Jancruz

9 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

We have done 3 Viking cruises, the last one this March. Never again, mainly because the food was terrible unless you had a drink package, then you didnt notice.

ROTFL

Jancruz1

1 hour ago, FetaCheese said:

Thanks Maui, yes I did email Jan, when she asked me.  Said O would be working on GTY's this past week.

 

If Jan can't get it done, no one can!

 

Not really stressed, just patiently waiting.  Will most likely be assigned at check in, as GTY policy does stipulate.

Send me your info again and I will work on it Monday

Jancruz1

On 8/22/2023 at 2:39 PM, RJB said:

Time to admit their mistake and change Embers back to Jacques.  Has FDR retired and got out of town?  Our fav. dining venue. 

Sorry wont happen

Jancruz1

move to top

1 minute ago, Jancruz said:

Thank you so much all is well the only thing is in the middle of the storm we had a 5.1 earthquake..that shook us up! Center was about 15 miles from us..we have had about 20 aftershocks but thank goodness didnt feel them..looking forward to Alaska cruise in 10 days hope the earth is quiet there..

Just got an update on the penalties

 

 

USD & CAD
DEPOSIT & PAYMENT PROGRAM
NEWBOOKINGS –SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
Final Payment Due 150 Days prior to Voyage
For all cruises (all lengths) excluding Around the World Cruises
CANCELLATION PENALTIES
PH and below                                      OS, VS, OC
181+              $150pp Admin Fee    $150pp Admin Fee
180 -151        $500pp                       Admin Fee 10% of fare
150-121         25% Cruise Fare       25% of fare
120-91           50% Cruise Fare        50% of fare
90-61             75% Cruise Fare        75% of fare
60-0               100% Cruise Fare      100% of fare

Jancruz1

1 hour ago, RJB said:

Most important thing now is to STAY SAFE.  Cruises can wait till another time

Thank you so much all is well the only thing is in the middle of the storm we had a 5.1 earthquake..that shook us up! Center was about 15 miles from us..we have had about 20 aftershocks but thank goodness didnt feel them..looking forward to Alaska cruise in 10 days hope the earth is quiet there..

Just got an update on the penalties

1) All final payments will be 150 days prior to Voyage

2 minutes ago, ORV said:

Thanks Jan, hope the weather is not too bad there. 

Better than expected we just had rain no wind..how is the new house??

Jancruz1

On 8/18/2023 at 10:33 PM, Jancruz said:

Thank you all  for the kind words..never been in a hurricane before....I will check on Monday for the answers to any questions..you post over the weekend and the ones that have been asked here..

Jancruz1

 

Here we go!

If they move their onboard booking to another cruise they do not get charged a penalty for their first booking as they are allowed to move it to another cruise (one time).

If they have paid $500 deposit and they cancel, we do not charge the difference on the penalty.  We can only charge the penalty on the amount collected.

Jancruz1

27 minutes ago, seachelt said:

Stay safe, scary weather everywhere!🌎

And thanks for all the information over the years.

All best wishes.

seachelt

Thank you all  for the kind words..never been in a hurricane before....I will check on Monday for the answers to any questions..you post over the weekend and the ones that have been asked here..

Jancruz1

2 hours ago, jonthomas said:

No because it is not possible. All is paid through the national health care. ( Canada)

Or more like the national NO health care. Sorry could not resist.

LOL

Jancruz1

1 hour ago, ToxM said:

Thanks for this info. Does the above still stand if you have a future cruise deposit that was booked onboard? I understand one of the perks of that was that you could make one change?

Checking on Monday

Jancruz1

2 hours ago, DrHemlock said:

And if the cruise you're canceling was booked while aboard an earlier cruise so the total deposit for two pax came to only $500, how will O extract the extra $500?  Attempt to charge it to the c/c you used many moons ago to pay the original deposit?  Send a couple of bruisers to ring your doorbell?  Inquiring minds....  

Interesting question let me check on Monday..

By the way here in Ventura county (LA) we are expecting our first Hurricane ever on Sunday..since we are on the beach moving to our daughters further inland..

