free air

[meow!]

Oceania seems to be the cruiseline which uses free air the most extensively as a sales technique. In our April Mediterranean cruise, for 2x$50 deviation fee, we could get the flights we wanted on the airline we wanted, arrived a few days early pre-cruise and left a few days late post-cruise. The free air was one of the major considerations for taking that voyage.

Probably, Oceania is at a size large enough to get "bulk rates" with major airlines, while small enough to be able to handle the air itineraries of most (though not all) passengers efficiently. Also, unlike the true boutique ships (a poll on the Silversea column a couple of years ago showed that 90% of their passengers took business/first class trans-oceanic upgrades), the vast majority of Oceania passengers are willing to go economy (the free tickets are usually not upgradable) since it is free.

So, let us take a poll here, to see if free/semi-free air is an important factor in your choosing Oceania. Then its management will know how successful (or not) this feature is. Thank you.

[rdowney]

The bottom line price of the trip including air is really important. There's no free lunch and no free air. It makes little difference to me whether the air cost is included in the cruise price or is an add-on.

Cruise lines that over price their air are encouraging passengers to make their own arrangements, which can be an inconvenience to some destinations. I've experienced that with Windstar.

What's included with the air package also makes a difference. For example, Radisson included a hotel night in Los Angeles on the way to Tahiti, which helped break up a long trip and ensured that we wouldn't miss the connection at LAX.

I booked with Oceania to South America because the total price of the cruise plus the "free" air was very attractive. If I had to pay about $1000 for an air ticket, it would have been far less attractive.

[Wanderlusty]

Agree with rdowney--our $399 pp air to South America was a deal-maker, as we had little interest in paying upwards of $1,000 each for flights to this less-in-demand destination (Manaus).

I've been looking at the 2005 Europe offerings and think it was clever of Oceania to make free air universal on these itineraries. Their cruise fares have gone up enough that we might not be considering taking an Oceania cruise in Europe in '05 were it not for the free air, which would likely run us $700-900 each to our preferred destinations during our preferred cruising times. Oceania clearly spends less on these air arrangements than they would lose if they hadn't raised their cruise fares, but as a customer I don't care which end the savings comes from as long as I get a good deal. So everybody's happy.

[bookbag]

I was more enticed when Ren used to occasionally offer business class upgrades for $500 or so than the offer of free economy.

[ClaudiaF]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bookbag:
I was more enticed when Ren used to occasionally offer business class upgrades for $500 or so than the offer of free economy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Well, even though they have nothing to do with each other ( company wise) I also would like to have the upgrade option.. Since I wouldn't fly anywhere in economy..( not trying to sound hoity toity just the facts) ...it's just too long a flight to be crammed in coach..

Next stop:
Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;2;2;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0300

http://www.gifs.net/animate/mermaidswim.gif
http://jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_treasurebox.gif

[Tropic]

I agree with the others...also going to SA though the Rio to Manuas cruise. I am told they are thinking of making this a "mandatory" charter flight which I'm not too happy about though no final decision as of yet I take it. I had wanted to try out the go earlier to Rio and upgrade route which would not be available if economy charter was "mandatory". Waiting to see how that one shakes out.

[spindrift]

AND, I'm still waiting to see pre/post cruise packages and Business Class air upgrade for the South America/Antartica cruise. This is 6 months out, and I can't imagine why I haven't heard what the options are. I sure would like to know if I need to do my own thing or join in.

[ClaudiaF]

There were no biz class upgrades available 6 months ago when we booked.. so we made our own arrangements.. and glad we did, if now there is rumor of charter flights.. which they don't use...
I also would love to be able to know what hotel arrangements the ship has- they sound like such great packages in their beautiful brochure.. so still waiting for that too....
unfortunately, Jan, Feb. and even March are high season in SA and the good hotels can be sold out..so would be nice to get a clue..........................................

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by spindrift:
AND, I'm still waiting to see pre/post cruise packages and Business Class air upgrade for the South America/Antartica cruise. This is 6 months out, and I can't imagine why I haven't heard what the options are. I sure would like to know if I need to do my own thing or join in.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Next stop:
Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;2;2;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0300

http://www.gifs.net/animate/mermaidswim.gif
http://jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_treasurebox.gif

[ClaudiaF]

who told you this? and nothing in life is mandatory... you can opt out.. but still curious where you heard this ?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tropic:
I agree with the others...also going to SA though the Rio to Manuas cruise. I am told they are thinking of making this a "mandatory" charter flight which I'm not too happy about though no final decision as of yet I take it. I had wanted to try out the go earlier to Rio and upgrade route which would not be available if economy charter was "mandatory". Waiting to see how that one shakes out.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Next stop:
Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;2;2;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0300

http://www.gifs.net/animate/mermaidswim.gif
http://jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_treasurebox.gif

[Tropic]

Actually their own people when I tried to get information on upgrading and deviating. Was told we would know by about the 15th of this month but still no word. I suppose mandatory is too strong, but told that with the charter they would not be offering deviations... I suspect to ensure a full plane. Yes, I know I can always cancel, but have put off other trips this year that we might have taken to enjoy what seems to be a wonderful opportunity to visit Brazil and the Amazon. Hopefully, this will work out differently and both deviations and upgrades will be available.

