Tansy Mews Posted November 26, 2012 #76 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Just to be clear If it was a perk you would have not been given money back for not using the hotel offer Some people get pre paid gratuities or OBC from the cruise line or their TA ..that is a perk Repeat cruisers with a certain number of cruises will get an OBC, Spa treatments ..that is a perk Lyn Lyn, what *is* it called when there is a published offer from O saying that there is a free hotel night prior to the cruise? I am not being difficult - I am not familiar with the travel industry terminology. Incentive? Bonus? I definitely was able to turn down the Marriott hotel and transfer and get money off my cruise instead. I liked that! We were able to afford more days in Copenhagen and we took the public transit ferry "bus" to the Little Mermaid and walked from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 26, 2012 #77 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Lyn, what *is* it called when there is a published offer from O saying that there is a free hotel night prior to the cruise? I am not being difficult - I am not familiar with the travel industry terminology. Incentive? Bonus? I definitely was able to turn down the Marriott hotel and transfer and get money off my cruise instead. I liked that! We were able to afford more days in Copenhagen and we took the public transit ferry "bus" to the Little Mermaid and walked from there. Marketing ;) Same as the FREE AIRFARE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globevest Posted November 26, 2012 #78 Share Posted November 26, 2012 "Marketing ;) Same as the FREE AIRFARE" Exactly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croooser Posted November 28, 2012 #79 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Hi Tansy and LHT28 (interesting moniker), I guess the lack of responses means that I am not the only one who does not have an understanding of group rates and how to find them. Thanks for taking the time to share what you know. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 28, 2012 #80 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Hi Tansy and LHT28 (interesting moniker), WHY?? I guess the lack of responses means that I am not the only one who does not have an understanding of group rates and how to find them. Thanks for taking the time to share what you know. Mike Some travel agencies will offer cruises for a group they put together ... I am not sure if they discount the price or just add more perks some are a wine magazine groups, school alumni etc For other TA's you just have to shop around maybe google group cruises I never have luck find what groups are on the ship but others seem to find them I just go and enjoy Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molliem Posted November 30, 2012 #81 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Hi Lyn: Sometimes SBC and Grats provided by TA's are refundable. This will usually be the case if your TA states this with Oceania. Otherwise not spent, lost. Also if Oceania provides hotel free before/after cruise there is a cash option if the cruiser asks for it. Does not seem to be published. Cash option is reduced cruise cost. Similar to free air allowance if you do your own.However you may get a better deal at same hotel offered by Oceania as we have found such as two nights and cash savings. Always check with your TA. Elwin As I understand it (I could be wrong) Top producing agencies get incentive points from the cruise line that they can use to offer their clients perks such as OBC or Pre paid gratuities... these are non refundable On some cruises the cruise line will offer perks such as OBC &/or prepaid gratuities as an incentive to book that cruise Some TA's will give their clients OBC as an incentive to book with them & these may be refundable if you do not use it all I am sure someone will correct me if I am mistaken Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 30, 2012 #82 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Hi Lyn: Sometimes SBC and Grats provided by TA's are refundable. This will usually be the case if your TA states this with Oceania. Otherwise not spent, lost. Elwin So not sure what part of my post you did not understand Some TA's will give their clients OBC as an incentive to book with them & these may be refundable if you do not use it all I am well aware of the FREE airfare & Hotel deal Please re read my post Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molliem Posted November 30, 2012 #83 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Lyn: Not open for back and forth. You are sort of correct but the TA has to tell Oceania it is refundable. This is not automatic. Client should know before cruise so they can decide on how to spend etc. Possibly you could re read my comments to clarify issue. Elwin quote=LHT28;36220137]So not sure what part of my post you did not understand Some TA's will give their clients OBC as an incentive to book with them & these may be refundable if you do not use it all I am well aware of the FREE airfare & Hotel deal Please re read my post Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondorner Posted November 30, 2012 #84 Share Posted November 30, 2012 ...Sometimes