Free Cruise Offer - Has anybody received this?

[vswan]

I booked with this promo for Feb. 2021. I was also put on a hold, but when I finalized the booking was able to choose which cabin I wanted within the obstructed balcony category that I had upgraded to. PCC also left on the reservation that I was open to an upgrade - who knows. Received my confirmation the day I finalized. This was a day or so before the layoff, have no idea if she is still employed, but my paperwork is in the system. Think it's a strange situation to lay off the people who take reservations - their primary source of income at this point....

[msmayor]

1 hour ago, VTcruisenut said:

So I received the free offer and decided to go out on a limb and book it for next March.  I talked to my HAL cruise contact and told him I needed to firm up my plans with a friend first. The offer required us to pay $200 per person for the Oceanview cabin at free with $250 casino play and drinks.  My consultant put a HOLD on the cabin for 24 hours he said and we were to call in on Friday to make the $200 payment.  I called several times on Friday to upgrade to a balcony and to pay and left him 4 messages.  Also left 2 messages on the general voice mail.  I got concerned we would lose the deal so I went on the website and entered my reservation code to make the payment online.  The payment wouldn't process!  Called my credit card company, it was not my card or their issue, but a HAL issue.  I got home from work and heard on the news 2000 employees of HAL were laid off.  Here it is Monday a.m. and no call back and I can't process the payment.  I'm not sure I want them holding my $$$ up either and at this point it doesn't look good for cruising even next March............sigh.  hopeful for another offer when this mess is over! 

 

I gave some serious thought to booking a March or April 2021 trip, but after reading of the layoffs I decided to pause.  

 

IMO this puts a big question mark on HAL (or any cruise line's) ability to get things up and running reasonably soon so I can see what to expect in less than a year.  It's a good deal, but not so good that I'm willing to risk it with this many unknowns right now.

[srpilo]

I have a question...

Does any of the people receiving these casino promo's have pending FCC's from canceled cruises,  and if so can you apply your FCC's or are these Promo's targeted specifically at "fresh money" bookings only ? 

 

Just curious

Srpilo

[vswan]

I did not have FCC on HAL, but did on NCL. I was somewhat surprised by the offer. Although I have gone to the ships casinos, I am a limited gambler playing an average of $20 or less per day. My husband plays even less, and didn't receive the offer.

[mollygirl]

18 hours ago, srpilo said:

I have a question...

Does any of the people receiving these casino promo's have pending FCC's from canceled cruises,  and if so can you apply your FCC's or are these Promo's targeted specifically at "fresh money" bookings only ? 

 

Just curious

Srpilo

Good question.  I didn’t have any FCCs.  Mine was a casino offer for a free inside, but by the time you upgrade to upgrade to a balcony, pay taxes and port fees, along with $200 per person deposit, it ends up being anything but free.  They are doing this to get money up front so they can stay afloat (pun intended!). 

[tntornadox]

So, just to confirm from those who have taken this offer. They are asking for the $200 per person deposit/OBC and the Port Fees & Taxes at the time of booking?

[VTcruisenut]

8 minutes ago, tntornadox said:

So, just to confirm from those who have taken this offer. They are asking for the $200 per person deposit/OBC and the Port Fees & Taxes at the time of booking?

The offer I got was for a free oceanview cabin, with $250 casino play and free drinks while in the casino playing.  They were asking for $200 pp to hold the cabin and that would be returned to you as an OBC when you sail.  Port fees and Taxes to be paid at 90 days prior to sail as they didn't have the updated rates for those and anticipated they would be going up.  I tried to make my payment, no one answered the phone or returned my call after the 2000+ employees were laid off!  I tried to make the payment on line and it wouldn't process my credit card, it said "the website was experiencing issues"   I gave up.  last I looked the booking was still on my account pending a payment being made!

[VTcruisenut]

On 5/18/2020 at 1:13 PM, msmayor said:

 

I gave some serious thought to booking a March or April 2021 trip, but after reading of the layoffs I decided to pause.  

 

IMO this puts a big question mark on HAL (or any cruise line's) ability to get things up and running reasonably soon so I can see what to expect in less than a year.  It's a good deal, but not so good that I'm willing to risk it with this many unknowns right now.

same here.  We decided there will be more offers!

 

[RedHeadTexan]

On 5/20/2020 at 12:07 PM, tntornadox said:

So, just to confirm from those who have taken this offer. They are asking for the $200 per person deposit/OBC and the Port Fees & Taxes at the time of booking?

I booked with the offer on Wednesday, and yes, $200pp plus port, fees, and taxes due at the time of booking.  We booked the Nieuw Amsterdam for Feb 2021.  We did the free inside and did not upgrade.  I am fine taking the risk with a guarantee inside.  

