Free Air Promotion?

[sunnysavannah]

My In-laws are looking into their first Mediterranean cruise. I noticed that Oceania is offering a promotion for free air. What can you experts tell me about this? Are there any catches? I know nothing, so tell me anything about Oceania, the promotions, and/or other things I might look into to suggest to them.

[Jane110]

I have cruised on Oceania but have never taken their free air because we prefer to fly Business Class and on any cruiseline's air, one cannot upgrade. Also, we always fly into the embarkation city a few days before the cruise so we can enjoy that particular city.

There are no "catches". Oceania is obligated to get you to the ship on time if you use their free air. Be aware that free air means your family has no choices. You're flown in the morning of the cruise on the airline and itinerary of their choice and flown home the day the cruise ends. If that suits you, terrific.
Many people take the free air. Often it depends on where they're flying from in the US.

On the other hand, if you would like to fly in before the day of the cruise and/or stay a few days after the cruise....and/or....if you feel you'd like to be in control of the routing, you can still choose the "free air" but add to that a "Devation Fee", which I believe is $50. pp. This gives you flexibility to choose less and/or better connections. But also note that if the routing you choose is more expensive than the one they've chosen for you you'll have to pay the difference between the two fares.

Also, I *think* that if you take the cruise air, you get free transport from the airport to the ship and then from the ship back to the airport after the cruise. (someone please correct or verify this, thanks)

If I were flying coach and not going to the city of embarkation a few days before the ship sails, I would take the free (w/ deviation) air because it still puts the responsibility of getting to the ship ontime in Oceania's hands. I'd be nervous about delays/cancelled flights to fly in the day of the cruise without that piece of security.



Tell you about Oceania? Uh - gee, that could on for pages. It's probably best that you look at the Oceania website, read though some of the threads here, make some impressions and then come back here with more specific quesions.
Basically, Oceania is a 3 year old cruiseline with 3 identical ships that each hold just over 600 passengers. Oceania is more expensive that 95% of all other ships, has no formal nights, almost never any kids onboard and their cruises have extremely interesting itinerary's.

[Sharicruz]

The air deviation fee is $75.00pp, and is non-refundable. If you take the air through Oceania, the transfers are not included. There is an additional charge for them.

[ClaudiaF]

If you decide to book your own air when the ship is offering " free air" you may be entitled to an air credit. So check with your TA.

[roothy123]

If you take their air, you can, at least on our Med cruise, add on one or more days in a hotel before or after the cruise. I think that in the past you could only book a three-day add-on, but that's no longer necessary. For example, we're only going to stay in Athens a day after the cruise. If you purchase their transfers, they'll get you to the ship or hotel. As a previous poster stated, there's no catch on the airfare, but you don't normally get the greatest flights that exist. When we flew to the Med before, the flights weren't fantastic, but they weren't bad.

[tropicalkerry2002]

My agent has told me transfers to and from the airport ARE included with the free air. Also, the credit if I don't take the airfare would be $500pp. This is much less than the $800-$1200 someone posted when I asked about air credit a day or two ago.
I was also told if I book my own flights, but arrive and depart the same days as Oceania would have used, I still would have transfers to and from the airport.
So many decisions... but I was also told I have till 60 days before departure to decide if I will book my own flights, or use theirs.
Marian

[Sharicruz]

Hi Marian,

I would have your agent check again regarding the transfers. They are included when you book a pre or post hotel package through Oceania. If you book pre, you get the transfer from the airport to the hotel, and the hotel to the ship. Same goes for post. You will get the transfer from the ship to the hotel, and the hotel to the airport. If you are only planning on taking the free air, there will be a charge for them. If you book your own flights and arrive the same day as embarkation and leave the same day as disembarkation, you can purchase the transfers. The amount of the air credit depends on the itinerary.

[tropicalkerry2002]

thanks Shari, I will check again. Glad for this message board!

[Jane110]

The air deviation fee is $75.00pp, and is non-refundable.

Wow, high. Used to be $50.


If you take the air through Oceania, the transfers are not included. There is an additional charge for them.

Thanks for the clarification.

[ClaudiaF]

I thought that it was refundable if you choose NOT to go with the deviation after all.. example:
you find the flights that you want and times and airline, O tries to get it for you and if they can't or the cost differential is more than you want to pay...:rolleyes:
then the deviaition fee is refundable..or has that changed too?

[ClaudiaF]

Wow, high. Used to be $50.




Thanks for the clarification.
as if you'd use it:D anyways

[Sharicruz]

Once you choose your flights, they are sent to the air department. If they are available, and there is no air fare difference, you are given those flights and charged the $75.00pp non-refundable fee. If there is an air fare difference, you have the choice of taking it or not. If you decide you do not want to pay the difference, you can decline, and there will be no charge.

[Sharicruz]

One more bit of information regarding air deviation. The air differential is now non-refundable, as of May 30, 2006 for all new bookings. Any changes to air with regard to a booking, must be made 60 days prior to sailing.

[Napi's Mom]

Just did this, getting my OWN Air for the 11/15 Nautica sailing. Our TA looked into our Air Credit , total was $860+, could be more for better cabins, don't know. Don't forget...credit includes the fuel surcharge added to our contract for some 364$ more, so perhaps the credit IS $500 + the surcharge. I found that the price was almost the same as the credit, I got to choose the time we fly etc., no deviation fee. We're flying British Air from Ord. This is my first time setting up flights/hotels in Europe on my own...but ever thrifty, I wouldn't pay the amount O wanted for hotels, and didn't like the sound of them...a little too POSH for us (Although I looked up one of their hotels online and their travlers rating AND hotel rating was NOT so great) We wanted downtown Rome...got 2 nights at a 3*** hotel for less than the cost of 1nt pp ,in their hotel, for both of us. Same in Ist. only 1 nt. (3*** hotels around $80 in some cases) . Only problem is O. will not transfer you if you set up own air/hotel. So that's my big worry point...economical tranfers, for another day...:)

[Sharicruz]

The air credit on a specific sailing is the same for each passenger regardless of the stateroom category.

[tropicalkerry2002]

just booked my FIRST CRUISE EVER, and asked lots of questions about deviation charges, etc., and am happy to know I can wait till quite close to cruise time( before final payment due) to decide if I will take Oceania's chosen flights, or choose my own. Also found out that transfers are NOT included with the included airfare, but TA tells me they can help with that too.
I am so excited!!!Only 15 months and a bit!
Marian