S
sail7seas
Guest
While I, of course, love getting these incredible prices....in reality I do not really like it at all. Unless cruisers spend tons of dolllars to generate on board revenue, I see more and more cuts as inevitable. 
B
BurBunny
Guest
Somehow I think that to keep a bit more "brand" identification, Carnival Corp will nudge HAL up a tad (though still trying to expand its appeal), and perhaps nudge Princess down, so that it will have Carnival for mass market, Princess at mid-level, and HAL at premium. I do hope that's wrong, and they instead raise both HAL and Princess so they'll be Premium and maybe something like Premium Plus, but we'll see.
T
tomc
Guest
One one hand, I don't mind paying more because it's pretty unrealistic as things are now. On the other, I don't mind being nickeled-and-dimed because I don't use many of the onboad services and why should I pay for someone else's free shrimp?
So, I am definitely in favor of both sides.
So, I am definitely in favor of both sides.
W
wendyandbarry
Guest
Hi Tom:
you did see the new PROMO That I posted for your 5/23?
Barry
you did see the new PROMO That I posted for your 5/23?
Barry
T
tomc
Guest
My TA called Wed or Thur and said she called about it. Whatever the deal was (I was busy and she left a message), she got it and we are both grateful for the tip. There was some other promotion going on, which I already had, when this one came along. The TA said these promotions appear and disappear with hardly and warning, so she locked into it before it disappeared. That, and other maneuverings, brought the price down really low.
M
MortgageChick
Guest
Any promo code out there for june 28 Rotterdam?
J
Jo
Guest
mortgagechick
I don't know when you booked or what your price is but the only promo code that I see for your date is 11000. Doesn't mean that there aren't others but this is the only one that I found through my faxes. Give it a try and let us know.
I don't know when you booked or what your price is but the only promo code that I see for your date is 11000. Doesn't mean that there aren't others but this is the only one that I found through my faxes. Give it a try and let us know.
D
Dan Tobey
Guest
I think we all need to shop for crusie prices just like we do everything else in life. We all love a bargain. I have been booking online with www.cruisevalue.com and getting some of the best rates around. The have an 800 number but if you use one of their TA's the price is higher, still good but higher. I just booked a gaurantee outside "C" on the Volendam 10 day for April 18, 2003 sailing, for $400 per person plus taxes. That is a great deal for an Easter week sailing.
I just read that the lowest prices o cruises are from discounter when you book on line. The artical also states that less than 5% of all cruises are booked this way. Whenever I se a great price or get a mailing about a crusie deal I check it out on their on line site. Almost always they are cheaper.
I just read that the lowest prices o cruises are from discounter when you book on line. The artical also states that less than 5% of all cruises are booked this way. Whenever I se a great price or get a mailing about a crusie deal I check it out on their on line site. Almost always they are cheaper.
S
sage
Guest
I am so excited that I had to share this with everyone since you have all been so helpful and supportive. I checked the HAL web site this morning, and the price was the same, and I checked about 20 mintues ago, and the price had dropped about $1100 per person. I called, and I have the new rate in place. I'm wearing a really big smile now even though you can't see it through the screen. Thank you for your wonderful advice and support. I must get up and do my little dance now.
A
asctony
Guest
Volendam 10 day for April 18, 2003 sailing, for $400 per person plus taxes.
What I have seen lately is that the 'plus taxes' are increasing much faster than the Cruise Basic price? Example: HAL Rotterdam 11/28/03 10 days.
Cruise 627.81 Cat N Government Fees 197.19 and Noncommision Fee 169.
That means the fees are: 197.19 + 169 =366.19 compare to 627.81 cruise fare. That 366.19 is 37% of the total cruise price. Happy Cruising!!!
What I have seen lately is that the 'plus taxes' are increasing much faster than the Cruise Basic price? Example: HAL Rotterdam 11/28/03 10 days.
Cruise 627.81 Cat N Government Fees 197.19 and Noncommision Fee 169.
