Flatbush Flyer

But, that’s why Book Onboard (which might be done a year or two prior to embarkation) has so much added value. Just yesterday, I used the price drop match guarantee (due to the O “flash sale”) for a cruise booked many months ago.

NEVER book your O tours online. Always call O direct and speak to your preferred O “vacation planner.” YES, even if your cruise is booked with your “excellent” TA. If you’re a regular here, you’ve heard me say that often. And something that happened yesterday reminded me to say it yet again. Many of us know that there are three main pre-cruise sources of O tour info: the O website, the shore excursions pdf (provided by O) and the internal booking software used by O phone reps (both those reps used by passengers and those reps used by TAs). We also know that those three O tour listing sources are in an independent state of flux, at least, within the 365 days preceding your cruise. Confounding that flux is the reality that the three different entities are sorely lacking in coordination and, even worse, apparent human and technical errors at O may escalate their disagreement about what tours are offered and/or are available. For example, tours not listed in your most recent version of the pdf may not appear on the website (or vice versa). And, if you’re booked on a single segment cruise, you may see availability that I, on a multi-segment version that includes your cruise, may find “full” or otherwise “unavailable.” BTW, a common cause of this issue is human error at O when your booking allowance is opened for a cruise segment but mine (as part of a multi-segment cruise) is not. Simply put, someone forgets to “flip a switch” and you (or your TA) is screwed as regards tours. So, what happened yesterday? At just about 365 days prior to embark, I had recently received a surprisingly extensive shore excursions pdf for a future CPT-BCN cruise booked while O Life was still in effect. We went over our choices and I made a list of our desired tours including the O Life tours perk and old YWYW 25% discount calculations. (Whether I do my own tour booking or decide to use my TA, I always do that math). Next, I looked at the O website to check availability (though I never really trust “full” below the tour listing) and did my own pencil/paper cost computation (love that little mental exercise). All looked good except for one tour that was already “full” more than 365 days prior to it date of activity! (apparently, SM has created a rush on early tour booking that will need to be addressed by O). The closed tour was the ultra-popular full day tour to the Alhambra /Granada. i then called my trusted long serving O phone rep who (like the OCAs I use onboard) I often use for an initial cruise booking before doing the TA transfer (to get him credit since he is in a position to return the favor by taking the most immediate care of any initial booking glitches/questions while I am on the phone with him!) and we solidified our tours selection - except for the Alhambra one. The rep confirmed that the tour was, in fact, “full” and offered to wait list it. But, then he paused and added “let me try something else.” Less than two minutes later, his next comment: “Got it.” Now, could my “excellent” TA have accomplished the same end? Possibly/probably but, with popular tour booking, timing is often critical. Thus, in the time it would have taken to add another “cook (or two) stirring the broth,” I had already gotten immediate/final confirmation for what I needed within a single communication. And there are other similar examples of the value of the “right” O vacation planner (e.g., getting almost immediate (and reasonable) exceptions to O’s idiosyncratic restrictions) while you are still on that phone call. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got a great TA who is generous with rebates and who can/does handle fixing issues requiring her involvement (like securing fare price drop matches and other grey area $$$ items where her Agency’s relationship with O gives it great latitude). In any case, at the bottom line, I continue to recommend developing a great relationship - not only with an exceptional TA (or two) but also - with a knowledgeable/well respected O “vacation planner.”

Not necessarily- the old 25% YWYW, now called SM tour package, may not be offered on shorter cruises or cruises with few port stops.

Final O invoice and prepurchased shorex PDF trumps all else.

IMO (and experience) the varying SBC bonus may just be random. I’ve seen it change mid cruise - in either direction.

Oceania paper items are the Bible as regards everything. (Invoices, prepurchased excursion, dining reservations….) actual docs (even if stored on your phone) are what win disagreements.

I agree but would add one huge clarifying factor: As regards “O decides,” it’s also WHO at O is making that decision. Sometimes when I or my TA (or even an OCA onboard) “bird dogs” some “open to interpretation” booking/perks policy/practice problem/decision, the simple act of asking for confirmation from the “right” higher placed O manager works wonders (as does tactfully/politely not taking the first NO for an answer). It’s often not unlike Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Code where the “rules” are more like a “set of guidelines.”

