Does Oceania have ‘close to sailing’ rates?

[dcsam]

Looking at taking an Oceania cruise.  We’ve enjoyed Azamara and Viking Oceans, and imagine Oceania will be a good line for us.  Do they ever offer ‘last minute’ sort of rates in order to fill a ship?  

Thank you!

[Sea42]

It doesn't appear so. Our cruise leaves in less than 2 weeks and has many categories still available but has not dropped in price.

But the Oceania website does list 6 cruises that have "new lower fares"

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/new-lower-fares/

[ORV]

To add to what I posted on the other thread;

 

They usually have methods in place to discreetly fill the ships long before the last minute. Sometimes the ships sail at less than capacity.

 

A big problem is that price guarantee, if they publicly lower the price too much then they have to honor it for people that booked on board, depending on availability of their category. 

 

They also don't want the reputation of a cut rate cruise line. 

[bob brown]

I would imagine they might rely on offers thru the casino at sea, to selected individual's to achieve that 'discrete' result...

[LHT28]

some TA's will be offered lower rates for their clients  but do not count on getting a big sale price like other lines

if you want to try Oceania  just book at a price you are comfortable with

JMO

[ORV]

51 minutes ago, bob brown said:

I would imagine they might rely on offers thru the casino at sea, to selected individual's to achieve that 'discrete' result...

Not that I've ever heard of, but then again if it's discreet they're doing a good job. Gambling is really not a big deal on Oceania. I'm amazed that they generally close the tables during the dining hours. But perhaps they're on to something there, as many times before dinner my wife and I would have our best wins. As you're going to dinner, place a couple of bets, hit and run with your winnings instead of giving it back. 

[Classiccruiser777]

I have experienced price drops (and getting them against our initial booking) but they are relatively rare, most likely for off season cruises (November to just before Christmas and February through March).

 

During 5 years of O cruising I haven’t seen any “last second” deals or “pier jumper” specials such as the mass market lines offer. I suspect this strategy is to protect the brand as well as cater to Oceania’s target market.

Edited December 23, 2018 by Classiccruiser777
Typo

[sammiedawg]

A knowledgeable TA told me Oceania does not fire sale cabins.  They do offer cabins here and there to employees or travel agents.  

I haven’t had luck watching for last minute pricing.  So we book when we know we want something.   

 

The OP mentioned Viking, they definitely fire sale cabins and we’ve gotten a couple deals with them. 

[dcsam]

‘Fire Sale’ is a good way to describe it.  I see them a lot with Holland America (‘Flash Sales’).  Although we use to love HAL, our preferences have changed, and now prefer more space and better cuisine that a more service-oriented cruiseline provides.  But of course, that also demands a higher cost - ya get what ya pay for.

 I haven’t seen highly discounted fares with Viking, and I’ve looked.  But now that you’ve mentioned it, I’ll look some more.   

[pinotlover]

Don’t attempt to second guess the Revenue Department! When special rates are offered, they are always through the TA, not on publicized special offerings. So forget about finding them on O’s website.

 

Sometimes they come with no Air. So the promotional cruises out of Southampton, Copenhagen, or Athens May primarily only go to English and EU TAs. Cruises out of Miami might favor those in FL or the South.

 

Also, don’t second guess the Air Department. They have commitments also, so the special offer may require that O Air be used with no air credit. 

 

Oceania works to maximize profitability while maintaining a marketing edge. Here’s some advice on the issue which you may or may not like. If you don’t use a TA, or a TA that only occasionally sells Oceania, you’ll probably never see a special offer. If , in the past, you book through O directly and then wait around and bid for perks from TAs, you’ll probably never get an offer. 

 

The professional high(er) volume Oceania TAs know their clients and know which can leave on a cruise in under 45 days notice.  Those people get the calls and get to listen to the offers. You’ll never read about them while they are happening.

[dcsam]

Thank you.  That’s helpful information.  Ill have to do a bit of research and find a couple high volume Oceania TAs. 

[bob brown]

14 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Don’t attempt to second guess the Revenue Department! When special rates are offered, they are always through the TA, not on publicized special offerings. So forget about finding them on O’s website.

 

Sometimes they come with no Air. So the promotional cruises out of Southampton, Copenhagen, or Athens May primarily only go to English and EU TAs. Cruises out of Miami might favor those in FL or the South.

 

Also, don’t second guess the Air Department. They have commitments also, so the special offer may require that O Air be used with no air credit. 

 

Oceania works to maximize profitability while maintaining a marketing edge. Here’s some advice on the issue which you may or may not like. If you don’t use a TA, or a TA that only occasionally sells Oceania, you’ll probably never see a special offer. If , in the past, you book through O directly and then wait around and bid for perks from TAs, you’ll probably never get an offer. 

 

The professional high(er) volume Oceania TAs know their clients and know which can leave on a cruise in under 45 days notice.  Those people get the calls and get to listen to the offers. You’ll never read about them while they are happening.

Very interesting.   What you say sounds very logical...I am assuming that you are very knowledgeable about 'O's practices.

I do have to disagree with one point...I  booked my ATW cruise directly with O, at the published rate, and then 'shopped' for 'rebates' from T/A's on one of those sites where they 'compete' for your booking.

I received a substantial refundable ship board credit from the offer I selected....

[PaulMCO]

You can also check some of the high volume internet TA's --  we did sail on a last minute cruise once that was discounted heavily.  As a poster stated it did not include air fare.  Fortunately FF miles did the trick.

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, bob brown said:

Very interesting.   What you say sounds very logical...I am assuming that you are very knowledgeable about 'O's practices.

I do have to disagree with one point...I  booked my ATW cruise directly with O, at the published rate, and then 'shopped' for 'rebates' from T/A's on one of those sites where they 'compete' for your booking.

I received a substantial refundable ship board credit from the offer I selected....

Did you book close to sailing?

I think that is what people are discussing not getting rebates

[StanandJim]

58 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Did you book close to sailing?

I think that is what people are discussing not getting rebates

I will tell you that the World Cruises, being so expensive, are a whole different ballgame when it comes to rebates.

[bob brown]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Did you book close to sailing?

I think that is what people are discussing not getting rebates

Oh...sorry if I misinterpreted...I got on a waitlist, about a year before sailing, and cleared the waitlist, about 6 months prior to sailing.  That is when I shopped for the best T/A deal.

On last minute sailings for low fares, I don't bother doing that, although I have booked those thru the "big box store" travel service, and received a store debit card after my return.   Oceania is not bookable thru them for some reason I can't figure out, since both NCL and Regent is.....

[pinotlover]

Heavily discounted fares offered close to sailing and TA rebates are two entirely different matters. Kind of like comparing Labor Day and Christmas because both are holidays!