Onboard booking perks for already booked cruises

[basor]

We have 2 upcoming Oceania Cruises booked and under deposit. We are hoping to get them "adjusted" when we are onboard the Regatta in a week. Both cruises are still wide open in our category and full payment had not been made. If I understand correctly, we can go the FCC and ask to have the additional discount applied to both cruises and we will also receive an OBC for use on our current Regatta sailing for each cruise "rebooked" onboard.

 

I want to make sure I have the correct information prior to meeting with FCC as sometimes there appears to be some difficulties working with the FCC.

 

I also plan to make an additional future cruise booking for a 3rd itinerary while onboard. Hopefully this will help with the adjustments of the other 2 cruises.

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[ronrick1943]

We did this, and did get the full credit for one cruise, the other cruise didn't have the suite we wanted available so we didn't get the discount on that 2nd cruise. However be sure to ask for the OBC, we didn't get it and they didn't offer it. I think "O" should have given that OBC on the one cruise without us having to ask for it.

Rick

[basor]

Thanks RonRick1943....glad to hear from someone that was recently successful...did the FCC take care of the adjustment immediately or did you need to wait a few days while they "checked" with Miami?

 

I am not sure about the amount of the OBC - is it a fixed amount or based upon the category of stateroom/length of cruise booked onboard???

 

If all goes well, we should have 3 - OBCs for our Regatta sailing - already thinking about how to use - nice wine with dinner, spa treatments or both!!

[CAG]

Thanks RonRick1943....glad to hear from someone that was recently successful...did the FCC take care of the adjustment immediately or did you need to wait a few days while they "checked" with Miami?

 

I am not sure about the amount of the OBC - is it a fixed amount or based upon the category of stateroom/length of cruise booked onboard???

 

If all goes well, we should have 3 - OBCs for our Regatta sailing - already thinking about how to use - nice wine with dinner, spa treatments or both!!

 

I may be mistaken, but I believe that you will only be entitled to one OBC, not one for each cruise booked. In November, that OBC was $100.00

Edited May 10, 2014 by CAG

[sitraveler]

I can verify- only 1 $100.00 OBC for your current cruise no matter how many cruises you book.

[DrJW]

WHAT IS THE FCC? Federal Communication Commission...I don't think so!

How does one contact this source? We have a cruise booked..with deposit only so far on Marina for December....we booked it in January and we were advised by both Oceania directly as well as our TA that Paid Gratuities perk was no longer available!

 

Thanks for your insight~

[sitraveler]

I think FCC is "future cruise consultant" we know as Oceania Club Ambassador.

or on board booking for future cruises.

[ronrick1943]

We had to wait a few days as they had to talk to the head office. One OBC would have been nice, but we didn't get any at all-- -0-OBC.

Rick

[ronrick1943]

PS/ and they never did try to make it up during the 10 day cruise. That shows you that customer service isn't that strong.

Rick

[Paulchili]

I think FCC is "future cruise consultant" we know as Oceania Club Ambassador.

or on board booking for future cruises.

 

FWIW, on some lines (Princess), FCC stands for Future Cruise Credit, I believe.

[basor]

Thanks for the clarification.....we will stagger our onboard cruise bookings over the next several cruises.

 

Now it is time to start the packing "happy dance" - this time next week we will be enjoying our first full day onboard the Regatta! It is her last sail before dry dock in Vancouver so we will enjoy being onboard one last time with the "old". I think we will really enjoy the "new" - not sure we can wait until October on the Insignia to try it out!

[Jule9]

As a very inexperienced cruiser, I would appreciate advice about onboard tipping. (I know Aussies have a bad rep about tipping but trust me it is often really stressful for us trying to do the right thing when we travel OS as in Australia the culture is completely different) We have a "paid gratuities " perk for our upcoming Riviera cruise and would love clarification and specifics about what this actually applies to onboard. Help us change the stereotype !! Cheers Happy tipper!

[LHT28]

As a very inexperienced cruiser, I would appreciate advice about onboard tipping. (I know Aussies have a bad rep about tipping but trust me it is often really stressful for us trying to do the right thing when we travel OS as in Australia the culture is completely different) We have a "paid gratuities " perk for our upcoming Riviera cruise and would love clarification and specifics about what this actually applies to onboard. Help us change the stereotype !! Cheers Happy tipper!