[meow!]

Somehow, the software of this board has malfunctioned again. So I have to push this thread back up in the hope of getting more votes. As in any survey, the more votes there are, the more valid are the results. Thank you.

[sfbear]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by spindrift:
AND, I'm still waiting to see pre/post cruise packages and Business Class air upgrade for the South America/Antartica cruise. This is 6 months out, and I can't imagine why I haven't heard what the options are. I sure would like to know if I need to do my own thing or join in.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Partner and I are booked on the Dec. 17th Valparaiso to Buenos Aires (including Antarctica) and are anxious to make our pre and post hotel arrangements - but, alas, no word yet from Oceania as to the packages offered. Seems to me that we should be hearing by now. Am I missing something? If anybody has hotel recommendations for either city, we'll be happy to hear. Really looking forward to this trip.

[cruzemaven]

For us, free coach is not an incentive on a flight to Europe. A business upgrade, depending on the deal, could be an incentive.

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;8;17;18;00;00&timezone=GMT+0100
8/17Insignia Barcelona to Venice

[ClaudiaF]

Just to be safe ( until we hear from ship what they are offering)...
Made reservation for Buenos Aires at Kempinski which has some great deals and the ones in the Recoleta area are supposed to be in the "right place to be"..
They have a few packages that sound great one, package which includes transportation from airport ( or to) and also they have two way so airport pick up and then a tranfser which is what we will need after the hotel stay to the ship..
Their website is :
www.kempinski.com/en/main.php?main=hotels&sub=america (http://www.kempinski.com/en/main.php?main=hotels&sub=america)


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sfbear:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by spindrift:
AND, I'm still waiting to see pre/post cruise packages and Business Class air upgrade for the South America/Antartica cruise. This is 6 months out, and I can't imagine why I haven't heard what the options are. I sure would like to know if I need to do my own thing or join in.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Partner and I are booked on the Dec. 17th Valparaiso to Buenos Aires (including Antarctica) and are anxious to make our pre and post hotel arrangements - but, alas, no word yet from Oceania as to the packages offered. Seems to me that we should be hearing by now. Am I missing something? If anybody has hotel recommendations for either city, we'll be happy to hear. Really looking forward to this trip.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Next stop:
Buenos Aires to Rio Oceania - "Insignia"
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;2;2;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0300

http://www.gifs.net/animate/mermaidswim.gif
http://jammerbabe.com/images/gifs/icon_treasurebox.gif

[Merriem]

Might I make the recommendation that you book your own hotel reservations. I have found that cruise lines charge about double the rack rate. The price by taxi from the pier to most hotels is only $15. Remember the $$ is very strong in Argentina...3-1.

We have stayed at the Four Seasons, used to be the Park Hyatt. A very lovely hotel, in the Recoleta area. Also, stayed at the Intercontinental, not as great a location but nice hotel and very good restaurant with prices in pesos.

I would skip any transfer packages as they are just not realistic. It is about 8 minutes from the pier to the Recoleta area.

You will love Buenos Aires. Hope you plan to stay extra time. We usually spend about four days in advance or at the end, depending on the direction we are going.

Be sure and spend some time on Florida street.

Enjoy.

[meow!]

Somehow, on this new board, the voting part is gone. From what I remember, some 39 people voted, of whom 57% considered the offer of free air an imprtant factor in their choosing Oceania, some 30% would rather take shipboard credit instead. Hopefully, Oceania's management has had the chance to take note of this before the ending of the old board! Thank you all for voting, such information should be helpful to the cruise line.

[spindrift]

How do you all feel about the Marriott in Buenos Aires & Santiago?

[redvette]

Oceania is offering the Marriott in BA as a pre-cruise hotel for $400 per couple for two nights (including transfers). This hotel was originally built in 1909 and has been refurbished. They are offering the Ritz Carlton in Santiago as post-cruise for $600 per couple for two nights - including transfers from Valparaiso. This hotel opened last year (I think). This is for the 1/3/05 cruise.


As for the original question on free air, I would personally much rather be offered discount upgrade to Biz Class. Any trip that takes 20 hours, I don't want to be in coach!

