Flatbush Flyer

SOME travel agents. Sadly, there’s way too many who haven’t got a clue. Nonetheless, great ones do exist! For cruises, they are …………………………… And here’s their direct contact info: …………………………………. Just kidding around and supporting the CC mandate to NOT discuss TAs.

Different strokes for different folks.

What exactly did whatever you received say? Whatever it says you may want to pursue some additional clarification - even if it means calling back and speaking to multiple Azamara people to get an email saying you’re okay to go as long as you have the WHO “Yellow Card” with an official entry that the Yellow Fever vaccine is “contraindicated” and “waived.” If Azamara truly is saying “no cruise without the vaccine- NO exceptions,” there won’t be many folks over 60 years old on that ship - since getting the vaccine now will be contraindicated for them. It looks like you’re from San Francisco. I suggest that you get an appointment now to go to the “Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic” (SF Dept. of Public Health) at 101 Grove Street (www.TravelClinicSF.org). They issue the official WHO Yellow Card (see pic) and authorized “vaccinated” or “waived” notation (if waived, you also get a note on their letterhead). If this doesn’t satisfy Azamara, next time book with Oceania. I’ve never had a problem there with the Yellow Fever waiver (for South America, Africa….)

Yes- I realize that since I know that the several TAs on my “short list” will not do bookings on some specific cruise lines because it would not make it worthwhile for the TA.

I’m confused. From your profile, it looks like you’re in San Diego. So, I gotta ask: Why ever would you want to go to the Caribbean when the Pacific beckons? Hawaii, Polynesia…. ?????

Most importantly- know that Oceania is a different experience. No “class system” here. No dining venue or section of the ship is “closed” to any passenger based on cabin class. Upper level cabins do have butlers and a few other perks like earlier pre-cruise initial dinner reservations, a few bags of laundry and occasional hors d’oeurvres. But, even spa deck access is available to all (albeit for a few for lower priced cabins). The two O ships have lounge space for upper level cabins but the coffee/tea and nibbles are also available to all at Baristas (never an extra cost unless you add booze w/o a booze package).

Does anyone know for sure if the HDMI inputs on the newer Samsung TVs on either or both R and O ships are functional (or disabled)? And if they are functional, can the television’s “input” be switched using the provided remote (or manual control on the TV set itself)???

The two best luaus we’ve ever been to (on Kauai) were a fundraiser by a local high school and a family one done by the owners of the Tahiti Nui bar in Hanalei (yes the same “dive bar” Clooney frequents in the movie “The Descendants”).

Not questioning your experience. However, I’m staring at one of several past invoices where I also received the TA’s more complete copy (including commissionable fare amount and the actual commission rate and amount). With the understanding that this particular cruise line pays commissions on a sliding scale, the percent of commissionable fare is closer to +\-15%. And that is why this TA and others we have used (after significant research) are able to consistently provide the added perk of refundable SBC or a cash rebate at a rate ranging from 5-10% of the commissionable fare. (Note to others reading this: This amount is above and beyond any/all perks provided by the cruise line - directly or as pass through incentive funds from the cruise line or a TA consortium) Of course, how much of the TA commission ends up in the pocket of the actual Agent handling your booking is another story. And, other lines may pay far less commission - so much so that some TA’s will not handle those booking requests.

You may want to do a bit of research regarding the percentage range of commissions across cruise industry.

You’re missing the point. Oceania has a relationship not only with TAs but also with their consortiums, parent companies, etc. It’s one of the reasons why you’ll sometimes see items on your O invoice “amenities” like “OCAPP” (which is pass through O incentive funds provided to the TA or a TA consortium to “sweeten the deal” on specific itineraries). While what was described is not OCAPP, it appears to be a somewhat similar incentive promotion from AMEX though it appears to require that you make the booking directly through an AMEX account portal (which may/may not allow your personal TA’s involvement[?]) In any case, now that we know the $350 is a set amount per cruise, the fact remains that it is not much incentive when compared to what a TA might be able to provide (e.g., commission sharing) on a premium/luxury (or “extended journey”) “five figure” booking.

So not that good a deal when doing premium/luxury (and/or relatively long) cruises.

As long as you’re driving home from Logan, why not stop at Regina Pizzeria for almost DiFara’s (Brooklyn) pizza?

This basic question appears on CC multiple times per week. Rephrased, it always sounds like: “I know this is very risky. But, maybe someone can convince me that the (usually) less expensive morning flight from a disembarkation port is OK.” That said, the other common misunderstanding is that “scheduled arrival time” is always close to (or even the “same as”) “disembarkation time” or “clearing customs time” or some other “time delaying time” (e.g., weather/mechanical/logistical issues). As many cruise lines will usually state: “don’t book flights home before noon.”

Any credit card company can essentially act as a TA consortium, which could have it offering incentives (e.g., $350) directly or via one of its own consortium member TAs. So, from what you describe: If you want to book via a TA not affiliated with your CC company or via the consortium directly, you are SOL on the $350. BTW, at first glance this may seem like a terrific rebate. However, what you’ve neglected to clarify is whether the $350 is for a cruise costing at least $1000 OR per each $1000 of the fare. That can be a significant difference! In any case, as regards your post title: Hell will freeze over before cruise lines stop preferring TAs (and/or their consortia) to do the marketing, booking and handholding (not to mention the associated HR et al. costs) since paying the TA commissions are a bargain for the cruise line (vs the cruiseline maintaining a DIY approach).

Maybe 16 oz. max?

And do not make the rookie mistake of comparing only cabin fares. O’s airfare inclusion (or air credit) on a transcontinental cruise is a major comparison factor when you’re considering the premium wannabes like Celebrity or Viking.

I agree with everything mauibabes said except for the use of the term “loyalty.” I prefer “frequent cruiser” because, as much as I am an Oceania fan (in part because of the unparalleled excellent treatment of their often repeating customers), if I ever felt screwed by them, I’d be looking for another “preferred line.”

That’s why you are also given the aluminum ones!

“Time and tide wait for no man.” While a ship will do its best, there are situations where waiting is not an option. Read the fine print on your excursion contract.

You can also ask the cabin steward to run them through the sanitizer.

We’ve never had a butler but we’ve often been offered window seats, particularly in the specialties. Of course, that can be a good OR bad thing depending on window location in relation to the ship’s direction and time of day. The late afternoon sun shining directly on you during a summer month can get a bit unpleasant (…oh the horror!…)

You are given your own new Aluminum water bottle (2 per cabin) which you can fill from multiple Vero water stations. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they are not insulated. So some folks bring their own. The glass Vero bottles in your room are replaced when you need more Vero water (yes the glass Vero bottles are reused after they are sanitized.

Embarkation/Disembarkation refers to the start/end of your cruise.

Read your Ticket Contract and T&Cs.