New pricing question/2017 options

[azam71209]

Planning a late August 2017 cruise Rome to Venice. Very confused about new pricing and how to compare the cruise only fare with the OLife included excursions. There no prices on the included excursions at this point so it's hard to know what we could get through Oceania and what would be better to do privately.

 

We did 2 ship excursions in Alaska using OBC and were impressed with the quality, if not the price. Anybody made comparisons between ship excursions and private on med and Adriatic cruises?

 

Also, it seems as if the price of cruise only and cruise plus ship credit are exactly the same. Very odd pricing strategy. Why would I pay $800 more to get $800 OBC. Am I missing something?

 

Interested in any suggestions on how to decide what option to take.

 

Thanks,

 

Mary

[LHT28]

Not sure if it is correct or not but reading the pricing the cruise only fare has no airfare or other perks plus you have to add the taxes mentions at the bottom of the page in the brochure

It is not noted on the website

 

One I looked at if we took the O Life deal we would still be ahead $600 for the OBC option

 

maybe others that have booked will comment

[Bowie MeMe]

I have 30 cruises completed and an O cruise coming up in April 2017. I always buy the cruise only. My habit is to take at least a week long land tour before and after each cruise. All other parts of the deal is the same booked through my TA. I do not get OBC, I just book at the price quoted and it is ALWAYS the case that I get my airfare for much less using my own resources. I "almost" always book directly from the airline. I often use points, buy points, have a tour put together. Whatever it takes to get exactly what I want and how I want it. \ I have booked WITHOUT airfare for 20 years with excellent results. Can't imagine taking whatever someone handed me as my arrival and departure plans. I save thousands $ this way because I have learned many wise ways to book exactly what I need/want for trips. I never fly in the day of a cruise so therefore I would have to pay a "deviation fee". NO NO I don't let the cruise company do my air (nor my insurance) or even sometimes my shore adventures.

[Oville]

We just booked with the OLife option without air. The OLife fare includes the taxes and fees, the Choose One perk, and free internet. In order to make a proper comparison of OLife to Cruise Fare Only, you need to add the taxes and fees into the latter option as they are not included in the published fares. Our OLife fare was $600 more than Choice, needless to say we opted for the $800 OBC. We also got the free unlimited internet.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Oville

[LHT28]

I have 30 cruises completed and an O cruise coming up in April 2017. I always buy the cruise only. My habit is to take at least a week long land tour before and after each cruise. All other parts of the deal is the same booked through my TA.

 

I think the "new deal" for 2017 is not the same as you are talking about

Before if the cruise offered PPG or OBC you still got it even opting out of the air.... the price you paid was with fees & taxes included

 

Now the new deal is no OBC or other perks when you do the cruise only pricing + you add the fees & taxes to that fare

 

this is how I am interpreting it from the brochure

[CanEcosse]

I think the "new deal" for 2017 is not the same as you are talking about.Before if the cruise offered PPG or OBC you still got it even opting out of the air.... the price you paid was with fees & taxes included.

Now the new deal is no OBC or other perks when you do the cruise only pricing + you add the fees & taxes to that fare. This is how I am interpreting it from the brochure.

 

That's how I saw it too. Now, if I don't choose to take their 'day of departure' air arrangements, I get 'cruise only' with no O-life perks. This 'power play' will likely deter me from further Oceania cruises.

[LHT28]

That's how I saw it too. Now, if I don't choose to take their 'day of departure' air arrangements, I get 'cruise only' with no O-life perks. This 'power play' will likely deter me from further Oceania cruises.

Just weigh the options & pricing

 

I think you can still get the O Life perks & opt out of the "free Air"

Depends on the cruise sometimes we pay the deviation because the prices for air to DIY are a lot more costly from YYZ

 

You can to check the prices & do what works best for you

 

A good TA can sort it out for you ;)

Edited August 11, 2016 by LHT28

[Oville]

That's how I saw it too. Now, if I don't choose to take their 'day of departure' air arrangements, I get 'cruise only' with no O-life perks. This 'power play' will likely deter me from further Oceania cruises.

