book direct with Oceania?

[merryecho]

Our great, discount offering TA recently left the business, so I am looking for another way to book. We have decided to take the Oceania Black Sea trip, and looking at the online discounters, all suites were shown as sold out. I called Oceania direct and got what they said was the last suite, at the same price the discounters offer. I put it on hold, but haven't given them any money yet. We are booking a second room too.

 

Does anyone have any experience booking directly through Oceania? Any problems? And, even though free air is offered, they only offer it from Seattle, not Portland, OR, where we live. Is this standard for Oceania?

Thanks for any advice.

[john2003]

This is interesting. I didn't think that they processed bookings without a travel agent. I thought that was one of the lessons learned from Renaissance cruises and that they always handed the booking off to a TA of your choice.

 

Will be interesting to see the other responses.

[merryecho]

I thought so too, but I called a phone number listed on their website, and they confirmed with an email that says it is from Oceania. I am leaning toward keeping the reservation with them, as one of the annoying things I have found in past trips was having to play 'telegraph' with my TA and their air travel department. I tell the TA I want a certain flight, they come back with a different flight, I have to say no, on and on. It would be so much easier just to talk to the air person directly.

[davidandsusan-nj]

I booked our cruise directly through Oceania. I also did my air deviation diectly with them. I just called the toll free number and gave them the flight numbers I wanted. They came back to me VERY QUICKLY with a price for the change. I agreed to the fee and I was sent a confirmation e-mail within the hour.

 

I normally would have booked through my TA, but she was not a fan of Oceania (I don't understand why - the cruise and cruise line sounded perfect to me. It had all the things I was looking for in a cruise) so I ditched her and booked directly. So far, I have been extremely pleased with the service I have gotten from Oceania. I know I will not get the perks that you often get with a TA - like an on board credit, etc... - but I was able to put everything into place with just one phone call. I am hoping the good service I have received so far continues until I board the Regatta on September 22nd. Can't wait.

[Benita]

We are booked on the Black Sea Cruise for July. Last year, we booked directly with Oceania and did not use a travel agent. This time, I used an agent - the price was the same as with Oceania, but the agent will provide an onboard credit as well as free gratuities and lots of great advice.

[Jancruz]

We are booked on the Black Sea Cruise for July. Last year, we booked directly with Oceania and did not use a travel agent. This time, I used an agent - the price was the same as with Oceania, but the agent will provide an onboard credit as well as free gratuities and lots of great advice.

 

Benita..you did the right thing..if you book directly with O you will never get a call with a perk, upgrade, or any info on any changes that may take place..if you can find a good TA you are much better off!!

Jan

*****

[sandancer]

If any prospective Oceania cruisers from the UK are reading this - forget it. They will not accept a direct booking and will give a list of TA's in the Uk who handle Oceania business and these tend to be specialist cruise agencies and not High St agents. When we booked we are able to get the same rates as a VERY WELL KNOWN American internet TA gave.

[merryecho]

Jan- I can understand no perks, but why would you think that, if booking directly, "you won't get a call with changes or upgrades that may take place"? Doesn't Oceania call the TA, who passes the info on? Why wouldn't Oceania just call me directly instead of the TA?

Having dealt with the confusion of trying to make air reservation decisions through a third party, I think I will give up perks in favor of being able to speak to their air agent directly.

[Jancruz]

Jan- I can understand no perks, but why would you think that, if booking directly, "you won't get a call with changes or upgrades that may take place"? Doesn't Oceania call the TA, who passes the info on? Why wouldn't Oceania just call me directly instead of the TA?

Having dealt with the confusion of trying to make air reservation decisions through a third party, I think I will give up perks in favor of being able to speak to their air agent directly.

 

As I understand it you will not speak to the air department directly..and Oceania's res department wont call out to clients..you will have to ask them why..I am just the messenger..