 

The paid Gratuities covers your room stewards & dining venues

I would ask your TA if it covers the butler or not if not a daily amount will be added to your shipboard account

 

You can always tip extra at the end of the cruise if you wish

 

Drinks, gift shop purchases, excursions will have the gratuity added at the time of service

Spa treatments I am not sure some say it is included in the prices some say no

I would ask before you sign up for a treatment

 

Enjoy your cruise

Lyn

[Jule9]

Thank so much Lyn……just one more thing…am I right in assuming that no money changes hands for anything, including tips, during the cruise… you just receive an account at the end and it includes all general tipping? Cheers Julie

[Travelcat2]

Thank so much Lyn……just one more thing…am I right in assuming that no money changes hands for anything, including tips, during the cruise… you just receive an account at the end and it includes all general tipping? Cheers Julie

 

First, tips are included in spa treatments. However, when you sign for the treatment, there is a spot for a "tip" which can be confusing. An 18% tip is included in your treatment.

 

Although tips were included on our cruise, we felt that the amount for the stewardess and butler was not enough (plus it was Christmas). So, we did give them envelopes (actually Christmas cards) wish cash contained inside.

 

Hope this helps.:)

[ronrick1943]

I agree with Travelcat2, the prepaid is a start for your Butler and Cabin Stewart. We also give extra cash as long as we get the service we except (which we always do). Some people disagree with me on this, however they won't change (nor should they) but we won't change.

Trust me the prepaid does come anywhere near 18%.

The Spa is a another matter, once they add 18%-that's good for me.

Rick

[LHT28]

Thank so much Lyn……just one more thing…am I right in assuming that no money changes hands for anything, including tips, during the cruise… you just receive an account at the end and it includes all general tipping? Cheers Julie

 

Yes correct the only thing you need cash for is the casino ;)

 

Everything else on the ship will go on your account

 

If you want to tip extra to certain people then cash will be needed

 

Enjoy

 

Lyn

[Jule9]

Thank you both … that all makes perfect sense now. Cheers Julie

[oceansandseas]

Post #13 - A gratuity for gift shop purchases. I have never heard of this! Do people actually tip the people who work in the gift shops?

 

 

 

o

[LHT28]

Post #13 - A gratuity for gift shop purchases. I have never heard of this! Do people actually tip the people who work in the gift shops?

 

 

 

o

 

Sorry it is a tax/service fee whatever you want to call it of 18%

Now I am not sure if it was added to gift shop purchases ..I did not pay too much attention

Edited May 12, 2014 by LHT28

[findacruise]

Sorry it is a tax/service fee whatever you want to call it of 18%

Now I am not sure if it was added to gift shop purchases ..I did not pay too much attention

 

Only thing I ever recall being added to our shop purchase was on last year's sailing from Barcelona where VAT was charged.

[LHT28]

Only thing I ever recall being added to our shop purchase was on last year's sailing from Barcelona where VAT was charged.

 

I know some of the things are duty free EG jewelry but was not sure on the other things

 

So I guess just do not shop when the ship is in Spanish ports :D

[orchestrapal]

Sorry it is a tax/service fee whatever you want to call it of 18%

Now I am not sure if it was added to gift shop purchases ..I did not pay too much attention

 

You pay whatever the tags say in the gift shop. No fees and if you are silver or above you get a discount off the purchase price. All good!

[LHT28]

if you are silver or above you get a discount off the purchase price. All good!

 

Really

Are you saying the discount is on all purchases or just the logo items as noted in the OC program ?

 

Silver - Cruise Credits 10-14

 

Silver membership pins

$400 shipboard credit

Complimentary pre-paid gratuities

Exclusive Oceania Club cocktail reception

Exclusive Members-Only Offers

Advanced notice on new itineraries

20% discount on any single internet package

10% discount on the Unlimited Shore Excursion Passport Collection

10% discount on any beverage package

10% discount on Oceania Cruises logo merchandise

Edited May 12, 2014 by LHT28

[ronrick1943]

No 18% at the gift shops.