Does Have it all expenditures count towards Mariner points?

[Curlingwhiz]

We are booking a cruise in November 2023 which should - with just suite points - put us within 4 points of reaching 4 Star status.  Since we have a longer cruise booked for June 2024, we would really like to hit that marker before the 2024 cruise.

 

My question is - if we purchase the Have it All Package (about $1,600 extra) for our remaining 2023 cruise, will the charges for dinners, drinks, shore excursions, WiFi extra all be added on as purchases to our bill.......then credited back on the bill due to the package we have purchased?  I have referred to other trips and am having a difficult time trying to figure out how the points are calculated.  I know it is 1 point for every $300 spent on board but trust me, it is not consistent.  In reviewing these prior bills, I sometimes noticed that when we had for example, tips included, that the daily charge was added on to the bill and then taken off.  

 

Does anyone with experience with the Have it All packages noticed if there booze, shore excursions etc were added on to the bill then automatically deducted?  

 

I cannot seem to get a consistent response from HA so I thought I would check with all the experts here.  We certainly don't want to be 4 points short and not get the 4 star status before our big 2024 cruise.  But the Have it All Package is financially a better deal than purchasing components separately so we would like to pay for that package as long as we still accrue Mariner points???

 

Thanks in advance for your help with this

 

Brenda

[seaoma]

In my experience, we were credited for the number of days in the itinerary when we purchased HIA. So at then end of a 21 day cruise, we received 42 points. 

[Curlingwhiz]

1 minute ago, seaoma said:

In my experience, we were credited for the number of days in the itinerary when we purchased HIA. So at then end of a 21 day cruise, we received 42 points. 

Thanks - we have no problem with getting the points for the cruise days - it is the onboard spending that I was not sure of.  For example - say you consumed $400 worth of drinks - did the drink purchases show as debits on your shipboard bill and then get credited back so the net result was that you paid no extra but the drinks showed as charges?   I do know it is supposed to be 1 point for every $300 spent but I am concerned that the HIA charges do  not show up on the shipboard bill.

[Mopree]

19 minutes ago, Curlingwhiz said:

We are booking a cruise in November 2023 which should - with just suite points - put us within 4 points of reaching 4 Star status.  Since we have a longer cruise booked for June 2024, we would really like to hit that marker before the 2024 cruise.

 

My question is - if we purchase the Have it All Package (about $1,600 extra) for our remaining 2023 cruise, will the charges for dinners, drinks, shore excursions, WiFi extra all be added on as purchases to our bill.......then credited back on the bill due to the package we have purchased?  I have referred to other trips and am having a difficult time trying to figure out how the points are calculated.  I know it is 1 point for every $300 spent on board but trust me, it is not consistent.  In reviewing these prior bills, I sometimes noticed that when we had for example, tips included, that the daily charge was added on to the bill and then taken off.  

 

Does anyone with experience with the Have it All packages noticed if there booze, shore excursions etc were added on to the bill then automatically deducted?  

 

I cannot seem to get a consistent response from HA so I thought I would check with all the experts here.  We certainly don't want to be 4 points short and not get the 4 star status before our big 2024 cruise.  But the Have it All Package is financially a better deal than purchasing components separately so we would like to pay for that package as long as we still accrue Mariner points???

 

Thanks in advance for your help with this

 

Brenda

We purchased HIA for a 7 day cruise in May 2022. We did not spend any additional money while on the cruise. We were credited 7 points for cruise days and 7 points for onboard spending. Total 14 points. 

[Florida_gal_50]

The drinks didn’t show up on my bill on the koningsdam nor did I seem to get credit for it although it seems most people have.  I was maybe having 2 or 3 drinks a day and a couple of Perrier, water or virgin drinks or coffee.  I’m not sure if others were maxing out or coming close it it.

[ChinaShrek]

I traveled solo and purchased HIA for a 7 day cruise in December 2022. I was only credited for 5 days.

