kelliebiz Posted January 12, 2023 #1 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I’ve just received a marketing email from HAL telling me I can book a free interior stateroom on some selected cruises if I book within the next few days. Has anyone ever done this? Fine print says I’d be responsible for port fees etc. Is there any reason I shouldn’t jump on this? It does offer the ability to upgrade cabins. I’m attaching the limited cruises they are offering. I feel like I should grab it! Wondering about anything unforeseen or if there’s a catch somewhere. What do you all think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman48 Posted January 12, 2023 #2 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Yes, it is a valid offer, I believe the only charges is taxes and port fees. I have used the offer multiple times. However, have never taken the inside room offer per say. What I have done was use the offer to get a discount on other rooms. I have just paid the difference between the inside room and either an ocean view or balcony. Have sailed in inside rooms in the past and found I miss the natural light. Rooms have always been about the same size as an ocean as far as space, just like natural light to wake up to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorenceItaly Posted January 12, 2023 #3 Share Posted January 12, 2023 The offer is legitimate. It is a casino offer. If you are interested, do not hesitate. It is capacity controlled. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelliebiz Posted January 12, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted January 12, 2023 48 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said: The offer is legitimate. It is a casino offer. If you are interested, do not hesitate. It is capacity controlled. Thanks! what does that mean exactly, that it is a casino offer? I’ve seen that mentioned before, but don’t know what a casino offer is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne614 Posted January 12, 2023 #5 Share Posted January 12, 2023 We have received those offers and have two booked. I don’t think they are casino offers as those say “casino offers”. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamthesea Posted January 12, 2023 #6 Share Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) I'd love to get that offer. What does the * paragraph say? Looks to me like HAL may be trying to fill some space. Many of the cruises leave this month. A full stateroom brings in more money spent by the occupants. A cruise leaving Auckland to Sydney in a couple of weeks? Not many people would be able to make arrangements, especially their arrange airfare in that short of time (although DH and I did that when offered a deal on a river cruise out of Germany some years ago.😀 Those were the days!) Edited January 12, 2023 by Iamthesea 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare HALcruiser2001 Posted January 12, 2023 #7 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I want one of these offers and can travel spur of the moment. What do I need to do? LOL. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelliebiz Posted January 12, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted January 12, 2023 10 minutes ago, Iamthesea said: I'd love to get that offer. What does the * paragraph say? Looks to me like HAL may be trying to fill some space. Many of the cruises leave this month. A full stateroom brings in more money spent by the occupants. A cruise leaving Auckland to Sydney in a couple of weeks? Not many people would be able to make arrangements, especially their arrange airfare in that short of time (although DH and I did that when offered a deal on a river cruise out of Germany some years ago.😀 Those were the days!) I skimmed thru and it said based on double occupancy, responsible for port fees, taxes, etc., I believe it also said non refundable once you book. yes they are all coming up pretty soon. Hard to coordinate on short notice for many folks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne614 Posted January 13, 2023 #9 Share Posted January 13, 2023 You also have to pay $200 per person which you get back onboard as an OBC 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribeFan Posted January 13, 2023 #10 Share Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) I've done three of these since November 2021, and I've added 2 more at the end of the upcoming Rotterdam TA in April. I could've stayed on Rotterdam for the entire summer but "free" isn't really free, you know. I'd still be eating, drinking, taking excursions, gambling, etc. 😁 As long as HAL send me these offers, I'll continue to book them! Edited January 13, 2023 by NCTribeFan 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelliebiz Posted January 13, 2023 Author #11 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Thank you everyone for your input! None of my people want to go but I’m seriously considering doing this on my own. The cabin may be free (or discounted if I upgrade), but I would imagine they would charge me double the port fees and taxes due to the double occupancy requirement. I think I’ll call them tomorrow for a bit more info. I just might pull the trigger on this 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted January 13, 2023 #12 Share Posted January 13, 2023 15 minutes ago, kelliebiz said: The cabin may be free (or discounted if I upgrade), but I would imagine they would charge me double the port fees and taxes due to the double occupancy requirement. Not likely. I have sailed solo for years, usually paying double due to the supplement. But the port charges and taxes are per individual sailing, and have never been doubled. