On board offers for future cruises

Celebrating DH's retirement, we sail with Oceania for the first time this August, to the Baltic. Our TA has suggested that the best deal for a fjords cruise we want to do in summer 2019 may be an on board offer with Oceania. Can anyone kindly fill us in on the price advantages that are typically available these days for on board booking offers with Oceania?

Current onboard savings range from $200 to $1500 per cabin based on cabin category and length of cruise. A rough figure amounts to 4-5% +\- off.

Of course, with traditional price adjustments that may come after July 1, any discount associated with an onboard booking in August may not be worth much in the big picture if it's based on an increased price.

I'm surprised that your TA didn't mention that OR mention the "gambling" option of book now and rebook once onboard if the pre-discount price remains the same or is lower at that time. Of course, this is only possible if there are cabins still available in your category.

The other "benefits" of book onboard are $100 non-refundable OBC on the cruise during which you make the booking and, more importantly, the lower price match guarantee. But there is fine print that goes along with that guarantee.

Assuming you're talking about Norwegian Fjords: Those are popular cruises and you're already late for prime cabin selection in summer/fall 2019.

Current onboard savings range from $200 to $1500 per cabin based on cabin category and length of cruise. A rough figure amounts to 4-5% +\- off.

Of course, with traditional price adjustments that may come after July 1, any discount associated with an onboard booking in August may not be worth much in the big picture if it's based on an increased price.

 

 

Hmmm....what's the story with July 1?

If it is a popular sailing I would not wait until onboard to book

The cabins go fast on the unique or popular itineraries

JMO

Current onboard savings range from $200 to $1500 per cabin based on cabin category and length of cruise. A rough figure amounts to 4-5% +\- off.

 

Of course, with traditional price adjustments that may come after July 1, any discount associated with an onboard booking in August may not be worth much in the big picture if it's based on an increased price.

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmm....what's the story with July 1?

 

 

Oceania often adjusts its fares close to several major holidays including Easter and July 4th. At these transition points, they also often have a brief "flash" sale with some added perk (e.g., cabin upgrade) of several percent discount (not unlike "book onboard" without the low price guarantee).

OP should consider my "gamble" post above regarding the option of book now/rebook on board. It's definitely "late in the game" for good cabins on Fjords in summer 2019.

BTW, top sellers of O cruises (Connoisseurs Club members) also have the advantage of occasional "partnership" short term sales with O including the small discount similar to "book onboard." And some of those TAs also belong to a particular one of several TA consortia that often has a free gratuities deal going on with O.

 

 

Oceania often adjusts its fares close to several major holidays including Easter and July 4th. At these transition points, they also often have a brief "flash" sale with some added perk (e.g., cabin upgrade) of several percent discount (not unlike "book onboard" without the low price guarantee).

OP should consider my "gamble" post above regarding the option of book now/rebook on board. It's definitely "late in the game" for good cabins on Fjords in summer 2019.

BTW, top sellers of O cruises (Connoisseurs Club members) also have the advantage of occasional l

 

Flatbush Flyer, thank you! I have two follow up questions for you. One is -- what was your last comment, as your message seems to be cut off at the end? In fact, I only saw the (incomplete) bit about the Connoisseurs Club when I opted for the CC quote feature in my reply. In other words, as originally displayed, your comment ended with "summer 2019." AND this missing info might just be very relevant to us!

 

Second, you mention that good cabins are already gone -- is there an objective way to visualize this? For example, are there some website(s) where I can see what is booked deck by deck vs. cabins that are still available?

 

 

 

Flatbush Flyer, thank you! I have two follow up questions for you. One is -- what was your last comment, as your message seems to be cut off at the end? In fact, I only saw the (incomplete) bit about the Connoisseurs Club when I opted for the CC quote feature in my reply. In other words, as originally displayed, your comment ended with "summer 2019." AND this missing info might just be very relevant to us!

 

 

 

Second, you mention that good cabins are already gone -- is there an objective way to visualize this? For example, are there some website(s) where I can see what is booked deck by deck vs. cabins that are still available?

 

 

 

Check again: I edited the incomplete post.

If you go through the booking process on O's website, you can look at available cabins and then move forward with booking or not (we do this all the time to see an example of what's available). However, that doesn't show you all the open cabins - rather a selection of several. Tedious as it may be, you'd need to keep backing up in the search process and regoing to cabin selection to see everything (eventually). It is much easier to just call a TA or O itself (with a deck map sitting in front of you).

 

 

Oceania.......top sellers of O cruises (Connoisseurs Club members) also have the advantage of occasional "partnership" short term sales with O including the small discount similar to "book onboard." And some of those TAs also belong to a particular one of several TA consortia that often has a free gratuities deal going on with O.

 

Thanks Flatbush Flyer! Do you know if American Express is one of those?

 

 

 

Thanks Flatbush Flyer! Do you know if American Express is one of those?

 

 

 

I don't know. I'm pretty sure that Connoisseurs Club is individuals rather than overall agencies.

BTW, one other caveat about "book onboard." Some cruises that are in high demand are considered "select cruises" and the book onboard discount is a flat $200 per cabin. That can be a bit of a shock when you're expecting hundreds more.

 

 

 

I don't know. I'm pretty sure that Connoisseurs Club is individuals rather than overall agencies.

BTW, one other caveat about "book onboard." Some cruises that are in high demand are considered "select cruises" and the book onboard discount is a flat $200 per cabin. That can be a bit of a shock when you're expecting hundreds more.

 

How can an individual find Connoisseurs Club agent for savings?

 

How can an individual find Connoisseurs Club agent for savings?

google

google

and google some more...

Many of the TA's who are members will cite it in their promo materials online or in brochures. You can also ask whatever agencies you are considering and state that you want to work with an Oceania specialist.

I want to point out that you can book now and when on board rebook at the on board rate. This works when your category is still available.