New 20th free cruise questions

[goletans]

At least I hope these are new questions. I did search for answers before posting.

 

My husband does not have as many sailings as I do so we will not reach our 20th cruise at the same time. We will be together on my 20th cruise. How does this enter into the free cruise deal?

 

Also a question on timing. We have several cruises booked into 2026 with my 19th (19 credits) booked. At what point will O expect/allow us to reserve the free cruise - now? or after completing my #19? We always book as soon as itineraries we want are released.

 

with appreciation for your experience and insights  ~ 

[Tr1v1alCru1ser]

Our TA told us to book our 20th, (so we could select the cabin we wanted) and 6 months out from the cruise date, she’d tell O that we wanted to take it as our freebie. Had no issues with them saying OK, and adjust the invoice accordingly. 

[ORV]

If you use a travel agent I would suggest involving them. It sounds like you have a special case. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 hours ago, Tr1v1alCru1ser said:

Our TA told us to book our 20th, (so we could select the cabin we wanted) and 6 months out from the cruise date, she’d tell O that we wanted to take it as our freebie. Had no issues with them saying OK, and adjust the invoice accordingly. 

You’re not answering both parts of OP’s question. Only one of them is near cruise credit number 20. So, that partner is SOL for the comp cruise.

That said, they can identify the cruise on which OP will earn CC #20 and inform O Club of the preference. O Club will let them know what the balance due is once the combo platinum and regular cruise fares are figured out.

[goletans]

Thank you, all. 

 

Flatbush Flyer, I think SOL means spouse out of luck, yes?

 

We are working with our TA on this who will be sorting out our credits. She was rather busy last week as you can imagine with the new bookings. 

Hopefully something will come up with the September releases that is at least 14 days. It's hard to find an itinerary with enough new-to-us ports that merit a cruise. I'd love to see Easter Island as a stop.

 

So many details.

 

Maybe someone will join in with first hand experience on this. 

 

Our TA told us to book our 20th, (so we could select the cabin we wanted) and 6 months out from the cruise date, she’d tell O that we wanted to take it as our freebie. Had no issues with them saying OK, and adjust the invoice accordingly.

 

This. makes sense to us.

 

[sitraveler]

My qualification for the free cruise was not an issue. Didn’t make 20 until later. Don’t know what would if I attempted a second free one. 

[no fuss travel]

Just remember with the free cruise you do not receive OLife Benefits, transfers between airport and ship and transfers from ship to airport, or can use Oceania's airfare. You will receive Platinum benefits though.  You cannot ask for the cruise booked to be your free cruise until 6 months before embarkation.  If you are on board the Oceania Ambassador or whatever they are called now can do the asking for you and you will get an answer much faster than using your TA.  You cannot use an ATW as part of your free cruise.

[ATWCruiser]

Hope this link helps on your question.  It looks like you can take your free cruise together but your husband won't be able to double dip once he reaches his milestone as they have his info on record that a free cruise was already used.

[goletans]

2 hours ago, ATWCruiser said:

Hope this link helps on your question.  It looks like you can take your free cruise together but your husband won't be able to double dip once he reaches his milestone as they have his info on record that a free cruise was already used.

Thank you. I had missed this topic.

I see that as usual with O it depends on who you talk to and when as perks change.

For now I will assume that I will be able to request my free 14-day cruise 180 days before sailing and that my husband may also get the perk. However, he will not get an additional free cruise on his 20th. Any other benefits we may or may not receive is up in the air for now. Oceania will figure out how much we will pay for the sailing. We hope it will be a solid savings.

[bob brown]

2 hours ago, goletans said:

Thank you. I had missed this topic.

I see that as usual with O it depends on who you talk to and when as perks change.

For now I will assume that I will be able to request my free 14-day cruise 180 days before sailing and that my husband may also get the perk. However, he will not get an additional free cruise on his 20th. Any other benefits we may or may not receive is up in the air for now. Oceania will figure out how much we will pay for the sailing. We hope it will be a solid savings.

I had long given up on 'O' doing what is "right", and accepted it is what it is;  but since this subject has resurrected, I will comment...

 

If someone can take a friend on their "Milestone" free cruise, who say, has no history on "O", does that person, who begins cruising on 'O' on their own, now have to cruise 40 times to get their first "earned Milestone"?    That would seem to be how 'O' is interpreting their "fine print".

 

Or...suppose someone else wants to take that person on their first Milestone cruise...would they have to pay to go on it, since they have already been on another person's Milestone?

 

The "fine print" does not address all these possibilities.   The perk should be for an individual to use, and the status of the 'guest', should have no bearing on whether they can be a 'guest' of the Milestone awardee, or not.   Or simply change it to make it clear, the milestone cannot be 'shared'.

[Flatbush Flyer]

11 hours ago, ATWCruiser said:

Hope this link helps on your question.  It looks like you can take your free cruise together but your husband won't be able to double dip once he reaches his milestone as they have his info on record that a free cruise was already used.

What link? And what’s with bother get the freebie although only one earned it. Either something new or fake news.

[FetaCheese]

9 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

What link? And what’s with bother get the freebie although only one earned it. Either something new or fake news.

The link will take you to the prior topic from September 21, 2023.

 

About 39 posts.

Edited April 30 by FetaCheese

[goletans]

Just in from our elite TA:

 

Only the person in the cabin who has reached their milestone cruise is entitled to the savings.  So what Oceania’s Oceania Club Deck will do is apply your milestone cruise to your portion of the cruise fare only.

 

I don't see how this is a good deal........

 

[AMHuntFerry]

2 minutes ago, goletans said:

I don't see how this is a good deal........

 

You are getting your free cruise and the other person will get theirs when they reach 20. Seems good to me, but "tastes vary".

[goletans]

Yes, but he is quite a few credits behind me and we're not getting any younger.

 

It will come down to O's math

[osandomir]

2 hours ago, goletans said:

Yes, but he is quite a few credits behind me and we're not getting any younger.

 

It will come down to O's math

Each person has O account that reflects their own loyalty level. Why’d you expect your spouse to get a free cruise before he has enough credits to be Platinum. That wouldn’t be fair to others who are waiting until they reach the level which entitles them for their free cruise.

 

Enjoy your free cruise as it’s a great achievement for those who have sailed with O long enough.

[goletans]

"Why’d you expect your spouse to get a free cruise before he has enough credits to be Platinum."

 

I didn't; I had asked, "My husband does not have as many sailings as I do so we will not reach our 20th cruise at the same time. We will be together on my 20th cruise. How does this enter into the free cruise deal?"

 

There were several responses that indicated otherwise such as

My qualification for the free cruise was not an issue. Didn’t make 20 until later. Don’t know what would if I attempted a second free one. 

 

and similar responses within the link to the prior topic from September 21, 2023. Here's one:

We booked what I thought what was going to be my first "Milestone Cruise" on the Vista for this December.  Our Oceania Ambassador on board my recent ATW sold it to me on board, based on my having accumulated 30 cruise credits...15 from my solo 2019 ATW, and 15 from this years, (sharing with my wife).   We had used her "Milestone Cruise", (earned prior to our wedding),  for the segment from Miami to San Francisco.   Since I was included with her on that, they now say that I had already had my first Milestone (even though I had not yet earned it at that time).   That was contrary to what the O Club Ambassador promised.   As instructed by the Ambassador, prior to the final payment date, I notified Oceania that I wished to take this as my Milestone cruise. A couple of days ago, Oceania told me I had to pay in full, as I already had my milestone cruise.  They even claimed this new one would have been my third!   My wife had one previous to us meeting, and the one we shared in December was her second.

 

So you see how this can be confusing.