rbtan Posted August 30, 2023 #126 Share Posted August 30, 2023 On 8/18/2023 at 4:59 PM, Jancruz said: Heard today.. As of September 1 Once you put a deposit down $150 per person penalty..no credit no refund you lose this money 180 Days $500 a person no credit no refund you lose this money You cannot move it to another cruise Sorry to have to bring you this news.. Jancruz1 PS Dont shoot the messanger What about those of us who booked last Jan.(2023) We only paid 500 on board.No plans on canceling, but I'm waiting on a possible Kidney transplant. So far I'm still fairly stable & hope not to need dialysis until well after the cruise. Obviously if a transplant comes along then the cruise is off & we have full coverage that cost about $1400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS&JW Posted August 31, 2023 #127 Share Posted August 31, 2023 16 hours ago, rbtan said: What about those of us who booked last Jan.(2023) We only paid 500 on board.No plans on canceling, but I'm waiting on a possible Kidney transplant. So far I'm still fairly stable & hope not to need dialysis until well after the cruise. Obviously if a transplant comes along then the cruise is off & we have full coverage that cost about $1400 New rules apply only for cruises booked after September 1. So you previous booked cruise goes by the old rules. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna Doone Posted August 31, 2023 #128 Share Posted August 31, 2023 Not happy with new policy after 9 Oceania cruises. So many changes at once has us looking for alternate cruise lines and land tours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanoj Posted August 31, 2023 #129 Share Posted August 31, 2023 1 hour ago, Lorna Doone said: Not happy with new policy after 9 Oceania cruises. So many changes at once has us looking for alternate cruise lines and land tours. Us too, particularly land tours as after disembarking Vista yesterday (for our first Oceania cruise and first with any line since June 2019) we now realize our travel preferences have changed. With these new policies adversely affecting us, it’s easier contemplating various types of land tours. We met a couple from our cruise at a bakery in Waterford, Ireland who have an e-bike based tour in Europe booked next year that has some appeal to us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted September 2, 2023 #130 Share Posted September 2, 2023 The immediate financial penalty means we must research and get quotes on insurance, and slog through their fine print, before booking a cruise now with O. One policy I like includes CFAR coverage if purchased within 72 hours of booking. Depending on amount of coverage, age and duration it can be competitive with non-cfar policies, or can be much more expensive so must check each time. Another policy requires purchase within 48 hours of the first non-refundable payment for the pre-existing condition waiver. Etc, etc, etc. Insurance coverage is an important consideration for us and unfortunately in Canada have limited options. An immediate penalty means we cannot just book and then get our other arrangements sorted so no more impulse purchases. This apparently small change has a large effect on our purchasing. The size of the penalty is less important than the effect it has. Sudden promotion or opening day bookings take more work. That is a reason we never considered some cruise lines that were otherwise appealing. Unsubscribed from most mailers as I knew would not book because of their immediate penalties. Now O is in the same boat as the rest and one thing less to differentiate O. This new penalty has expanded our list of cruise line possibilities so that is a good thing (for us). We are already drifting away. We are on three cruises this year, only one (upcoming) on O which always was our preferred line. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJL2023 Posted September 2, 2023 #131 Share Posted September 2, 2023 3 hours ago, YoHoHo said: The immediate financial penalty means we must research and get quotes on insurance, and slog through their fine print, before booking a cruise now with O. One policy I like includes CFAR coverage if purchased within 72 hours of booking. Depending on amount of coverage, age and duration it can be competitive with non-cfar policies, or can be much more expensive so must check each time. Another policy requires purchase within 48 hours of the first non-refundable payment for the pre-existing condition waiver. Etc, etc, etc. Insurance coverage is an important consideration for us and unfortunately in Canada have limited options. An immediate penalty means we cannot just book and then get our other arrangements sorted so no more impulse purchases. This apparently small change has a large effect on our purchasing. The size of the penalty is less important than the effect it has. Sudden promotion or opening day bookings take more work. That is a reason we never considered some cruise lines that were otherwise appealing. Unsubscribed from most mailers as I knew would not book because of their immediate penalties. Now O is in the same boat as the rest and one thing less to differentiate O. This new penalty has expanded our list of cruise line possibilities so that is a good thing (for us). We are already drifting away. We are on three cruises this year, only one (upcoming) on O which always was our preferred line. Not all travel policies require you purchase within 72 hours of booking for CFAR. The one I use allows you to purchase the CFAR option if you buy the insurance within 20 days of placing your deposit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted