The "upsell" folks at Oceania are busy today...

[dino2067]

Are there any incentives if you book while onboard? Does O even do this, having a representative there to sell you another cruise while you are enjoying the present one? And if so, will they offer cost incentives?

 

SunDapple-

 

I posted this in response to another Oceania thread and which may help you with your inquiry:

 

 

"I'm just off the 3/9/09 Miami to Barcelona TA where the latest efforts of Oceania marketing were apparent...the "Be Our Guest Sale" which offered deeper discounting with up to an additional 20% to 50% off of select cruises (plus the additional $200 Oceania Club savings) only available if booked while onboard...the sooner the cruise the deeper the discount. The most deeply discounted cruise at 50% off was the 4-21-09 Rome to Athens itinerary on Insignia...fares from $3,299 pp were now $1,649 pp which also included the "free" air and the $200 Oceania Club savings.

 

Another example is the 5-24-09 Istanbul to Athens itinerary on Nautica, which was discounted by an additional 45% off...fares from $2,999 pp were now $1,649 pp which also included the "free" air and the $200 Oceania Club savings.

 

This is a very targeted marketing plan aimed at those clients onboard that potentially can pick up and travel on a moments notice with the $$$ means to do so. Obviously, it is working...if you now look at the cabin availability for that same 5-24-09 sailing, the highest category available shows to be a C1 (previously, there were cabins available in the OS, PH's, etc., catagories).

 

I would have LOVED to take advantage of some of the deals offered but allocating the additional time off on short notice from work was my issue of not being able to do so. However, since the Onboard Cruise Consultant was overloaded with requests, I'll venture to guess that others were able to capitalize on the savings being offered. What I was able to take advantage of was an additional 5% discount offered on a (previously booked) 2010 Oceania itinerary which is already under the current 2009-2010 winter collection sale. While I did not book this cruise onboard per se, Oceania did honor the discount as though I had."

 

 

One caveat here...I can only state that this promotion was what was available at the time while I was onboard during my particular cruise...these types of offers may or may not be available on other future Oceania cruises. I and others just happened to be on an Oceania cruise where these sales/discounts were offered and could take advantage of them if we choose to.

 

Hope that helps...

 

Kathleen

[Bruin Steve]

Let me jump back in here a minute...

 

Cruise prices vary...they have always varied...on all lines...

 

But, it's not necessarily the cruise line offering the variations...

Oceania has always been fairly consistent in its pricing...mostly because they could...they filled their ships fairly easily...This year is different...and Oceania, like most lines, has had to play a little of the "supply and demand" game...offering $1000 off on some sailings, offering more "upsells" than usual...it's the market...

 

But there are other things, other than the standard pricing, that results in some people getting a better deal...

There are "group rate" deals...which I am not sure if Oceania has done much in the past, but this year I have seen some TA websites claiming to have some available...

As gtragitt pointed out, there are "interline" rates, employee discounts and other such discounts which, unless you are in the select limited group, you cannot get anyway...

 

Then, there is the issue of Travel Agent discounting, Travel Agent incentives and so on...

Travel agents get varying amounts of commission depending on their volume...Many Travel Agents, especially those with high overhead, need to pocket the entire commission...But some Travel Agents attract business by offering either discounts--a straightforward lower price--or incentives like onboard credit, free prepaid tips, free shore excursions, etc.

 

The cruise line is NOT offering or paying for these...the Travel Agent is paying for these out of their commissions...

 

The net effect to the consumer, though, is that they are paying a lower price than the guy who just books the cruise--either directly from the cruise line or from a non-discounting Travel Agency...This has gone on for a long time--even on Oceania...

 

Some folks notice a little more of it this year...for one good reason...the travel agents need the sales...

 

So, yes, you MAY have gotten a good price...Someone else MAY have gotten a better price...You can drive yourself crazy trying to find out...But the truth is that it has NEVER been--even on Oceania--that EVERYONE has paid the same price...MOST people in most years have paid the same price--provided they booked early (before two for one went to 40% off, etc.) and booked directly or from a non-discounting Travel Agent...

 

Bottom line is to choose your travel agent wisely...and remember, the lowest price isn't necessarily what serves you best...Often a full price TA is worth the full price...Going to an online TA site often means you lose some of the service, the personal attention, the responsivelness, the help with issues and problems, etc. Lowest price shouldn't always be your criteria...

 

BTW, to those following my story line here, my TA DOES discount...but when I restructured my deal, I specifically asked her NOT to discount my restructured deal...I felt that she did so much work on my behalf that she shouldn't have to take a lesser commission...

[Acrusa]

Are there any incentives if you book while onboard? Does O even do this, having a representative there to sell you another cruise while you are enjoying the present one? And if so, will they offer cost incentives?

 

Last summer they did not market there cruises for the following season.They issued your gift certificate and it was good if you booked when you got home 45 days after your cruise ended.