[Cruise Suzy]

On our January/February cruise, the HIA expenditures were not posted to our account. However, the cost of the HIA was counted towards onboard spending when the Mariner points were calculated.

[Curlingwhiz]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

The drinks didn’t show up on my bill on the koningsdam nor did I seem to get credit for it although it seems most people have.  I was maybe having 2 or 3 drinks a day and a couple of Perrier, water or virgin drinks or coffee.  I’m not sure if others were maxing out or coming close it it.

Ahhh - that seems to answer it.  If the HIA drinks don't show up on the daily bill, then they can't be considered as "purchases" towards more Mariner points.  I guess my best bet is to not purchase the HIA and then just pay cash for all my purchases on board - that would then give me my 4 points I am short.  I would have to make sure to spend at least $1,200 (which can happen!!)

 

[Curlingwhiz]

4 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

On our January/February cruise, the HIA expenditures were not posted to our account. However, the cost of the HIA was counted towards onboard spending when the Mariner points were calculated.

Wow - this is exactly what I was hoping to hear.  I wonder if I can get an "official" response from HA?  It seems like each person I ask at HA gives me a different answer.     Thank you

[Cruise Suzy]

7 minutes ago, ChinaShrek said:

I traveled solo and purchased HIA for a 7 day cruise in December 2022. I was only credited for 5 days.

 

Had there been 2 persons in your stateroom with HIA, each would have been credited with 7 days dues to the cost of 2 HIAs. Another example of the penalty solo travelers pay.

[oaktreerb]

We just disembarked the Koningsdam from a 18 day cruise in a VB stateroom with HIA, Gratuities included, and Club Orange. We are also wondering how points will be calculated.  Trying to reach 5 star by June 2024.  I’ll let you know when they post on our account.  The only expenditures listed on the statement were Spa, shops, and shore excursions.

[Curlingwhiz]

5 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

We just disembarked the Koningsdam from a 18 day cruise in a VB stateroom with HIA, Gratuities included, and Club Orange. We are also wondering how points will be calculated.  Trying to reach 5 star by June 2024.  I’ll let you know when they post on our account.  The only expenditures listed on the statement were Spa, shops, and shore excursions.

Would greatly appreciate if you can post once you know.  I am getting the feeling that we will have to forgo HIA and just do all purchases on board.  We are also booking the Koningsdam with a suite and Club Orange (if still available)  I have looked back on some of our prior voyages and it seems almost impossible to relate the purchases to the points awarded on a consistent basis.  Points for rooms or suites are easy - it is the purchases that are confusing.

[Florida_gal_50]

52 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Had there been 2 persons in your stateroom with HIA, each would have been credited with 7 days dues to the cost of 2 HIAs. Another example of the penalty solo travelers pay.

Maybe that’s this issue although it makes little sense so it must be true 😛.

[Curlingwhiz]

I just got off HA Chat line.  Took a while to get my point across, however she was very clear that the Have It All charges will not accrue to Mariner Points.  I guess to a certain degree this makes sense as the site states that it has to be ON BOARD purchases to get more Mariner Points.  The Have it All package is purchased prior to boarding - just like purchasing a "better" stateroom doesn't increase your Mariner Points (unless you buy a suite).  

 

So now I have do the calculations of whether or not we will spend enough on board to accrue the points we are short if we buy the Have It All.  Ahh - such problems!  Ha  Ha

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Had there been 2 persons in your stateroom with HIA, each would have been credited with 7 days dues to the cost of 2 HIAs. Another example of the penalty solo travelers pay.

 

Looks like it

 

I went to look out of curiosity and perplexed.  Specialty dinners on all segments, HIA, etc.

 

On 3 segments B2B2B 

 

On the first 5 day I received full credit (5 days).  On the subsequent 7 day I only got 3 days for spending and on the 9 day of which I was only on for 7, I received 5 days for spending.  I’m at a loss on this one.  

