Prices listed on HAL web page increase substantially when trying to "book" a cruise

[calteacher]

Several times I have looked at a sailing on HAL and find a very reasonable price for a verandah (sometimes less than an outside cabin), but when I try to do a fake booking, that "reasonable" price has disappeared and the price now showing may be twice as expensive as the "lead-in" price. Anyone have any idea why this happens?

 

Most recent is the January 18 circle Hawaii cruise from San Diego. The first screen shows a veranda at $2,599; and ocean-view at $3,249, and Signature Suite at $5,999. When I try to do a booking, it shows the least expensive veranda to be $5,999 and an Upper Veranda at $6,179.

 

It certainly makes you think there are less expensive cabins until one actually tries to book the cabin. Has anyone else had this happen?

[LMaxwell]

Every time I have toyed with doing s booking this happens and the grand total is significantly higher than anticipated

[boze9999]

HAL's website can be confusing at best when you're trying to book a cruise. Frequently you look at an offering, quoted as you stated. Sometimes, it's actually for the same ship/route but a different date (drop down menu) which changes the price (up or down). Sometimes it depends on if you're accessing from one of their promo priced cruises - and then when you switch the date the price changes. I used to think if I signed in, my price would go up - commonly now, as a frequent HAL cruiser and casino player (not big time!), I get better rates than if I didn't sign in! It's kind of like airlines - log in at different times/days and you'll get "inventory controlled pricing"!

[Hflors]

Also sometimes that lower price in a category is if you book a "guarantee" and let HAL actually assign you a room. It is # 2 in the booking process. Right below stateroom and "deck and location" do you see "We select your room"? If you click on that you will see the lower price.

 

I hope this helps

[Scrapnana]

From what I have seen (and I often do dummy bookings to find the price for a solo cruiser), the prices are for the lowest grade cabin in each category. Often these are the first to sell out so what is available is a higher grade for a higher price. As Hflors mentions, you can usually book a guarantee for that "from" price.

 

I was recently looking into a cruise and the lowest grade ocean view cabins sold out while I was trying to decide. Therefore I booked a guarantee for the same price that I would have paid if there was a cabin available in that lowest grade.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have a friend who doesn't have a computer but always has me look up prices for her. She got real excited one time when I pulled up the category and she saw the price. I told her -- it won't be that price once you select a cabin. The prices you see are for guarantees.

[Lady Arwen]

This happened to us a few days ago. We booked a cruise on Prinsendam for 2019 at an excellent price (got our casino discount of $900.00 per person) and also included the Cyber Sale with free gratuities and bev card. On Thursday, I did a mock booking to check prices for a friend and the main page showed the prices the same as the day before, but when I went in to book those prices had doubled and the guarantee prices were the same! I tried all day and the same thing happened. I was going to call HAL on Friday to inquire about the huge difference in price.

 

Friday morning I did another mock booking and now the main page was showing those new, extremely high prices as did the booking page. I assume that HAL had raised prices, but the tech people hadn't changed the main page to match at the same time. Well, I'm happy because my $4500.00 (for 2) 12 day cruise, including grats, is now priced at over $9000.00, even with our casino discount! How the heck is this possible??? Thank goodness we secured our booking with a deposit before this happened!

[Wayfairers]

What is a mock booking?

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

What is a mock booking?

 

 

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You do a booking but then X out of it without entering payment info.

[Lady Arwen]

What is a mock booking?

 

 

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Do exactly the same process as you would if you were doing a new booking, but apply the dates, sailing and ship the same as the cruise you already have booked. Prices will indicate either the same price you paid or you'll see if they went up or down. I do this frequently to see if there are any price drops that I can take advantage of prior to final payment.

[Wayfairers]

Thanks. I do this but didn’t realize it was called a mock booking.

 

 

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[Lady Arwen]

Thanks. I do this but didn’t realize it was called a mock booking.

 

 

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I think it's a term made up by cruise critic members...lol

[Wayfairers]

Hahahaha

 

 

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[catl331]

When I try to do a booking, it shows the least expensive veranda to be $5,999 and an Upper Veranda at $6,179.

I think where you are going wrong is not picking the section of the ship where those lowest price cabins are located. For that same cruise I find cabins 1106 and 1108 available for $3,249 and cabins 4001 and 4002 for $2,599.

 

 

Edited December 2, 2017 by catl331

[catl331]

p.s. - the $5,999 and $6,179 prices are for Signature Suites on the Navigation deck (8038) and Upper Verandah deck (6059) respectively.

 

Note that the veranda cabins 4001 and 4002 are marked as a "limited time offer" and may be gone if you don't book soon.

 

This is a special fare being offered for a limited time, with certain limitations that apply:

• Payment must be made in full at the time of booking.

• This specially priced promotion is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment unless you purchase one of our Cancellation Protection Plans at time of booking.

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Edited December 2, 2017 by catl331