Holland America Alaska Cruise

[Jynohn]

DH and I are considering using points to take an Alaskan cruise next year. I know this isn't the best use of our points, but it's our 10th anniversary, so we wanted to celebrate!

I called member services on Monday and was told that it's too early to book the cruise. However, HAL's site already has cruises for next year listed and some of the dates that we were interested in are already starting to fill up. Any idea of when I should start calling to reserve? The person I spoke to on the phone couldn't give me a date, and I don't want to keep calling needlessly if the dates won't be released for a while.

Also, does any one know what constitues value, regular and peak season on the cruise line? We were interested in going in late May due to my school break, but have no idea what season that is considered.

Thanks in advance, and any comments or tips on the cruise from those who have taken it before would be welcome!

 

[RobDoc]

It sounds as though DVC has not completed negotiations with HAL- thus the delay in being able to reserve. Usually, the non-DVC options may all be booked 11 months in advance unless there is no agreement reached with that service provider.

Stay tuned!

 

[Jynohn]

Thanks for the quick response. Guess I'll just have to be patient!

 

[disneystick]

2 yrs. ago my family use the pts. to book a cruise on the Holland America Odsterdam (mis-spelled, I'm sure). What a great cruise it was. We booked 11 months prior to our departure date. Early May uses the least amount of points and July - Aug. uses the most. We went in the first week of June and weather was perfect. No rain, blue sky and temp in Alaska was around 60-70s. Only at Hubbard Glacier was it chilly where you needed a coat on deck to view the glacier. Sitka, Kitchenan and Juneau was long pants and long sleeves just fine....depends on the tours you decide to take. If whale watching bring a windbreaker. Check on line with Holland America for dates or get a HA vacation brochure. Also call back and talk to another rep. they have hundreds of reps - if one can't answer your question try another one and don't feel bad about calling right back...you will not get the same rep. I've done it many times myself.

 

[Lisa0503]

I am in the same boat. I have been calling MS every few weeks to see if they are taking reservations for next year's Alaskan Cruises. We are looking to book in Aug so our 11 month window is a few months away still... However, I would like info on prices for cabin upgrades and the info on which season we will be in so we know how many points we will use ect...

I have been told that HAL and Disney have not finalized their contract for next year yet and that is what the holdup is... Hopefully it will be soon!!!! I have just sub'ed to this thread so if you get any new info from MS about this, please post it here... I will do the same. I have a thread going over on the Cruise Critic Boards as well. There are more DVC'rs over their than I would have ever thought and I got alot of good info about a few DVCers past experience.

Which cruise are you thinking of booking? We want the R/T from Vancouver on the Zuiderdam for the end of August. I would also like an upgrade to a veranda cabin. I would definately suggest you do all your research on the cruise and ship/cabins before you book. MS are not travel agents and really are not very knowlageable about these cruises. Once you book, you can't make any changes to the reservation unless you pay the $95 booking fee AGAIN! I found this out the hard way last year when booking our Disney Cruise (found out we had a NOISY room and we couldn't change it since I did not want to repay the fee...the room was not too bad but I will know what I am booking from now on...)

 

[Jynohn]

I will definitely post any info when I get it.

We're looking to book an inside passage cruise for late May. I really don't know much about which ship to choose, and this will be my first cruise ever, so I really should use this time before the booking window opens up to do more research! I think I'll head over to cruise critic and read up some more before calling member services again.

Thanks again to everyone!

Jynohn

 

[Scott H]

It sounds as though DVC has not completed negotiations with HAL- thus the delay in being able to reserve. Usually, the non-DVC options may all be booked 11 months in advance unless there is no agreement reached with that service provider.

Stay tuned!

This is my only complaint about DVC.

 

[Lisa0503]

True - It would be nice for DVC and HAL to have their contract arrangements made before the 11 month booking window. Alaskan Cruises are VERY popular and with the short cruise season in Alaska, they do book up quick.

Jynohn - Definately spend some time on the cruise critic boards. They have been so wonderful in planning our cruise vacations. You should definately know what dates/ship you want to sail on as well as what cabin catagory you want before you call DVC to book. From what I have read, your DVC points will get you a outside cabin but for an Alaskan cruise, you can upgrade to a veranda cabin for cash. You really want a balcony in Alaska (if you can afford it). The few post I have read, it cost DVC'ers about $200 pp to upgrade to a balcony on a Vista class ship (it can cost more depending on the ship since the smaller ships have less balcony cabins...)

 

[Lisa0503]

Ok...I just came here to vent!!!! I called MS yesterday and the contract is still not finalized between HAL & DVC for next summer cruises!!! I am really starting to worry now.... I have no idea what is taking so long. DH & I may have to think about renting our points (and figuring out how to do that) and just pay cash for our cruise next summer. I am not looking forward to the stress/hassle of renting points though.... It seems so confusing to me...