Jancruz1

12 minutes ago, kibutzer said:

Is this only for bookings made after Sept 1? 

Yes

Jancruz1

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

I HATE this topic has to be debated.  However, just like the debate on "Cruise Only" vs. "Simply More"; "Not getting a drink program vs. choosing one"; or "choosing a brand over another brand"; this topic is of interest to those that make comments including myself obviously. 

 

My entire business life, I was a owner of a business until retirement.  Essentially, I earned 100% commission. Uniquely, I taught Sales, Management and Executive Leadership skills as my product.  Commission is how I earned my living.  "Don't sell, don't eat."  Simple notion.  Cruise Travel Agents just came off two years of very few commissions during covid.  Yet they were canceling, rebooking and busy keeping there client base up-to-speed.  All for no income.  

 

If I had a dime for every time during my career, I was asked for a discount on my daily rate, I could be cruising 52 weeks a year.  Either you know your value or you don't.  I never discounted and I rarely lost a sale. That was the career decision I made.  Many travel agents openly make claims that if you book with them, you can save money or gain perks for booking with them over booking with Oceania (Or any other cruise brand).  One agent in particular has done many luxury cruise video's on YouTube. If he offers a benefit, we would be foolish not to take it.  For the life of me, I wish folks could see and be worth every penny of commission they can earn.  With statements like the agent above, it is clear he is simply taking the path of least resistance. 

 

This opens for more guest to ask for discount even if the agent never offered one.  Once the Genie is let out of the bottle, it can't go back.  My personal opinion and take it for what it is worth.  I have never asked my Travel Agent for a discount, credit or perk.  I do not ask my agent to do to much for me except a change here and there.  Prompt Accurate Communication is all I ask and really need.  I have received free gratuities by the agents company as long as the fare I got was not a special promotion.  That was an agency special. Did my agent offer to do some perks for me out of her own pocket, "Yes".  Not much but a kids Drink Package or something like that.  I declined and said, "Keep the money and never give your commission away!"  That is my background and the way I really feel.  

 

If you insist on a perk, discount or OBC; some agents will give it, others will give you a reason they are worth the commission they earn.  The guest has to make a determination on what is right for them.  Either way, it is up to the guest and the agent. My motto is as follows:

 

"If an agent is so willing to provide a deep discount, how much of their services will also be deeply discounted!"

 

Just my two cents. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Plus 1

Would you ask your doctor for a discount??

Jancruz1

Heard today..

As of September 1

Once you put a deposit down $150 per person penalty..no credit no refund you lose this money

180 Days $500 a person no credit no refund you lose this money

You cannot move it to another cruise

Sorry to have to bring you this news..

Jancruz1

PS Dont shoot the messanger

2 hours ago, cruisr said:

It makes me sad that people think nothing about asking for a rebate, cashback, PPG or any other form of cutting into their TA’s hard earned commissions.  My best friend is my TA and I respect her hard work, insights, recommendations and being there for me and her other clients when things go pear shaped. She is there 24/7 and all clients have her cell and she is always availability.  My husband was a lawyer.  Nobody, ever, ever asked him for a rebate on his fees.  He earned them.  My brother in law is an MD.  Nobody has ever asked him for a rebate on his well earned fees.  I do blame travel agents who started rebating on cruises in order to get business after airlines stopped paying commission.  They did set the precedent to give money back in some form and unfortunately once you go down that path it is hard to turn around.

 

I know there are many “hobbyists” TAs there but there are many, like my friend, who is a professional and earned and should keep her commission

 

Feel free to flame away.

Plus 1

Jancruz1

1 hour ago, pinotlover said:

To start with absolutely none of the tour companies gives you a guarantee about anything, including the ones Oceania uses.

 

Second, all the professional tour companies know exactly when the ships depart and do everything in their ability to get you back with time to spare.

 

I don’t know where the myth came from “ if you’re on a ship tour, you won’t get left!”

Not a myth ships wait for their tours to come back..no matter how long, no matter what you read..

