Flatbush Flyer

You could try to prove that with documentation. But, I expect the answer will be “no” since it’s not the company going on the cruise.

This list is a good start to which I would add a clarification/addition (more as DO vs DON’T DO): When the timing of a current cruise coincides with the “roll out” of new future cruises that interest you, DO “book onboard” for the significant perks which start with some SBC (for current or future cruise), a fare discount and, perhaps most importantly, the “price drop match” guarantee (up to the embarkation date as long as there is cabin availability). If nothing interests you at that time, and you know you’ll be back on an O ship sooner than later, consider buying a Future Cruise Certificate - with the same perks. (BTW, know that you can get the Book Onboard deal for some distant cruise within 30 days of embarkation on your next cruise.) Of course, you should then transfer the cruise to one of your preferred TAs within the 30 day transfer window to garner the TA’s added perks of coverage for paid cruise items (e.g., gratuities, items not provided by OCAPP or OClub) and/or commission sharing in the form of refundable SBC or a rebate check (usually ranging from 5-10% of the commissionable fare). Note that, if you book onboard, the purchased cruise will be auto-assigned to the TA used for the current cruise unless you confirm that you want it assigned to yourself (with the allowance for the 30 day transfer window. This “self-assignment” is important in that it provides one with IMO necessary flexibility given the uncertainty of the travel industry. WHY? We have a preferred Travel Agency that is among the very top volume sellers of Oceania cruises. For our usually long cruises (most exceeding a month) with a sizable “bottom line,” we use that TA for the combination of significant rebate, dedicated customer service team, and a ton of “connection” with O folks who can make things happen quickly should the “poop hit the fan.” But, we also have a preferred TA for the short quick cruises (e.g., California coastal) where the TA perks may be considerably less but the relationship is priceless. We also keep a backup short list of TAs “just in case.” Over the years, we’ve had favored long-serving TA agents “leave” the profession unexpectedly (e.g., job change, death, whatever…). And, as a rule, we will almost always ask each of our preferred TAs what they can add to a specific O booking (initially done on board or via a long-serving preferred O sales rep who is good to have in the mix for a number of reasons - particularly when O policy exceptions like FCC deadline extensions are in play). Understand that this strategy does not pit one TA against another. Rather, a variety of circumstances ranging from O’s rotating quiet sales to time limited TA consortium deals to a TA’s group deal on a specific cruise may occasionally mean a four figure price “bottom line” difference between/among TAs. That said, what we never do is ask any TA for a “price match/beat.” And, doing multiple cruises per year often means that our cruise purchases are distributed among them. But, with very few exceptions, each cruise purchase starts with an O onboard ambassador or our trusted O phone rep (followed by the most appropriate TA transfer). This strategy may not be best for the occasional O cruiser who does 1-2 annual shorter cruises with relatively lower $ in play. But, if all it takes for a “big ticket” cruise is a single email following up on an initial direct O booking (no, you don’t have to wait “on hold” at the O 800 number), you will find that you have an important O policy resource at O, a happy TA who only needs to accept your transfer AND cash in your pocket.

Historically, the O airfare inclusion was originally not optional. The cruise price included the air whether you used it or not. In essence then, the price was the price. The difference today (started years ago) is that you have a choice to get a credit off the cruise fare if you do not want the “free” (I.e., “included” airfare).

FWIW: Trip Insurance Store gets many fine recommendations (as does InsureMyTrip). What has always (so far) had me choosing InsureMyTrip is that there search engine is far more sophisticated. Before I call the broker, I plug what are my initial preferences into the search engine to see if I’m in the same ball park as will be the brokerage agent.

One other item: if you’ve used any ship tours (O Life and/or otherwise), get your ShipBoard account print out at Destination Services since their version has the most detail about cancelled/replaced tour items. They can also provide a specific doc with all the math regarding your tours.

Yes - how old a ship is doesn’t mean much since, if nothing else, there are far more “ports” visited today than there were 25+ years ago.

Your post bolsters my caution above to always review your ShipBoard account prior to disembarkation.

Hardly weird. The O transfer is an incentive for booking the “expensive” (per person charge) O hotel via O’s “package” - not the other way around. Booking that hotel on your own (at a far less expensive price) still wouldn’t get you the O transfer Stay where you want and find a good transfer company for London to Southampton. We use Silver Fleet.

call InsureMyTrip. some policies require coverage for all costs while others require only for non-refundable expenses (e.g., only the first nite of a refundable hotel reservation). This is NOT the place to get the best insurance info. Call a broker - With InsureMyTrip and TripInsuranceStore et al., you pay nothing extra for their service.

