Explor 4 Question

[cruzin4us]

If I have already booked a cruise and they offer the Explor 4 package, would this be something I would be able to apply towards my cruise or is it only for future cruises that I book during the promotion?

[POA1]

Usually it's only on future trips. However, our TA got our Eurodam trip rerated last year with no price increase. It never hurts to try.

[debkaysmith]

On our recent Baltic cruise, we added Explore 4 about 6 months after booking with no trouble at all. It cost more, but cost less in the long run for us. Good Luck.

[DaveOKC]

It depends on the fare you booked under. Some you can add for free at the current fare rate, while others could cuase you to lose your deposit.

[Krazy Kruizers]

All you can do is ask -- there is no telling what HAL will tell you.

A few years ago we tried to add the Explore4 to our 21 day Westerdam cruise (back in 2013) -- we were told "no". We had the Pinnacle Suite booked at full fare -- no discount and HAL refused us.

We chose not to buy the Signature Beverage Package as we do not drink a lot and felt it was not worth buying.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

If you are outside final payment/penalty, and the original fare you were booked under was not restricted (non-refundable deposit, non-refundable advance purchase, etc) then there would be no reason they would not refare/rebook you to be able to take advantage of the promotion. Be aware though that when you are refared that your booking will be subject tot he prevailing rates at the time you make the change, which may be higher. Be aware that if you are ever booked into a Travel Agency Open/Promotional Group fare (usually lower than published fares) those are NOT combineable with other HAL promos like Explore4, Ready Set Sail, Anniversary Sale etc.

 

When refaring I always tell clients we have to look at the the then current price and the value of the promotion to make sure they are getting a deal that is worth it to them.

[msmayor]

Also remember that for the most part, any perks you might have now with the current booking will go away if you want to apply Explore 4. You generally cannot stack multiple promotions.

 

That being said, we were able to combine the Explore 4 promotion last year with a casino rate, but not everyone is eligible for that rate. We also did not lose the OBC we received as a piece of the Future Cruise Certificate we used to put the deposit on our cruise. Had we had OBC as a promotional part of the initial booking, though, we'd have lost that in order to take Explore 4.

[cruzin4us]

Thank you all for answering my question.....it makes much more sense to me now!

[TheCalicoCat]

If I have already booked a cruise and they offer the Explor 4 package, would this be something I would be able to apply towards my cruise or is it only for future cruises that I book during the promotion?

 

I switched from view & verandah to Explore 4 - just call your travel agent.

[I'llGoAnywhere]

Also remember that for the most part, any perks you might have now with the current booking will go away if you want to apply Explore 4. You generally cannot stack multiple promotions.

 

That being said, we were able to combine the Explore 4 promotion last year with a casino rate, but not everyone is eligible for that rate. We also did not lose the OBC we received as a piece of the Future Cruise Certificate we used to put the deposit on our cruise. Had we had OBC as a promotional part of the initial booking, though, we'd have lost that in order to take Explore 4.

 

Can someone explain to me what "a casino rate" is? Thanks!

[msmayor]

Can someone explain to me what "a casino rate" is? Thanks!

 

It's a rate offered to customers who spend time in the casino.

 

Play in the casino is tracked via your seapass...it goes in a slot at the machines, or the dealers swipe it and record your 'purchase' of chips. At table games, the pit bosses who watch play will keep some statistics on the bets you make and your play in general. The bigger the player, the bigger the discounts on future cruises.

 

My husband and I are not what one would consider 'big' gamblers, but we spend time nearly every day in the casino. We get to know the staff early on. We enter blackjack tournaments (which also gets recorded). All of this gets counted toward our rating, and then HAL decides how much of a discount we can get to entice us back in the future, because the figure we'll spend more in the casino.

 

We've received offers of free inside staterooms on select cruises, and fares as low as $799 for a week in a Neptune Suite. The rates vary by ship and itinerary and time of year.

 

Our PCC keeps me informed regarding our eligibility.