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribeFan Posted January 13, 2023 #13 Share Posted January 13, 2023 As Ruth says, it's $200 for the cabin plus taxes and port fees for one when solo, just as it is when you book a "regular" fare as a solo. $200 OBC for spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermeulT Posted January 13, 2023 #14 Share Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) 13 hours ago, bdd123 said: I want one of these offers and can travel spur of the moment. What do I need to do? LOL. Me too! Are these offers linked to your mariner number? Edited January 13, 2023 by VermeulT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermeulT Posted January 13, 2023 #15 Share Posted January 13, 2023 That March 19th Nieuw Amsterdam trip is the one with 2 x Half Moon Cay stops. It's currently showing $315 special price (no HIA) for me for an inside. That's very tempting as is. You tell me I can go for less than that and there would be no hesitation. None. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbecker6469 Posted January 13, 2023 #16 Share Posted January 13, 2023 17 hours ago, Anne614 said: You also have to pay $200 per person which you get back onboard as an OBC Not necessarily. Depends on the offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Oceansaway17 Posted January 13, 2023 #17 Share Posted January 13, 2023 if I see an offer for something for free, I stop and think hmmmmm, what is the catch. I do not think I would ever reply to one of these offers so as to not get caught up in a room or situation that was not to my liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bostonjetset Posted January 13, 2023 #18 Share Posted January 13, 2023 44 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said: if I see an offer for something for free, I stop and think hmmmmm, what is the catch. I do not think I would ever reply to one of these offers so as to not get caught up in a room or situation that was not to my liking. The catch is you have to pay taxes and port fees. It’s still a huge savings from paying the published fare along with taxes and port fees. For someone okay with an inside stateroom it’s really a good deal. I wonder how much money one has to donate to the casino to get these offers though. My mom gets them. I never do haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Oceansaway17 Posted January 13, 2023 #19 Share Posted January 13, 2023 1 minute ago, Bostonjetset said: The catch is you have to pay taxes and port fees. It’s still a huge savings from paying the published fare along with taxes and port fees. For someone okay with an inside stateroom it’s really a good deal. I wonder how much money one has to donate to the casino to get these offers though. My mom gets them. I never do haha. yea I don't gamble either. I still most likely would take a pass as I am superstitious of deals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACD_JG Posted January 13, 2023 #20 Share Posted January 13, 2023 2 minutes ago, Bostonjetset said: For someone okay with an inside stateroom it’s really a good deal. I wonder how much money one has to donate to the casino to get these offers though. My mom gets them. I never do haha. I get these offers all the time, and I've never spent a penny in a HAL casino. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAL4NOW Posted January 13, 2023 #21 Share Posted January 13, 2023 8 hours ago, VermeulT said: Me too! Are these offers linked to your mariner number? Yes, they are linked to your mariner number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Banditswife Posted January 13, 2023 #22 Share Posted January 13, 2023 we use these offers sometimes. They usually charge $200 per person plus taxes & port fees. But the $200 comes back to you as onboard credit. We just booked one for March- out total was $948, but we will get $400 OBC, $250 in casino play. Plus we bought the insurance which was $99 per person & a transfer from airport to ship which was $19 per person. For us, the catch has been that we had to pay the full amount upon booking, so be ready with your credit card. They are legit offers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted January 13, 2023 #23 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Wish I knew the secret to get an offer like that! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACD_JG Posted January 13, 2023 #24 Share Posted January 13, 2023 1 minute ago, canadianbear said: Wish I knew the secret to get an offer like that! Initially, I thought they were offering it to me because they knew I could never take them up on it (still working, still have kids in school). @NCTribeFanputs that theory to rest, though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Banditswife Posted January 13, 2023 #25 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Our offers come in the form of an email. But usually after logging into the HAL site. We had tried booking a 20 day cruise using a code my son had used. Were told "NO," we couldn't get the deal he got. Then less than 7 weeks later, we get an offer for the same deal he got- same cruise. I have no clue why these offers come in as they do, no rhyme or reason. I do know: you best book it if you want it, cause they disappear. Be prepared to pay full discounted fare up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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