Alaskan Cruise on Pts - Need info from past cruisers

[Lisa0503]

If you have cruised Alaska with HAL using points in the past, when DID you book & cruise?

I have been trying to get info from MS about booking next summer. I know there is an 11 month booking window which means they SHOULD be booking now for next season but that is not happening. According to MS, HAL has not come to an agreement with DVC. They suggested I call back the end of September (I have been calling since June) I am getting a bit worried that HAL may not renew (especially since I asked MS about it and they just said, you never know...Atlantis just dropped their contract with no warning) DH & I have been planning this special trip for a couple of years and this would definately throw a wrench in our plans if we have to pay cash. Also, if we do have to pay cash, the sooner we book the more of a discount we would get for booking early (not to mention that the room catagories are filling up fast!!!)

I would really apreciate anyone sharing their experience with this!!! TIA!!!

 

[joksten2000]

We went on our Alaska cruise on 7/01/06 on the Oosterdam. There were eight of us. Really a great cruise. The food & service were not up to DCL standards but was ok I made a trip report under DCL. The drinks were a scream, you got ice tea in a 4oz glass. An you never could get a refill. The scenery was beyond description. We booked at the 11 month window.

Jack

 

[Jynohn]

I've been calling member services for months now trying to book a HAL cruise for next May. The cruise is to celebrate our 10th anniversary, and I could only go during a specific week due to my school schedule, so I started to get nervous as the date was already beginning to fill up fast on HAL's website.

After calling member services one last time yesterday and still getting no definitive answer, I finally gave up and booked a Princess cruise for cash instead. Hope you have better luck!

 

[Lisa0503]

Jynohn - Congrats on getting your cruise booked (if you don't mind my asking, how much was Princess and why did you decide on Princess as a line? I guess I should start looking into our options if DVC/HAL isn't going get their act together....

Our travel dates are somewhat flexible. At this point, I think we are going to try for an Aug sailing but I would like to be back home in time for my DD's first day at pre-school. DH and I have decided to wait till we get home from WDW before booking on our own with cash. I guess if we do that, I am going to need a crash course in renting points since we really had no planed on paying OOP for this trip

 

[jennypenny]

We've been looking into booking the HAL cruise next summer using DH's Marriott points and, so far, Marriott has been unable to book as well.

I wonder if HAL is rethinking their relationships in this area.
Jenny

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Lisa0503:
We are booked for next May on Princess- I chose Princess because they had the exact itinerary I wanted. I've done 2 previous Alaskan cruises; one on Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas and one on Carnival Spirit so I knew what ports of call and glaciers I wanted to visit and when. We are being accompanied by several groups of friends in a series of mini-suites in a row. Several of them have enjoyed a Princess European cruise previously so I'm hoping for a great time.

The mini-suites for 11 month early booking for 7 day Vancouver to Whittier May trip were just short of 1500.00 per person for double occupancy. If you want more prices, I'd be happy to PM or email copy of them to you. Remember to add on excursions (options listed on website of cruiselines along with prices), shopping (I'm on a mission for ammolite jewelry this trip ), hotel for night before cruise (don't risk missing your cruise if your flight is delayed) and those darn cruise photos they keep taking of you and posting in the gallery! I ended up getting way too many photos but love them all and ended up with the best photograph of DH and I ever taken! It took 24 years to get it, but still...

 

[Jynohn]

Lisa:

All total we're paying about $2,100 for the two of us including transfers. This is for an ocean view cabin (no balcony). If you think you might end up paying OOP, I would advise to book as soon as possible, as we received a $1200 early booking discount.

I eventually decided on Princess after reading a lot of reviews on Cruise Critic.com Can't really say exactly what swayed me towards Princess specifically, just a general feeling I got by reading all of the reviews. We're sailing on the Diamond Princess on May 26th. DH has no idea yet, I'm counting it as a Christmas gift too

Now I need to worry about airfare, since I didn't take into consideration that getting to the ship would cost us almost as much as the cruise itself!

ETA: Tarheel Tink, sounds like we could be on the same cruise!

 

[Inkmahm]

I've been calling member services for months now trying to book a HAL cruise for next May. The cruise is to celebrate our 10th anniversary, and I could only go during a specific week due to my school schedule, so I started to get nervous as the date was already beginning to fill up fast on HAL's website.

After calling member services one last time yesterday and still getting no definitive answer, I finally gave up and booked a Princess cruise for cash instead. Hope you have better luck!

You made an EXCELLENT choice in picking Princess. We did Princess land/sea package in Alaska for our honeymoon and will go back every 5 years for our anniversary in the future. On Princess.

 

[rsschneck]

I have been researching Alaska cruises for next summer for clients who happen to be my parents and aunt/uncle. Lots of good choices. If you are paying OOP then decide what ports you want to visit and if you have a departure city that works best. This will help narrow down the choices.


My family wants to leave from Seattle and see Glacier Bay. So, that leaves a Holland Cruise or NCL cruise. I ordered some brochures and we will decide from there. I am leaning towards NCL because it is a new ship, the prices are good, activities my family would enjoy and free style dining.
PM me if you want anymore info. There are a lot of Alaska Cruises to choose from.