Jan

*****

[merryecho]

After reading Jan's message I got nervous and called the Oceania person I had made my reservations through. She assured me that she would call me immeadiatly if there were any changes or upgrades, and that if I wanted to speak directly to the person doing the air, that wouldn't be a problem. So, maybe now that Oceania is booking direct, they have made some operating changes.

[Molliem]

After reading Jan's message I got nervous and called the Oceania person I had made my reservations through. She assured me that she would call me immeadiatly if there were any changes or upgrades, and that if I wanted to speak directly to the person doing the air, that wouldn't be a problem. So, maybe now that Oceania is booking direct, they have made some operating changes.

 

Hi Merryecho:

 

We have booked directly with Oceania and found them to be very helpful and efficient. The one area which may cause concern is the government insurance program for protecting travellers and their money. In Canada, we have such insurance but it applies to TA bookings. To get around this we have then assigned our booking to a TA. You should get all the amenities being offered and there will be little work other than follow up for the TA to get your travel documents. Some travellers may however, need extra care and assistance which in this case, they may be better seviced through a TA for their travel plan.

[sandy1020]

We usually book with an agent but on occasion I have booked directly with a cruisline and have later transferred the booking to an agent to gain some perks. If you book with Oceania directly,. what, and when is the deposit due', and if the price of the cruise drops before final payment is due, will they honor the lower price ? Thanks

[Jancruz]

They will not call you and as far as air goes....I stand by my original statement..also price does not drop before ship sails as they always sell out..sorry..this isnt sour grapes as everyone on this board knows I love Oceania..they also know that I am aware of exactly how they work..I say again find yourself another good TA..

Jan

*****

[phillipahain]

Can anyone recomend a good USA travel agent for booking Oceania please

 

linkman234@btinternet.com

[merryecho]

I found my old favorite TA- she happened to email to let me know she had gone back to her old company- and transferred my booking to her. She does a great job and her online company gives 5% cash back for cruise bookings!

[Jancruz]

I found my old favorite TA- she happened to email to let me know she had gone back to her old company- and transferred my booking to her. She does a great job and her online company gives 5% cash back for cruise bookings!

 

Glad you did that..you will be much happier..have a great trip!!

Jan

*****

[shoshona2]

Hi merryecho,

 

We have been on three Oceania cruises now and always do our own airfare. We take the money offered and then we have control over our flights. We also are on the West Coast and anything can happen in the connections to Europe -- delayed flights due to fog, blackouts, engine trouble, etc. Make sure you arrive the day before the ship is to leave. We have been on over 30 cruises and several times we were delayed for 12 hours. If we didn't arrive a day earlier, we would have missed the ship.

 

Sheila

[travelphish]

I always go a day early to Europe or any overseas destination...even from the east coast sheesh happens.

 

I like to relax and sleep off some of the jet lag... also, it's great to catch some sites of the port you are originating from.

 

Travelphish

[HappyMarv]

Evening..

 

This is VERY scary.. While the O ships are run so meticulously, the staff in Miami is not. I've E'd Miami 4 times with questions.. One question answered by FDR's daughter was correct. One question answered about "gateway" cities was totally wrong. And two other questions were just not answered at all.

 

I've phoned them on several occasions, and have been given the "bums rush".. I can't get the website to correct my "guest registration info". For instance, my wife is not a male and the Email address is not correct but the website will NOT take my word for it.

 

On the other hand, my TA speaks English, has cruised on O ships, understands what I need, and responds quickly back to me. So far, her answers have been right on target. Understand now, that at my age, I can't stand many surprises when I'm "on the road".. I've got to plan for everything and my TA has been such a DOLL serving as an intermediary.

 

I'd sure recommend a reliable TA...

 

Marvin

[happycruiser1]

I booked three Oceania cruises with the same agent who has a special relationship with this cruise line. I always got substantial discounts from Oceania price and great service. If somebody needs a good agent, e-mail me tolycarter@aol.com.