 

Yet on my Oosterdam sailing in October, I received full sailing day credits.  Perplexing indeed.
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

5 minutes ago, Curlingwhiz said:

I just got off HA Chat line.  Took a while to get my point across, however she was very clear that the Have It All charges will not accrue to Mariner Points.  I guess to a certain degree this makes sense as the site states that it has to be ON BOARD purchases to get more Mariner Points.  The Have it All package is purchased prior to boarding - just like purchasing a "better" stateroom doesn't increase your Mariner Points (unless you buy a suite).  

 

So now I have do the calculations of whether or not we will spend enough on board to accrue the points we are short if we buy the Have It All.  Ahh - such problems!  Ha  Ha

It makes total sense that you wouldn’t but people say they have and it’s been a lot of people so it seems like it does.  It makes little difference to me because I’ve been a 5 star for a while.  

[kazu]

8 minutes ago, Curlingwhiz said:

I just got off HA Chat line.  Took a while to get my point across, however she was very clear that the Have It All charges will not accrue to Mariner Points.  I guess to a certain degree this makes sense as the site states that it has to be ON BOARD purchases to get more Mariner Points.  The Have it All package is purchased prior to boarding - just like purchasing a "better" stateroom doesn't increase your Mariner Points (unless you buy a suite).  

 

So now I have do the calculations of whether or not we will spend enough on board to accrue the points we are short if we buy the Have It All.  Ahh - such problems!  Ha  Ha

 

Purchases made online prior to the cruise have always counted towards the mariner day credit (excluding OBC and casino of course) as they are spent on board.

 

As a couple we were always fully credited with Mariner spending for the HIA.  I was credited again for the past cruise but as a solo, it seems to be a different calculation.  

[Curlingwhiz]

3 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Purchases made online prior to the cruise have always counted towards the mariner day credit (excluding OBC and casino of course) as they are spent on board.

 

As a couple we were always fully credited with Mariner spending for the HIA.  I was credited again for the past cruise but as a solo, it seems to be a different calculation.  

I "think" what the HA chat line was trying to say is that the Have It All option just changes the price of your cruise, just as choosing a more expensive deck would.  These are not considered online purchases like dinners or excursions are.  So, other than the tip portion (if not included in your HIA) then all the other goodies covered by the HIA will NOT show up as on board purchases.  As ever with HA, very confusing and conflicting advice. I thought it was a fairly easy question to ask - but sigh!

[kazu]

9 minutes ago, Curlingwhiz said:

I "think" what the HA chat line was trying to say is that the Have It All option just changes the price of your cruise, just as choosing a more expensive deck would.  These are not considered online purchases like dinners or excursions are.  So, other than the tip portion (if not included in your HIA) then all the other goodies covered by the HIA will NOT show up as on board purchases.  As ever with HA, very confusing and conflicting advice. I thought it was a fairly easy question to ask - but sigh!

 

Well, it’s counted on all of my cruises when I have it - after all, you are buying drinks and shore excursions, etc with it.

 

I fear there are so many new people that many don’t know any more at HAL.  It was bad enough before - call 3 times and get 3 different answers.

I put more faith here from actual experiences from HAL cruisers than someone in Seattle or elsewhere and supposedly “trained”.

[VMax1700]

We have been on 3 cruises since the restart and had HIA on all 3.  Two were part of the cruise fare and one was purchased just before sailing date.

In all 3 cases we received full credit for spending based on 1 day for each day of HIA.  So, a 12 day cruise gave 12 Sailing Days, 12 Suite bonus and 12 Spending. ie a total of 36

[Curlingwhiz]

15 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Well, it’s counted on all of my cruises when I have it - after all, you are buying drinks and shore excursions, etc with it.

 

I fear there are so many new people that many don’t know any more at HAL.  It was bad enough before - call 3 times and get 3 different answers.

