MEFIowa Posted April 21, 2023 #176 Share Posted April 21, 2023 So many of the comments above remind me of the value of KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. I stick to Cruise Only and we do the rest ourselves. Having booked 5 cruises since Feb 2021 on my own (and sailed twice with no issues) with O, I've never had a problem changing a booking to get a better sale. When I called my O rep about the ESS, we took each of the 2 bookings covered by it one at a time. She noted how I'd gone from lower cabin to higher cabin already on a cabin-upgrade sale and she then upgraded me again for even less money. As I go from C to B4 to B3 or F to A3. Sale by sale. Always doing the math. Can't wait to see what I end up with the late 2024 Baltic cruise. Already gone G to C during one cabin-upgrade sale. Hoping another will move me to a B or A on sale. Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cancruisers Posted April 21, 2023 #177 Share Posted April 21, 2023 I've tried to read most of the comments here so I know there's lots of savings to be had on this promotion, sale or whatever they want to call it. We always work through a TA who is now in the middle of the Pacific and of course won't be able to get in touch right away and she definitely will NOT be able to phone O. Here's the lowdown. We paid $7,699/pp for a B3 on Riviera for July. I called O to get their ESS quote and they said a B3 would be $3,399/pp (without O'Life Ultimate). That's a saving of $8,600 which sure buys a lot of booze and excursions (we're silver so grats are irrelevant.) When I mentioned to the O agent that we had a booking he went cold and basically won't touch us with a barge pole. Any suggestions? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonthomas Posted April 21, 2023 #178 Share Posted April 21, 2023 1 hour ago, MEFIowa said: So many of the comments above remind me of the value of KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. I stick to Cruise Only and we do the rest ourselves. Having booked 5 cruises since Feb 2021 on my own (and sailed twice with no issues) with O, I've never had a problem changing a booking to get a better sale. When I called my O rep about the ESS, we took each of the 2 bookings covered by it one at a time. She noted how I'd gone from lower cabin to higher cabin already on a cabin-upgrade sale and she then upgraded me again for even less money. As I go from C to B4 to B3 or F to A3. Sale by sale. Always doing the math. Can't wait to see what I end up with the late 2024 Baltic cruise. Already gone G to C during one cabin-upgrade sale. Hoping another will move me to a B or A on sale. Time will tell. Yes dealing with my O rep I also have not had any problems, the problems arise when I deal with the TAs, yet it is hard to give up the rebates. Overall, I think I am ahead but not without the hassles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 21, 2023 #179 Share Posted April 21, 2023 29 minutes ago, cancruisers said: I've tried to read most of the comments here so I know there's lots of savings to be had on this promotion, sale or whatever they want to call it. We always work through a TA who is now in the middle of the Pacific and of course won't be able to get in touch right away and she definitely will NOT be able to phone O. Here's the lowdown. We paid $7,699/pp for a B3 on Riviera for July. I called O to get their ESS quote and they said a B3 would be $3,399/pp (without O'Life Ultimate). That's a saving of $8,600 which sure buys a lot of booze and excursions (we're silver so grats are irrelevant.) When I mentioned to the O agent that we had a booking he went cold and basically won't touch us with a barge pole. Any suggestions? Steve I am sure your TA has some way to contact O but maybe someone in the agency where they work can assist Have you called their office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cancruisers Posted April 21, 2023 #180 Share Posted April 21, 2023 50 minutes ago, LHT28 said: I am sure your TA has some way to contact O but maybe someone in the agency where they work can assist Have you called their office? I've sent an email to her but will probably call the office by end of day if I haven't heard anything. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basor Posted April 21, 2023 #181 Share Posted April 21, 2023 2 minutes ago, cancruisers said: I've sent an email to her but will probably call the office by end of day if I haven't heard anything. Thanks I wouldn't wait too long being this is Friday - Guest Services - Reservations: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 9:00pm ET Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:30pm Sunday: Closed The agency may not work on weekends... