Did I miss a deal?

[trex-de]

Hi,

DW and I were just at a fundraiser where a 7 day Holland America cruise from either Ft. Lauderdale or a west Coast port went for $810. Unobstructed ocean view was advertised with holiday blackout. No expiration date. The winner had to pay port and other taxes as well.

 

We we are a 50 year old couple who are platinum on NCL and close to that on Carnival.  Veteran cruisers.  We were really really tempted but know nothing about Holland America. 

 

Did we we miss a deal ?

 

thanks

[Mary229]

You can go to HAL’s website and look up prices.  The best sale is usually Thanksgiving weekend when they offer great prices and prepaid gratuities.   I like HAL for their small ships and unique itineraries.  If you prefer a larger ship and a 7 day journey I think most of the major lines are pretty comparable to each other. 

[Homosassa]

No, you didn't miss a deal.  I just check my favorite cruise website and saw 7 night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale in January 2020 with prices for an oceanview ranging from $580 - $710. Price includes port fees but not the taxes.

[trex-de]

Just for clarification:  The silent auction closed at $810 so it would be $405 pp before taxes and fees.  

 

Thinking more, NCL is Freestyle.  Carnival has the Funship. What is the democratic of HAL?

[oaktreerb]

Maybe.  This was a fundraiser wasn’t it?   Mexican Riviera and Caribbean cruises are not likely to be very expensive.  Unobstructed ocean view is the most expensive ocean view category..depending on the location.  There are so many discount rates it’s hard to follow...including casino rates.   An Alaska west coast cruise would be more expensive...depending on the time of year.   HAL would probably want to “upsell” you to a veranda.  You probably saved yourself some aggravation.

 

A 50 year old that likes a mid size ship would be in the HAL demographic.  It depends on the cruise.  I’m guessing the West Coast departure would be out of San Diego (Mexico) or Seattle (Alaska).  

Edited April 28, 2019 by oaktreerb

[bateau4]

Depending on how much of the summer was blocked off, this could be a very reasonable pp price for an Alaska cruise in this category, provided the cabin wasn't noisy.

[trex-de]

Thanks to all. 

 

As as another thought, has anyone on this forum tell me some comparisons between HAL and NCL and/or Carnival?  Never cruised HAL. 

 

Thanks

[Homosassa]

38 minutes ago, trex-de said:

Thanks to all. 

 

As as another thought, has anyone on this forum tell me some comparisons between HAL and NCL and/or Carnival?  Never cruised HAL. 

 

Thanks

To be blunt; Carnival is Walmart, NCL is Target, and HAL is Macy's. Think of the shoppers one might see in the three stores and you have your answer.

[FlaMariner]

5 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

To be blunt; Carnival is Walmart, NCL is Target, and HAL is Macy's. Think of the shoppers one might see in the three stores and you have your answer.

 

That is the best "elevator pitch" for who sails what.  And I can concur as I've sailed on all 3.

[sammiedawg]

10 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

To be blunt; Carnival is Walmart, NCL is Target, and HAL is Macy's. Think of the shoppers one might see in the three stores and you have your answer.

 

Have not sailed Carnival or NCL but Holland America is no longer Macy’s.  The last couple ones were Kohl’s level.  It was Macy’s ten or twelve years ago but it is now a value line, a la Kohl’s. 

[DaveOKC]

18 hours ago, trex-de said:

Hi,

DW and I were just at a fundraiser where a 7 day Holland America cruise from either Ft. Lauderdale or a west Coast port went for $810. Unobstructed ocean view was advertised with holiday blackout. No expiration date. The winner had to pay port and other taxes as well.

 

We we are a 50 year old couple who are platinum on NCL and close to that on Carnival.  Veteran cruisers.  We were really really tempted but know nothing about Holland America. 

 

Did we we miss a deal ?

 

thanks

I would say that you missed a deal, since a similar cabin for two should easily run over $1000 plus taxes and fees.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

3 hours ago, sammiedawg said:

 

Have not sailed Carnival or NCL but Holland America is no longer Macy’s.  The last couple ones were Kohl’s level.  It was Macy’s ten or twelve years ago but it is now a value line, a la Kohl’s. 

 

Noy to get too off topic but Macy’s is not what it once was either. They compete more directly with Kohls than they do Bloomingdales or Neiman Marcus. 

 

HAL is still a cut above cruise lines like Carnival and NCL in many ways.  That said ALL the mainstream cruise lines, including HAL, have been undergoing major cutbacks/changes.  Read the boards for Celebrity, Princess, HAL, Royal, NCL and Carnival.... you will find countless threads bemoaning the changes!!!!

[trex-de]

Thanks. The shopping metaphor is interesting but I am not a shopper. 

 

I surmise that Walmart is low cost, period?  Target is a bit of a step up?  Macy’s is higher perceived quality at a price?  

 

I am really interested in some of the differences. I spend most of my CC time on NCL and know all the benefits and warts of NCL. I love cruising. Am I missing something by not considering HAL? 

 

Thanks

[Homosassa]

6 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

 

That is the best "elevator pitch" for who sails what.  And I can concur as I've sailed on all 3.

 

22 minutes ago, trex-de said:

Thanks. The shopping metaphor is interesting but I am not a shopper. 

 

I surmise that Walmart is low cost, period?  Target is a bit of a step up?  Macy’s is higher perceived quality at a price?  

 

I am really interested in some of the differences. I spend most of my CC time on NCL and know all the benefits and warts of NCL. I love cruising. Am I missing something by not considering HAL? 

 

Thanks

I have cruised all three lines also.

 

LOL - Target has shoppers who think it is a step up, but in reality, Target has a lot in common with Walmart.

 

3 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

 

Noy to get too off topic but Macy’s is not what it once was either. They compete more directly with Kohls than they do Bloomingdales or Neiman Marcus. 

 

HAL is still a cut above cruise lines like Carnival and NCL in many ways.  That said ALL the mainstream cruise lines, including HAL, have been undergoing major cutbacks/changes.  Read the boards for Celebrity, Princess, HAL, Royal, NCL and Carnival.... you will find countless threads bemoaning the changes!!!!

Yes, I guess I have to agree about Kohl's as compared to Macy's. My own personal theory is that because Princess and HAL were targeted to the same cruising demographic, Carnival Corp is repositioning HAL as the bridge between the Costa/Carnival cruises and the higher end lines in the corporate family.