[LHT28]

Are there any incentives if you book while onboard? Does O even do this, having a representative there to sell you another cruise while you are enjoying the present one? And if so, will they offer cost incentives?

 

In the past (before the economy downturn)

You got the $200. per cabin coupon to book a future cruise with in 45 days of your return. They were in your cabin & also mailed to you.

 

In the early years they did have a rep onboard but they did away with them. I believe they have re-instated the future cruise booking rep.

You could go online in the computer room & book online ..(no charge)

 

Times are changing right now so who knows what the future will bring.;)

 

Lyn

[chicagogal]

We hardly even get brochures mailed to us. None from Celebrity, perhaps only once or twice from Oceania in the last five years, and same from Silversea. By the way, we do get membership e-mails from them from time to time, that 's all.

 

Want some of mine? :) We get at least three a week from Oceania. (I thought everyone did) Shows you what I know ...

[newcruisers04]

Interline rates are for employees/family & sometimes friends of people who work in the travel industry.

 

Some give really good deals;)

 

Not exactly what most people here are talking about

The average JOE cannot apply for the rates.

 

Lyn

BTW everyone get the $200. off coupon on their cruise with O

LHT --- good news getting the coupon for the next cruise...maybe we can tag up with your next one??? Where are you thinking of heading?

[LHT28]

LHT --- good news getting the coupon for the next cruise...maybe we can tag up with your next one??? Where are you thinking of heading?

 

waiting to see the new cruises :D

[ORV]

Want some of mine? :) We get at least three a week from Oceania. (I thought everyone did) Shows you what I know ...

 

We get them from about a dozen different lines every week. Many of them that we've never cruised on.

[LHT28]

Want some of mine? :) We get at least three a week from Oceania. (I thought everyone did) Shows you what I know ...

Three brochures a week ...I did not think they sent that many out

 

I know we get 2- 3 a year!

 

Lyn

[potterhill]

We used to get 2-3 a year, but recently it is 2-3 a month, or at least it seems like that. Sometimes we don't even look at them as they are just the same itineraries we already know about.

 

They could save a lot of money on printing and postage.

 

Mo

[SunDapple]

 

I can only state that this promotion was what was available at the time while I was onboard during my particular cruise...these types of offers may or may not be available on other future Oceania cruises. I and others just happened to be on an Oceania cruise where these sales/discounts were offered and could take advantage of them if we choose to.

 

Hope that helps...

 

Kathleen

 

It most certainly does, Kathleen. Thank you so much for the clear explanation.

Jacquie

[Cruise Junky]

Want some of mine? :) We get at least three a week from Oceania. (I thought everyone did) Shows you what I know ...

 

Me too, but when I get three a week, I get two sets, one set to the office and one to home :eek:

[chicagogal]

Me too, but when I get three a week, I get two sets, one set to the office and one to home :eek:

 

No Oceania brochure today but we did get Silversea and Seabourne today- seems like the more upscale the cruise line the more they are hurting right now!

 

What a lot of dead trees to do all of this printing! It is a shame. They usually go straight into the trash

[Cruise Junky]

No Oceania brochure today but we did get Silversea and Seabourne today- seems like the more upscale the cruise line the more they are hurting right now!

 

What a lot of dead trees to do all of this printing! It is a shame. They usually go straight into the trash

 

Slow day for us, we didn't get anything today, but have had a couple of HAL earlier in the week.

[LHT28]

 

What a lot of dead trees to do all of this printing! It is a shame. They usually go straight into the trash

 

You could ask them to take you off the mailing list if you do not want them.

That would save some trees & $$

[ORV]

We get more Regent brochures than any. At least 2 a week. HAL comes in second but we've never cruised on them.

[Friscorays]

What a lot of dead trees to do all of this printing! It is a shame. They usually go straight into the trash

 

Ours go straight into the recycling bin.

[SanFranCruizer]

Upsells are not new to Oceania, and they are not just because of the economy. In 2008, my partner and I and my parents and his parents booked a Caribbean Pearls Itinerary for March 2008. My partner and I booked PH3. My parents and his parents both book A3 (concierge). About 2 months before the cruise, the TA called to say Oceania had called and offered both of our parents to upgrade for $500 per person. They did. They were both put in PH 1 rooms. So, they paid, even with the upsells, $1200 less than what we paid and ended up in a higher category PH than we did. This idea that everyone on the ship paid the same for the rooms is totally off. We met people on that cruise in PH rooms who had paid the full price last minute and not the 2 for 1. Amazing what you here in the smoking section of the pool deck. Book a cruise based on what you like, not on who pays what. God help any of you if you ever ask the person next to you on the plane what they paid for their seat. You will be shocked!

