HAL and cancelled cruises - how far out?

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

It may have been posted here but I can't find it. How far into 2020 has HAL cancelled cruises?

 

I am booked on a Coastal Oct 17th and I assume it will be cancelled but it still appears in my account.

 

I seem to recall also that final payment is now 60 days rather than 90 and that does show on my account.

 

Is it better to cancel now and request the deposit back or FCC that my traveling companions have used for deposit, or wait until the official cancellation.

 

Thanks for responses.

[CruiserBruce]

Generally, cruises have been canceled to mid Oct, officially. Yours is borderline for that.

[DeeDee Groff]

I don't know if this will help you or not, but to hedge my fall 2020 cruising bets, I booked a 40-day sailing from Seattle on September 27 to Auckland while aboard the 30-day Westerdam "Pariah Cruise" that was transferred to a TA at my request.  That cruise was still showing as available for booking several days ago on HAL's website, but my TA advised me of the cancellation in May!  The deposit was, at my option, either fully refundable or given as a FCC at twice the amount.  I took the FCC.

 

The second part of hedging my bets was to book B2B's on the Westerdam sailing in the Med in October.  HAL had the deposits for each all of 11 days when they cancelled the cruises.  The scenario was the same, and I went the same route.  

 

All these doubled deposits were applied against the Oosterdam sailing from Auckland on March 28, 2021 to Seattle.  As of Friday evening, I believe this sailing will be cancelled as well at which point I will choose to have the cumulative deposits applied to my balance on the Grand Africa Voyage sailing on October 5, 2021 RT Fort Lauderdale.  At this point that remains the most viable option I believe I have.

 

If you have managed to follow this narrative so far, I will add that when I booked the Oosterdam sailing mentioned in the paragraph immediately above, I booked Westerdam B2B's sailing from Fort Lauderdale on April 5, 2021 and RT Venice on May 2, 2021.  Most of the time I sail solo, so I am accustomed to planning ahead.

 

Anyone who reads this most probably would like to either flame me as an idiot, imbecile, or moron--or all three--and those more kindly inclined would offer to escort me to the admissions unit of the nearest hospitaI with a psych ward.  I worked all my life so I could travel in my retirement, and I am not yet ready to accept defeat.....

[TiogaCruiser]

@DeeDee Groff

you go, girl!

[SilvertoGold]

22 minutes ago, DeeDee Groff said:

I don't know if this will help you or not, but to hedge my fall 2020 cruising bets, I booked a 40-day sailing from Seattle on September 27 to Auckland while aboard the 30-day Westerdam "Pariah Cruise" that was transferred to a TA at my request.  That cruise was still showing as available for booking several days ago on HAL's website, but my TA advised me of the cancellation in May!  The deposit was, at my option, either fully refundable or given as a FCC at twice the amount.  I took the FCC.

 

The second part of hedging my bets was to book B2B's on the Westerdam sailing in the Med in October.  HAL had the deposits for each all of 11 days when they cancelled the cruises.  The scenario was the same, and I went the same route.  

 

All these doubled deposits were applied against the Oosterdam sailing from Auckland on March 28, 2021 to Seattle.  As of Friday evening, I believe this sailing will be cancelled as well at which point I will choose to have the cumulative deposits applied to my balance on the Grand Africa Voyage sailing on October 5, 2021 RT Fort Lauderdale.  At this point that remains the most viable option I believe I have.

 

If you have managed to follow this narrative so far, I will add that when I booked the Oosterdam sailing mentioned in the paragraph immediately above, I booked Westerdam B2B's sailing from Fort Lauderdale on April 5, 2021 and RT Venice on May 2, 2021.  Most of the time I sail solo, so I am accustomed to planning ahead.

 

Anyone who reads this most probably would like to either flame me as an idiot, imbecile, or moron--or all three--and those more kindly inclined would offer to escort me to the admissions unit of the nearest hospitaI with a psych ward.  I worked all my life so I could travel in my retirement, and I am not yet ready to accept defeat.....

 

I sympathise completely.  Our plans have been to cruise 3 -4 times a year, around 75 - 100 days and now this is on hold for a couple of years, maybe. Glad we have cruised a lot in the past, but it seems little consolation.  I am obsessively looking for what to book with the FCCs, taking into account all the variables and strategies.  

 

Personally I don't see HAL sailing, much, if at all before March or April. Certainly not on many itineraries/destinations. 

 

Good luck with your planning, jut keep booking when once is cancelled. The best you can do and it keeps you in the game :)

[kazu]

8 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

I seem to recall also that final payment is now 60 days rather than 90 and that does show on my account.

 

The new final payment details is on the HAL website and for your cruise it should be the 60 days.  Just keep in mind that the cancellation penalties have not changed.  

