This post covers specifics re my casino comp offer, some tips, status matching and other ways to save with HAL Cruises. Note: this will be updated as I book, plan (maybe, lol probably cancel) and finish up cruises.  

For information regarding the completed cruise: check out the completed cruise section for related posts.

Interested in how I got the comp offer in the first place? read this for all the details re my casino status match jackpot, and this one for the incredible haul.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE: CASINO COMP OFFERS

Direct Match to HAL Oceans Players Club

Sea and Save Deals

CASINO OFFERS TIPS / GOOD TO KNOW

Casino offers are limited to specific sailings so you are not able to to book a longer cruise with additional costs (ie vs MSC that allows you to do this)

Comp cruises are for guaranteed rooms so you are unable to choose your stateroom. Personally my room was not assigned until one day before sailing – that was a little stressful with horror stories going around of those with guaranteed rooms being denied boarding on sold out cruises (and of course about two weeks before sailing, this cruise sold out!)

NO single passenger supplement but only for the specific cabin type in your offer (ie if you upgrade, you will have the supplement added at that time)
_{Beautiful Tip: If you think that someone else might join you, it’s better to use a placeholder for the second party just in case as ships are limited by passenger numbers – this is easy to do since there is no deposit required. *You are able to add/change the second passenger up to 2 weeks prior to sailing date}

I didn’t dive into learning about the Club Orange Package once I found out that adding it will trigger the solo supplement fee. FYI this is used by people to get a room assigned as you become eligible for the best of your room type which includes the largest stateroom in the category (which can vary dramatically even for an interior) and preferred ship location so it might be worthwhile for some. Note that this was offered when I booked and sailed on my comp cruise but it has since changed that you are not able to add to casino comps

Anything (upgrades, packages) added/prepaid (gratuities) on a casino offer are non-refundable if you have to cancel at ANY time after booking so I waited until a couple days before my vacation started to pay for the HIA package and gratuities (yes as I was debating up to the end about boarding the ship)

The Have It All package can be added on board but it is an additional $10/day so total of $65/day vs $55/day if you purchase prior.

For those purchasing a single trip travel insurance, adding in packages will increase the cost of your cruise so your insurance would likewise increase. I have an annual plan so this wasn’t applicable to me but Allianz single trip insurance covers missed ports according to one of the Facebook groups I am in (people said that they were reimbursed $150/missed port – I can’t remember if there was a cap on how many missed ports will be reimbursed or if $450 was given because our sailing missed three ports)

I was not able to split payment types (ie use my AMEX and remaining GC balance) for the HIA package and gratuities either online or with a representative.

Important note: if you are a gambler (I definitely am not) and cruising HAL for the first time on a casino comp, I strongly suggest you join a FB HAL casino group – they have up to date info on offers plus there are many very knowledgeable folks on there. Though I am not a gambler, I wish that I would have known about how points and all of that worked especially as your first cruise showing/points total is important to establishing a track record with the casino (ie you want to go strong – and here’s my PSA to always play with an amount that you are comfortable losing)

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON HAL

DISCOUNTED GIFT CARDS

Unfortunately as of the beginning of the year (January 2025), you are no longer able to get discounted HAL gift cards through AARP.

AARP DISCOUNT

With an AARP Membership, receive up to $200 Onboard Credit per stateroom when booking your next Holland America Line cruise. You can find out more info about this discount here. NOTE: That you will not be given this discount on a comp cruise booking

CREDIT CARD OFFERS

This is the best American Express offer that I have been able to use for any cruise line – I was able to save 40%!

My HAL Comp Cruises

CRUISE(S) BOOKED

• HAL Nieuw Statendam 11 Day Passage to Greenland and Iceland (Oceanview) – COMPLETED

CRUISE(S) COMPLETED

• HAL Nieuw Statendam 11 Day Passage to Greenland and Iceland (Oceanview) (Cash value: $2,386 – pricing for two at time of booking including port fees and taxes)
  • Trip Report detailed look at (cash/miles/points) spend and all savings numbers with emphasis on travel hacking side
  • Trip Overview is the anchor post for the trip with info on the itinerary and links to all applicable flight/hotels/port stops/day posts
  • HAL Nieuw Statendam review of the ship
  • HAL review of the cruise line

CRUISE(S) CANCELLED

CRUISES IN GENERAL

• I still have found that the best sources for up to date information are in the Facebook groups for the cruise lines, the ship itself, and your specific sailing* (note that these are the “fans” not the official company groups). I have found loads of info about the ports, excursions, tricks, hidden gems, etc in these groups that I wouldn’t have located otherwise (or it would have taken so much longer to track down). Also learned to take complaints and issues with a grain of salt….unless there were a lot of people in agreement, then it was something to keep in the back of my mind. *Do note that there is a security concern/risk to be joining specific sailing dates as this is advertising when you will be gone
• Booking excursions: I rarely book excursions directly from the cruise lines due to cost and size of groups and have
• Something that I feel is important to highlight is that I was not a cruiser prior to starting the Casino Status Match Jackpot.  My first and only cruise before this was in July 2023 as a large family outing to celebrate my parents’ anniversary. But here I am with such an incredible haul – the HAL cruises was the second of the six comp cruises I have taken to date!

Anything that you wish I would have covered here? 

And those who have also done an MSC comp cruise, did I miss anything?