SBC and Grats provided by TA's are refundable. This will usually be the case if your TA states this with Oceania. Otherwise not spent, lost... You are correct that clients should ask which kind of OBC it is. But, it's actually pretty easy for Oceania to determine. If the gratuties or OBC comes as a payment from the TA's own funds, it's refundable in cash. If it is a passthrough amenity provided by the cruise line to the TA to then provide to their clients, it is not refundable, but is the "use it or lose it" type. Oceania usually knows the difference, especially if they didn't provide the amenity to the agent in the first place. If a passenger gets on board and doesn't know which kind of OBC they have, they can ask at Reception. In my experience (admittedly with just one agency), it's very rare that the agency provides the funds from their own pockets, but it's certainly possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted November 30, 2012 #85 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Lyn: Not open for back and forth. You are sort of correct but the TA has to tell Oceania it is refundable. This is not automatic. Client should know before cruise so they can decide on how to spend etc. Possibly you could re read my comments to clarify issue. Elwin quote=LHT28;36220137]So not sure what part of my post you did not understand Some TA's will give their clients OBC as an incentive to book with them & these may be refundable if you do not use it all I am well aware of the FREE airfare & Hotel deal Please re read my post Lyn Actually Elwin, it is you who is "sort of correct". If the TA paid MONEY for the OBC then it is refundable. If they used PROMOTIONAL CREDITS, then it is not refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molliem Posted November 30, 2012 #86 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Hi Stan: We have had SBC & Grats both refundable and not. When we contact our TA while on cruise, he advises Oceania to make it refundable. We do not know about PROMOTIONAL CREDITS and implications. We only speak from experience and one of Canada's Top Agencies providing their input which we have to believe is correct. Cruisers should then make it clear before departing with their TA "is it refundable" as we have said. Better to be knowlegible than blinded.Don't leave any funds on the table. Suggestion then would be to be clear when making political statements and not leave cruisers in the DARK. Guess We are "SORT OF RIGHT". Elwin Actually Elwin, it is you who is "sort of correct". If the TA paid MONEY for the OBC then it is refundable. If they used PROMOTIONAL CREDITS, then it is not refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted November 30, 2012 #87 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Hi Stan: We have had SBC & Grats both refundable and not. When we contact our TA while on cruise, he advises Oceania to make it refundable. We do not know about PROMOTIONAL CREDITS and implications. We only speak from experience and one of Canada's Top Agencies providing their input which we have to believe is correct. Cruisers should then make it clear before departing with their TA "is it refundable" as we have said. Better to be knowlegible than blinded.Don't leave any funds on the table. Suggestion then would be to be clear when making political statements and not leave cruisers in the DARK. Guess We are "SORT OF RIGHT". Elwin Actually Elwin, it is you who is "sort of correct". If the TA paid MONEY for the OBC then it is refundable. If they used PROMOTIONAL CREDITS, then it is not refundable. It IS a good idea for the Agent to tell the Client if the perquisite in question is refundable or not, however, the relative importance or influence of that Agent is completely irrelevant. What counts is how that SBC or Gratuity was paid for. If the Agent Put up the money, then it is refundable. If Oceania put up the money as a promotion then it is not refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 30, 2012 #88 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Can we pleezee shoot the horse instead of beating it to death with a stick:eek: Some OBC etc are refundable some are NOT check with who ever gave them to to for the the correct situation my heavens above it is not rocket science :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molliem Posted December 3, 2012 #89 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Jim, is that not what I was saying all along! I agree and lets stop it. Elwin It IS a good idea for the Agent to tell the Client if the perquisite in question is refundable or not, however, the relative importance or influence of that Agent is completely irrelevant. What counts is how that SBC or Gratuity was paid for. If the Agent Put up the money, then it is refundable. If Oceania put up the money as a promotion then it is not refundable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitraveler Posted December 13, 2012 #90 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Just back from Marina's Rome to Rio, there is now a "Friends & Family" discount when you book a new cruise for another person(s) when you are on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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