Jack

[malony33]

Hi, Fellow Oceania Fans,

Today I booked this cruise: 12 days,"Petit Ports of the Caribbean", Cat. B Verandah on Deck 6, free air (don't need the air for $$$ purposes for the short hop from the Northeast to Miami, but it's nice!) 2-for-1 fare (a GREAT price), excellent cabin location. Now I'm just awaiting transfer and hotel info...want to arrive a day early and stay at least 1 day post-cruise for a quick visit with family in the area. I'll arrange transfers and hotel myself if Oceania is too pricey.

Now, would you veterans please share with me all the things you like/enjoy/love/appreciate about the co. and the Regatta? This is the fun part: your stories, shared wisdom, all the amenities that we can expect after 10 cruises - most good to great - on mass market lines. Only good anecdotes, please, no rain on my parade. Not to get too personal, but my family and I have had several tough years - a brain tumor, my son at age 16 being spirited away by his MUCH older half sister and a cultish church (he's 22 and just fine now), almost fatal pancreatitous SIX TIMES, an elderly mother with Alzheimers - so rose-colored glasses are a relief for awhile, even for realists like my hubby and me.Not looking for sympathy, HONEST! We've had more ups than downs! It's just easier to let it all out to strangers. Thanks for listening!

I LOVE THESE BOARDS AND ALL THESE PEOPLE!!!

Thanks,
Barbara

[malony33]

Hi, Everyone,

Well, there is a substantial price difference bet. the cruise alone (w/all taxes,etc.) and the SAME cruise with the "free" airfare ( the Regatta in Nov., 2004). This never happened in any other similar situation: for ex., Windstar gave us REAL free air r/t from Newark, NJ to Barbados - $800+ PP at the time - and a reasonable quote for a very exotic, unique 7-day cruise that came to around $3,000 for both, not each. Excellent cuisine; a water platform that lowered off the back of the ship for all kinds of water sports; several luxurious 1-of-a-kind experiences too numerous to detail here; adventurous excursions worth the $$$; a day on a deserted island; fine service; a comfy cabin w/CD, VCR, and beds like heaven; "casual elegance" dress code. I...LOVED...IT!!!

Now, this is not to say I'm not about to BURST with excitement over the coming Regatta cruise, a surprise for my husband for our 25th anniversary
(okay, you got me...it's for me, too...tried to sound selfless, but it didn't work...).

I've heard and read enough to know that we are indeed in for something special. And to make it sweeter, my agent got us such a price for a verandah (stateroom #6001...info, anybody???).

A few ques.: Will we have a little refridgerator? A CD player? A DVD or VCR?
What are some examples of the room service offerings? How is
Oceania's coffee? Our last 2 cruises were on CCL - lovely Infinity
and Summit, good food and service, but TOXIC coffee!

Thanks to all; please help me with your knowledge of the ship, the cabin, all amenities, excusions, DRESSING FOR DINNER, and any other experience you have! I'm a neophyte on this line,so anything you'd like to share will be gratefully welcomed! You are the best!

Barb Malony

[Merriem]

We are staying at the Ritz Carlton in Santiago, for three nights between two cruises. The rate offered is $160 per couple including breakfast. There are no taxes as long as you are traveling with a US passport.

I would think twice before I paid $600 for two night. The transfers to the port are less than $60, and you can do that yourself.

Do not forget your $100 entrance fee to Chile. You do have to pay that in cash.

[ClaudiaF]

6001 is a forward cabin actually front cabin between the 2 Vista ( owner suites)..so nice
you have a balcony cabin, but I am not sure if they have yet, put in refrigerators .. they didn't have them before in any cabin but penthouse and owners suites inc. Vista suites).. there has been talk of them putting refrigerators in all .. but if they have done so your TA should be the one to ask. I'll say no.
no cd player.. only in the owner/vista suites-
dress for dinner-is what has been beaten to death.. Country club casual
oh for goodness sake.. just elegant go out to dinner comfortably attire will do.. how fancy or not is up to you... no jackets for the guys unless they want to/ no ties unless they want to, no formals/tuxes unless you want to.
No shorts, tennis shoes, jeans in dining room at dinner ( like any where you would go to dinner (nice) at home)...
i.e. you favorite country club ;-)

[new_cruiser]

I've been wondering about whether free air is a worthwhile incentive for me. I've always done my own flights. I like having the ability to see that the routing and layovers are comfortable. I like being on the airline where I have frequent flyer miles. I've had to do trans-Atlantic flights a couple of times on carriers where I don't have frequent flyer status and I didn't like getting stuck in the back of the plane. If I'm on the airline where I have the miles and there is a problem such as a missed connection, I know they will work hard to fix it. Of course I also like being able to upgrade for such long flights.