 

Just weigh the options & pricing

 

I think you can still get the O Life perks & opt out of the "free Air"

Depends on the cruise sometimes we pay the deviation because the prices for air to DIY are a lot more costly from YYZ

 

You can to check the prices & do what works best for you

 

A good TA can sort it out for you ;)

 

As I posted above, this was our actual experience Monday when we booked a late January/2017 Riviera cruise. Please note we also got an additional $700 OBC from our TA:

 

"We just booked with the OLife option without air. The OLife fare includes the taxes and fees, the Choose One perk, and free internet. In order to make a proper comparison of OLife to Cruise Fare Only, you need to add the taxes and fees into the latter option as they are not included in the published fares. Our OLife fare was $600 more than Choice, needless to say we opted for the $800 OBC. We also got the free unlimited internet."

Edited August 11, 2016 by Oville

[LHT28]

As I posted above, this was our actual experience Monday when we booked a late January/2017 Riviera cruise. Please note we also got an additional $700 OBC from our TA:

 

"We just booked with the OLife option without air. The OLife fare includes the taxes and fees, the Choose One perk, and free internet. In order to make a proper comparison of OLife to Cruise Fare Only, you need to add the taxes and fees into the latter option as they are not included in the published fares. Our OLife fare was $600 more than Choice, needless to say we opted for the $800 OBC. We also got the free unlimited internet."

 

I did see your other post but it was confusing

So is the $600 more PP or total?

The OBC in OLife Choice deal is per cabin correct?

 

not all TA's will give a large OBC so that is not relative to the Oceania pricing discussion ..just adding to the confusion

[rundent]

Which is better, $600 in your pocket or $800 OBC? I've found it difficult to spend the OBC and get my money's worth in both their tours and their shops. Don't want to go through the casino hassle.

[LHT28]

Which is better, $600 in your pocket or $800 OBC? I've found it difficult to spend the OBC and get my money's worth in both their tours and their shops. Don't want to go through the casino hassle.

 

If you do not think you would spend $800 OBC & you get PPG then I would take the discounted fare

 

You can always use the OBC for the daily gratuity (if you do not get this already) or go to the spa if not a shopper or drinker :D

 

Never thought I would spend the $2100 OBC we had but still went over & we rarely drink :eek:

[Oville]

I did see your other post but it was confusing

So is the $600 more PP or total?

The OBC in OLife Choice deal is per cabin correct?

 

not all TA's will give a large OBC so that is not relative to the Oceania pricing discussion ..just adding to the confusion

 

Sorry if it was confusing. The bottom line is that it cost us each $300 more (for a total of $600) by picking OLife no air. We'll have no issue spending the $800 OBC.

 

I hope this is less confusing.

 

Katie

Edited August 11, 2016 by Oville

[Bowie MeMe]

On my upcoming segment of WC Singapore to Abu Dhabi April 2017 which I booked in March 2016: Invoice details states: cruise price Tax/Fees Total for each person. Down payment and Final Due Date and Balance Due Under the Notes it says Prepaid Gratuities, Shipboard credit, rebate after the cruise (from TA company) THEN Oceania will include free internet & 5 shore excursions per person.(Promo) Visa for India and Myanmar required and ordered. Insurance declined.

 

I do not see much difference in the paperwork from my O cruise a couple of years ago booked with same TA and with most of the same promotional "items" except not free internet A BIGGIE for me. For me based on the paperwork I still have from 3 O cruises not big differences. Not big differences from other cruise lines as far as pricing. cruise price Taxes and Fees and Total Price are stated and that is what you pay. I always buy my own flights so don't know how that looks except where it says departure my paper says "cruise only" departing and date.

 

Hope this helps. Just know what your bottom price says! Don't matter what prices you see on the "discount" pages or what someone else says they have -- what is your deal. If someone says they have a better deal than me I run it past my TA and she runs it for my circumstances and sometimes better sometimes nope! I usually ask that she run the deal just before final payment or when O or other cruise line starts a new promotion if it interests me. Lots of the promotion are fluff for me: Fluff is drink packages (I don't drink alcohol for medical reasons and hubby is tee totaler ); fancy coffees;spas;3rd &4th passenger (No thanks!),coupon book (advertising by onboard stores) low deposit (still have to pay just later). Top promos for me free internet package; gratuities; laundry (only one time but LOVED it) Not sure of : shore excursions will see Things I don't want cruise line air -- I prefer to control my own and I usually get it cheaper than what is allowed by cruiseline -- also consider deviation fees and fees for getting an exact flight you want if applicable so you have to pay to fit your travel plans.

 

Like any other purchase: What is the price? Can I afford that? How much more than just the cruise do I think I will spend? Can I still afford that? Do I still really want to go? Does my partner want to go? Is this the purchase for me? Do I need to sleep on it and mull it over? Go for it.