I put more faith here from actual experiences from HAL cruisers than someone in Seattle or elsewhere and supposedly “trained”.

That is why I came to Cruise Critic.  The consultant we had before the pandemic was so knowledgeable - he left.  So although the employees are helpful, their inexperience really shows. So, can I ask - did the shore excursions, drinks, wifi etc that you had on board - did they show up on your daily bill with a charge and then were they credited back on the same day.  (This is what has happened in the past with us when we have had tips included)  Thus it shows up as a purchase but is credited back immediately due to a temporary deal available.   

 

I agree that it is a charge that we are using to purchase onboard goodies - they are not "free" so therefore they should count towards Mariner points.  But getting anyone at HA to state that has been an issue.

 

I just did a spreadsheet (retired accountant!) and by not purchasing the HIA and then purchasing the same things on board is a price difference of give or take $500.  So I am almost thinking our best bet would be to purchase the HIA and then buy something for $500 at the jewelry shop.  My husband is having a hard time with my analysis!!!!

[seaoma]

@Curlingwhiz I can't help with what HAL is telling you, but I can tell you what happened on my most recent cruise which ended on Dec. 21. The cruise was 21 days long and we purchased HIA at the time of booking. At the end of our cruise we were given credit for 21 days of Cruise and Tour Days. But we were also given 21 credits for Spending credits.

 

We spent no additional money except for non-refundable OBC, given to us by HAL.

 

Prior to boarding our cruise, our Star Credits were 135 and after the 42 credits earned, our balance is now at 177. 

 

HIA counts toward your spending and my other cruise in Dec. of 2021 with HIA was calculated in the same way. So, I think you should be go to go with the HIA for the credits you need.

[Curlingwhiz]

20 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

We have been on 3 cruises since the restart and had HIA on all 3.  Two were part of the cruise fare and one was purchased just before sailing date.

In all 3 cases we received full credit for spending based on 1 day for each day of HIA.  So, a 12 day cruise gave 12 Sailing Days, 12 Suite bonus and 12 Spending. ie a total of 36

That sounds perfect.  We have only been on two (dipping our toes in the water) and did not do HIA as they were short Coastal cruises.  Did your charges for drinks etc appear on your on board account and then get credited off due to your HIA purchase?   I am probably sounding a little obsessive on this but I would sure hate to make the wrong decision and then still end up a point or two short of 4 star for our 2024 cruise..................and I really couldn't bear to deal with my husband!!!

[seaoma]

15 minutes ago, Curlingwhiz said:

So, can I ask - did the shore excursions, drinks, wifi etc that you had on board - did they show up on your daily bill with a charge and then were they credited back on the same day.  (This is what has happened in the past with us when we have had tips included)  Thus it shows up as a purchase but is credited back immediately due to a temporary deal available. 

 

On our cruise there was a line item for the Shorex, Wifi and Dining with a 0 attributed to it. We had 2 dining credits and 2 shorex so it did appear twice. There is no line item for drinks and the drinks we consumed were not charged and then credited back.

Edited February 19, 2023 by seaoma

[Curlingwhiz]

4 minutes ago, seaoma said:

@Curlingwhiz I can't help with what HAL is telling you, but I can tell you what happened on my most recent cruise which ended on Dec. 21. The cruise was 21 days long and we purchased HIA at the time of booking. At the end of our cruise we were given credit for 21 days of Cruise and Tour Days. But we were also given 21 credits for Spending credits.

 

We spent no additional money except for non-refundable OBC, given to us by HAL.

 

Prior to boarding our cruise, our Star Credits were 135 and after the 42 credits earned, our balance is now at 177. 

 

HIA counts toward your spending and my other cruise in Dec. of 2021 with HIA was calculated in the same way. So, I think you should be go to go with the HIA for the credits you need.

See - this is why Cruise Critic is so valuable.  I thank you for your time.  I think I will do the HIA , I am feeling a little more confident now.