Open message to Frank Del Rio

[qldtraveller]

Hi

 

For those in Australia we fo not have access to overseas TA's. We are now provided with a local number to call which is the main consolidator for all Oceania Bookings and who the TA's must go through.

 

Also Oceania does have an office in Australia but it only deals with Consolidators and local private TA's.

 

We have to go with what is offered unless I get someone in the USA to book for us.

[dolphinmar]

My husband and I were two of the passengers who paid twice what the Brits paid for our cabin. We are loyal Oceania cruisers. Or at least, we were.

 

LHT28 - even after deducting the airfare from our overall payment, we still paid ~48% more. Add in the $1000 OBC, it is obvious that our friends from across the pond did very well, indeed.

 

I don't know that I buy the comment that the cruise was undersold at final payment time - we received two offers to change cruises and the first was in late April, just prior to final payment.

 

My DH said it best - it would be like going to a bakery where you had been a loyal customer, get in line with your bread, pay for it, and then have the person behind you get charged half the amount for the same loaf. He would never go to that bakery again.

 

It's just like the Ally Bank commercial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl67TNDW-0Q&feature=relmfu. The little boy doesn't get ice cream because he is not as "new" of a customer as the other little boy.

 

We have canceled our TA for next year. I will be writing Oceania with the hopes that they will do something to re-earn our trust.

 

I understand promotions to open up business but not ones that are of this size.

[tanny18]

.How did this thread get so out of hand....for several days people only read what I wrote...there was no need for comments that got to be about Aussie and UK people paying too much money. The thread was about a port that was taken away.l..Arlene

[Mura]

Well, Arlene,

 

As we all know -- it isn't unusual for threads to go off in tangents.

 

But I think this shows just how upset a number of people have been recently. It's a real hot button topic.

 

Mura

[mmark14]

I do apologize for that. I saw your title and frustration so apropo and similar to mine, but I should have opened a new thread to express it. Hopefully, Oceania will hear and respond to all of us ----

[LHT28]

My husband and I were two of the passengers who paid twice what the Brits paid for our cabin. We are loyal Oceania cruisers. Or at least, we were.

 

LHT28 - even after deducting the airfare from our overall payment, we still paid ~48% more. Add in the $1000 OBC, it is obvious that our friends from across the pond did very well, indeed.

 

So just as an example

Say you paid $4000 pp without air

The Brits got their cruise for $2000 USD which would be 1200 GBP plus an OBC of $1000 USD (600 GBP)

cruise @ 600GBP PP.... correct:confused:

Sounds like a great deal

 

Maybe we should book in the U.K. then

[mlc38a]

As one of those "lucky" uk passengers i am sorry to hear our cruise experience spoilt yours. we had never considered cruising with oceania before as their prices ,for us ,were too high and we never thought cruising with them would be worth so much. when the offer appeared on our web sites, about 6 weeks before departure date, we could not believe it. we phoned around and each cruise company offered different prices and perks but all the same obc.we were also informed that the offer was because a large booking in usa had cancelled at the last minute.

We are really greatful to have had the opportunity. not only because of the outstanding ship, food and service we recieved, but also for the great company. we were worried about fitting in as we had not met many americans and can only say this was the best cruise experience we have had.

I appreaciate your frustrations with the issues of oceania changing itineries, but please do not let our fortune discourage you from cruising with them as we would like to meet you all sometime soon.

[petcoke]

well put mic38a makes a change for us lucky brits to get a cruise deal. on marina in sept better keep quiet about price

[potterhill]

Are you on the Sept 19th sailingwith us......in any case join your roll call to meet some fellow cruisers.

 

Mo

[LHT28]

As one of those "lucky" uk passengers i am sorry to hear our cruise experience spoilt yours. we had never considered cruising with oceania before as their prices ,for us ,were too high and we never thought cruising with them would be worth so much. when the offer appeared on our web sites, about 6 weeks before departure date, we could not believe it. we phoned around and each cruise company offered different prices and perks but all the same obc.we were also informed that the offer was because a large booking in usa had cancelled at the last minute.

We are really greatful to have had the opportunity. not only because of the outstanding ship, food and service we recieved, but also for the great company. we were worried about fitting in as we had not met many americans and can only say this was the best cruise experience we have had.

I appreaciate your frustrations with the issues of oceania changing itineries, but please do not let our fortune discourage you from cruising with them as we would like to meet you all sometime soon.