The bottom line of which way to book remains doing ALL the quantitative math and qualitative analysis. We recently completed a 37 day multisegment - booked as an Extended Journey (published and with single booking number). Fortunately (though somewhat unusual), the fare discount was significant enough to cover the $ value loss of no extra O Club Platinum perks (had I done a Custom Cruise booking with only 5% fare discount) and I got the expected 3 cruise credits instead of 2.

….And they got double the O Club perks! However, your Extended Journey (historically correct terminology whereas Grand Voyage was historically 3+ segments exceeding 50 days) fare discount would’ve been worth significantly more in cash savings in your pocket than going the two booking route. Of course, if that cruise was booked within the last few years, you also would’ve been able to opt for booking it as a “custom cruise” where you get the double O Club perks , the cruise credits figured per segment and a 5% fare discount. The bottom line take away regarding any multisegment booking arrangement is to know/understand the O jargon and rules and then do the math (quantitative and qualitative) to figure out which booking scenario works best for you. BTW: if your TA didn’t explain this to you, I suggest that you find a new TA.

For all new O booking there is only SM with air and SM without air (along with the basic booze, how much tour SBC comes with SM varies depending on itinerary). As for TA advertising, some “blur the line” between what is provided by O and what they provide as added perks. The unscrupulous ones would suggest that they (the TA) provide all the perks associated with an O cruise.

There are some independent O Connoisseurs Club TAs (LONG affiliated with O) who are not consortium members but enjoy pass through OCAPP benefits. And there are, at least, several “Elite” Connoisseurs Club TAs that have their own and their consortium’s OCAPP funds (each covering one segment of an Extended Journey). We’ve seen that on a very few occasions.

You are probably correct regarding number 1 since that was the rule with O Life’s YWYW 25% deal. Any package purchase was not refundable once onboard. Even had the rule printed on the tour tix. As for number 2, I don’t have a definitive answer. I do know that the old YWYW rule was a minimum number of tours were required and that the cited number was per person in the cabin.

There are still many folks who booked upcoming future cruises before SM booking started. The pricing you see is for folks who still have O Life or Cruise Only. It doesn’t adjust specifically to your booking status.

The Search function here is Boolean. With the right query terms, one can find seemingly obscure posts.

I’m exactly the opposite. The only “mix” I need is what is found in the cocktail shaker at Martini’s.😎 O ships are our “vacation home.” And, despite, occasional hiccups in overall performance, O checks off all on our travel preference list pretty regularly. Among those preferences is the current “regular O clientele” profile which I consider to be culturally diverse, well traveled, professionally accomplished folks who have worked hard for their money and understand the true meaning of value. I trust that you’ll find some subset of similar types of folks on mass market NCL and luxury Regent. But, if I’m going to continue to spend 75-100 +\- annual nights on O ships, I don’t particularly need or want an uncertain demographic future that might alter the profile described above.

Not really if you’re an O regular. Some trips you come out ahead and others you don’t.

Many O regulars were previously Celebtity cruisers who jumped ship and never looked back. We’ve got almost 500 nights on O ships (more than 100 of them since post-Covid restart; and we have several future multi-segments already booked in 2025-26). As for the age demographic on O, it varies with the itinerary. Cruises under 3 weeks to the Med or island locations draw a “younger” crowd of not-yet-retired folks (and are extremely popular with college alumni groups) while longer cruise (> one month) will see more 60+ passengers. BTW, on Alaska cruises during summer school vacation, O even has a kids program. Plenty of places to grab a cocktail in the evening - even with post nightly show dancing available in Horizons. There’s also a pianist in Martini’s. As for your other concerns: even O’s two newest ships are under 1200 passengers with the same excellent crew and space ratios we have enjoyed for more than a decade. Add stellar service and meals considered by several leading food publications to be the Finest Cuisine @ Sea and Celebrity will become a distant memory quickly. All this said, it still remains that the only way you’ll find out if O is a good fit for you is to try it.

Patrick Tairua, Bora Bora native and owner of ultra-popular Maohi Nui Tours as he motors across the lagoon in front of the iconic twin-peaked extinct volcano, Mount Pahia.

😎

There’s a casino? 😳

Unknown until someone(s) confirms that SM $ work.

LaReserve is on that PDF too. But, the name of the tours purchased PDF does say something like “ShoreEx and other…”

Lots of great Pinot Noirs in Sonoma County. Our favorites come from Martin Ray.

Interesting. Regular cooking classes do appear on the prepurchased shorex PDF. 🤔

Smooth as silk… ….unless it’s not.