 

 

[What was that?]

I'm with the OP on the 17 Oct Classic California Cruise. I am confident it will cancel, especially in light of the renewed incidence of infections. With the increasing trend becoming apparent in June, I decided to pay this cruise in full well ahead of the final payment date. I figured that either it would be paid and I could check that off of my to-do list, or get the advantageous FCC when canceled so I could apply it to a cruise already booked next August. It's a win for me either way.

Although I have had two cruises canceled this year, I do not feel deprived as some others have mentioned - not to criticize them, understand. Different strokes and all that. Though retired, I am able to keep busy with "important" things at home and in the local area. We explored some local trails around Reno this weekend and today I will wash the car, then probably go grocery shopping. I figure I can live with the current state of things by taking care of myself and DW, and when "normal" returns I look forward to going on cruises once again.

[Gigi1977]

23 minutes ago, What was that? said:

 

Although I have had two cruises canceled this year, I do not feel deprived as some others have mentioned - not to criticize them, understand. Different strokes and all that. Though retired, I am able to keep busy with "important" things at home and in the local area. We explored some local trails around Reno this weekend and today I will wash the car, then probably go grocery shopping. I figure I can live with the current state of things by taking care of myself and DW, and when "normal" returns I look forward to going on cruises once again.

What a great attitude and positive person!   We are retired also and have 5 cruises booked and have had two cancelled. . . I need to adopt your mantra-  “I am not deprived.”

 

Have a blessed day. 
 

Page

[SilvertoGold]

5 hours ago, kazu said:

 

The new final payment details is on the HAL website and for your cruise it should be the 60 days.  Just keep in mind that the cancellation penalties have not changed.  

 

 

 

Kazu

I'll have to find and read this. Where exactly can I find the new details?   Three cruises I am looking at all have 90 day final payment dates. Thanks :)

[kazu]

28 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

Kazu

I'll have to find and read this. Where exactly can I find the new details?   Three cruises I am looking at all have 90 day final payment dates. Thanks 🙂

 

The cancellation policy for HAL is here - https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/legal-privacy/cancellation-policy-US-default.html

 

I guess I now have to say that it WAS on the HAL site. I went to look at the HAL site and don’t see the 60 day final payment window any longer?  It could be me being blind, the HAL site or perhaps they amended the Cruise with Confidence plan?  IIRC, the 60 day final payment window was for 2020 cruises.

 

The Cruise With Confidence lets you cancel up to 30 days before BUT you get an FCC and have to apply for it.  Cruise with Confidence is here - (be sure to expand the terms and conditions) and applies to cruises in 2021 as well as 2020 -https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/book-with-confidence.html

 

  

[SilvertoGold]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

The cancellation policy for HAL is here - https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/legal-privacy/cancellation-policy-US-default.html

 

I guess I now have to say that it WAS on the HAL site. I went to look at the HAL site and don’t see the 60 day final payment window any longer?  It could be me being blind, the HAL site or perhaps they amended the Cruise with Confidence plan?  IIRC, the 60 day final payment window was for 2020 cruises.

 

The Cruise With Confidence lets you cancel up to 30 days before BUT you get an FCC and have to apply for it.  Cruise with Confidence is here - (be sure to expand the terms and conditions) and applies to cruises in 2021 as well as 2020 -https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/book-with-confidence.html

 

  

 

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

The cancellation policy for HAL is here - https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/legal-privacy/cancellation-policy-US-default.html

 

I guess I now have to say that it WAS on the HAL site. I went to look at the HAL site and don’t see the 60 day final payment window any longer?  It could be me being blind, the HAL site or perhaps they amended the Cruise with Confidence plan?  IIRC, the 60 day final payment window was for 2020 cruises.

 

The Cruise With Confidence lets you cancel up to 30 days before BUT you get an FCC and have to apply for it.  Cruise with Confidence is here - (be sure to expand the terms and conditions) and applies to cruises in 2021 as well as 2020 -https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/book-with-confidence.html

 

  

 

Thanks, Kazu.  Messy, isn't it? 

 

As the fount of all HAL wisdom, would you happen to know if we can use the ought-on-board FCD/FCC when booking with the cancelled cruise FCC?  For all or some of the deposit.

 

 

[kazu]

10 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

 

Thanks, Kazu.  Messy, isn't it? 

 

As the fount of all HAL wisdom, would you happen to know if we can use the ought-on-board FCD/FCC when booking with the cancelled cruise FCC?  For all or some of the deposit.

 

 

 

LOL Silver, I am hardly the fount of HAL wisdom.

 

But, yes, you can use the FCD you bought on board as your deposit.

