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Have It All Cruise Package - Gratuities Removed?

-The-True-North-

By -The-True-North-,
in Holland America Line

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sohoda

sohoda

Posted
Posted

Two questions for the Holland America experts:

 

If I purchase The Have It All package and I change my mind, can I remove it and get a refund?

 

If I keep the package and purchase a drink over $11 on the ship, do I pay the difference (plus gratuity) or do I pay for the entire price of the drink?

 

Many thanks in advance.

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Florida_gal_50

Florida_gal_50

Posted
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9 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Probably. But this constantly changing program is annoying. Have it all, have it mostly, have it all plus. It's irritating, specially when just booked

Welcome to Holland america.  The things that I’ve heard from them lately make me shake my head.  Treat long time customer like this.  Way to treat people.  Please don’t punish the crew by removing the tips.  They won’t be able to keep the cash you give them.

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PACD_JG

PACD_JG

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11 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

PCC got back to me.

 

Said sorry, but can't be added.

 

So even though it's the same price, I don't get it, even though it's part of Have it All.

 

HAL is really messing this up by having like 100 different versions of this program.

 

I will just have them removed on ship and pay cash tops then. This just proves to me that these are going to HAL and not the employee.

 

Nobody wants to pay more than the other guy, but here's what helps ease my mind...

 

When you book airfare - the price you pay is the price you pay.  No turning back.  I feel a little bad for cruise ship TA's for having to field thousands of calls from folks who recheck their fares every day while airline TA's have their feet kicked up.

 

Regarding tips...yeah, don't be that guy.

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-The-True-North-

-The-True-North-

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9 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

 

Nobody wants to pay more than the other guy, but here's what helps ease my mind...

 

When you book airfare - the price you pay is the price you pay.  No turning back.  I feel a little bad for cruise ship TA's for having to field thousands of calls from folks who recheck their fares every day while airline TA's have their feet kicked up.

 

Regarding tips...yeah, don't be that guy.

The problem isn't with the cruise price tho. That will fluctuate just like airfare.

 

My frustration results from the have it all program changing multiple time.

 

This package should be universally the same, and if HAL want to add other incentives on top, hey great. But they shouldn't be changing or adding/subtracting from the base package. Which for the most part, it looks like it is, but then they keep throwing Grats in and out of it. However, they have in my opinion marketed it correctly a few times where they addressed it as include Have it all, AND Grats.... Not have it all now includes Grats.

 

Either way, frustration got to me. Apologies for the rant. 

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sofietucker

sofietucker

Posted
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On 8/4/2022 at 5:41 PM, NCTribeFan said:

(snip)

 

I also thought that you got 3 specialty dinners on longer sailings, but I just added it to the Rotterdam TA for next April (16 nights) and it only includes 2 dinners.  Oh well.  I still think it's a pretty good deal.

Our TA always gives us free dinners--the longer the cruise, the more dinners, lol...

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-The-True-North-

-The-True-North-

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1 hour ago, KroozNut said:

I didn't have the CA in my original booking with HIA, and when I saw that CA was offered later with a new HIA promo for my same sailing, I called HAL and they added it to my booking right away, no problem. 🙂

When's that cruise for tho?

 

You are probably before final payment? Correct?

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Florida_gal_50

Florida_gal_50

Posted
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4 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

The problem isn't with the cruise price tho. That will fluctuate just like airfare.

 

My frustration results from the have it all program changing multiple time.

 

This package should be universally the same, and if HAL want to add other incentives on top, hey great. But they shouldn't be changing or adding/subtracting from the base package. Which for the most part, it looks like it is, but then they keep throwing Grats in and out of it. However, they have in my opinion marketed it correctly a few times where they addressed it as include Have it all, AND Grats.... Not have it all now includes Grats.

 

Either way, frustration got to me. Apologies for the rant. 

Here is the theory about not having the grats in the HIA package generally.  Hal "claims" people prefer the shorex.  Maybe 2% do but I'm willing to bet most people would prefer the grats.  I think the only people they asked is their other executive colleagues at hal.

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crystalspin

crystalspin

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

But isn't that what they have just done?  Added another incentive on top.......Crew Appreciation.

Yes, there are actually FOUR temporary perks for new bookings under Best Value. The "normal" HIA are the ones not marked LIMITED TIME. The Crew Appreciation has disappeared from Best Price today, at least for the trial Alaska cruise I took the screen shot of.

 

Have It All.jpg

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Wakepatrol

Wakepatrol

Posted
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4 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Here is the theory about not having the grats in the HIA package generally.  Hal "claims" people prefer the shorex.  Maybe 2% do but I'm willing to bet most people would prefer the grats.  I think the only people they asked is their other executive colleagues at hal.

Yes- But if the tips are included the cheapskates don’t need to stand in line and plead their case to have them removed

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Florida_gal_50

Florida_gal_50

Posted
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4 hours ago, crystalspin said:

FIVE (I can't count). But "low price guarantee" is just refundable deposit and easy refaring before final payment date, I think.

Yeah I’m guessing you are likely right because I’ve rarely seen a low fare coming out of the gate.  I’m not speaking of exotic or one off cruises.  Those are different.

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Florida_gal_50

Florida_gal_50

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56 minutes ago, Wakepatrol said:

Yes- But if the tips are included the cheapskates don’t need to stand in line and plead their case to have them removed

Exactly, so that should be more incentive to include them. Now they aren’t cheap 🙄😛, they just want to reward “their” people 😉.  I’m guess their people are paid a lot less than the grats.

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Wakepatrol

Wakepatrol

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9 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Exactly, so that should be more incentive to include them. Now they aren’t cheap 🙄😛, they just want to reward “their” people 😉.  I’m guess their people are paid a lot less than the grats.

They want to see their waiter smile when they hand him that crisp $10 bill, for waiting on them for a week😂

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Florida_gal_50

Florida_gal_50

Posted
Posted (edited)
5 minutes ago, Wakepatrol said:

They want to see their waiter smile when they hand him that crisp $10 bill, for waiting on them for a week😂

Never have truer words been spoken 😛.  Maybe even a nice crisp Canadian $10, even better 😂.

Edited by Florida_gal_50
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Guardsy Great Review Rare

Guardsy

Posted
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We just booked a 14-day Canada/East Coast cruise today, added HIA and got a bonus of having the gratuities covered for no additional cost.  And we got upgraded from inside to a large ocean view cabin.  Double bonus!!!

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melehundele

melehundele

Posted
Posted (edited)

I am not sure this is even the HIA anyone is talking about here, as there seem to be several, but I just thought I'd mention as a data point a few days ago I saw HIA pop back up as an available option on for my casino discounted fare (not free) cruise in February. This time, a flat $50 a day includes the usually 18% that gets tacked on beverages and dining. I just added it to my booking and get the signature beverage package, WiFi, $100 shorex, and one specialty dinner. I considered this a great deal! Also, the website says gift cards not accepted but by calling reservations I was able to use my AARP cards. Hope that might help someone. Crew appreciation not an option but I'd already prepaid that anywho.

Edited by melehundele
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