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted April 21, 2023 Author #182 Share Posted April 21, 2023 2 hours ago, cancruisers said: I've tried to read most of the comments here so I know there's lots of savings to be had on this promotion, sale or whatever they want to call it. We always work through a TA who is now in the middle of the Pacific and of course won't be able to get in touch right away and she definitely will NOT be able to phone O. Here's the lowdown. We paid $7,699/pp for a B3 on Riviera for July. I called O to get their ESS quote and they said a B3 would be $3,399/pp (without O'Life Ultimate). That's a saving of $8,600 which sure buys a lot of booze and excursions (we're silver so grats are irrelevant.) When I mentioned to the O agent that we had a booking he went cold and basically won't touch us with a barge pole. Any suggestions? Steve And your TA can’t make an O call while on a cruise - why? Cell phones work on ship or shore (and most major cell carriers now have some form of land calling “passport” for $10/day. With cabin availability in your level a requirement for the price match, time is of the essence. Doesn’t her agency have a 24/7 customer services line you could call instead? Or, can’t she connect with the O Ambassador onboard to make any needed changes or, at least, call O for her on the ship’s phone. I’d be very concerned about using a TA that doesn’t have a mechanism for emergency contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonthomas Posted April 21, 2023 #183 Share Posted April 21, 2023 The agents I know all have someone else look after their stuff if they are not able to. Is this agent a sole practitioner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cape Hernlopen Posted April 21, 2023 #184 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Dear Fellow Cruisers: The current ESS promotion includes my upcoming Bangkok to Tokyo cruise (June 2-20). For the past month plus every cabin category has been "wait listed". If there is no cabin availability and a wait list for every category (and well past final payment) "how and why" would Oceania include the cruise in the ESS promotion? Would I be wasting my time by calling either Oceania or my TA? Joel Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted April 21, 2023 Author #185 Share Posted April 21, 2023 2 minutes ago, Cape Hernlopen said: Dear Fellow Cruisers: The current ESS promotion includes my upcoming Bangkok to Tokyo cruise (June 2-20). For the past month plus every cabin category has been "wait listed". If there is no cabin availability and a wait list for every category (and well past final payment) "how and why" would Oceania include the cruise in the ESS promotion? Would I be wasting my time by calling either Oceania or my TA? Joel Barry If only one current booking cancels, that cabin level will again have availability, which would allow the sale price to be applied to that level cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mauibabes Posted April 21, 2023 #186 Share Posted April 21, 2023 Joel, By all means call your TA or Oceania. If you can benefit, why not ask. There are lots of reasons there could be availability, like a big Group cancelling and getting close to sailing date on a hard to sell cruise, etc. Good Luck Mauibabes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ec6393 Posted April 21, 2023 #187 Share Posted April 21, 2023 This is all very interesting! I always book directly with O, because I figure if I ever have an issue I can deal with an O rep rather than going through a middle person (TA). That's just me. With all this communication regarding the sales, I thought I would go on the O site. Although we happen to have 2 cruises purchased this summer (usually we just take 1), there was no banner saying anything about an extraordinary sale. We've taken a cruise every year (not during Covid) & I've never seen anything about a "sale." However, I book quite a few months in advance (usually about 8 or 9, never 1 year away). I always get an "early booking" savings (which is 1/2 off the listed cruise fare), as well as a "bonus discount" which might be another 12ish%. Question: Do those of you who book early (thus the "early booking discount") & the "bonus discount" get a 3rd discount if you see that your cruise is now on sale for less than the original listed "cruise fare?" Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted April 21, 2023 #188 Share Posted April 21, 2023 3 minutes ago, ec6393 said: This is all very interesting! I always book directly with O, because I figure if I ever have an issue I can deal with an O rep rather than going through a middle person (TA). That's just me. With all this communication regarding the sales, I thought I would go on the O site. Although we happen to have 2 cruises purchased this summer (usually we just take 1), there was no banner saying anything about an extraordinary sale. We've taken a cruise every year (not during Covid) & I've never seen anything about a "sale." However, I book quite a few months in advance (usually about 8 or 9, never 1 year away). I always get an "early booking" savings (which is 1/2 off the listed cruise fare), as well as a "bonus discount" which might be another 12ish%. Question: Do those of you who book early (thus the "early booking discount") & the "bonus discount" get a 3rd discount if you see that your cruise is now on sale for less than the original listed "cruise fare?" Thanks. Yes, call “O”. Not ever cruise has this sale. Mine did. Large savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 21, 2023 #189 Share Posted April 21, 2023 10 minutes ago, ec6393 said: With all this communication regarding the sales, I thought I would go on the O site. Although we happen to have 2 cruises purchased this summer (usually we just take 1), there was no banner saying anything about an extraordinary sale. We've taken a cruise every year (not during Covid) & I've never seen anything about a "sale." I am surprised you do not see the Sale listed on O website it is a large ad right there near the top of the