Buyer Beware

We received an booklet from Oceana listing all of their cruises.

We decided on a cruise to the Caribbean.

On the page listing the itinerary and the prices it states in big white on black letters " FREE Internet "

In smaller letters (2 pt ) below it states Available on 2 different dates including the date we were interested in traveling.

When we asked our travel agent about the free internet we were told it did not apply. Upon VERY VERY close inspection, they were told by Oceana that this was stated on the back of the brochure. When I looked on the back I found in very small print (maybe 1 pt type) white on a black background additional conditions in a 2-2/4" x by 2" paragraph filled with small print information.

Buyer Beware ...You MUST READ (with a magnifying glass) all of the small print before you can trust anything presented by Oceana Cruise Lines. Very disappointing from a company that claims to be "among the finest" !

I was about to welcome you to Cruise Critic because this is your first Post, then I noticed that you have been a member for three years.

It's interesting that, in all that time, this is the sole issue which you've been compelled to address.

A quick question, if I may, in the interest of clarity:

Was the Free Internet not included in the Deal which you were hoping for because of the type of cabin which you were interested in?

There are certain cabin categories which are already so popular with the traveling public for other reasons (the food, the service, the sizes of the ships, etc) that additional incentives are just not necessary.

Most companies marketing is full of fine print with an *

Prices starting at*

Only on some sailings, inside rooms

Free Air*

if you don't use it then you get a credit

Free Shore Excursions*

Only a certain number depending length of cruise and not all excursions allowed.

Free Specialty Restaurants*

Number of nights dependent on cabin level and length of cruise.

and on and on.

Life is full of fine print, this is no more a big deal than anything else. As with any major purchase it's our job as consumers to inform ourselves as much as possible.

Here is the internet info if you still aren't clear on it.

Some sailings that need an extra incentive to get people to book will come with Free Unlimited Internet regardless of cabin booked. This is generally called Last Call Savings or in the past was called Your World On Sale.

There is another promo for Free Internet that is dependent on your cabin level, here are the details.

Beginning Winter 2015+: FREE Unlimited Internet in Oceania, Vista & Owner’s Suites

Oceania Cruises’ most exquisite suites will each include one FREE Unlimited Internet login that can be used on one device at a time, across an unlimited number of devices. Additionally, a complimentary iPad® is provided for your use in each of these suites—you’ll truly feel at home!

Beginning Winter 2015+: Free Internet in Concierge-Level Verandas & Penthouse Suites

Book a Concierge-level Veranda or Penthouse Suite and receive FREE WiFi of up to 500 minutes (or equivalent data amount). Additionally, guests in these categories may request a complimentary iPad® or wifi-enabled laptop computer while on board, subject to availability. The number of FREE Internet minutes received will be based on the length of the voyage, and includes one login per suite that may be used on one device at a time. The login may be shared across a variety of devices.

1-7 nights: 200 minutes or equivalent data amount

8-10 nights: 300 minutes or equivalent data amount

11-15 nights: 400 minutes or equivalent data amount

16+ nights: 500 minutes or equivalent data amount

If additional minutes are required, guests in these categories will enjoy a 10% discount if purchasing either the 200-minute or unlimited plans. À la carte minutes are also available.

+Winter 2015 begins with the following voyages: Insignia Jan. 4, 2016; Marina Nov. 3, 2015; Nautica Oct. 25, 2015; Regatta Nov. 4, 2015; Riviera Dec. 2, 2015 and Sirena Apr, 27, 2016.

Enjoy your cruise.

We received an booklet from Oceana listing all of their cruises.

We decided on a cruise to the Caribbean.

On the page listing the itinerary and the prices it states in big white on black letters " FREE Internet "

In smaller letters (2 pt ) below it states Available on 2 different dates including the date we were interested in traveling.

 

When we asked our travel agent about the free internet we were told it did not apply. Upon VERY VERY close inspection, they were told by Oceana that this was stated on the back of the brochure. When I looked on the back I found in very small print (maybe 1 pt type) white on a black background additional conditions in a 2-2/4" x by 2" paragraph filled with small print information.

Buyer Beware ...You MUST READ (with a magnifying glass) all of the small print before you can trust anything presented by Oceana Cruise Lines. Very disappointing from a company that claims to be "among the finest" !

The marketing department at O is famous for this.. You just have to be careful and read the fine print.

ORV -- you left out

2 for 1 Prices *

* nobody has ever paid this.. We just have it here just in case we have a super popular cruise so we can rip off the consumer.

It pays to have a good TA familiar with the line you are thinking of booking and ask questions. We never pay much attention to the booklets.