Jancruz1

12 minutes ago, basor said:

The August 21 deadline is to reevaluate the reservation allotment for commercial vessels.  Oceania already has a reservation for your sailing  Also, all of this delay and reservation allotment is for large commercial vessels Panamax, New -Panamax, Neo-Panamax or Post-Panamax.  No cruise ship with a reservation is affected.

 

 Here is a link to the article and if you read the entire article you will see that Oceania R ships are way too small to be involved and have their reservation..

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/09/panama-canal-shipping-pileup-due-to-drought-reaches-154-vessels.html#:~:text=There are 154 commercial vessels,in effect until August 21.

 

 

 

I  am on the OP cruise and I am not the least bit concerned

Jancruz1

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Jancruz I know your experience and respect it.  Please share your knowledge.  I am not in the industry so I look at everything trying to make sense of it.  Your comments will be appreciated. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 Its hard to explain as I am very limited in what I can write on CC usually Im very good with what I can say..and appreciate the fact I am on this board, but in a case like this my hands (or fingers) are tied..if an when we meet I will be happy to explain it to you..Have a great week!!

Jancruz1

3 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

When I booked, Regatta, I wanted a Cat. D. (was on ESS); it was only available as a GTY.  3 weeks out, still no assignment.

Feta email me

Jancruz1

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

My Next Observation on the Topic of Guarantee Stateroom:

 

I thought that my ship which only had two Oceania and on Owners Suite left would have lower stateroom show up when the Final Payment was due.  Following my thought, it seems if folks were going to cancel, they would do so before final payment.  Well the final payment was last Friday, on PH1 showed up and it was gone and never came back.  

 

Not what I thought would happen.  I find this very interesting.  Maybe the lack of cancelations is because the sale that filled the ship up was a really good one.  No one wants to lost the valuable fair they have.  Maybe it is another reason.  Again, just interesting to watch.

 

Back to logic.  I have no earthly idea how many Guarantees Oceania books in a given category.  To me this means that all that stateroom Category are sold and assigned to a guest. So, Guarantee followed by waitlist as Oceania's strategy to keep every stateroom filled. Kind of like a plane over booking passengers with the policy that you will be in a stateroom at your guarantee level or higher. 

 

Now I am interested to see what happens every time the penalty stage get higher.  I will report back. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Your confused because the premise you are looking at is the wrong one

Jancruz1

18 minutes ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

Many thanks for all the replies.  You are so helpful!  We have contacted our TA five times since full payment and he is supposedly contacting O but it has been radio silence with the only communication coming from us and nada coming from the TA.  No amount of contacting him results in any information.  So frustrating. 

 

He says O is really difficult to deal with.  Regardless, we just cancelled a cruise we had booked with him for next April due to the lack of communication.  And we are no further along with our tickets for this O cruise.  But your answers help me to identify where the issues lie.  
 

Joanie

I know for a fact that O is not difficult to deal with if you know the right people..if you need help with this contact me and I will see if I can do anything.

Jancruz1

43 minutes ago, Mkdvmz said:

Just wondering how much noise from elevators, if anyone has been in this cabin 

I always stay next to the elevator on every Oceania ship and never noise from elevator

Jancruz1

On 8/11/2023 at 8:43 AM, ORV said:

We loved our free cruise to Norway. Thanks for your review.

 

We've been on 4 Oceania cruises post covid and just don't see this downgrade that others are experiencing. 

Plus one also on four times different ships..

Jancruz1

2 hours ago, pinotlover said:

I am by no means a marketing expert, so I therefore have a question.

 

Outside of a very small handful of cruises and those that only want a specific cabin, is Oceania self creating a condition where few sign up early for cruises but just wait for the next big sale?

 

Oceania will be making several cruise releases over the next 60 days. Personally I struggle to come up with even one reason to book. Wait for a SALE, kinda like shopping at Macy’s. Don’t buy now, wait until Thanksgiving or better yet the President Day Sale! 🤔

Only the small percentage on CC will be waiting for a sale..most people know when a sale comes along they can usually get the price adjusted..also if you wait who knows what cabins will be left, I always try for the same cabin so I wont wait..

Jancruz1