page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted April 21, 2023 Author #190 Share Posted April 21, 2023 20 minutes ago, ec6393 said: This is all very interesting! I always book directly with O, because I figure if I ever have an issue I can deal with an O rep rather than going through a middle person (TA). That's just me. With all this communication regarding the sales, I thought I would go on the O site. Although we happen to have 2 cruises purchased this summer (usually we just take 1), there was no banner saying anything about an extraordinary sale. We've taken a cruise every year (not during Covid) & I've never seen anything about a "sale." However, I book quite a few months in advance (usually about 8 or 9, never 1 year away). I always get an "early booking" savings (which is 1/2 off the listed cruise fare), as well as a "bonus discount" which might be another 12ish%. Question: Do those of you who book early (thus the "early booking discount") & the "bonus discount" get a 3rd discount if you see that your cruise is now on sale for less than the original listed "cruise fare?" Thanks. As the old saying goes: “We need to talk” (about your misconceptions). First- as regards TAs: Remember that you and I (and everyone else in this thread) don’t amount to more than a rounding error in O’s daily bottom line. The right, high volume O selling TA, however, may book $ millions in a single week. So, while you’re on hold waiting for an O phone rep (who works for and is paid/controlled by O), that TA might get your “issue”!fixed with a quick speed dial to the O regional sales manager. Next, are you sure you’re looking at the real O website? Right on the home page, it shows the Extraordinary Savings promo. And, as regards those invoice terms like the brochure “cruise fare,” no one pays that fare - ever. And pretty much everyone gets the “early booking bonus.” The real savings come from “book onboard” and special sales discounts ( to which you add the O Club perks and, separately, your TA perks like commission sharing. For example, one of my current bookings has a book onboard discount plus the extraordinary savings discount plus O Club perks and a hefty rebate check from the TA. Do the research and find a good O savvy TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ec6393 Posted April 21, 2023 #191 Share Posted April 21, 2023 30 minutes ago, LHT28 said: I am surprised you do not see the Sale listed on O website it is a large ad right there near the top of the page OMG! Yes it is there in plain can't miss sight. I didn't see it because I went right to "plan a cruise" & expected to see it there. Can you tell I'm new at this? Next time I will have to read the not so "fine small print." 🤦♀️🙄 Thank you very much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ec6393 Posted April 21, 2023 #192 Share Posted April 21, 2023 39 minutes ago, Sthrngary said: Yes, call “O”. Not ever cruise has this sale. Mine did. Large savings. Will do. Thx. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ec6393 Posted April 21, 2023 #193 Share Posted April 21, 2023 13 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said: As the old saying goes: “We need to talk” (about your misconceptions). First- as regards TAs: Remember that you and I (and everyone else in this thread) don’t amount to more than a rounding error in O’s daily bottom line. The right, high volume O selling TA, however, may book $ millions in a single week. So, while you’re on hold waiting for an O phone rep (who works for and is paid/controlled by O), that TA might get your “issue”!fixed with a quick speed dial to the O regional sales manager. Next, are you sure you’re looking at the real O website? Right on the home page, it shows the Extraordinary Savings promo. And, as regards those invoice terms like the brochure “cruise fare,” no one pays that fare - ever. And pretty much everyone gets the “early booking bonus.” The real savings come from “book onboard” and special sales discounts ( to which you add the O Club perks and, separately, your TA perks like commission sharing. For example, one of my current bookings has a book onboard discount plus the extraordinary savings discount plus O Club perks and a hefty rebate check from the TA. Do the research and find a good O savvy TA. You are a wealth of knowledge. I figured people got discounts & that no one paid the listed price....which is crazy. However, for example, I don't know what is considered "early booking." I suppose O decides that, along with "bonus discount" depending on how full the ship is getting. ??? After my husband & I were on our own (kids flew the nest) we always rented a car and drove around areas of Europe each summer for a couple of weeks. When we were in Sicily my husband got gout & since he had never had it before we didn't know what it was. I won't bore you with the details, but after that we started cruising because if we had a medical problem (& one never knows when one might appear) there would be a physician aboard....at least part of the time. Needless to say, we've never looked back as far as renting a car & traveling on our own (although we loved doing that). Wonder if age (or my husband's driving 😉) has anything to do with liking the switch to cruising? