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 20, 2017 #140 Share Posted July 20, 2017 To "Trav-ler"'s comment about difficulty with an on-board cruise consultant giving bad information about deposits. We had the same difficulty last year when we committed $1,700 in deposits without being told they were non-refundable. It took weeks of difficulty getting those deposits--not refunded--but moved to another cruise. If HAL is going to make these significant changes and not make enemies in the process, they must be sure all the "players" in the "booking game" know what the changes are and be able to give correct information about them. In this as in all things....Buyer Beware. EXACTLY! (Bolding is mine). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mame42 Posted July 20, 2017 #141 Share Posted July 20, 2017 No, I don't know if there are refundables. I booked before the website showed the "non-refundable deposits" on their first page. I did not follow through with trial booking to see if there were refundable deposits available. I saw the same footnote on the Grand World. My TA confirmed with HAL that the non-refundables became effective on July 11th. (I avoided it by one week!) Another CC called her PCC, who told her a couple of weeks ago that the cruise had not, at that point, been selling well. I wonder if it has anything to do with these deposits. Like Tampa Girl, I also booked the 2018 Grand Asia before the nonrefundable deposits became effective. Now I would like to rebook in a more expensive cabin, but not at the risk of losing my refundable deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hflors Posted July 21, 2017 #142 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Have you checked with a rep from the insurance company that is underwriting the CCP? I believe that the policy says: ". . . . and receive a refund equal to 90% (Platinum policy) of the prepaird, non-refundable portion of your cruise vacation." I don't take any HAL's rep at face value. It is worthwhile checking. From Hal's website: Four reasons to choose the Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan: YOU CAN CANCEL BEFORE DEPARTURE FOR ANY REASON. Even if it's up to 24 hours before departure under our Standard Plan or right up to departure with our Platinum Plan. Your reservation may be easily cancelled for any reason whatsoever - no claim forms to submit or fine print to review. YOU GET MONEY BACK. Holland America Line refunds 80-90% of eligible amounts paid, regardless of your reason for canceling, as long as you cancel more than 24 hours prior to departure (right up to departure with the Platinum Plan). (note: bolded in red is mine) I believe the rep was correct. He said the non-refundable deposits were not part of the ins. (I don't know if this is new to HAL's website or not, but it is there it is) I think they can use the "eligible" part to not refund the original non-refundable deposit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 21, 2017 #143 Share Posted July 21, 2017 From Hal's website:Four reasons to choose the Holland America Line Cancellation Protection Plan: YOU CAN CANCEL BEFORE DEPARTURE FOR ANY REASON. Even if it's up to 24 hours before departure under our Standard Plan or right up to departure with our Platinum Plan. Your reservation may be easily cancelled for any reason whatsoever - no claim forms to submit or fine print to review. YOU GET MONEY BACK. Holland America Line refunds 80-90% of eligible amounts paid, regardless of your reason for canceling, as long as you cancel more than 24 hours prior to departure (right up to departure with the Platinum Plan). (note: bolded in red is mine) I believe the rep was correct. He said the non-refundable deposits were not part of the ins. (I don't know if this is new to HAL's website or not, but it is there it is) I think they can use the "eligible" part to not refund the original non-refundable deposit! Yes, I saw that and I realize that might be an out. I was suggesting, however, to check with the insurance underwriter before you accept the rep's words. They are frequently wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDVinNC Posted July 21, 2017 #144 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I would think a credit card chargeback might be possible for someone who booked on board and was not told the deposit was non-refundable UNLESS the paperwork states that the deposit is not refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 21, 2017 #145 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I would think a credit card chargeback might be possible for someone who booked on board and was not told the deposit was non-refundable UNLESS the paperwork states that the deposit is not refundable. I think there is a time limit on chargebacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDVinNC Posted July 21, 2017 #146 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Yes there is a time limit but I think it is 60 days. Plenty of time to request one when you get back from your cruise - unless of course you lucky enough to be on a World Cruise or some other really long one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted July 21, 2017 #147 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I just spoke with the underwriter of the CPP, and she confirmed that the initial, non-refundable deposit is refundable under the CPP. The policy clearly provides that, so I didn't understand how HAL could decide that the insurance carrier would not reimburse these deposits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1of4 Posted July 21, 2017 #148 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Sorry, but I STRONGLY disagree. The footnote is so small that you nearly need a magnifying glass (and yes, I have 20/20 vision). HAL has totally changed their way of doing business with no heads up. I can't recall the last time there were specials on HAL with a non refundable deposit (unless you were inside the final payment window). Sorry, I disagree. It's not transparent and makes it hard to see the real price without it. I am NOT impressed. And some people think I am a cheerleader ;) This is as bad as when they brought out the no wine policy without notice. Yes, they changed that after they got enough protests. this, to me is misleading. Regular HAL cruisers could miss this and it was NOT there two days ago when my cruise price dropped. That is misleading. OK, HAL has crappy IT, I know, but this is not something you play with. But what do I know? I just believe in honest, good business practices. This is a complete switch from what HAL has done in the past. If they can email me about shore excursions and all the other stuff, why not email everyone who has a booking and give them a heads up and save a lot of agents a lot of work? Why don't they get their website fixed and give us the option to see the alternate pricing? So now, to get the "real price" I have to call? Seriously??? Not a happy camper, and I do think it's misleading, sorry. I am with you Kazu. I have had to cancel 3 cruises that we had every intention to taking at the time of booking. We love to cruise. But when my doctor writes in her notes that I am not ready yet that changes everything. Who know that 27 months later I would still be sick? Now we have FCC and I am afraid to even look! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phinu Posted July 21, 2017 #149 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I always get HAL's insurance so I can get 90% of the fare back if I cancel. Please note; the insurance says refund of applicable fees. You will not get refund of the non refundable deposit. This was told to us by our HAL representative we deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted July 21, 2017 #150 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Unless all other mass market cruise lines follow suit this will have a negative impact on HAL. TA's do not want issues with customers when the cancel/change a cruise if the deposit is non refundable. They will go with the path of least resistance/issues. That means recommending a cruise line with different business and booking practices. The only concern is that other cruise lines follow implement the same policy. They are probably doing the wait and see dance. Have to agree though, even if HAL wants to institute this policy they are going about it in the worst possible way. When it comes to money and services reputable firms with good business and customer communication policies very clearly and in bold print typically highlight such restrictions. Fine print or no print does not cut it from a consumer perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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