That means the fees are: 197.19 + 169 =366.19 compare to 627.81 cruise fare. That 366.19 is 37% of the total cruise price. Happy Cruising!!!
D
Dan Tobey
Guest
Hi Tony;
You are right about the port taxes and Gov. fees being high. I am a former TA, in the old days, cruise lines always quoted fares plus port taxes. Then the Gov. stepped in and started adding their fees. What the company gets for the actual cruise is low when you compared to a land based vacation.
Our 10 day Volendam sailing 4/18 is still a huge bargain, for a Gaurantee Deluxe, outside cat. "C". Even with the 230.30 added port and fees, the $630.80 total price is about what I paid back in 1994 when I last sailed at a Travel Agents rate. Back then TA's there charged $35 a day, plus port and any other fees. We were always given the best available standard outside cabin. I am sure by now the per day rate for TA's is at least $40 or more plus the port and fees.
Go to any nice restaurant in the US and try to have a full course dinner for less than $40 per person without taxes and tip. Even the Budget travel guides on Europe and other tourist spots are now $80 - $100 a day. If anyone can get alway over this Easter Holiday, the should check out these below wholesale rates on the Volendam.
I didn't think we could afford to do another cruise before our upcoming QM2 Maiden Sailing, 01/12/2004, glad I was wrong........................
You are right about the port taxes and Gov. fees being high. I am a former TA, in the old days, cruise lines always quoted fares plus port taxes. Then the Gov. stepped in and started adding their fees. What the company gets for the actual cruise is low when you compared to a land based vacation.
Our 10 day Volendam sailing 4/18 is still a huge bargain, for a Gaurantee Deluxe, outside cat. "C". Even with the 230.30 added port and fees, the $630.80 total price is about what I paid back in 1994 when I last sailed at a Travel Agents rate. Back then TA's there charged $35 a day, plus port and any other fees. We were always given the best available standard outside cabin. I am sure by now the per day rate for TA's is at least $40 or more plus the port and fees.
Go to any nice restaurant in the US and try to have a full course dinner for less than $40 per person without taxes and tip. Even the Budget travel guides on Europe and other tourist spots are now $80 - $100 a day. If anyone can get alway over this Easter Holiday, the should check out these below wholesale rates on the Volendam.
I didn't think we could afford to do another cruise before our upcoming QM2 Maiden Sailing, 01/12/2004, glad I was wrong........................
E
ecrapps
Guest
Does anyone know of a discount code for the 11/11/03 sailing of the Volendam?
J
Jo
Guest
ecrapps - haven't seen anything yet for the Volendam that far out. The latest that I have seen is for the 10/25 cruise.
W
wendyandbarry
Guest
Hi Jo:
I just could not belive the discounts for the Rotterdam's April sailings, that just came out this week in the Flash. I am about ready to cash in my FF miles and go on that 16 day cruise, if I only had the time.
Barry
I just could not belive the discounts for the Rotterdam's April sailings, that just came out this week in the Flash. I am about ready to cash in my FF miles and go on that 16 day cruise, if I only had the time.
Barry
B
BurBunny
Guest
Ecrapps - don't know of a discount code, but I was alerted that some of the 11/11 Volendam fares went down yesterday
D
Dan Tobey
Guest
Ecrapps;
I don't know of any dicount codes but I always ceck prices on www.cruisevalue.com They have on line reservation sevice that is very easy to use. I fist click on the cruise line, exp. HAL, then on the mont, like Nov. 2003, then on the ship, in this case Volendam. The site will show you all of the Volendam's sailings for that month and you can click and check price. I have never found a cheaper price than the discount on line agency offers. They have an 800 number but it cost more to book with an agent than on line. My upcoming 10 day Volendam sailing in a Gaurantee "C" outside was only $400.50 plus port and taxes, total $630.80. Not bad for a cabin that was selling for almost $3,000 PP. Who knows I still may get an upgrade since this is a gaurantee of "C" or better.
