Private sale

[GrammieK]

I received an email from HAL announcing a private sale. Tried on line to book a cruise that I had been researching. Whenever I would get to choose a cabin, an error message came up and said call HAL. I called my PCC and after investigation, she said I was not eligible for the special sale and that’s why the error message came up. 
 

huh?  I hadn’t even gotten to the point of entering the private sale code!  So I tried again and same problem. My PCC then told me the private sale code was only for cruises thru March 2020. 
 

Today I received my cruise atlas with.... a private sale leaflet and that cruise I was researching is there again!  I called HAL direct and spoke to a representative who, after 10 minutes of investigating, told me the new code I have can’t be found. Could I please email or fax a copy of the leaflet to her!  WHAT?

 

should I really have to work so hard to give them my money?  Big box is looking pretty good right now!

 

anyone else have this problem or is it just me?

[DaveOKC]

We get Private Sales from time to time and they are usually pretty good deals.  The mailer may have both of our names on it, but in reality it only works for my DW!  I have to log in to her account and then the sale information and pricing appears, so try that (use both parties log ins) and see what happens.  My DW's name appears first on the mailings for some reason.

 

Usually the Private Sales are only for specific sailings, but I have used them for bookings up to a year out. 

 

I never had to use a specific code, just my DW's login.

[Andi Land]

2 hours ago, GrammieK said:

I received an email from HAL announcing a private sale. Tried on line to book a cruise that I had been researching. Whenever I would get to choose a cabin, an error message came up and said call HAL. I called my PCC and after investigation, she said I was not eligible for the special sale and that’s why the error message came up. 
 

huh?  I hadn’t even gotten to the point of entering the private sale code!  So I tried again and same problem. My PCC then told me the private sale code was only for cruises thru March 2020. 
 

Today I received my cruise atlas with.... a private sale leaflet and that cruise I was researching is there again!  I called HAL direct and spoke to a representative who, after 10 minutes of investigating, told me the new code I have can’t be found. Could I please email or fax a copy of the leaflet to her!  WHAT?

 

should I really have to work so hard to give them my money?  Big box is looking pretty good right now!

 

anyone else have this problem or is it just me?

I had the same problem. They were eventually able to locate the code in their database. She had to call another department. She told me only the cruises in bold print were included in the private sale offer. 

[ajcathy]

I had the same error code and I just assumed it was the usual problem with HAl's website.  I was checking the price of a cruise I had booked months ago.  I looked at some of the private sale offers we had gotten and decided the lower price I was seeing on the website was coming up because the website recognized that I was eligible for the  new lower price after I logged in. I had to have my TA call HAL since they will only deal with the TA.  I was able to find an offer code on one of the emails I had gotten and, after quite a bit of conversation, my TA got a price that is about 25 percent lower than before.  I suggest you try again and ask for a supervisor.  Also, look at the information you have and see if there is a code of some kind.  Worse case copy and fax.  It might very well be worth it.

Hope this helps

[mcrcruiser]

A HAL snafu

[I like vacation]

Anyone know the criteria to receive a private sale email?  I never get anything from HAL, Viking on the other hand.....🙄

[crystalspin]

I got an email for a special or private offer last summer/early fall, from Princess, to add 240min wifi . Turned out it was sent to the wrong person! My CVP got it honored for the three passengers in my room but not the adjoining room also booked by me.

 

Yes I know this is the Holland America forum, but the experience seems related.

[JR42]

7 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

We get Private Sales from time to time and they are usually pretty good deals.  The mailer may have both of our names on it, but in reality it only works for my DW!  I have to log in to her account and then the sale information and pricing appears, so try that (use both parties log ins) and see what happens.  My DW's name appears first on the mailings for some reason.

 

Usually the Private Sales are only for specific sailings, but I have used them for bookings up to a year out. 

 

I never had to use a specific code, just my DW's login.

Dave

do you apply for the shareholders benefits and do you receive them?

thanks

Janet

[GrammieK]

Thank you, all, for your thoughts and ideas!  I’ll try again today and I will ask for a supervisor this time. 
 

thanks again!

[DaveOKC]

4 hours ago, JR42 said:

Dave

do you apply for the shareholders benefits and do you receive them?

thanks

Janet

Yes, I get them on EVERY cruise - regardless of what promotions I have - private sales, casino rate, and others.

[VTcruisenut]

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Yes, I get them on EVERY cruise - regardless of what promotions I have - private sales, casino rate, and others.

What are the shareholders benefits?  we have cruised 8 or 9 times on HAL never heard of this!

[FlorenceItaly]

47 minutes ago, VTcruisenut said:

What are the shareholders benefits?  we have cruised 8 or 9 times on HAL never heard of this!

It is stockholder credit if you hold 100 shares or more of Carnival stock.

[Alberta Quilter]

47 minutes ago, VTcruisenut said:

What are the shareholders benefits?  we have cruised 8 or 9 times on HAL never heard of this!

 

If you own a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock, you can get a shareholder benefit of onboard credit depending on the length of the cruise.  For less than 7 days, you get $50; if 7 - 13 days, you get $100 and cruises over 14 days gets you $250.

[kazu]

46 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

 cruises over 14 days gets you $250.

