Final Payment

[dogladyjw]

Going to Alaska, August 24th thru August 31st. MsStatdendam on Seward to Vancouver route. This is our first cruise and its for our 25th Annitversary.

Made my final payment just a few minutes ago by phone. My TA says the price went down once and may have gone down again. Said she will check and Email me with the final amount. Took the advice of those on this board and used a credit card.

Thanks for all the helpful hints so far

 

[2m2cruz]

We are going on the Amsterdam Aug 23 and have heard that fares have been reduced on that cruise also. No news from TA yet and final payment has just been charged to credit card.
I have been trying to check prices on the HA web site but either error out or get a hang up before getting current prices. It seems that prices dropped just a few days after final payment was due.

 

[2m2cruz]

The price for our cabin category is now $280 less on the HA website. We were told by HA that this is for new bookings. However, in some brochure or Mariner literature they stated that if you booked early they would match any later fare reduction. Looking thru past Holland America literature to see if I can find this policy. There is also the issue of matching fares if the new ones are more than 10% less.

It may be better to cancel Holland America and book the same week cruise with Princess since Princess prices are now considerably less for a similar cruise out of Seattle.

May have to switch to one of the Agencies that advertise in this site since they seem to know how to deal with the price change/reduction issue and seem to always get informed of any price reductions.

 

[Jennie]

Here is a copy of HAL's protection policy that I copied from another message board. Our fares went down by hundreds back in April, and we are not sailing until September. Unfortunately in Australia, you do not receive refunds if the fares go down. I sent this to my travel agent and she finally managed to get a quarter of what we should have received. In future we will book directly with an US internet agent or HAL in Seattle. The Australian agents for HAL have their own rules.
I hope this helps you out.

Holland America's Price Protection Policy: Designed to assure early bookers
that they receive the best value,these new policies are effective for
sailings July 1st,2002,and beyond,and replace all past policies.

To be eligible for price protection,the original reservation must be at
Holland America's Early Savings,Mariner Savings,or Mariner Recognition
fares.

The promotion with the new lower rate must apply to the same stateroom
category as the original booking.The passenger must meet all other
conditions applicable to the new rate.


FOR CHANGES REQUESTED OUTSIDE OF THE FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE[generally,but not always,75 days prior to sailing]:
Provided the above conditions are met,upon request,the fare will be
adjusted.

Stateroom assignment and dining preferences will be retained.
Those who have purchased CPP or CPP/P will retain the CPP or CPP/P policy
and benefits.

FOR CHANGES REQUESTED WITHIN THE FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE[generally,but not always,75 days prior to sailing]:

Provided the above conditions are met and the new gross cruise-only fare, including port charges/non discountables,is at least 10% less than the
original fare paid,upon request,the fare will be adjusted to the lower
amount.


>Holland America's Price Protction Policy does not apply to "Flat
>Rate"promotions offering "run of the ship"rates in V,W,X,Y,Z categories.To
>take advantage of V-Z category offers,re-booking is required."