Last minute Booking

[wskon]

I always book early but have been looking at the Westerdam and the Zuiderdam over Thanksgiving. They both still have cabins available. I am wondering if anyone has booked last minute have the prices come down. I realize I may get to stay in the broom closet but figured it did not matter if the price was right. Thanks for any info.. Sandy This would be my 12th HAL cruise so I might get lucky. Which one of these two ships would be the best to go on. My DH and I are in our 60's.

[JimVrhovac]

Call your TA and she can tell if they are good prices or not....

 

One of the benefits of using TA...

 

 

Ruth & Jim

[ekerr19]

I've heard of people getting good last minute deals, but we've never been able to do it that way as we have to plan so far ahead.

 

We met a couple on the Zuiderdam who booked a week before sailing and got an unbelievable deal on a Deluxe Verandah Suite - though this was in the summer and several years ago.

 

If you can swing it, it's a good time to go - we've gotten some of our best pricing for cruises right after Thanksgiving.

[abrauns783]

We booked last week or so for a Oct 31 cruise. We get the "Early Bookind Discount". The ship was nearly sold out at that time.

[KAYEF]

I pretty much book close to the sail date due to not being able to block out time very far out......................

great deals on the web site known for that and the thing I really like about that company is that you call and speak with a human to book......

a real T.A.

We just did a fifteen day back-to-back and I booked it sixteen days before departure and my T.A. got the documents to us and everything.

[Stevesan]

A good source for late booking info with HAL:

 

http://crm.hollandamerica.com/broadbaseema/HA3129/index.jsp

 

Check the Flash specials. If you see something you like, have your TA contatc HAL.

[hammybee]

Those who are able to drive to the port, sail on short notice and don't care about a specific cabin grade have a tremendous advantage in terms of booking at the eleventh hour. There are several travel agencies in Florida that specialize in this business.

[sail7seas]

Zuiderdam and Westerdam are sister ships and very much alike. Why not choose the one with the itinerary you like best, the best price for the best cabin. Hope you get a wonderful 'deal' and have a great cruise. Let us know how you make out.

 

[iancal]

We have found that the weeks after Thankgiving and prior to mid Dec. are great for last minute deals-if you can swing it. Especially the first week of December.

[ekerr19]

We have found that the weeks after Thankgiving and prior to mid Dec. are great for last minute deals-if you can swing it. Especially the first week of December.

 

That week seems like the "magical" week - we've gotten great deals for cruises departing during that time. :)

[wskon]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I am calling my TA and I keep watching the price. I will keep everyone posted. Sandy

[Susie51]

We also have gotten great deals for right after Thanksgiving and the first week of Dec. Overnight on the last night of the cruise they decorated the ship for Christmas. That was a magical sight to see the next morning. Almost like waking up on Christmas morning and discovering presents under the tree.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Paticakes]

Susie51,

 

Is it the first week of December that the ships are decorated for Christmas? We are going 2 Decemeber and hope the Christmas decorations will be up.