 

Glad to hear you got a good deal & you enjoyed Oceania

 

If someone gets upset over that then what can I say ...:eek:

 

Hope to meet you on an O cruise someday if you do not mind us Canadians ;)

 

 

Lyn

P.S. I think discussing the prices you pay is just poor taste...JMO

[xplrcrzn]

I'm a little confused about this thread. Is it about missed ports or pricing differentials?

[Mura]

The thread has drifted, as often happens. You can't really control the direction of a thread.

 

It did start out about missed ports ... It's just a sign that a number of people are upset about more than one thing. I'm not one of them, but I understand the unhappiness.

 

Mura

[trina2]

Actually, the title is "Open message to Frank Del Rio" and the OP is about missing ports on a specific cruise (which, I believe has been given back now) and Oceania's handling of the change in itinerary.

As Mura states, there is more than one issue that people are upset with and "Open Message to Frank Del Rio" probably seemed like a good thread to post these to.

[osandomir]

As for the cruise price, one can think of it this way. Some times things go on sale at 50% or more if it's too many left. In case you bought it far before the sale date you are not likely to get return for the price difference. Also, they can be moved to the different location for sale at discount price. Just an example. We all make choices when we buy something.

[chester8]

As for the cruise price, one can think of it this way. Some times things go on sale at 50% or more if it's too many left. In case you bought it far before the sale date you are not likely to get return for the price difference. Also, they can be moved to the different location for sale at discount price. Just an example. We all make choices when we buy something.

Just like any other business selling off unsold stock.

[ShopperfiendTO]

As for the cruise price, one can think of it this way. Some times things go on sale at 50% or more if it's too many left. In case you bought it far before the sale date you are not likely to get return for the price difference. Also, they can be moved to the different location for sale at discount price. Just an example. We all make choices when we buy something.

 

Not quite. When you buy something earlier, you presumably have use of that thing right after you buy it. This is not the case with most travel and definitely not with cruising (other than perhaps "locking" into a particular cabin, but I think most will change cabins if it means getting significant savings).

 

I think the real issue here is that Oceania is not losing very much (if anything, and perhaps gaining) by the severely reduced rates because it has the non-refundable deposits and penalties of the group that backed out last second. So the revenue from the cabin is probably fully or overpaid, but the person who is actually in the cabin (and chatting with other passengers) probably paid only a small fraction of the revenue from the cabin (most of it being in the form of forfeited deposit and penalties).

 

And by roll of the wheel of fortune, the last minute group cancellations were for a cruise that happens to depart in one part of the world over another and so eliminates the other part of the world due to high airfare costs for last-minute air travel.

 

So it is understandable why Oceania did what it did but there's also no denying that it still leaves a bitter taste in people's mouths.

 

I guess it happens for last-second tickets for shows as well, but:

 

1) the price difference, in absolute terms, is much lower (for the disputed cruise it amounted to thousands), and

2) the "in-your-face" element endures the whole time of the cruise, and

3) it affects the cruise in very tangible ways such as the extra waiting to get a table (more bodies needing dinner and theatre/library/sundeck seats/chairs) or even eliminating extra seatings at specialty restaurants that might have otherwise been available.

 

You can bet that if Rolex or Cartier started selling off their watches for 75% off of what most of their purchasers bought at that fewer people would be interested in buying Rolex or Cartier at the "regular" price in the first place.

 

PS. I do think that discussing prices should be avoided, but less so the tackiness than because it seems to mostly agitate one cabin or the other. On the other hand, aren't we proponents of the adage that knowledge is power and the free and open market (discussions)?

[TERRIER1]

I can understand the last minute pricing reduction. I think I would be very upset to know that this group also obtain a $1000 on board credit and nothing was given to the those who booked at regular price.

[GrammieK]

Imagine buying a new car at a premium price only to find out months later that other buyers were given a lower price or incentives for purchasing the remaining ones on the lot. I think that is how we describe "the Law of Supply and Demand." When the leftovers are sitting on the lot taking up space (or the cabins are empty space right before sailing) the chances are that "better offers" will surface.

When we buy or book anything, we are sure that we can live with the price we pay. If you get a better deal, good for you!! It will be my turn next time!

There are too many other important things to worry about than what someone else paid.

Note to self: Add to list of subjects not to discuss - price paid for cruise.

[JimandStan]

Well said, GrammieK. :D

 

I used to go crazy thinking about this, but if you really think about it, travel companies have to live with a skewed law of supply and demand anyway.

 

After all, even a time sensitive product like a car will retain some value in the following model year.

 

An unsold cabin on a cruise ship has zero value after the ship has sailed, and the Line has also lost revenue derived from that passengers' potential spending on the ship.