A few specifics about Oceania’s ShipBoardCredit (SBC): It comes in four varieties, three of which you’ll see on your Oceania invoice and one that you may find on your TA’s invoice. On the O invoice (Amenities and Gifts section), you may see SBC noted as OCAPP (you can search here on CC for my, and others’, explanation of OCAPP), and, depending on O Club status, you may/should see O Club SBC and complimentary gratuities (plus other perks). You may also find SBC assigned by O as compensation (negotiated or otherwise) for a prior cruise issue and/or purchased outright as a gift (by you, a TA, et al.). The fourth source (which should not appear in the O invoice) is your TA’s own $ contribution (perhaps as a share of its commission) to your cruise enjoyment. It should be specified on your TA’s invoice as well as on a “gift card” you’ll find in your cabin on embarkation day. Note that this does not include any TA rebate $$$. Most importantly, there is a difference in SBC. Any complimentary SBC that appears on your Oceania invoice is non-refundable. Any SBC you find on your TA’s invoice (that is not OCAPP with the TA’s (or it’s consortium’s) name next to it, should be refundable. One truly good thing about O’s accounting is that, when shipboard purchases are made, non-refundable $$$ will always be tapped first. However, it is important to note that, should you make purchases pre-cruise (e.g., excursions, cooking classes, LaReserve) your bank of Oceania provided SBC will automatically be charged unless you indicate that you want to pay for the item with your credit card. As for what SBC can purchase once onboard, non-complimentary (O Club) gratuities are included as are bar and various service charges. The main exception excluding use of SBC is deposits on future cruises (or purchase of a Future Cruise Certificate. Since we are not casino users, I cannot comment of that (though I doubt you could change non-refundable SBC into cash). A final note: Always double check your ShipBoard account prior to disembarkation (there can be errors-particularly as regards bar charges). You can choose to have any unused refundable SBC given to you as cash on the final morning or, by default, returned to your credit card on file.

As regards celebratory events: The length of your “cruise” is not as important as the number of “segments” that start within it. You can have a three week single segment cruise and only have one Welcome invite and one O Club invite. If, however, your three weeks include two separate segments (new folks joining at some point), you’ll have another Welcome and another O Club event. Also, once you hit Platinum, you’ll get at least one officer dinner invite per cruise (though other such invites may happen before then for a variety of reasons). The new O Club level gets you one bottle of O Club wine per cabin plus individual hats/bags/pins. When you hit your milestone Platinum cruise, you get a bottle of Veuve Clicquot (yellow label).

The self-serves are free and include ocean-safe detergent. Please don’t bring your own detergent.

Depends on your cruise line’s policy. DW’s checked bag was once ID’ed for a search on Oceania due to something X-Rayed. She had to be present when the bag was to be opened. The questionable item was a hair curling iron which was okay to have.

Still - there’s no $20/year travel insurance that will cover medical and trip or medical alone. And, while some credit cards offer “trip insurance cancel/interrupt, the claim limits are usually woefully inadequate for a cruise and most will not waive PECs.

Often seen in the daily Currents:

The SBC is per cabin.

That sounds like their “medical only” policy rather than comprehensive (which includes trip cancel/interrupt)

Nationwide Travel Insurance? Like most other insurers, if you’re a Medicare geezer like me, figure at least 10% of the trip cost for a comprehensive policy.

From the official policy (just search “Oceania alcohol policy” and an official zendesk document appears that says: We ask that guests let us know they are bringing wine on-board so the ship can be advised. Guests are welcome to enjoy their wine in the comfort and privacy of their stateroom or suite, or, if they prefer, may enjoy their wine in one of the ship’s dining rooms. Any wine consumed in the dining room or a public area will be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00 per bottle. Note the inclusion of public areas which, of course, includes the bars.

OP: the $25 corkage is for any personal wine bottle taken out of your cabin and consumed (in part or in whole) in ANY public space dining or not. Unfinished bottles will be saved by wine stewards and retrieved as needed. Given O’s liberal booze policy, the $25 per bottle is a small price to pay.

Look at Oceania itineraries on their four “R Class” ships which only carry a max of 670 passengers. Even there two “larger” “O Class” ships have <1200 passengers.

Sounds like you’re ready to try Polynesia.

In general, your exclusions make sense - except that, for some antiquities/museums (e.g., the Coloseum in Rome and the Vatican Museum are best done with a good “cut the line” guide (who can also add so much to the experience). As for food, there are some ship tours that are in-depth food focused (including shopping/preparing/consuming local specialties) and, if done correctly (as may often be the case with cruise lines that are themselves food focused), they can be very unique and enjoyable.

As far as the flights go: Check ITA Matrix website for the widest variety of air routes (no tix sold). If United has reasonable routings (with any necessary connections provided by its Star Alliance partners), call United and verify that, if you need to cancel a flight with non-refundable tickets (far less expensive), you will be issued an FFC (Future Flight Credit) or ETC (Electronic Travel Certificate). Of course, there are restrictions like “use within a year.” But, if you’re going to replace your cancelled cruise within the time limits, you’re good to go. BTW Kasper: I doubt that you’ll find “the bird” in Greece. Last time I checked, my reliable sources suggest that it rests in a hidden corner of the Church of San Nicolò in Savoca, Sicily.👀 🤔😉🍕👍

Just this past summer, DW’s checked luggage was held up for onboard inspection - curling iron. But, she was allowed to keep it.