September 2, 2023 #132 Share Posted September 2, 2023 We always purchase for pre-existing and that is a 14 day window from deposit. We also only insure the deposit initially - maybe check to see if any of those policies are available in Canada 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted September 4, 2023 #133 Share Posted September 4, 2023 On 9/2/2023 at 3:45 PM, EJL2023 said: Not all travel policies require you purchase within 72 hours of booking for CFAR. The one I use allows you to purchase the CFAR option if you buy the insurance within 20 days of placing your deposit. True. I realize this one is strict but it is one I like because of the excellent coverage. I.e. CFAR is 80 or 90% vs as low possible 50% for some others. And can be requested within 48 hours of departure. And very few coverage exclusions / conditions. So great coverage but strict on time window and only for up to 30 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted September 4, 2023 #134 Share Posted September 4, 2023 On 9/2/2023 at 4:23 PM, Vineyard View said: We always purchase for pre-existing and that is a 14 day window from deposit. We also only insure the deposit initially - maybe check to see if any of those policies are available in Canada Thanks for the suggestion. 14 day is not uncommon but no CFAR so if we go without that, or the price of the CFAR policy is too high then that is a good option. Insuring deposit only is a smart idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted September 4, 2023 #135 Share Posted September 4, 2023 6 hours ago, YoHoHo said: Thanks for the suggestion. 14 day is not uncommon but no CFAR so if we go without that, or the price of the CFAR policy is too high then that is a good option. Insuring deposit only is a smart idea. Life happens. We learned this trick several years back here on CC and I only book this way now. I hope it can work for you. There are online agencies you can ‘live chat’ with to make sure your policy is able to offer this method, and then you also can screen shot your chat with the agent for your records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkWiltonM Posted September 4, 2023 #136 Share Posted September 4, 2023 I looked at Oceania's live "Terms and Conditions" on the website and don't see the reference to the new refund (no refund) policy that is supposed to be in effect as of September 1. Is it there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted September 4, 2023 #137 Share Posted September 4, 2023 2 hours ago, MarkWiltonM said: I looked at Oceania's live "Terms and Conditions" on the website and don't see the reference to the new refund (no refund) policy that is supposed to be in effect as of September 1. Is it there? It's in the Guest Ticket Contract starting at the bottom of page 5: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/sites/default/files/2023-08/oceania-guest-ticket-contract-us.pdf 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted November 15, 2023 #138 Share Posted November 15, 2023 On 8/18/2023 at 6:38 PM, basor said: That is what travel insurance is for......we never cruise without it Travel insurance does not cover life situations that change years in advance of a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basor Posted November 15, 2023 #139 Share Posted November 15, 2023 37 minutes ago, edgee said: Travel insurance does not cover life situations that change years in advance of a cruise. I am not sure what you mean - our travel insurance is purchased immediately upon making a deposit and then it includes a pre-existing condition waiver...just did this for our SEP 25 cruise booked onboard VISTA. What life situations are you meaning? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted November 15, 2023 #140 Share Posted November 15, 2023 56 minutes ago, basor said: I am not sure what you mean - our travel insurance is purchased immediately upon making a deposit and then it includes a pre-existing condition waiver...just did this for our SEP 25 cruise booked onboard VISTA. What life situations are you meaning? What I am talking about is life situations/reasons other than which is insurable. Some could be health related but uninsurable. Example: Progressive eye disease gets unexpectedly worse on a faster track than previously thought. A happy example: grandchild decides to get married. Or could be a world event that is not directly related to war or a terrorist event but you no longer feel comfortable traveling there. Example: Turkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted November 15, 2023 #141 Share Posted November 15, 2023 On 8/31/2023 at 10:35 AM, KS&JW said: New rules apply only for cruises booked after September 1. So you previous booked cruise goes by the old rules. Wait! This new policy was just announced, is that correct? And Oceania is retroactively applying it to those who booked since September 1st? Sounds a bit like the "you can get a FCC until..." until you accept the offer and then it's, "Oops, sorry, we cancelled that! No FCC for you!" I hope they didn't really do this with the deposits! GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basor Posted November 15, 2023 #142 Share Posted November 15, 2023 2 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said: Wait! This new policy was just announced, is that correct? And Oceania is retroactively applying it to those who booked since September 1st? Sounds a bit like the "you can get a FCC until..." until you accept the offer and then it's, "Oops, sorry, we cancelled that! No FCC for you!" I hope they didn't really do this with the deposits! GC The policy changed for bookings after 01SEPT - he indicated that he booked mid Sept so that is not retroactive...the policy change was announced in August not just now..