The free cruise is 12 days, and when I averaged out our previous sailings that was the average. We will lose the SM benefits at the end of the previous 2 legs. Apparently we will be issued a new card that indicates we don't have SM. We will have all the loyalty benefits for Platinum level.... $500 SBC, spa credit, prepaid gratuities, bottle of wine in stateroom. But, as these aren't available for our use until shortly before sailing date, excursions can't be booked using SBC at the moment. I am going to visit Reception once we're onboard the first leg to see whether SBC from first 2 legs can be carried over to 3rd or if they have to be used up before then to avoid forfeiting them. If the credits can't be carried over, I will use some of them to purchase a bottles of wine package to keep in the stateroom for later use wherever we want to imbibe. I plan to visit the excursions desk also to see if I can book a couple of third leg excursions ahead of time.
Regarding booking the 20th cruise, I booked it in May, paying $1000 to do so, after my TA discussed the whole scenario with an Oceania representative. I had an invoice stating what I owed as if it were any other booking. In September, my TA made the formal nomination, I think. A couple times before final payment date (January 11), my TA was calling them to ask when the approval would be happening, and was told there was a line-up and eventually our turn would come. He was also informed that no payment could be made until the final statement arrived, even if past the final payment date. About a week after final payment date, I received notice that the cruise was approved for our 20th, and they owed me money, since I had prepaid $1000 and the taxes and fees were less than that.
Penny