~Cruise Critic Group Cruise To Alaska ~ Amsterdam May 2010~

[DizzyDallasDi]

Hi Linda - I've been watching this thread and must admit I'm interested in joining the group. I'm going on my first Alaska cruise this Sat. and anticipate an awesome experience....keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and little to no rain. :) I've always wanted to go on a cruise longer than 7 days and this may be the one. Please add me to your list.

 

Diane

[LVSue]

When, oh when, is the pricing going to arrive? The extras are gravy, but surely there will be a price break. If not, I'm off to Paris. I checked out the jazz group site and the prices looked even worse than advertised prices. Granted, HAL does a lot for the group, but if I'm going to spend normal prices, I might want to do it with a jazz group.

[LEtue]

Hi Linda - I've been watching this thread and must admit I'm interested in joining the group. I'm going on my first Alaska cruise this Sat. and anticipate an awesome experience....keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and little to no rain. :) I've always wanted to go on a cruise longer than 7 days and this may be the one. Please add me to your list.

Diane

 

Have a great time on your cruise and welcome!!!

 

 

Awesome Alaskan Amsterdam Adventurers:

 

Linda (LEtue) and Margie(hmstins)

Sillyjilly

Marian (BldLvr) & DH

Joanne (JoKen1)

Snook & DW

Laurie (lstrong)

Mash1 & DH

pspercy & DW

cruisinbanjo & Mrs Banjo

farkle& DH

TravelinGrandma & DH

Chelly

LVSue & SIL

Syran & DF

papergypsy & DH & DD

Sean (Tinknock50)

wingding & DW, Sister & BIL

Sue (bjbear)

Donna (PT Cruisin)

Janie (tjcletsgo)

Rose (azrose) & Steve

Phyllis (phyllisrf)

Susan (FurryPetMom)

Diane (DizzyDallasDi)

 

Here is what we're planning so far:

 

Group Hotel Rates

Pre Cruise Dinner & Get Together

Group Transportation to the Ship

Sailaway Gathering - "Say Goodbye to Seattle"

On Board Get Togethers - this could include the days we are viewing Hubbard Glacier or sailing in Tracy Arm?

On Board Acitivities - casino slot pull, scavenger hunt, gift exchange (something from your local area?)

Trivia (could even be Alaska or Ship related)

"On Deck for the Cure" walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation

[LEtue]

When, oh when, is the pricing going to arrive? The extras are gravy, but surely there will be a price break. If not, I'm off to Paris. I checked out the jazz group site and the prices looked even worse than advertised prices. Granted, HAL does a lot for the group, but if I'm going to spend normal prices, I might want to do it with a jazz group.

 

I know waiting is so hard :( Hopefully we will hear something this week :)

[pspercy]

I've had one quote for category "E", it was approx 18% below "sticker price" on an apples to apples comparison - I got the pricing breakdown from HAL's site by starting the booking process. They certainly have lots of add-ons as the default !

 

We're also looking at a cruise-tour of similar length, they even seem to be a bit cheaper !

[Tinknock50]

I've had one quote for category "E", it was approx 18% below "sticker price" on an apples to apples comparison - I got the pricing breakdown from HAL's site by starting the booking process. They certainly have lots of add-ons as the default !

 

We're also looking at a cruise-tour of similar length, they even seem to be a bit cheaper !

 

I noticed that too....HAL is rolling in transfers to and from the airport in their price without asking if you want transfers. So to get a "true" price you have to subtract it. I don't even see where you can remove it online, but I booked on the phone and insisted no extras should be added.

 

Come to think of it, I had booked another HAL cruise recently on the phone and he did the same thing without asking if I wanted transfers.

 

Very annoying.....I wonder whose brilliant idea it was to do that?:rolleyes:

[LEtue]

I've had one quote for category "E", it was approx 18% below "sticker price" on an apples to apples comparison - I got the pricing breakdown from HAL's site by starting the booking process. They certainly have lots of add-ons as the default !

 

We're also looking at a cruise-tour of similar length, they even seem to be a bit cheaper !

 

I did a simulated booking on the HAL site as well just to see where prices were - compared to on line TA's. I saw a big difference in prices and I don't remember anything extra on the HAL side that was driving the increase. I'll have to check my copy when I get home....

[LEtue]

I noticed that too....HAL is rolling in transfers to and from the airport in their price without asking if you want transfers. So to get a "true" price you have to subtract it. I don't even see where you can remove it online, but I booked on the phone and insisted no extras should be added.

 

Come to think of it, I had booked another HAL cruise recently on the phone and he did the same thing without asking if I wanted transfers.

 

Very annoying.....I wonder whose brilliant idea it was to do that?:rolleyes:

 

Those stinkers! Guess they thought they had a new way to collect revenue without people noticing :confused:

[Tinknock50]

Those stinkers! Guess they thought they had a new way to collect revenue without people noticing :confused:

 

Yep, after you select a category, scroll down and click on "For details of your fare". There was no option to choose transfers, or not.