 

[Lisa0503]

Does anyone know the cancelations policies for cruises? I have only cruised DCL last year using points and had obviously planned on doing the Alskan Cruise on points. If I am going to have to pay OOP than I would really like to be able to take advantage of the early booking discounts...but then what if HAL does finally sign the contract and I can get the original cruise I wanted on points...would I get my deposit back if I had booked with another cruise I obviously have alot of research to be doing if I am going pay OOP

 

[Lisa0503]

I have been researching Alaska cruises for next summer for clients who happen to be my parents and aunt/uncle. Lots of good choices. If you are paying OOP then decide what ports you want to visit and if you have a departure city that works best. This will help narrow down the choices.


My family wants to leave from Seattle and see Glacier Bay. So, that leaves a Holland Cruise or NCL cruise. I ordered some brochures and we will decide from there. I am leaning towards NCL because it is a new ship, the prices are good, activities my family would enjoy and free style dining.
PM me if you want anymore info. There are a lot of Alaska Cruises to choose from.

Rsschneck - Thanks for the info. It gives me somewhere to start. Are you a travel agent? I may be sending you a PM after I have done some more research.

 

[rsschneck]

A few of the different cancellation policies

Holland - Full refund 76 days prior to travel

Princess - Full refund 90 days prior to travel

NCL - Full refund 90 days prior

Then the cancellation fees change the closer you get to traveling. I hope this helps.

 

[Lisa0503]

Thanks for posting the cancelation policies. I suppose I should look into booking OOP and then IF HAL & DVC actually come to an agreement, I could always cancel but if they don't then I would at least be able to take advantage of any early booking discounts.

 

[Mary Ellen]

I can't help with the points part as we've always paid $, but I've done 5 Alaskan cruises so I do have some experience with the itineraries.

Our favorite is on HAL:
0 Vancouver, B.C. 5:00 pm
1 At Sea
2 Tracy Arm, Alaska, Usa 1 8:00 am Noon
2 Juneau, Alaska 2:30 pm 10:30 pm
3 Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 9:00 pm
4 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising 1 7:00 am 4:00 pm
5 Ketchikan, Alaska 10:00 am 6:00 pm
6 At Sea
7 Vancouver, B.C. 7:00 am

We VASTLY prefer to sail from Vancouver than Seattle (even though I'm originally a Seattle girl and the rest of my family is still there). Sailing from Vancouver gives one more of the 'Inside Passage', MUCH better scenery and the Seymour Narrows. NONE of todays large cruise ships are physically able to sail all parts of the Inside Passage as they are just too big to fit. We have sailed from Seattle and the water you'll see that first day (and sailing back at the end) could be pretty much anywhere in ocean - NOT what we came to Alaska for.

The Zuiderdam sails the above itinerary on Saturdays and the Zaandam on Wednesdays. We prefer the Wednesday sailings as 1) the ports seem to be less crowded with fewer ships in port (when most of the ships are sailing Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun you're just following each other) and 2) the Zuiderdam is a 'Vista' class ship - which I will not sail. The 'Vistas' have smaller cabins than other HAL ships and no self-laundry for passengers. With airline luggage restrictions, I'd like to be able to do some laundry - if I wish.

Go to http://www.cruisecal.com/dnn/ to see which other ships will be in port with you and then check the ships to see how many 1,000s they carry.

The drinks were a scream, you got ice tea in a 4oz glass. An you never could get a refill.

I've never experienced this. There is ALWAYS iced tea available in the lido (along with coffee) and I've never even seen a glass there as small as 4oz.

 

[Lisa0503]

MaryEllen - That is the EXACT cruise we hoped to book with our DVC points on the Zuiderdam. After all the research I did about the HAL cruises, I would have prefered the Wed sailing on the Zaandam but since my father is kind enough to take a weeks vacation from his work to care for my two little ones a Sat - Sat sailing works best for him so we really need to find a cruise that will work with his schedule too...

 

[wintergreen]

If anyone gets word from MS on taking bookings for the HAL cruises next summer, please post! We are considering this, and I'd like to jump on it as soon as it becomes available. Thanks!!

 

[Lisa0503]

If anyone gets word from MS on taking bookings for the HAL cruises next summer, please post! We are considering this, and I'd like to jump on it as soon as it becomes available. Thanks!!

Well I have been calling about once a week or so since June. As of my last call yesterday, they are still not taking bookings I will definately post when I find out something more and would appreciate it if anyone else hears anything before me, they do the same!!!

 

[MMcCarthy]

I am new at all this lingo and can't find what OOP stands for. My husband & I are looking at a 2008 cruise to celebrate 20 years. We are back and forth about using our points. How early can you book with cash? Thanks

 

[kab407]

OOP = Out Of Pocket

 

[Lisa0503]

Well, I have been lurking over on the Cruise Critics boards since DH and I have been exploring our options if we can't use points for Alaska next summer. Anyway, I came across a very interesting rumor... Basically the rumor is that DCL will be sailing in Alaska in 2008. If that is true, maybe that is why HAL & DVC have not come to a contract agreement