Simply More effect on inclusive speciality dining.

[beechwood]

We have a 10 day Vista cruise in August and a 23 day Riviera cruise in 2024, both booked before July 1st with the O Life choice of OBC ($600 for the former and $1200 for the latter).  These will be our 9th and 10th Oceania Cruises and to date we’ve never been on an excursion, neither ship or private, as we always do our own thing via local public transport and extensive walking. We may have a glass of wine at dinner but that is all.  With regards a second wi-fi connection, we’re happy to supplement this with our very cheap mobile data roaming service.

 

In view of the above, it is evident that it is not financially or otherwise worthwhile to change to the Simply More fare.  The one question we can’t find the answer to is what happens about the “free speciality dining” as highlighted in the list of Simply More benefits. We’ve already made reservations for the Vista cruise but what happens with the 2024 Riviera cruise, by not paying the Simply More fare do we lose the ability to use the speciality restaurants without additional charge?

 

As a general comment, we recognise that Oceania needs to operate at a profit and clearly this is behind the change to Simply More.  As very independent travellers, however, it is evident that we do not fit the model customer profile that Oceania is seeking. Going forward, therefore, it is unlikely we will sail with them after the 2024 cruise and even this maybe cancelled. As for cruising in general, we’ve previously been on Silversea and Seabourn but will probably now move even more towards our independently arranged trekking holidays and city breaks throughout Europe (which to be honest we do find much more memorable) and leave the cruising to our later years.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shepherd really]

Specialty dining with S & M is still included.  

 

Special Offer

With simply MORE*, our new valuable offer, enjoy 2 for 1 Cruise Fares, Free Roundtrip Airfare and Airport Transfers* plus:

FREE $1,200 simply MORE Shore Excursion Credit
FREE Champagne, Wine & More
FREE Gourmet Specialty Dining
FREE Unlimited WiFi
Amenities are per stateroom

[grifdoglover]

It’s just a shame they didn’t include gratuities…Let’s just go all in!

[beechwood]

41 minutes ago, shepherd really said:

Specialty dining with S & M is still included.  

 

Special Offer

With simply MORE*, our new valuable offer, enjoy 2 for 1 Cruise Fares, Free Roundtrip Airfare and Airport Transfers* plus:

FREE $1,200 simply MORE Shore Excursion Credit
FREE Champagne, Wine & More
FREE Gourmet Specialty Dining
FREE Unlimited WiFi
Amenities are per stateroom

Thanks for the reply but my possibly confusing question was will you still get speciality dining included “for free” if you do not change over to the Simply More fare?

 

 

 

 

[Hambagahle]

If you opt to stick with the OLife plan then you have that plan as it was when you booked it.   There is no charge on Oceania (never has been as far as I know) to eat in a speciality restaurant.  You just make the number of reservations permitted for your cabin or suite and then on board can ask at the restaurant if you can get another one - or in a suite, ask your butler.

[LHT28]

Take a deep breath

 It is just more Marketing  crap  to attract people to the SM  deal

 

 

[grifdoglover]

Yes you get to eat everywhere!  

[MarkWiltonM]

2 hours ago, grifdoglover said:

It’s just a shame they didn’t include gratuities…Let’s just go all in!

 

Some TAs have relationships with Oceania (Connoisseur Club members) that allow them to provide prepaid gratuities for their clients on certain cruises. That may be why they don't include grats as part of the program.  

[grifdoglover]

@MarkWiltonMwell now they won’t need to if they are included… personally I don’t add third parties to my travels for legal reasons.

[mauibabes]

If I may, one of the many reasons to use a TA is as Mark says, they may have special arrangements with Oceania or travel consortiums that offer Free Gratuities with a booking on a specific cruise.  A DIYer will not get this benefit. Also for the loyalists among us, once at the 10 cruise level will we automatically receive Free Gratuities as a part of Oceania’s Loyalty Club for all future cruises. Bottom line, Yes there can be some valuable benefits for cruising Oceania whether being a DIYer or TA user. 
Also, the Specialty dining allocations are still Free or should we make others happy by saying “Included” ? Actually some may even dine more frequently in the Specialty restaurants based on their Stateroom level but that is for another post. 
Have a wonderful 4th of July.

Mauibabes

[basor]

1 hour ago, MarkWiltonM said:

 

Some TAs have relationships with Oceania (Connoisseur Club members) that allow them to provide prepaid gratuities for their clients on certain cruises. That may be why they don't include grats as part of the program.  

Also, O's loyalty program provided pre-paid gratuities as a perk for Silver level and above....

[grifdoglover]

I don’t need a TA for the loyalty program.  I don’t use TAs for legal reasons.  

[ak1004]

8 minutes ago, grifdoglover said:

I don’t need a TA for the loyalty program.  I don’t use TAs for legal reasons.  

 

I'm curious what are the legal reasons?

 

Our TA provides us generous rebates, on top of any promotions or other credits. She also spends time calling O if there are any issues. 

[grifdoglover]

@ak1004Read plaintiff magazine when vacations lead to lawsuits.  

[grifdoglover]

May also look into maritime laws as far as booking directly with the line.

[1985rz1]

20 minutes ago, grifdoglover said:

May also look into maritime laws as far as booking directly with the line.

I don't know exactly what liability problems you are thinking of, but you do know that in the US, when booking through most reputable cruise specialists, you are actually booking with the line and your payments go directly to the line, not to an agent who then pays the line with the agency funds, and the invoice is the cruise line's invoice, right? 

 

There may be exceptions if you are booking a cruise as part of a travel agency's tour package, but otherwise the contract is with the cruise line.

 

And then there are disreputable agents....

Edited July 4, 2023 by 1985rz1

[Flatbush Flyer]

8 hours ago, grifdoglover said:

It’s just a shame they didn’t include gratuities…Let’s just go all in!

But they do include gratuities via O Club when you hit Silver (10 cruise credits). 
OR, your TA may receive O’s OCAPP pass through gratuity funding (that you’ll see on your O invoice).

OR, your TA may find them out of their own resources.

IMO, you’ve got to try pretty hard to stop them from covering your gratuities😎

[edgee]

52 minutes ago, grifdoglover said:

May also look into maritime laws as far as booking directly with the line.

Booking with the line is absolutely the same legally as booking through a TA. Also, I get over 10 percent of my cruise fare back in rebates and other benefits by booking through my TA. Folks who book direct have their reasons...control, legal reasons etc. I do not think it is worth the excessive what is in effect a surcharge of booking direct.

[Torquer]

What does "Free Gourmet Specialty Dining" mean as part of Simply More?  This has always been included with O, even the cruise-only fare.  I assume it is not Privee or La Reserve, they are now including for free?  So is this just marketing hype?

[ORV]

13 minutes ago, Torquer said:

What does "Free Gourmet Specialty Dining" mean as part of Simply More?  This has always been included with O, even the cruise-only fare.  I assume it is not Privee or La Reserve, they are now including for free?  So is this just marketing hype?

Did you read the thread? 

[1985rz1]

14 minutes ago, Torquer said:

What does "Free Gourmet Specialty Dining" mean as part of Simply More?  This has always been included with O, even the cruise-only fare.  I assume it is not Privee or La Reserve, they are now including for free?  So is this just marketing hype?

It's marketing so the folks who haven't cruised O before and are considering O, know what included, when they compare O to other lines.