 

You will see this:

 

Pre/Post Transfers and Packages $56.00 $56.00 $112.00

[LEtue]

Yep, after you select a category, scroll down and click on "For details of your fare". There was no option to choose transfers, or not.

 

You will see this:

 

Pre/Post Transfers and Packages $56.00 $56.00 $112.00

 

Yes, I do remember that now and de-selected the option ;)

[Tinknock50]

Yes, I do remember that now and de-selected the option ;)

 

Oh. maybe I didn't go far enough in. Where was the deselect option?

 

I guess I could go back and look myself.

[Tinknock50]

Oh. maybe I didn't go far enough in. Where was the deselect option?

 

I guess I could go back and look myself.

 

Ok, checked it out. You actually have to check that you DON'T want it making it likelier to miss that and end up with transfers if you are not careful.

 

Like the old way better where you request those things and it is not in your price to begin with.

[LEtue]

When I simulated a booking on line it gave me a summary before I got to the deposit so I think you would catch it....but again you have to watch for it....

 

NO TRANSFER (PRE-Cruise)

selected

selected

 

NO TRANSFER (POST-Cruise)

selected

selected

[Tinknock50]

When I simulated a booking on line it gave me a summary before I got to the deposit so I think you would catch it....but again you have to watch for it....

 

NO TRANSFER (PRE-Cruise)

selected

selected

 

NO TRANSFER (POST-Cruise)

selected

selected

 

Right.....you have to watch for it.

 

The most annoying part for me is that I wanted an idea what HAL charges for a particular cruise, without transfers, so I have to subtract the $56 pp myself. I may not have noticed that if I hadn't looked at the fare details at the beginning. I don't often go deeper into the booking when I am just in the research stage.

 

Anyway, even when the transfers are subtracted, it is still a fair amount less through a TA for this cruise.

[LEtue]

Right.....you have to watch for it.

 

Anyway, even when the transfers are subtracted, it is still a fair amount less through a TA for this cruise.

 

I'm not surprised. TA's are giving some nice OBC too ;)

[LEtue]

Okay, I got an email from Laura this morning and she is working on pricing now. So stay tuned everyone - it won't be too much longer :D

 

Whooo Hooo!

[eaglesfan34]

Hello -

 

Count us among those interested in this cruise. Can't wait until the pricing info is released.

 

Thanks,

 

Eric

[Tinknock50]

Okay, I got an email from Laura this morning and she is working on pricing now. So stay tuned everyone - it won't be too much longer :D

 

Whooo Hooo!

 

Cool !

Fingers crossed that the rates are good. :)

[LEtue]

Hello -

Count us among those interested in this cruise. Can't wait until the pricing info is released.

Thanks,

Eric

 

 

You got it! Welcome to the thread :D

 

 

Awesome Alaskan Amsterdam Adventurers:

 

Linda (LEtue) and Margie(hmstins)

Sillyjilly

Marian (BldLvr) & DH

Joanne (JoKen1)

Snook & DW

Laurie (lstrong)

Mash1 & DH

pspercy & DW

cruisinbanjo & Mrs Banjo

farkle& DH

TravelinGrandma & DH

Chelly

LVSue & SIL

Syran & DF

papergypsy & DH & DD

Sean (Tinknock50)

wingding & DW, Sister & BIL

Sue (bjbear)

Donna (PT Cruisin)

Janie (tjcletsgo)

Rose (azrose) & Steve

Phyllis (phyllisrf)

Susan (FurryPetMom)

Diane (DizzyDallasDi)

Eric (eaglesfan34)

 

Here is what we're planning so far:

 

Group Hotel Rates

Pre Cruise Dinner & Get Together

Group Transportation to the Ship

Sailaway Gathering - "Say Goodbye to Seattle"

On Board Get Togethers - this could include the days we are viewing Hubbard Glacier or sailing in Tracy Arm?

On Board Acitivities - casino slot pull, scavenger hunt, gift exchange (something from your local area?)

Trivia (could even be Alaska or Ship related)

"On Deck for the Cure" walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation

[LEtue]

Cool !

Fingers crossed that the rates are good. :)

 

Yes, cross everything! Fingers, toes, eyes, legs.....:D

[LEtue]

Happy Friday everyone!

 

I hope we get our news today - before the long weekend :D

[Tinknock50]

Happy Friday everyone!

 

I hope we get our news today - before the long weekend :D

 

Well, if they are like most people, they are already in "vacation mode" on this holiday Friday. So I won't hold my breath to see it today. :)

Maybe Wednsday of next week? :)

[Syran]

Heres to hoping for rates today. Then the DF and I can talk about it over the weekend :)

[LEtue]

Heres to hoping for rates today. Then the DF and I can talk about it over the weekend :)

 

That is what I'm hoping for!

 

It was one week ago that the a Carnival Group got their info and they started booking last Monday. ;)

[LEtue]

This link was posted on the Alaska Boards. Check it out!!!!

 

http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/eaglecam/