 

 If I am understanding the terms of the FCC that is granted for cancelled cruises, it is to be used towards the cruise cost but not as the deposit to book the cruise.

 

A couple people posted they were able to use it as a deposit but most were not able.  It is confusing and messy, isn’t it? 😉 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We are booked on the Volendam October 17, 2020  from San Diego to FTL 33 days 3 legs  it does not look good.

[YXU AC*SE]

17 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

I am booked on a Coastal Oct 17th and I assume it will be cancelled but it still appears in my account.

 

This coastal?   

 

Cancelled, sadly, back on 11th June.   Scott. 

 

source: https://gohal.com/app/uploads/2020/06/Holland_America_Line_Cancelled_Voyages_06.11.2020.xlsx

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

6 minutes ago, YXU AC*SE said:

 

This coastal?   

 

Cancelled, sadly, back on 11th June.   Scott. 

 

source: https://gohal.com/app/uploads/2020/06/Holland_America_Line_Cancelled_Voyages_06.11.2020.xlsx

 

Thanks Scott but not the one. California Coastal from San Diego on October 17th. My traveling companions on this cruise told me that they had read neither Monterey or Santa Barbara were allowing ships in and knowing what San Francisco has become during the last few months, it is not appealing to me.

 

Thanks Kazu for the reminder on the cancellation date. I doubt this cruise is going so will cancel this week to avoid losing the deposit in whatever form it is returned.

[kazu]

3 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

Kazu

I'll have to find and read this. Where exactly can I find the new details?   Three cruises I am looking at all have 90 day final payment dates. Thanks 🙂

 

I found the link thanks to Scott posting it on another thread.  https://gohal.com/app/uploads/2020/06/Trade-FAQ_Updated_6_11_20_Final.pdf

 

Go to the bottom of page 4.  This is actually for travel agents as I understand it but all the info is there.  

 

Hope this helps.

[What was that?]

2 minutes ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Thanks Kazu for the reminder on the cancellation date. I doubt this cruise is going so will cancel this week to avoid losing the deposit in whatever form it is returned.

 

Or you can do as I did and pay in full to get the maximum benefit if/when HAL cancels. I'm wanting another Panama Canal (east to west this time) and the FCC bonus will be welcome!

[YXU AC*SE]

4 minutes ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Thanks Scott but not the one. California Coastal from San Diego on October 17th.

 

I expect that will be in the next tranche of cancellations. 😞  Scott. 

[MikeD4134]

While I am sure the September 27th cruise out of Seattle to Auckland will be canceled, OP is incorrect in the statement that it was canceled in May.  It  is still being sold, and the final payment date is July 29th.  My TA has been in contact with HAL weekly about this cruise as I am using various FCC's and Gift Cards for payment and we are working out the details so I get the most I can when it is canceled.

[SilvertoGold]

2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

LOL Silver, I am hardly the fount of HAL wisdom.

 

But, yes, you can use the FCD you bought on board as your deposit.

 

 If I am understanding the terms of the FCC that is granted for cancelled cruises, it is to be used towards the cruise cost but not as the deposit to book the cruise.

 

A couple people posted they were able to use it as a deposit but most were not able.  It is confusing and messy, isn’t it? 😉 

 

Yes, messy.  Seems to be a lot like how HAL does most things.  Lots of time to get this figured out.  Thanks for your help :)  

 

 

 

[kaygeed]

We have a HAL cruise to MX out of San Diego in Feb 2021. They are still taking payments towards it so I am going to assume it’s still planning on sailing.

Celebrity canceled a Nova Scotia cruise in Oct 2020. I took a FCC for it.

I still have high hopes for our cruising futures.

[Cocktail613]

Our Feb 2, 2021 San Diego - Hawaii Cruise has been cancelled. 

[HokiePoq]

16 minutes ago, sleslie said:

Our Feb 2, 2021 San Diego - Hawaii Cruise has been cancelled. 

Wow!   That is far out.   Now I'm worried about July 2021.

[PigsCanFly]

We have the Eurodam booked for a B2B on Feb 7th, 2021.  Our main concern is sailing out of Lauderdale the way Florida seems to be going backwards virus-wise.  Times are strange nowadays, but cruising in retirement remains my goal.  Stay safe and healthy and it may happen eventually.

[debc]

I'm booked on the Westerdam for 14 days leaving Santiago, Chile to BA on October 30.  Given that South America is being hit very hard by the virus I am pretty much figuring this cruise will not be happening but no official word yet.

 

It will be interesting when final deposit comes due at the end of August to see if the Canadian and US Border will be open.  They have just extended the closure for an additional month.  Usually I transit through a US airport to get down to South America, so if that is unable to happen, then for me, sheer logistics will make it impossible to cruise!

 

Edited July 14, 2020 by debc