Also, the promotion says free from "selected gateway cities" and doesn't list which they are. I don't know if San Francisco is one of the selected gateways. On promotions on other lines they usually list the cities and the additional fare from other major gateways. When San Francisco isn't one of the free gateways, the fare often isn't that much of a savings over what I could get myself by careful booking. I find it a little irritating that Oceana makes me place a call or send an email to find out if their free fare even applies to me.

I'd like to hear from any who have done free air with Oceana in the past about whether they were happy with the flights chosen. I'm particularly interested with regard to flights for the Mediterranean cruises.

[ToniL]

Free air was the incentive that convinced us to book with Oceania. They offered to book us out of either Calgary or Edmonton, neither of which are major cities. The cost of a flight alone into Barcelona and out of Lisbon would be almost the same as what the whole cruise & flight combination cost with Oceania. So, I guess if you are on an obscure kind of route the free air is definately a consideration. Can't wait to see what our schedule is like though!

[Merriem]

We did the "free air" on a transatlantic, with a deviation. We had to pay $115 each for the change, did not get to pick our flights. We also lost our transfers to and from the airport.

From Lisbon, we had to go to Frankfurt, then Chicago, and finally Minneapolis.

It was a horrible 24 hour trip. I guess we got what we "paid" for.

[ToniL]

About an hour after I posted I got confirmation on our flights for the October 23 cruise. We'll go Edmonton - Minneapolis - Amsterdam - Barcelona on the way down, and back from Lisbon - Newark - Toronto - Edmonton. They are using Air Canada, KLM, Continental and NWA. I'll have lots of frequent flyer numbers to keep track of! We didn't purchase a deviation, but I don't know how much better we would do out of Edmonton, anyway. This way we leave on Friday morning to arrive Saturday morning so we get some time to explore Barcelona. 24 hours does sound like a long time to travel, MerrieM, especially with Minneapolis being such a big airport. You must have been exhausted. We will only be in transit for about 15 hours all the way from Edmonton to Barcelona.

[new_cruiser]

Yes, 24 hours in transit is rough. We had nearly that recently going from Beijing to Sacramento partly due to a longish layover in Tokyo.

Please educate me on what counts as a deviation. I expect we will want to spend an extra couple of nights pre-cruise and maybe a night or two post cruise (depending on which itinerary we choose). Does that count as a deviation?

[ClaudiaF]

If you want to use the ships air package and you either want to go sooner / or you want to stay later, or you want to just pick the airline schedules that suite YOU rather than have the ship choose what they want for you- then you pay the $50.00 p/p (I believe that is still the price- you never know) ;-)
and they will set up your flights. If the flights costs more than what the ship has alloted ( for lack of a better word) you have to pay the difference also.

[Merriem]

We always leave at least a day early if we are departing from the US, and if it is in a foreign country, we will go up to two weeks early. Also, we usually do our own air. However, with the "free air" we paid the $115 each, and had no control over flights, schedule, etc.

On the Oceania cruise we went a day early to Miami.......that was a deviation, and then spent a week in Lisbon (that was actually too long there). So I would say anything that is not what they schedule for you is a deviation.

We are going to South America in January on Celebrity to Chile, and then flying to Quito and going on the Celebrity Expedition in the Galapagos, so you can see we had quite a deviation. Being Captains Club members (no big deal) the deviation is done at no charge........which I think is nice.

Anyway, I guess that is how it works in a nutshell.

[cowboycork]

When we did the Insignia Athens - Rome, we used my FF miles to get to/from, and Oceania gave us $500 pp off the price. Furthermore, forget their outragious prices for transfers. You can do much better on your own (esp. if you 'team up' with other pax).

[ASmith]

"Free" economy air doesn't interest me at all as I like to be able to use my miles to upgrade for transoceanic flights. I just contacted Oceania as I was considering a 2005 Med cruise, and they're offering between $600-$800 off depending on the sail date if you don't use their air.

[chicagogal]

I agree with others who would prefer an inexpensive upgrade option. Free coach air to Europe is not a big incentive to me. I actually fly a lot for business so I have miles available. I usually pay for coach tickets on personal trips (so I can earn more miles) and then use my miles to upgrade. I doubt I would fly to Europe (let alone further) in coach just because it was free. Free air to the Caribbean may be appealing though since it is a shorter distance. (about 4 hours for me to San Juan, for example)

By the way, I must be on the only cruise (Sept 5th Regatta Lisbon - Rome) where Oceania did not offer free air. (At least if they did, I never heard about it!) Did anyone on the board get free air on that itinerary?