HAL- Book Direct or Use TA

[Appgrad]

I have previously cruised on RCCL. For our April 2005 cruise, we are considering HAL, X or Princess. I requested all brochures and have looked at several options.

 

We are considering HAL Zuiderdam or Caribbean Princess.

 

I have two questions:

1. With RCCL, it is usually more eexpensive to book with RCCL directly. Last night I got a call from HAL offering to help my find a good deal on their cruise. Is this typical? Do you really get the good deals? Would I get a better price with an on-line TA? Which on-line TA has good deals for HAL?

 

2. What is different (better) between HAL and RCCL?

 

Thanks in advance for yout help!

[iowacruiser]

We are in the process of transfering a reservation for two cabins from one TA to another because of a much lower price. HAL is facilitating this for us. If you have made a deposit but not paid in full the reservation can be transfered.

HAL will do the same if you book directly through them. If you find a lower price on an online website it is pretty simple to transfer your reservation to them.

We are saving $994 dollars per couple by doing this for our Jan 2 Oosterdam cruise.

I don't know what RCCL's policy is but HAL is treating us right

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

 

We have used the same TA for many years. We prefer to have someone we can actually see and talk to.

JMO

:)

[doone]

I always use a TA, but others have booked through HAL and have had no problems.

 

If you have enjoyed RCCL, I think you will LOVE HAL.

[Appgrad]

Thanks for all the quick replies!!

 

Anyone have suggestions on good TA for HAL? For RCCL, there are a couple of TA's that have consistantly lower prices.

[Sage]

Appgrad,

 

I am currently in the process of transfering my bookings from HAL to a TA. I was happy with the service, but found out that I was missing out on some lower fares resulting in certain credit cards and such. We are not allowed to recommend TA here on the board, but I would be happy to give you the name of mine if you would e mail me. Please put CC in the e mail.

[Stevesan]

Thanks for all the quick replies!!

 

Anyone have suggestions on good TA for HAL? For RCCL, there are a couple of TA's that have consistantly lower prices.

I think I'm within CC guidelines by responding to your question. In my experience the best TA for HAL is Cruise Specialists, Inc. They're located down the street from Holland America's main office and have a close relationship with HAL. Most likely because Janet Lanterman is the owner.:) Her hubby is Chairman and CEO of HAL.

 

They have provided excellent service and good prices, very competitive with the impersonal on-line agencies. Visit their web site for an overview. It includes thumbnail bios for all of their travel counselors and cruise consultants.

[ekerr19]

We also use Cruise Specialists, Inc. in Seattle. We have for many years - and we've found their pricing to be unbeatable, along with providing excellent service.

 

I believe this reply also conforms to CC guidelines as someone has asked for a referral for a good TA.

 

I hope these posts are not deleted. It is hard to see many others post their great deals and experiences with online agencies, even AAA agencies - but we cannot post our recommendation here without it being deleted.

[whynotnow]

Does Cruise Specialists, Inc. have a website? Have tried multiple variations of their name, can't seem to locate them. Thank you.

[jhannah]

If you do a Google search for their name you'll find it.

[ekerr19]

whynotnow-

 

It's a bit confusing, it is http://www.csiseattle.com

[Stevesan]

I hope these posts are not deleted. It is hard to see many others post their great deals and experiences with online agencies, even AAA agencies - but we cannot post our recommendation here without it being deleted.

Well said! I see many posts that refer to online agencies as the main subject of the Thread Title. Despite the guidelines, they're allowed to stay. I don't mind answering the occasional query, but I get bored with "I got it for $XXX from cruiseforabuck.com. What did you get it for?" etc,etc,etc,etc

 

I know, I know. Don't read it if you don't like it.:p

[ekerr19]

There have been a few times where I wished I could just tell someone pick up the phone or send an e-mail requesting a HAL mariner quote - it's is worth it. ;)

 

Once I even started a thread asking why the online TA's name could be mentioned on these boards... all I was told is that many online agencies advertise on these boards so no mention can be made of regular TA's unless someone specifically asks. I'm glad someone did.

[DFD1]

I have traditionally watch the HAL website over a period of a few days until I find a cruise and a low price that is acceptable to me. I then phone HAL direct and confirm the information, sometimes get an even lower price, and usually book direct with HAL with a guarantee to reduce the price if it falls on the website before final payment. I have used this method for the past several years (after using a TA for many years) and I have been paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $68.00 to $70.00 per day all inclusive for an inside guarantee and usually get upgraded.

I like dealing with a HAL curise consultant. They have never failed to treat me fairly and with great courtesy. I also feel better about the document handling issue if I am dealing directly with HAL.

[DFD1]

I talked with the Cruise Specialist Inc. agency in Seattle this afternoon and asked if they could beat the price I have directly from HAL on the Volendam 11/26/04 sailing and indicated that they could take over the booking if they could offer any savings at all. They promptly called me back, thanked me for the request and indicated that they could not improve on the price which I already had from HAL. This has happened to me before, but I keep trying....DFD1

[Appgrad]

THANKS, THANKS a million times thanks! I really appreciate everyone's help. I am going to contact them today.

 

I am really looking forward to the HAL experience!!

[Nasmas]

We used Cruise Value Center and they were about $300 cheaper than the HAL website. So far, we've been pleased with them. None of the local agencies here could get anywhere close to the price. We got a S for what we would have expected to pay for a SS. We used Priceline in the past, but they were higher this time. We never felt we were getting personal service even when we used a local. I know we just didnt' have the right one but here in the boonies, we can't be too paticular. I'm so glad the 'net has evolved. How in the world did we travel before? Just a stab in the dark, I suppose.

[iowacruiser]

It pays to check out several online agencies. They often havee tremendous sicounts on certain sailings.

We have used Bestpricecruises.com for two HAL cruises. Icruise.com also has huge discounts on occassion.

If you decide on RCCL, try cruisequick.com.. We are going on the Explorer of the Seas in October and they had by far the cheapest prices

[triathlete]

No one agency always has the best deal on every ship and sail date--it pays to shop around. *****.com lets you select the sailing you want, then receive multiple, competing quotes from low-priced agencies. It's pretty easy to use and there's no obligation to buy--you stay anonymous until you decide to contact one of the agencies that respond.

[ekerr19]

Well, I decided to give *****.com a a chance as well, as we still haven't booked with our regualr TA, Cruise Specialists, Inc. yet - we will be booking next week.

 

*****.com gave me about 4 quotes (from different TA's) for the 3/20/05 Maasdam sailing and 3 quotes for the 3/20/05 Volendam sailing. None of the quotes we received we better than that of our regular, full service TA.

 

This afternoon I received the August 2004 issue of Conde Nast Traveler. This issue contains an article recognizing the world's best travel organizers. Under cruises, specifically, World Cruises; it lists Cruise Specialists, Inc. (our TA) along with the following:

 

"Lanterman (agency owner) focuses on voyages of a month or longer, for which she delivers all manner of perks and privileges. She is also the one travel agency to use for any Holland America Cruise, no matter what the length"

 

For me, it was nice seeing the recognition. It only reinforced what we've already experienced. I do not think any agency will be able to beat their quote - and we've given several of them a pretty fair shake - so I think I'm just going to book it, with the knowledge we won't be able to do any better.

[ekerr19]

Bump - I got an email asking about this...

 

Sherri - here is the thread I told you about...