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted November 15, 2023 #143 Share Posted November 15, 2023 (edited) 3 minutes ago, basor said: The policy changed for bookings after 01SEPT - he indicated that he booked mid Sept so that is not retroactive...the policy change was announced in August not just now..... Thanks! I thought it was just announced recently. ETA: Also, I'm fairly sure that on our first Oceania cruise, there was a $150 or maybe even $250 (?) pp "admin" fee or such, that was non-refundable but could be applied to another cruise within a year. I don't remember looking for that wording later. This would have been a bit something like 8 years ago. Was this in fact a policy back then? And was it later relaxed? GC Edited November 15, 2023 by GeezerCouple Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basor Posted November 15, 2023 #144 Share Posted November 15, 2023 3 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said: Thanks! I thought it was just announced recently. ETA: Also, I'm fairly sure that on our first Oceania cruise, there was a $150 or maybe even $250 (?) pp "admin" fee or such, that was non-refundable but could be applied to another cruise within a year. I don't remember looking for that wording later. This would have been a bit something like 8 years ago. Was this in fact a policy back then? And was it later relaxed? GC Yes - that is correct but it became non transferable a while back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 15, 2023 #145 Share Posted November 15, 2023 6 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said: Thanks! I thought it was just announced recently. ETA: Also, I'm fairly sure that on our first Oceania cruise, there was a $150 or maybe even $250 (?) pp "admin" fee or such, that was non-refundable but could be applied to another cruise within a year. I don't remember looking for that wording later. This would have been a bit something like 8 years ago. Was this in fact a policy back then? And was it later relaxed? GC Things change & policies change Some never check the details until the S*** hits the fan JMO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted November 15, 2023 #146 Share Posted November 15, 2023 1 minute ago, LHT28 said: Things change & policies change Some never check the details until the S*** hits the fan JMO But IF there was a non-refundable deposit (and I *think* I'm remembering correctly?) just a few years ago, then it shouldn't generate such a fuss, especially from some longer-time Oceania aficionados. Also, my complaint about some of these issues is IF/when they (or anyone) changes a policy AFTER someone has signed up/paid for something, and then holds then to the *new* terms, terms that were not in effect when they signed up/enrolled/etc. And that's what apparently happened to some of those who were offered FCCs if they cancelled that other cruise. Some cancelled hotels or airlines/etc., and then suddenly, "oops, NOPE...!" 😱 GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 15, 2023 #147 Share Posted November 15, 2023 1 hour ago, GeezerCouple said: But IF there was a non-refundable deposit (and I *think* I'm remembering correctly?) just a few years ago, then it shouldn't generate such a fuss, especially from some longer-time Oceania aficionados. Also, my complaint about some of these issues is IF/when they (or anyone) changes a policy AFTER someone has signed up/paid for something, and then holds then to the *new* terms, terms that were not in effect when they signed up/enrolled/etc. And that's what apparently happened to some of those who were offered FCCs if they cancelled that other cruise. Some cancelled hotels or airlines/etc., and then suddenly, "oops, NOPE...!" 😱 GC If people booked before the new Cancellation rules were implemented (Sept 1st for the $150 anytime cancellation fee) then the rule at the time they booked is still in effect The Admin fee did change where you used to be able to move it to another cruise & now the Admin fee is non refundable if you cancel at the 180 day to 151 day mark after that point the cancellation penalties kick in https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005306234-What-is-your-cancellation-and-refund-policy- I am sure you understand the difference People need to check their invoice to see where they fall in the cancellation rules 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare doowopbob Posted November 15, 2023 #148 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Just had to cancel a cruise 175 days out and got hit with the $500 pp cancellation that I knew nothing about (my fault for not reading the fine print). I think it is very short sighted of Oceania to not allow you to transfer that amount to another cruise. Had we been allowed to do that we would have already booked a future cruise. As it is they have lost us as customers permanently. Would never even consider Oceania again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted November 15, 2023 #149 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Why would they have hit you with $500 at 175 days out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted November 15, 2023 #150 Share Posted November 15, 2023 5 minutes ago, Vineyard View said: Why would they have hit you with $500 at 175 days out? Have you looked at the Cancellation penalty schedule? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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