So glad you found the fine print ahead of time, shows your are "heads up" before you commit yourself to anything. Many times, the folks who come here to complain do so because they failed to read the fine print ahead of time, and assumed something that isn't true.

You should be giving yourself a pat on the back for being an astute shopper. However, Most of us are also astute shoppers, and are already aware of the fine print and restrictions. We're also aware that this is a wide-spread practice, not restricted to Oceania, and not in any way detrimental to astute Oceania prospects. Everyone should read the fine print -- that's why it's there. If the fine print was NOT there, and you were denied something which you expected, that would be cause for "buyer beware".

There has always been fine print, and there will always be fine print, no matter what you do.

Well said, Don. Thanks for taking the time to post that!

Call up O , ask to get on their mailing list. You will get all their latest offers which change constantly You will become an Oceania expert since they mail you weekly..Find an O specialist agent if you get perks or book directly. We got one free internet per cabin last cruise. Retail was $27. per day.

Why are you,or anyof us even remotely considering sailing on Oceaina, or Crystal or Regent......when there has emerged a ship so perfect . the #1 raited luxury ship in the world...in dining, service...in ambiance... the luxurious Pacific Princess... You should read up... Says so here and it must be true... I , myself was astounded...maybe you will too!!!!

Just like Objects in Mirror are Larger than they appear.

Hawaiidan, Love your history! Spent three years on USS Essex originally CV 9 but during the '60s CVS 9. Joined the Essex in Mayport FL and at the same pier the Midway was moored.

If the fine print was NOT there, and you were denied something which you expected, that would be cause for "buyer beware".

 

There has always been fine print, and there will always be fine print, no matter what you do.

If the fine print wasn't there, there would be no thread or an issue. Internet is important to many, so why play games with consumers? The ONLY reason it is hidden in fine print is to film-flam consumers. It certainly isn't print space!

If the fine print wasn't there, there would be no thread or an issue. Internet is important to many, so why play games with consumers? The ONLY reason it is hidden in fine print is to film-flam consumers. It certainly isn't print space!

Plus five! :)

Plus five! :)

In actuality, before you light your anti-capitalist bonfire, you may wish to consider that this entire conundrum is nothing more than a function of the differing grades of Cruise Lines.

Just as it it is the ""Conventional Real Estate Wisdom" to buy the cheapest house in the best neighborhood, so too there is a large contingent who believe that buying a rock bottom room on Oceania, with it's superior ambience, food, service and amenities, is preferable to a Suite on a lesser line.

For that reason, an Oceania ship has never left port without 100% of its' least expensive rooms occupied, plus a wait list of 50 crying out for the privilege.

The conundrum for Oceania Executives is, how do they add extra amenities for the rest of us, without improving those base level cabins out of all proportion?

As Yul Brenner used to say, "It's a puzzelment"

ad·ver·tise

ˈadvərˌtīz

verb

describe or draw attention to (a product, service, or event) in a public medium in order to promote sales or attendance

Yes, Oceania advertises (see above) their cruises. The purpose of this is to draw our attention. . . . to entice us buy the product. Hopefully none of us would actually buy a product as costly as an Oceania cruise based on five or six lines of copy designed to catch our attention. If there is an asterisk, follow up by looking for the added information. An ad is meant to be concise and attention grabbing.

We may not even read the ad if it was so cumbersome as to include every little variation of each offer.

ex. hot breakfast is not available in the least expensive cabins.

As on all cruise-lines, if you pay more for a suite you will get more perks. A good TA is an asset to convey all of the details of a given offer.

I am not worried about all the details found in the small print. I would be worried if the details were not available or inaccurate.

I never worry about the details in the small print from the weekly emails / mailings I get from Oceania when I get emails from TA's that discount Oceania up to 50%; and I am comparing apples to apples !

Has any one else noticed that the OP was a first time poster who has totally disappeared after posting?

Everything you ever contract for had fine print which usually does you no good to read. Same with cruise lines.

Has any one else noticed that the OP was a first time poster who has totally disappeared after posting?

 

Everything you ever contract for had fine print which usually does you no good to read. Same with cruise lines.

Are you serious!!!!!! The most important information and that which does you the most good is the fine print!!!!!!!

Can't count how many times I've been asked to sign something and when I don't immediately sign they tell me to not worry, just the "standard" stuff. That makes me take longer and read harder for what they are trying to hide from me.

Anybody who signs something without completely reading it first is a FOOL and gets what they deserve!!!!