[CineGraphic]

They sent out another offer last week, not free cabins, but greatly reduced cabins for longer sailings.

We booked a 14 day TA for $499, which included free play and "VIP boarding and disembarkation privileges", a welcome aboard party, drinks while playing, a farewell party with prize drawing, and free entries into the slot and bj tournaments.

We had to put down $1200, with a balance due of $47, lol.

[FredT]

So my sister just got this offer.  (Interesting because she does NOT gamble, never has)  Being the curious type, I called up to inquire.   

 

1)   Nope, it is ONLY for the recipient, we could not use it even though she has traveled only once on HAL and my wife and I are 4 star.....

2)  Nope, the second person in the "free" inside stateroom has to pay full fare.

3)  Nope, you can NOT book 2 rooms on this promotion (Second room is at full fare)

4)  Nope, the "$99.00 upgrade to an ocean view" REALLY reads "99.00 AND UP"  (And all three sailings I checked it was really $299.00 to an obstructed view stateroom)

5)  Remember, that you have to put down $200.00 deposit..... OR MORE if you upgrade.   

 

Boy is this one EVER a "bait and switch"     Sort of sad considering the time we are living in!

 

 

 

[tntornadox]

2 minutes ago, FredT said:

2)  Nope, the second person in the "free" inside stateroom has to pay full fare.

 

The terms and conditions state:

Prevailing cruise fare for 3rd/4th guests will apply. The cruise related and other travel expenses noted above shall apply to your complimentary guest.

[FredT]

22 minutes ago, tntornadox said:

 

The terms and conditions state:

Prevailing cruise fare for 3rd/4th guests will apply. The cruise related and other travel expenses noted above shall apply to your complimentary guest.

Yep, saw that.....  But when you call HAL, they say thats not the case.  I even tried HUCA (Hang up call again) and got the same line from a second agent.   

[Cruisin Kay D]

The unusual email was sent in my name (I make all the bookings).  We prefer balcony cabins & chose to pay upgrade to verandah -- both of us have the same fare.   None of our cruising companions got this email, some 3-star (as we are) and 1 is 4-star!!   Last 2 HA cruises were on Maasdam and Veendam, and we avoided the casino because smoking is allowed.   If smoking was not allowed, we would use the casino.   

I chose a 14 day cruise -- the upgrade verandah price is 1/4 of the regular verandah guarantee booking price, plus the normal taxes & port fees -- we are still much better off..... 

Edited May 27, 2020 by Cruisin Kay D

[weirdo0521]

On 5/16/2020 at 8:54 PM, bz said:

I received one last week.  When my TA checked it out (We were going for a suite) it was a very good deal.  The code was a casino code, which is interesting because I've never spent more than $40 per cruise in the casino.  With all the changes up top and big layoffs, all the uncertainty in what a cruise will be like in Jan/Feb, we decided to pass, maybe pick something up last minute in February.

My spouse and two of my kids received the offer Only one previous HAL cruise, and only played the slots once each. 

[weirdo0521]

On 5/19/2020 at 7:23 AM, mollygirl said:

Good question.  I didn’t have any FCCs.  Mine was a casino offer for a free inside, but by the time you upgrade to upgrade to a balcony, pay taxes and port fees, along with $200 per person deposit, it ends up being anything but free.  They are doing this to get money up front so they can stay afloat (pun intended!). 

That's a different offer than the one the OP shared. When you choose a Verandah category for $199, the cruise fare is $399, with $200 becoming an OBC.  Guaranteed VH with tax and port charges  comes out to $569 per person. Pretty good deal if one is willing to take the risk.

[weirdo0521]

On 5/26/2020 at 12:24 PM, FredT said:

Yep, saw that.....  But when you call HAL, they say thats not the case.  I even tried HUCA (Hang up call again) and got the same line from a second agent.   

We reserved several sailings, second passenger was same as  first. The third/fourth fare is more in line with regular fare

[CineGraphic]

On 5/26/2020 at 12:57 PM, FredT said:

Boy is this one EVER a "bait and switch"     Sort of sad considering the time we are living in!

 

Just because a person doesn't read the fine print, or understand the terms of a deal, does not make this a bait & switch scheme.

[maryandmarge]

This is the first time I've ever received a casino offer.   Which shouldn't be a surprise because I'm not a big gambler - just play the slots for an hour or so in the evening on a cruise.    I was able to book an 11 day Southern Caribbean cruise Feb 17, 2021- guaranteed oceanview room - 2 people - $200/per person - $181/per person port expenses - $99/ea cancellation insurance for a total of $960.   On top of that we each receive $200 OBC credit to use.   We have been spoiled because we've always gotten a balcony room but the difference in the cost just made sense to go with the oceanview room.   Plenty of places on the deck of the ship to go out and sit and read and people watch.       It's 8 month off so I'm hoping things will be closer to normal at that time.     The inside cabins are going for $1200+ so it seemed like a good time to take a chance.    Who knows - I might never get another offer like this one.    Just wanted to post this so people realize that you don't have to be a big gambler to get offers - I think its just a random pick.      

