Oceania Cruises has implemented a new pre-paid gratuity policy for UK and Ireland bookings.
- Starting January 1, the cruise line offers pre-paid gratuities, hailed as an innovation based on positive trade feedback.
- The success of this model in Australia has encouraged its introduction in the UK market.
- The pre-paid gratuities come with Oceania’s Simply More package, promising a seamless travel experience.
- Travellers can expect significant savings on luxury cruises in 2024 and 2025.
Oceania Cruises has announced its decision to include pre-paid gratuities for all new bookings within the UK and Ireland. This initiative, effective from January 1, stems from favourable responses gathered from trade partners. The concept has already garnered considerable success in Australia, where pre-paid gratuities have seen widespread acceptance.
The cruise line’s Simply More value proposition complements this new offering. It ensures passengers benefit from free round-trip airfare, a comprehensive drinks package, and shore excursion credits. According to Jason Worth, Oceania’s vice-president of international sales, the decision aligns with both the company’s strategic goals and the cultural preferences of the UK market, where tipping norms resonate closely with those in Australia.
Passengers on Oceania Cruises will find themselves relieved from additional on-board expenses, eliminating the surprise of a long bill at the journey’s end. The cruise line’s efforts to provide ‘great value’ through pre-paid gratuities reflect a significant shift towards cost transparency and customer satisfaction, ensuring guests focus solely on enjoying their voyage.
Upcoming cruises on Oceania offer savings of up to 50% per stateroom for bookings completed by February 29. These include a diverse range of itineraries, spanning from seven to 32 days, and cover enticing destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, and beyond, allowing travellers to indulge in luxury travel for less.
President Frank Del Rio emphasises the excitement in welcoming travellers aboard for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, offering an ‘immersive small-ship luxury experience’ that is now more accessible due to the new year’s savings.
Oceania Cruises’ introduction of pre-paid gratuities marks a pivotal enhancement in its service offering, promising a streamlined and customer-focused experience.