[Palmetto Lady]

If you don't already know, the Concierge level rooms do not have a "dedicated" concierge. They do not have any additional service such as the Penthouse rooms have with the butler. I had one conversation with the Concierge whose desk is on the same deck as reception and excursion desks. He informed me that he is the Concierge for the entire ship. Even my travel agent did not know that.

[wripro]

Palmetto Lady,

 

Shame on your TA.

[Bowie MeMe]

Only time in CC level on Celebrity. The desk was next to shore excursion and front desk. Only time tried to use this service (it had a sign up for most of the time saying go to front desk) I got in concirege line DH in shore excursion line. DH helped first. I would not pay extra for this service IMHO

[hondorner]

Only time in CC level on Celebrity. The desk was next to shore excursion and front desk. Only time tried to use this service (it had a sign up for most of the time saying go to front desk) I got in concirege line DH in shore excursion line. DH helped first. I would not pay extra for this service IMHO

The concierge staterooms on Oceania have absolutely nothing to do with the person at the concierge desk on Oceania, and while I'm not certain, I believe it's the same on Celebrity. "Concierge Class" is just a name that describes extra amenities in that category. The concierge person is available to all passengers. One does not pay extra for that "service". On Oceania, the concierge desk is only open at specific, named times.

[Bruin Steve]

I only have good things to say about the Concierge desk on Celebrity...

 

First, before I start, let me also say that the "Concierge" on any ship is typically just one person....and you have to realize they cannot be expected to physically be present at your beck and call 24 hours a day...They keep certain desk hours...When not available, they will typically have a sign refering you to the guest relations desk--which cn handle a lot of the same issues...We have always found both the Guest Relations desk crew AND the Concierge to be very helpful...on BOTH Celebrity and on Oceania...

 

Now, let me give you my personal experience with the Concierge on Celebrity Constellation:

 

Last July, we were on a cruise in the Baltic from Stockholm to Harwich. About 4 days into the cruise, having just left our second port, Gdansk, Poland, we called home and learned that my father-in-law had unexpectedly passed away. The family (and my wife) expected us to fly home for the funeral (which, in the Jewish tradition, happens quickly...the following day was Saturday, so the funeral was set for Sunday Afternoon)...The following day was "at sea" and the day after that was a port stop in Helsinki...Our timing was tight...The Concierge onboard hopped into action...She worked virtually the entire morning as my personal assistant...She arranged flights from Helsinki to Los Angeles, canceled our hotel reservations and shuttle reservations in London, canceled all of our shore excursions, arranged our transportation in LA from LAX to the cemetary (yes, our timing was that tight)...She literally went page by page with me through my trip file (I keep a file with printouts of every logistical step of my trip) and rearranged, canceled, did whatever had to be done...and she arranged for a crew member to assist us with our luggage and for a taxi to pick us up at the ship in Helsinki as soon as the ship docked and arranged for us to be the first ones off the ship...She and the Captain's Club Hostess personally escorted us to the taxi...

 

...and, no, we were not sailing in a "Concierge Class" cabin...

 

I am certain that some passenger in a "Concierge Class" cabin who felt that it was her job to be immediately available to him may have had to go to the Guest Relations desk instead to request an extra pillow or ask if they could help get his specialty restaurant reservation moved from 8 to 7...or whatever important anyone thinks these people should be doing...

 

For me, I have a special appreciation for whoever holds down this spot on any cruise ship...With all of the people on board, I know that odds are that each cruise there will be someone with some really special need...

 

I will be in a Concierge Class cabin on Nautica...but I really don't see myself using the Concierge all that much...There are 400 crew members on the ship and they all seem to go out of their way to help us and get us whatever we need...whether we are in an inside cabin, a suite, or anything inbetween...

 

I'm thinking maybe they should hve found a different name for the Category...it's really not based on a level of service...ALL of the categories get great service...

[SanFranCruizer]

This is swerving off topic, but here is the rationale behind why they named this "concierge" class, straight from the Oceania website:

 

"The term “concierge” evolved from a French phrase referring to the person who tended to visiting nobles. Treating guests royally is also the guiding principle behind the design of our Concierge Level Staterooms (A1, A2 and A3) in preferred locations on deck 7. These beautifully decorated 216-square-foot staterooms mirror many of the luxurious amenities found in our Penthouse Suites, including a private teak veranda, flat-screen television, plush seating area and spacious closet. Comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of these extraordinary staterooms. Category A2 staterooms are located in the mid section of deck 7."

 

There is no mention of the ship's concierge.

[Bowie MeMe]

Perhaps it was indeed my misunderstanding of the what the congierge (see I can not even spell it) room was all about. I did not think that it was all that big a deal and I think the service I get on a cruise ship is just wonderful. I suffer a few days when I get home and absolutely no one cares if I am happy, well fed and no one calls me by my name and offers service. All I have left are the upgraded amenities in my gym bag!!