Best way to book an Oceana cruise

[scdreamer]

We have cruised four times on three other lines, but are thinking of a Mediterranean cruise on Oceana in fall 2007.

 

I have always booked with online TA's --- going with whichever one has the best fares. Not so sure that's the best way to do this cruise, though, as it is more expensive than our other cruises, as well as a bit more complicated itinerary.

 

I am not asking for a specific recommendation, but just some info as to what would be the best way to book a fall 2007 cruise on Oceana. We are definitely looking for the best fare, but also want to be sure if there are any problems, we will have someone in our corner.

 

I have looked at the Oceana website, and I would imagine it might be possible to find a better deal elsewhere.

 

Any general suggestions are welcome.

[Apex Cruiser]

scdreamer,

 

We are in the same boat so to speak. There are several travel agents in this forum just look at posts and contact them. The biggest difference with O is that not that many agents deal with them and get group discounts. Also if you are using O air which we will be then your agent must be willing to help if you want an air deviation to arrive early or stay over after a cruise.

 

Hope we're both able to try O. We're looking at an Istanbul-Athens cruise May 17, 2007 and hope to book next week after we get vacation times all set up. We found an agent with a group cruise for that date that provides paid gratuities and an onboard credit, they were willing to discount on other dates as well. It's one who posts often on this board.

[firsttimeeurope]

I booked my cruise directly through Oceania & got a better deal than my TA was willing to give me. I found the people at Oceania to be very helpful & all I did was call the 800 number. From what I can tell, there is not a lot of movement from the price--i.e. there are few sailings that TA offer 'ship board' credit or anything like that.

I also booked my own air & hotels--which could not be easier because of Expedia. Also, I found that Expedia had prices that were far less than what my TA was offering.

Maybe I just had a bad TA- but there is no reason you cannot book yourself.

[Jancruz]

We just had a thread on booking directly with the cruise line..you do yourself a big disservice when you do..I am sure you can find a good TA out there that you like and you will do much better than booking directly!!

Jan

*****

[tranceparent]

Hi There;

Make that three of us in the same boat! We want to book back to back cruises in the Fall of 2007 and have tried to contact an agent I think you are speaking of, but no response. I'm all for group discounts! Perhaps you might send a suggestion to my e-mail address:

jkarla@ywave.com

Thanks very much.

 

 

scdreamer,

 

We are in the same boat so to speak. There are several travel agents in this forum just look at posts and contact them. The biggest difference with O is that not that many agents deal with them and get group discounts. Also if you are using O air which we will be then your agent must be willing to help if you want an air deviation to arrive early or stay over after a cruise.

 

Hope we're both able to try O. We're looking at an Istanbul-Athens cruise May 17, 2007 and hope to book next week after we get vacation times all set up. We found an agent with a group cruise for that date that provides paid gratuities and an onboard credit, they were willing to discount on other dates as well. It's one who posts often on this board.

[Paulmj]

I just booked the Insignia 7/23/07 Venice to Barcelona with a cruise travel agent specialist whom I've used for the past 15 years. The price was less than booking with Oceania direct. I highly recommend this person. This is not a big-time discount situation, just good service from someone who knows their business and is very reliable and responsive.

 

Send me an email message at paulmj@earthlink.net and I'll give you more information.

[cruisin'cats]

Jan, i know it's better late than never to find things out so here goes--we've been booking with the same cruise only agent for about 16 years now--and that's about 15 of our last 17 cruises--from 2 wk princess in brit isles to 2 weeks on celeb in baltic, alaska, the usually east-west-southern carib and three times Mex riv. and now the Oceania Nautica for may 15. That gives you an idea of the $$ spent with her as she's changed agencies, she's got a day job to pay her bills and does this as second job. she's my friend's patient which is how we got connected since we used to travel with them but have long since surpassed the friend's interest in going overseas with cruising. that's it for the background. anyway, we usually get a price not better than listed at the websites for the cruiselines and then we get a credit for the cabin, usually $50-100 depending on the length of the cruise, same credit for everyone who books with us, sometimes 6 people, sometimes just the two of us. we used to get a bottle of the cruiseline's lousy wine or a basket with goodies but she's cut back on that b/c friend is diabetic and we'd rather order our own wine which would far excede the cost of the bottle that she gets and not all lines gave us credit for it in the past. ANYWAY, from what I've read here and on other threads is that people are getting many more perks and incentives: pre-paid grats, larger or multiple credits (onboard plus spa--and I spend a fortune most cruises at the spa!), discounts, etc. Obviously we're missing the boat on this score, pun intended, aren't we? I feel a bit deflated right now reading all about the other's and their incentives. What's a gal to do???