I have booked a few cruises with them, you don't get any personal service but when you are dealing with Top Cruise LInes why not go for the best price. I booked two Celebrity sailing and one on NCL with them. Everything when well and docs arrived on time. I even did the air through them on my last cruise on the Norwegian Dawn over New Years. We got none stop tickets to Miami from Philadelphia on USairways and transfers to the ship, all at a better price than I could on my own. This time on HAL, I was able to get air at half of the ad-on rate.
Happy cruising.
I don't know of any dicount codes but I always ceck prices on www.cruisevalue.com They have on line reservation sevice that is very easy to use. I fist click on the cruise line, exp. HAL, then on the mont, like Nov. 2003, then on the ship, in this case Volendam. The site will show you all of the Volendam's sailings for that month and you can click and check price. I have never found a cheaper price than the discount on line agency offers. They have an 800 number but it cost more to book with an agent than on line. My upcoming 10 day Volendam sailing in a Gaurantee "C" outside was only $400.50 plus port and taxes, total $630.80. Not bad for a cabin that was selling for almost $3,000 PP. Who knows I still may get an upgrade since this is a gaurantee of "C" or better.
I have booked a few cruises with them, you don't get any personal service but when you are dealing with Top Cruise LInes why not go for the best price. I booked two Celebrity sailing and one on NCL with them. Everything when well and docs arrived on time. I even did the air through them on my last cruise on the Norwegian Dawn over New Years. We got none stop tickets to Miami from Philadelphia on USairways and transfers to the ship, all at a better price than I could on my own. This time on HAL, I was able to get air at half of the ad-on rate.
Happy cruising.
J
Jo
Guest
Barry,
I know, some of those prices right now are amazing. Too bad I can't take advantage of more but my clients have gotten some great deals.
I know, some of those prices right now are amazing. Too bad I can't take advantage of more but my clients have gotten some great deals.
A
asctony
Guest
Dan: Fully understand the current price structure. Been cruising for many years and agree that cruising now is much cheaper than it was back in the 80s. My only point was that fares are big now and many travel companies do not disclose the fees to show a very low price. Not all, but some. Many people don't even question the total price. For some reason HAL seems to be higher on their fees than other cruise lines. Happy Cruising!!!
K
KismetCruiser
Guest
I have to put in my two cents...
The Promo 6 discount was sent out to "Mariner Society" members (Previous cruisers that sailed HAL). I think it is more then fair to give discounts to people who have already patronized your services. I am unsure how others who have never cruised with HAL before recieved the discount, as I had to provide my number to the HAL Customer Service Rep to book the trip.
Personally, I am a little annoyed that anyone seems to be able to get this discount, when they haven't previously been on HAL, as the promo was sent out to the members.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great thing that pretty much anyone can afford to enjoy a wonderful vacation, I just don't understand why so many get upset about discounts that are offered for previous patronage, but not to the public as a whole. To me, it's no different then any place that wants to encourage repeat customers and offers a discount as incentive.
The Promo 6 discount was sent out to "Mariner Society" members (Previous cruisers that sailed HAL). I think it is more then fair to give discounts to people who have already patronized your services. I am unsure how others who have never cruised with HAL before recieved the discount, as I had to provide my number to the HAL Customer Service Rep to book the trip.
Personally, I am a little annoyed that anyone seems to be able to get this discount, when they haven't previously been on HAL, as the promo was sent out to the members.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great thing that pretty much anyone can afford to enjoy a wonderful vacation, I just don't understand why so many get upset about discounts that are offered for previous patronage, but not to the public as a whole. To me, it's no different then any place that wants to encourage repeat customers and offers a discount as incentive.
J
Jo
Guest
Kristen,
when the promo first came out it wasn't targeted to "Mariners" only. They did change that somewhere along the line. Also you are considered a past guest if you have sailed on any of Carnival Corp different lines.
when the promo first came out it wasn't targeted to "Mariners" only. They did change that somewhere along the line. Also you are considered a past guest if you have sailed on any of Carnival Corp different lines.