 

sorry, just a small correction - cruises of 14 days and over get $250

[Alberta Quilter]

37 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

sorry, just a small correction - cruises of 14 days and over get $250

 

Thanks, kazu!

[DaveOKC]

Shareholder credit is a GREAT deal if you cruise on any of the CCL lines at least once a year (IMO).  So far, we have gotten more than half of our investment back in OBC, plus dividends have covered the rest.  Best part - stock is up 70% over past 8 years I have owned it.

[cl61447]

19 hours ago, GrammieK said:

I received an email from HAL announcing a private sale. Tried on line to book a cruise that I had been researching. Whenever I would get to choose a cabin, an error message came up and said call HAL. I called my PCC and after investigation, she said I was not eligible for the special sale and that’s why the error message came up. 
 

huh?  I hadn’t even gotten to the point of entering the private sale code!  So I tried again and same problem. My PCC then told me the private sale code was only for cruises thru March 2020. 
 

Today I received my cruise atlas with.... a private sale leaflet and that cruise I was researching is there again!  I called HAL direct and spoke to a representative who, after 10 minutes of investigating, told me the new code I have can’t be found. Could I please email or fax a copy of the leaflet to her!  WHAT?

 

should I really have to work so hard to give them my money?  Big box is looking pretty good right now!

 

anyone else have this problem or is it just me?

 

[cl61447]

Just now, cl61447 said:

 

Same here.

 

[iancal]

We do not bother with the cruise lines.  We shop on line.  Narrow it down.  Email our on line TA.  She emails or calls us back to finalize the details.  We give her our credit card data.  Done...sometimes in the space of minutes.

 

Our experience is that our on line TA is as knowledgeable, more efficient, and her agency has much better hours than any of the various cruise line CSR numbers that we have previously tried, including HAL, Princess, and Celebrity.    All that, plus some reasonably unbiased feedback on ships.    Who needs the agro of dealing with cruise line CSR's or worse cruise line web sites-especially the HAL or the Celebrity web sites.

Edited January 4, 2020 by iancal

[cruisemom42]

7 hours ago, Alberta Quilter said:

 

If you own a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock, you can get a shareholder benefit of onboard credit depending on the length of the cruise.  For less than 7 days, you get $50; if 7 - 13 days, you get $100 and cruises over 14 days gets you $250.

 

Can anyone tell me whether there is any restriction on how long you have to own the stock before you can claim the shareholder benefit?  

 

And also, is there some limit to how close to your cruise you can submit to have the credit applied?

[RuthC]

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

Can anyone tell me whether there is any restriction on how long you have to own the stock before you can claim the shareholder benefit?  

You need own it only long enough before sailing to allow time to get verification you do own the stock, and to apply for the credit. 

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

And also, is there some limit to how close to your cruise you can submit to have the credit applied?

I wouldn't want to cut it any closer than a couple of weeks. But then I like to be ahead of schedule.

[I like vacation]

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/shareholder-information/shareholder-benefit

 

"Applications to receive these benefits should be made at least three weeks prior to cruise departure date. This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc. Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer. This benefit is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and, cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account. Only one onboard credit per shareholder-occupied stateroom. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2020. Please provide by fax or by mail your complete legal name, reservation/booking number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with your brokerage account number blacked out) no later than 3 weeks prior to your sail date to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below."

 

[VermeulT]

I'm 3 star and NEVER receive private sale or pretty much any communication from HAL.  2 NCL and 1 Princess cruise and I get emails from them several times per week. Nothing from HAL. I don't get it.

[DaveOKC]

1 minute ago, VermeulT said:

I'm 3 star and NEVER receive private sale or pretty much any communication from HAL.  2 NCL and 1 Princess cruise and I get emails from them several times per week. Nothing from HAL. I don't get it.

Have your TA check with HAL on this.   There maybe some issue with your "settings".  We fill out surveys when HAL asks about where we are interested in traveling.

[YXU AC*SE]

2 hours ago, VermeulT said:

I'm 3 star and NEVER receive private sale or pretty much any communication from HAL.  2 NCL and 1 Princess cruise and I get emails from them several times per week. Nothing from HAL. I don't get it.

 

Most orgs w/ a large customer base and a finite amount of marketing dollars (think re-price -- ie targeted discounts, or marketing collateral - direct mail, email etc)  construct SPIs -- sales propensity indices -- to rank their base and target their marketing and offer spend.  If your SPI score resembles someone who routinely books cruises at prevailing market rates with little to no incentive -- as much as you would love a deal, why would I as an company needlessly proactively market or discount a cruise that your previous behaviour (as calculated using SPI) says you're willing to book without? 

 

How this works in principle?   Typically, I am the cruise booker on my HAL account -- mainly b/c I know my Mariner number without looking it up.  We're both four stars.  Our last Nieuw Statendam TA (Oct 27th) I priced under my account and got an attractive price.   Priced it under partner's account, and received a substantial per person rate deduction, even though we have identical HAL sailing histories. (HAL says, "Oh look, you haven't booked a cruise in a while, what can we do to close the deal??") We each receive separate (almost never duplicate targeted direct mail / e-mails -- each with different offers and pricing) -- all based on that sale propensity index (or whatever targeting methodology they employ.)

 

Scott.   

   

Edited January 5, 2020 by YXU AC*SE