Helene

[Jancruz]

"I feel a bit deflated right now reading all about the other's and their incentives. What's a gal to do???

Helene

 

 

Hi Helene,

I am assuming that you May 15 cruise is this year and is paid in full..I say go and have a great time..when you return and are ready to book another cruise (remember you will have a $200 discount coupon) you explain nicely to her since she is now doing this part time you would prefer to work with a cruise specialist that works full time..There are many agents that specialize in different cruise lines and tho it may mean using different agents..when an agent has a close rapor with a cruise line they will certainly make sure you have the best for less (if they are a good agency)

I hope this helps..feel free to email me personally with any questions about your May 15 cruise..*****

I still say, if someone books directly with the cruise line you are getting nothing extra and no one to watch out for you..once that agent at Oceania hangs up, you are forgotten..I know all of them and they are great..but not for direct bookings..

Jan

*****

[love vacations]

I called a travel agent that advertises over the internet that they give great discounts. I had her price the Nautica for June 07. The price she quoted had an additional $600 in taxes added to it. She also added airport transfers and insurance at a very high rate and the Turkish visa. The price ended up $1000 over what is shown on the cruise line website. She said we would get a rebate of $265 from the total amount. Is this normal? I have been on 9 cruises so far, and I have never seen so much tax added. What have some of the rest of you gotten?

[Druke I]

SCDreamer

 

I don't know this to be fact, but am told one reason the cruise line has the "i" in its name making it Oceania (not Oceana) is that they were trying to avoid any confusion with P&O which has a ship named Oceana (former Ocean Princess).

 

Picky I know, but I think it important to have correct spelling of proper names whenever possible.

[Apex Cruiser]

love vacations,

 

We too were a bit surprised but not shocked at the add on charges. The big tax hit is on the free air. Remember nothing is free! We would reduce our fare by over $1,200 each by not taking the free air between taxes, air credit and not being in a gateway city. So we have a target to shoot for in airfare and a locked in price should things in the airline business turn ugly with pricing. Also if you don't want transfers or the cruise line to get your visa ask the agent to take them off the reservation. We will not use the transfers. Drop the insurance and go to insuremytrip.com they have tons of different plans just make sure to check early as many policies limit coverages if you do not buy within a certain number of days from booking your trip. We never insure through the cruise line but always insure, way too costly if you ever have an overseas health problem.

 

We ended up booking Nautica May 17th 07 Istanbul to Athens with an agency on this board and got a few goodies.

[john2003]

The Oceania website cost does not show the whole story. The free air will have both taxes (reasonable) and transfers added. In addition the cruise will have taxes and a fuel surcharge (June 2007 is my example in Europe) added. At least this is my understanding but I stand to be corrected. It would be nice if one could find all this on the website without having to bother a TA or Oceania.

[Jancruz]

Druke, You are exactly correct about the spelling of the name!!

Jan

*****

[brian_uk]

Jincruz I dosigree.............we are all miture adolts here and I fore wun do not kneed to be corected......my spilling is eggsellent.

 

Brian

[azkitty]

It doesn't cost anything but your time and energy to comparison shop. We have gotten great deals with online agents. One of the best ways to start is to use *****.com. The last cruise I booked I got a great quote from one of their participating travel agencies and NO extras. Taxes and fees all were included. It does pay to book early otherwise wait and take a chance on a last minute deal. Very early or very late are the best prices. Time of year for the cruise is important too as certain times especially summer are most popular. I have booked 7 cruises; Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Crystal, Oceania and Princess all with online agencies. I do think cruise cabin prices are like airline seats and if you went up and down the aisle or hallway, you would find everyone paid a different price. I think the bigger the travel agency or discounter, the bigger discount they are able to give. So far, I haven't found any that don't sell Oceania. I am not sure the free or 2 for one airfare is really that good a deal. I think it is built into the price and you pay more. We usually book our own air.

[kadsd]

I got the name of a TA from this board several months ago and contacted the agent and got a CONSIDERABLE discount with prompt, efficient service.

attn: Tranceparent...are you talking about the TA I put you in touch with?? She told me she sent you info via email.

Kathy

[love vacations]

kadsd,

Can you give me a hint where I can find the TA you are talking about?

Thanks

[kadsd]

I think you will have to email me at kadechter@hotmail.com - I will be happy to share.