 

I console myself by focusing on the fact that if those last minute cabins aren't filled, then my "book it as soon as the itinerary is released" fare would have to be increased to cover the additional overhead. :p

[jtamchay]

Imagine buying a new car at a premium price only to find out months later that other buyers were given a lower price or incentives for purchasing the remaining ones on the lot. I think that is how we describe "the Law of Supply and Demand." When the leftovers are sitting on the lot taking up space (or the cabins are empty space right before sailing) the chances are that "better offers" will surface.

When we buy or book anything, we are sure that we can live with the price we pay. If you get a better deal, good for you!! It will be my turn next time!

There are too many other important things to worry about than what someone else paid.

Note to self: Add to list of subjects not to discuss - price paid for cruise.

 

Totally agree with these comments....one pays what they are willing to pay expecting their objectives to be met and then one enjoys the value for their dollars spent.

When I have booked a cruise, at my price point, I go with a sense of happiness...I have rarely failed to enjoy any cruise even when some of the moments are not exceptional. YMMV

[winegirl]

One of the drawbacks to cruising is that your contract with the cruise line is for passage, not specific ports. Port cancellations or delays in arrival are chances you take by entering into that cruise contract.

We were hours late arriving in Bordeaux last summer, and Oceania offered no official explanation but I recall overhearing that they had to wait until the berth opened up. I suspect some ports overbook berths or that other ships are late in departing and that can throw off a schedule.

 

Vancouver Island and Victoria are worth at least a week of travel time, if not more. We've been there multiple times and still have much more to explore and enjoy. Butchart Gardens in particular is worth an entire day, and is quite a distance from the port. Afternoon tea at Butchart overlooking the Italian Renaissance garden is not to be missed! If you planned to see the garden during a short port visit, you may be disappointed. Take a separate vacation to the City of Vancouver, take the BC ferry over to the island and don't rush your visit.

[ShopperfiendTO]

Imagine buying a new car at a premium price only to find out months later that other buyers were given a lower price or incentives for purchasing the remaining ones on the lot. I think that is how we describe "the Law of Supply and Demand." When the leftovers are sitting on the lot taking up space (or the cabins are empty space right before sailing) the chances are that "better offers" will surface.

When we buy or book anything, we are sure that we can live with the price we pay. If you get a better deal, good for you!! It will be my turn next time!

There are too many other important things to worry about than what someone else paid.

Note to self: Add to list of subjects not to discuss - price paid for cruise.

 

At least the person got to drive the car around before the incentives started for the remaining ones on the lot.

 

But I agree that worrying about what someone else paid does not enhance a vacation.

[trina2]

Similar to hotels, Oceania's main objective is to fill each cruise. Both will offer last minute deals to achieve this. Whether a hotel or cruise has 100% or 80% occupancy rate, they still have to pay their staff. But if there is 100% occupancy, they make more money from extras like restaurants (hotels), bar, spa, boutiques, casinos & excursions.

 

If you are one of those lucky people with no ties that enable you to go on a vacation at the drop of a hat and can accept the cabin offered (it may not be where you'd normally choose), then good luck to you. Hopefully, that will be me, one day. Everyone has the chance to avail themselves of these "last minute" deals - it is just that some are prepared to take the risks, others not. If you like to plan your holiday, do private tours, combine the cruise with something else, this probably won't suit.

 

For now, I'm one who likes to choose my cabin (so no cabin type guarantee for me), therefore I have to book early, so I make use of early bird specials if there are some (and certainly can save heaps on air if I book early).

 

Speaking of air - look how that works. Airlines sell seats at all different prices - how often are you lucky enough to manage to get the bottom price offered before these are sold out?

 

IMHO, prices are only a problem if you don't get what you were promised. If you were guaranteed a certain price, and suddenly you have to pay more, or if they promise to match any price offered (keeping in mind, any fine print) and don't, then it's time to grumble

[mmark14]

To be clear, I would just like to emphasize that I am very happy for our fellow British travelers who were able to enjoy a good deal on our cruise. We also really enjoyed their company. There are a few points that need to also be clarified.

- the discrepancy in price was huge . w/o air-- $5000 per person for B3 cabin vs 1700 GBP for a B1-----plus $1000 shipboard credit

 

- this was not alast minute deal----March for a July 29th cruise

 

- we did not get what we expected--- two ports were missed and there was an additional last minute switch, resulting in an umorganized shuttle

 

- as good as we feel for our travel companions who are new to Oceania, it is still disappointing to see how Oceania treats its loyal customers who have been with them for five voyages

[oregon50]

What a shame. Can you tell us one more time?