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ec6393 Posted April 21, 2023 #194 Share Posted April 21, 2023 27 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said: As the old saying goes: “We need to talk” (about your misconceptions). First- as regards TAs: Remember that you and I (and everyone else in this thread) don’t amount to more than a rounding error in O’s daily bottom line. The right, high volume O selling TA, however, may book $ millions in a single week. So, while you’re on hold waiting for an O phone rep (who works for and is paid/controlled by O), that TA might get your “issue”!fixed with a quick speed dial to the O regional sales manager. Next, are you sure you’re looking at the real O website? Right on the home page, it shows the Extraordinary Savings promo. And, as regards those invoice terms like the brochure “cruise fare,” no one pays that fare - ever. And pretty much everyone gets the “early booking bonus.” The real savings come from “book onboard” and special sales discounts ( to which you add the O Club perks and, separately, your TA perks like commission sharing. For example, one of my current bookings has a book onboard discount plus the extraordinary savings discount plus O Club perks and a hefty rebate check from the TA. Do the research and find a good O savvy TA. We did need to talk & I appreciate all your info. 😀 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cancruisers Posted April 21, 2023 #195 Share Posted April 21, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, jonthomas said: The agents I know all have someone else look after their stuff if they are not able to. Is this agent a sole practitioner? We used our TA's buddy and the cruise is now resolved. We were upgraded to PH1 with oodles of OBC but NO cash back which didn't surprise me since why would they give anything back once they get it. This was one of 3 options presented - the other 2 being keep existing cabin and take the savings (almost $8000) in an OBC or FCC. We took option 1 as a bird in the hand is always better. Thanks everyone, Steve Edited April 21, 2023 by cancruisers 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 21, 2023 #196 Share Posted April 21, 2023 45 minutes ago, ec6393 said: You are a wealth of knowledge. I figured people got discounts & that no one paid the listed price....which is crazy. However, for example, I don't know what is considered "early booking." I suppose O decides that, along with "bonus discount" depending on how full the ship is getting. ??? Maybe anything before final payment is early booking 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 21, 2023 #197 Share Posted April 21, 2023 52 minutes ago, cancruisers said: We used our TA's buddy and the cruise is now resolved. We were upgraded to PH1 with oodles of OBC but NO cash back which didn't surprise me since why would they give anything back once they get it. This was one of 3 options presented - the other 2 being keep existing cabin and take the savings (almost $8000) in an OBC or FCC. We took option 1 as a bird in the hand is always better. Thanks everyone, Steve I would have taken the FCC 😉 Glad you got something that works for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted April 21, 2023 Author #198 Share Posted April 21, 2023 1 hour ago, ec6393 said: You are a wealth of knowledge. I figured people got discounts & that no one paid the listed price....which is crazy. It took a few early on booking mistakes to catalyze my interest in O policies. Listing prices folks will never have to pay isn’t crazy. Just think of automotive MSRP $. Whoever would’ve foolish enough to pay that “list price.” (pre-COVID’s supply chain issues). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dszrew Posted April 21, 2023 #199 Share Posted April 21, 2023 (edited) On 4/20/2023 at 11:53 AM, Wynterwynd said: It never hurts to ask…I almost didn’t bother since the website showed a slightly higher price than what I paid, but if they are sending out sales (via print), then it seems to me they owe a little something to those who are loyal/interested/comment on social media/etc I asked my TA to express my disappointment if they refused to consider anything. I included a screen print of the brochure pricing. She got back to me within 48 hours with what I considered to be a more than reasonable resolution (all SBC, but in an amount equal to what the difference in pricing was). While we lost the other included items, the new SBC more than makes up for that. Good luck! checking with my TA after a week of requesting, and despite what I booked being $12,500 less now, nothing is forthcoming from O. I even suggested just upgrading me to a PH or something, which would still leave me paying $6000 more than current pricing. TA isn't done yet, but no positive outcome for me (yet). Edited April 21, 2023 by dszrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMHuntFerry Posted April 22, 2023 #200 Share Posted April 22, 2023 3 hours ago, dszrew said: checking with my TA after a week of requesting, and despite what I booked being $12,500 less now, nothing is forthcoming from O. I even suggested just upgrading me to a PH or something, which would still leave me paying $6000 more than current pricing. TA isn't done yet, but no positive outcome for me (yet). Cancel and rebook at the lower price if your TA isn't being fast enough (or book with someone else then cancel)? My TA always gets resolution in less than a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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