[VTcruisenut]

13 hours ago, maryandmarge said:

This is the first time I've ever received a casino offer.   Which shouldn't be a surprise because I'm not a big gambler - just play the slots for an hour or so in the evening on a cruise.    I was able to book an 11 day Southern Caribbean cruise Feb 17, 2021- guaranteed oceanview room - 2 people - $200/per person - $181/per person port expenses - $99/ea cancellation insurance for a total of $960.   On top of that we each receive $200 OBC credit to use.   We have been spoiled because we've always gotten a balcony room but the difference in the cost just made sense to go with the oceanview room.   Plenty of places on the deck of the ship to go out and sit and read and people watch.       It's 8 month off so I'm hoping things will be closer to normal at that time.     The inside cabins are going for $1200+ so it seemed like a good time to take a chance.    Who knows - I might never get another offer like this one.    Just wanted to post this so people realize that you don't have to be a big gambler to get offers - I think its just a random pick.      

WE missed out on the first offer we got when I posted this, HAL  had major lay-offs and I couldn't get thru to make the required payment.  However, I got an offer last week, we booked a 7 day leaving March 31st.   It was Free for oceanview (which I have never had) you pay $200 to hold it and get the $200 as on board credit when you sail. plus port fees and taxes.  Great deal!  However, we upgraded to a balcony (again, I have never had) for $299 pp and port and taxes and still get the $200 on board credit when we go.  We are hopeful!

[maryandmarge]

3 hours ago, VTcruisenut said:

WE missed out on the first offer we got when I posted this, HAL  had major lay-offs and I couldn't get thru to make the required payment.  However, I got an offer last week, we booked a 7 day leaving March 31st.   It was Free for oceanview (which I have never had) you pay $200 to hold it and get the $200 as on board credit when you sail. plus port fees and taxes.  Great deal!  However, we upgraded to a balcony (again, I have never had) for $299 pp and port and taxes and still get the $200 on board credit when we go.  We are hopeful!

I thought about upgrading to a balcony yesterday when we put this on hold with Holland.    It would have been another $500/per person for the 11 day cruise.    Decided to think about it and now its not offered - so I guess it wasn't meant to be.   I'm happy with our deal and hopefully we will both be able to take advantage of these great offers.    

[cruzcat]

I got this offer. Sounded good so I booked for a balcony. Price was $ 199 & they added in the $ 200 onboard credit. I thought it was a good deal since we would get the onboard credit when we sailed.  Even with our flight & hotel it was ony around $ 900 per person. 

[maryandmarge]

On 6/30/2020 at 2:01 PM, maryandmarge said:

I thought about upgrading to a balcony yesterday when we put this on hold with Holland.    It would have been another $500/per person for the 11 day cruise.    Decided to think about it and now its not offered - so I guess it wasn't meant to be.   I'm happy with our deal and hopefully we will both be able to take advantage of these great offers.    

Checked again and the balcony was available the next day for an additional $600 per person.   It is in the partial obstructed view from lifeboat on deck below but after thinking about it we decided if something happens and they quarantine everyone to their rooms we'll be happy we paid the extra $$ to be able to go outside and get fresh air as opposed to being in a oceanview.   So room, taxes and port fees, and insurance, less the  $200 OBC came to $880 for the 11 day cruise.     Now keeping fingers crossed that ships will be sailing again before February.      Happy July 4th to everyone - stay safe. 

[bluesplayer]

I received the same offer as OP.  I upgraded to a Vista on the Koningsgam to Mexico.   I have never received an offer like this and was so excited I called and booked not knowing the ports!  It seems people on this thread are talking about some different offers.  Mine was like the OP where you are offered a free Oceanview (upgrades available for a fee)  and pay 200. pp and receive a 200. on board credit.  Hoping this will sail!!  San Diego here we come!!   Does anyone know if you accumulate Mariner credits on these discounted sailings?  

Edited July 4, 2020 by bluesplayer
spell

[JanDom]

In Germany we never get offers like this :(
We never got an upgrade offer or a special price offer. Nothing...
we also often see different prices while on board the ships. There we see the US price and then we will get another price in € ....
We hoped after changing to a three star member it will change, but now we would have changed to four star (now we will change next year because the cruise was cancelled) and also did not get anything like this :(


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