We have no idea what cruise the OP was looking to book

I see one online with FREE INTERNET for Concierge & above with limited minutes depending on the cabin Cat

If they were looking at the O Life package I am not sure there is any limitation other one account per cabin

Unless they come back we can speculate all we want

Perhaps they have never cruised before or never had "free" things included to their cruises

Bottom line if there is a notation next to the wording * + make sure you DO read the fine print

 

<snip>

 

Here is the internet info if you still aren't clear on it.

 

Some sailings that need an extra incentive to get people to book will come with Free Unlimited Internet regardless of cabin booked. This is generally called Last Call Savings or in the past was called Your World On Sale.

 

There is another promo for Free Internet that is dependent on your cabin level, here are the details.

 

Beginning Winter 2015+: FREE Unlimited Internet in Oceania, Vista & Owner’s Suites

Oceania Cruises’ most exquisite suites will each include one FREE Unlimited Internet login that can be used on one device at a time, across an unlimited number of devices. Additionally, a complimentary iPad® is provided for your use in each of these suites—you’ll truly feel at home!

 

Beginning Winter 2015+: Free Internet in Concierge-Level Verandas & Penthouse Suites

Book a Concierge-level Veranda or Penthouse Suite and receive FREE WiFi of up to 500 minutes (or equivalent data amount). Additionally, guests in these categories may request a complimentary iPad® or wifi-enabled laptop computer while on board, subject to availability. The number of FREE Internet minutes received will be based on the length of the voyage, and includes one login per suite that may be used on one device at a time. The login may be shared across a variety of devices.

 

1-7 nights: 200 minutes or equivalent data amount

8-10 nights: 300 minutes or equivalent data amount

11-15 nights: 400 minutes or equivalent data amount

16+ nights: 500 minutes or equivalent data amount

If additional minutes are required, guests in these categories will enjoy a 10% discount if purchasing either the 200-minute or unlimited plans. À la carte minutes are also available.

 

+Winter 2015 begins with the following voyages: Insignia Jan. 4, 2016; Marina Nov. 3, 2015; Nautica Oct. 25, 2015; Regatta Nov. 4, 2015; Riviera Dec. 2, 2015 and Sirena Apr, 27, 2016.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

A great post ORV and very informative.

In fact, the word "free" stuck out and I checked my confirmation and see those are the words used so I have e'd my TA to confirm if we are indeed getting unlimited internet or the 400 minute package.

I had contacted her when I saw the unlimited internet offer in the Last chance and she had advised that they already had it in place for us. (Yay)

The word "free" hadn't clicked with me until I saw your post here.

Thanks so much :)

For that reason, an Oceania ship has never left port without 100% of its' least expensive rooms occupied, plus a wait list of 50 crying out for the privilege.

The conundrum for Oceania Executives is, how do they add extra amenities for the rest of us, without improving those base level cabins out of all proportion?

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Or so that is what those executives tell us, but do we really know how accurate those capitalistic salesman are? After all they may be paid on how well they sell. :)

Are you serious!!!!!! The most important information and that which does you the most good is the fine print!!!!!!!

 

Can't count how many times I've been asked to sign something and when I don't immediately sign they tell me to not worry, just the "standard" stuff. That makes me take longer and read harder for what they are trying to hide from me.

 

Anybody who signs something without completely reading it first is a FOOL and gets what they deserve!!!!

Not suggesting not to read the fine print but most of the time whoever provides it is in the drivers seat as are the cruise lines.

 

<snip>

 

For that reason, an Oceania ship has never left port without 100% of its' least expensive rooms occupied, plus a wait list of 50 crying out for the privilege.

The conundrum for Oceania Executives is, how do they add extra amenities for the rest of us, without improving those base level cabins out of all proportion?

 

As Yul Brenner used to say, "It's a puzzelment"

 

I guess our cruise is the exception? The higher categories are all wait listed.

The least expensive rooms to use your term are all available. PH and above are all waitlisted but the concierge, verandas, ocean views are all available?

The least expensive rooms to use your term are all available. PH and above are all waitlisted but the concierge, verandas, ocean views are all available?

Concierge rarely sell out early ;)

Has any one else noticed that the OP was a first time poster who has totally disappeared after posting?

 

Everything you ever contract for had fine print which usually does you no good to read. Same with cruise lines.

Its pretty unfriendly to disparage someone just because they have not been on the board that much. Many of us read a lot until we have a question or want to share an experience. That's what these boards are for. Doesn't always mean they have an ulterior motive. For instance, I too received a brochure recently and it mentioned free internet....now I know to look a lot more carefully in other parts of brochure to validate or invalidate their advertising.